For more information on resonating fluid dynamics (than you ever wanted to know)
and the reason why the 550, 575 and 612 all have a third intake manifold reservoir:
U.S. Patent # 5,715,781 tells it all with pictures (pics which only loaded on MS Explorer for me)!
LINK:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-P...;RS=AN/ferrari
Patent Summary:
A variable-capacity intake system for a vehicle internal combustion engine, and of the type presenting: a first and second reservoir connected to common air supply means
Abstract:
As is known, it is possible to enhance the volumetric efficiency of an internal combustion engine using a system, which provides for varying intake conditions and optimizing engine filling by determining resonance conditions in the system at different engine speeds. Increasing the volumetric efficiency of the engine provides to a certain extent for increasing power output for a given engine speed, reducing fuel consumption by burning the fuel better, and hence reducing the amount of pollutant exhaust gas produced.
Professor Wyo's explanation:
The 550-612 engine nominally operates off of intake air that's provided by only the two side intake manifold chambers. But when the throttle is pressed, the center manifold's volume of air is also "gulped" into the engine, along intake paths which are designed to resonate the gas (like musical instruments) to optimize the volumetric filling of the 12 cylinders for maximum efficiency combusion. The design of the inntake manifold, its three chambers and all intake runners accomplishes this maximized resonance-induced efficiency, at all rpms; ensuring that the engine is never starved for air.
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I've heard or read somewhere that the (456) 550 engine was basically a circa- 1970's F-1 design. But this 1996 patent application for the 550 intake manifold clearly shows a design evolution beyond the 456's.
Anybody know more about any of this?
I'd imagine that the 430 and 599 have both benefited from high level Computational Fluid Dynamics research, probably conducted by an aerospace firm (I'd run into CFD at NASA and USAF in the 1980's with hypersonic engine research using hydrogen fuel. It's an amazing discipline, with graphic output showing the location of a single gas particle, over time during its combustion and waste-cycle, in 2 and 3 dimensions). Does anybody know if Ferrari outsources CFD work to anyone?
For more information on resona
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