Build a Wind Tunnel for Indoor Skydiving

[Jobrag]

Have you thought about using a wingsuit that would cut down the airspeed you'd need making the whole project cheaper and easier.

 

[moakley2013]

I constantly search for VWT info on the Internet so came across this thread. I think I can add some substantial information. Please check my FB group, Midwest Vertical Wind Tunnels at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/417365271639837/

This group is open to anyone with interest in VWTs.

 

[berkeman]

I constantly search for VWT info on the Internet so came across this thread. I think I can add some substantial information. Please check my FB group, Midwest Vertical Wind Tunnels at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/417365271639837/

This group is open to anyone with interest in VWTs.

Welcome to the PF, moakley. That looks like a valuable addition to this thread.

 

[Amit Patel]

Hi we are building a outdoor open mobile vertical wind tunnel in India.
Its a diesel based model 550 HP Cummins Engine.
Powering a 7 feet diameter axial fan @ 1800 -2000 RPM connect thru a vertical bevel gear box having ratio 1: 1.25
We need to understand if the above calculations are correct and wind velocity of 200 KPMH can be achieved.

 

[russ_watters]

Hi we are building a outdoor open mobile vertical wind tunnel in India.
Its a diesel based model 550 HP Cummins Engine.
Powering a 7 feet diameter axial fan @ 1800 -2000 RPM connect thru a vertical bevel gear box having ratio 1: 1.25
We need to understand if the above calculations are correct and wind velocity of 200 KPMH can be achieved.

Welcome to PF.

What did the fan vendor and design engineer say is required? This isn't something we can answer here: it is specific to the performance of the fan and properties of the tunnel.

 

[Mech_Engineer]

I recommend reviewing this source carefully before proceeding: http://www.indoorskydivingsource.com/articles/build-an-indoor-skydiving-facility/

There have been a lot of questions about indoor skydiving tunnels lately, and all make common misconceptions about power requirements, operating costs, etc. A 550 hp diesel engine attached to a 7 foot fan also has some significant safety concerns to address, my personal feeling is if you're looking for answers here you may be in over your head...

 

[Greg Z]

This is manufacturer of wind tunnel with several projects. Prices starts with 130k euro and higher.

http://www.aerodium-technologies.com/en/products/models/

This file was not found can you give some additional information?

 

[Greg Z]

This file was not found can you give some additional information?

Try:

http://aerodium.technology/en/models/models/

Instead:

 

[Bazza42]

Ok, the issue I see with the above scenario is that he is not calculating any drive gearing into the equation, for pure shaft power output he is right.

So what you will need are the following components;

A large stable mesh platform to mount several large fans under.

I suggest a series of 3-4, 8-14 foot fans. Each fan needs to have spacing of 2-3 feet to allow pressure to build up in between the fans. They will need to be mounted in a fairly airtight circular structure with 2-3 feet above them before the mesh for the bottom of the high pressure/speed tunnel.

The Air Intakes will need to be screened and well protected to avoid sucking in particles which, accelerated to 130-180 MPH, could kill someone.

A high horsepower V-8 engine connected to the right gear box can easily put out enough power to send 4 or 5 people 10-15 feet off the mesh if the tunnel is built open or closed above the fans, you will probably burn the equivalent of about 4-8 mpg of unleaded gasoline, depending on your engine. V-8 engines routinely accelerate (with proper gearing) 3000+ pound Nascars to well over 200 mph, 4 or 5 180-230 lb people in a column of air should be no problem

v/r
MAC

What type of fan would you be referring to here industrial spec? and any idea on the gear ratios to use?