Pitot tube from Euler equations point of view. Application to Formula 1 cars

Abstract

The paper describes a mathematical model on the physical principles of the Pitot device for acquiring flows speed. The relation between speed and static pressures is derived from simple integration of the fluid dynamics equations for an inviscid flow. In this way, the treatment is general and is not based on the Bernoulli theorem on energy conservation, as usually done in scientific and technical literature. The application to Formula 1 cars is discussed.