Wall to wall airfoil in a wind tunnel

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The presence of downwash in a wind tunnel with a wall-to-wall airfoil depends on the dimensions of the tunnel, particularly its height relative to the airfoil. In short wind tunnels, minimal downwash occurs, while in taller tunnels, significant downwash can be observed due to air pressure differentials. Wall-to-wall configurations prevent wingtip vortices, as the air cannot leak from high to low pressure at the tips. However, the closed nature of the tunnel restricts air circulation necessary for downwash, raising questions about its occurrence in such setups. Ultimately, while downwash is theoretically possible in larger tunnels, the mechanics of airflow and pressure differentials must align for it to manifest visibly.
John Mcrain
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Does wall to wall airfoil produce downwash in wind tunnel ?
 
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Depends if the wind tunnel has a ceiling and a floor, and if it does, how close to the ceiling and floor are to each other. If the wind tunnel is vertically "short", only a tiny amount of downwash occurs as air flows across the wing. For example, the amount of downwash over an airfoil with a 1 foot chord in a 1 foot tall wind tunnel will be tiny, while the amount downwash from that same air foil with a 1 foot chord in a 20 foot tall wind tunnel will be significant.
 
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rcgldr said:
Depends if the wind tunnel has a ceiling and a floor, and if it does, how close to the ceiling and floor are to each other. If the wind tunnel is vertically "short", only a tiny amount of downwash occurs as air flows across the wing. For example, the amount of downwash over an airfoil with a 1 foot chord in a 1 foot tall wind tunnel will be tiny, while the amount downwash from that same air foil with a 1 foot chord in a 20 foot tall wind tunnel will be significant.
Wall to wall airfoil has "wingspan" same as wind tunnel width, high pressure can't leak to low pressure at tips.No wingtip vortices.
In wall to wall airfoil in closed test section downward movement of air will create a void above it(walls/vacuum stop this action), and the air below has to make place for that downward moving air,but again walls stop this action.
How then this is possible in fully closed wind tunnel even test section is very big/tall compare to airfoil?
Upper(ceiling) and lower(floor) walls don't allow that air circulation which downwash requier.
downwash .jpg.png
You say that downwash(like this on picture below) is possible in tall wind tunnel for wall to wall airfoil.
* to make that possible ,air behind center of airfoil must go down and air at side walls must go up,this air circulation must produce two roll-up vortices,Why I don't see described air DOWNWARD MOVEMENT in any wall to wall airfoil wind tunnel video?
cyr0c.jpg
downwash behind wing video:
https://fyfluiddynamics.com/2014/04/Newtons-third-law-says-that-forces-come-in-equal/
 
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John Mcrain said:
Wall to wall airfoil has "wingspan" same as wind tunnel width, high pressure can't leak to low pressure at tips.No wingtip vortices.
In wall to wall airfoil in closed test section downward movement of air will create a void above it(walls/vacuum stop this action), and the air below has to make place for that downward moving air,but again walls stop this action. How then this is possible in fully closed wind tunnel even test section is very big/tall compare to airfoil?
Upper(ceiling) and lower(floor) walls don't allow that air circulation which downwash requires.
A fresh stream of air is flowing into the wind tunnel. For a tall wind tunnel, in order for a pressure differential to be created, part of that air flow has to be diverted downwards, it will eventually recover, but there will be downwash in the vicinity of the wing.
 
Due to the constant never ending supply of "cool stuff" happening in Aerospace these days I'm creating this thread to consolidate posts every time something new comes along. Please feel free to add random information if its relevant. So to start things off here is the SpaceX Dragon launch coming up shortly, I'll be following up afterwards to see how it all goes. :smile: https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex/
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