Robert Barnard wrote:

Here is a far out question.

There have been a few attempts to cool an engine by dissipating the heat to
the skin of the aircraft.  Could this be a viable alternative to a
drag-inducing radiator?

Would pocofoam work well to distribute heat from a rigid tube to the outer
skin of a wing or fuselage and be light and efficient?

RB

It was done on racers in the 20s.  They had surface radiators covering the
wings with
a sort of corrugated copper surface (corrugations running with the airflow,
of course)
Apparently was a pain in the butt, too fragile.  A good scoop, diffuser and
nozzle
should come close to the same drag if carefully designed and is much more
robust.
Does take up some fuselage volume, tho.

Bill

 
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