Big Wind Tunnels - It's Not Everyday

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of a large wind tunnel for testing models, with participants sharing excitement about the equipment and its capabilities. The conversation includes technical aspects of wind tunnel testing, safety considerations, and historical references to aircraft models.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Participants express excitement about the wind tunnel and its size, with one noting the height of the blades compared to their own height.
  • There are discussions about the maximum wind speed achieved during tests, with a participant mentioning a speed of 205 mph.
  • Some participants inquire about the safety of using the wind tunnel, including humorous warnings against speaking into it.
  • Questions arise regarding the testing of specific aircraft models, such as the Avro Aero, and how they would perform in modern wind tunnels.
  • Concerns are raised about potential issues like engine stalls and inlet distortion at high angles of attack during testing.
  • Participants discuss the historical context of wind tunnel technology and its evolution, referencing subsonic tunnels used since before WWII.
  • There are technical discussions about the design of propellers and turbine blades, including their effects on airflow and turbulence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share enthusiasm for the wind tunnel and its applications, but there are multiple competing views regarding the technical challenges and historical aircraft performance. The discussion remains unresolved on certain technical concerns and the implications of design choices.

Contextual Notes

Some technical claims about airflow, propeller design, and historical wind tunnel usage are made without consensus on their accuracy or implications. The discussion includes speculative elements regarding the performance of different aircraft models in the wind tunnel.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing, aircraft design, and engineering applications may find this discussion relevant.

  • #31
Cyrus said:
It's called a wand.

Oh, that's magical :wink: .
 
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  • #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! :)
 

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