Big Wind Tunnels - It's Not Everyday

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cyrus
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Wind
Click For Summary
The discussion centers around a wind tunnel testing project involving a large model aircraft, with participants expressing excitement about the scale and capabilities of the wind tunnel. The model, designed by American Dynamics, is notable for its size, with each red blade matching the height of a participant who is 6'4". Initial tests have reached speeds of 205 mph, and further testing will include static and dynamic assessments. Participants share insights about the wind tunnel's operation, including safety precautions and the potential aerodynamic challenges faced at high angles of attack. There is also a light-hearted exchange about the fun aspects of working with such technology, including humorous suggestions for using costumes in the wind tunnel. The conversation touches on historical aircraft like the Avro Arrow and discusses the evolution of wind tunnel design, emphasizing the technical aspects and the excitement of aerospace engineering.
  • #31
Cyrus said:
It's called a wand.

Oh, that's magical :wink: .
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
Oh yeah, and the blades in the wind tunnel. I found out they are from a B-29! The fan unit is powered by 2000HP and costs about $900/hr to run. We've got about $50k worth of time (2-weeks).

B-29%20frontal%205-15-44.jpg
 
  • #33
Make sure the building is well anchored!
 
  • #34
Cyrus the virus, you are a big NERD! Haha, seriously, this is redic that you're posting this stuff everywhere. You are hilarious.
 
  • #35
Damn straight. BTW, she works at the company and she loves penguins...
 
  • #36
Cyrus said:
Oh yeah, and the blades in the wind tunnel. I found out they are from a B-29!

Would a more modern propeller cause less turbulence? Might turbine blades otherwise excel in a wind tunnel?
 
  • #37
Loren Booda said:
Would a more modern propeller cause less turbulence? Might turbine blades otherwise excel in a wind tunnel?

For your first point, probably yes. Keep in mind, the blades are twisted slightly from what they would normally be on the B-29 aircraft. I think the tips of the blades are also squared off, as the one in the picture of the aircraft has somewhat round tips. But the tunnel has flow straightners (which you can see in the pictures that looks like honeycomb). All props, no matter how modern, will cause swrill in the air behind them.

Turbine blades don't really push the air behind them like a prop do. It's the hot gasses that accelerate the air out the back. The turbine blades purpose is to compress the air for the fuel to burn with. The high speed air is a result of the combustion. That being said, you don't want hot exhaust gasses inside a tunnel. Then you'd have lots and lots of smoke everywhere.
 
  • #38
Well, it looks like this program got some press. I posted an article from the only trade magazine I read anymore, Aerospace Testing International. It is an awesome magazine.

http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/12670911/1csxn9hgknr0pp1qjt68
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #39
Very cool Cyrus. I use to program CNC machines and worked for a company that made aviation and general military parts for the government. I can tell there's probably quite a bit of time in that model.
 
  • #40
Hi Fred,

Thanks for posting that article!
 
  • #41
Joslyn you stalker NERD! :)
 

Similar threads

Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
6K
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
6K
Replies
62
Views
10K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
9K
  • · Replies 109 ·
4
Replies
109
Views
64K