¦Wind Tunnel
Information ¦
Wind Tunnel
Specifications ¦
Documentation
¦
¦Wind Tunnel Services Provided ¦ External rates ¦ Who to contact ¦
Wind Tunnel Information
This page provides an index of the information available on the AEM Department's wind tunnels. The department has two teaching wind tunnels: the large closed return (CR) tunnel and the smaller open return (ELD) tunnel.
Pictures are available of the ELD tunnel being moved into place.
Both windtunnels are located on the top floor of the hanger, room 330 Akerman, 625-6577. Room 330 is reached through the stairs in room 230.
Wind Tunnel Specifications
Large CR Tunnel |
ELD Tunnel
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The department’s two wind tunnels used for instruction, research and outside contracting are located in 330 Akerman Hall. One is a large closed return (re-circulating) tunnel, the other a smaller open (blow down) tunnel.
Each tunnel contains a strain gauge balance that can measure three forces (normal, axial and transverse) and the three related moments. Forces up to 50 pounds can be measured, and moments from 25 to 75 inch pounds depending on the axis.
Each is instrumented to collect a variety of information concerning both wind tunnel and test subject performance. Tunnel air temperature, barometric pressure, differential pressure, and balance force & moment values can be configured, and data collected digitally in real time.
The closed tunnel is capable of airspeeds of about 100 mph; the open tunnel maximum is about 90.
Documentation
This section contains links to the manuals and proceedures for using the wind tunnels and the computer software to control them and take data.
Software Usage Manuals
The following user manuals are available for the software used to control and acquire data from the wind tunnels.
- JogTraverse Command line program to move the traverse in the CR tunnel.
Software Programming Manuals
This documentation provides the details on the software written for the wind tunnels. It is of interest only to programmers.
- GPIB device drivers: Hardware specific routines for the IEEE-488 instruments.
- Utility functions: command line input and time functions.
Wind Tunnel Services
This section provides a list of services, deliverables, and custom services the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics can provide to members of industry interested in utilizing our Wind Tunnel facilities.
Occupancy (tunnel rental) includes the following:
1. Tunnel rental including use of AEM computer systems for data acquisition, data reduction, and data output preparation.
2. Personnel to operate the tunnel, reduce the data, and assist with model changes.
3. Support for force & moment data acquisition, flow visualization, digital photographs and video.
4. Materials normally used during the test, including such things as office supplies, flow visualization materials, and nominal reproduction services.
5. Use of AEM Plotting and Wind Tunnel Data Organizer software packages.
6. Preliminary test data, digital images, and run logs on compact disk (CD-ROM or DVD-ROM) in PC format, prepared at the conclusion of the test.
7. Final test data, digital images, and run logs on compact disk (CD-ROM or DVD-ROM) in PC format, following completion of final data processing, if needed.
Overtime Policy: Overtime occurs whenever testing
runs beyond the scheduled shift, or whenever testing is scheduled for a
Saturday, Sunday, or University of Minnesota holiday. Overtime charges are in
addition to Tunnel Occupancy charges. Overtime charges will be waived for time
used to recover from Downtime. AEM cannot guarantee that Overtime will be
available.
Idle-Time Policy: Occasionally customers
may find themselves unable to continue with their test campaign. Perhaps a
required model part is temporarily unavailable or the test matrix completed
ahead of schedule. Once all work on the model and/or tunnel has been completed
and the test section has been vacated then the Client representative may
request a switch from Tunnel Occupancy to Idle-Time. Idle-Time is only allowed
for durations of one hour or longer.
Downtime Policy:
Downtime occurs whenever AEM is responsible for a problem that takes more than
15 minutes to resolve and that prevents proceeding with the test. AEM does not
charge Tunnel Occupancy or Overtime rates during Downtime. Note that activities
that are a part of AEM's standard operating procedures, such as calibration
routines or tunnel checkouts, are not considered Downtime. AEM makes reasonable
efforts to ensure that its facilities are operational during scheduled tests.
In the event that Downtime occurs, the facility will attempt to recover lost
test time by offering additional test time, if available.
Who to contact: Individuals interested in utilizing the department's Wind Tunnel resources, should contact Lab Coordinator Greg Nelson. Prior to the work commencing, interested parties will be required to complete and have our Services Agreement approved by the department head (form available in Word document or PDF form).
Last Modified: 2007-07-24 at 10:09:30 -- this is in International Standard Date and Time Notation