N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A V I A T I O N R E S E A R C H
Wichita State University
National Institute for Aviation Research
Fall 2008
Walter H. Beech Memorial
7x10 foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel
N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A V I A T I O N R E S E A R C H
Test Section
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7’ high x 10’ wide
IASmax = 240 mph
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Turbulence Intensity
= 0.11%
Closed loop control of
mph, knots, Q or
RN/ft
Excellent visual
access, transparent
floor inserts
Ceiling windows
replaceable with
mounting plates
Side wall pressure
recording
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N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A V I A T I O N R E S E A R C H
External Balance
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Operational since 2005
One of the most advanced balance of its
type in any tunnel, with world class
resolution, accuracy and repeatability
Fully integrated with the tunnel control
systems
Models can be installed using single or
multi-point mounting systems, mounting
posts, etc.
WSU / NIAR
External ± Range (lb), Total Range
Balance
(ft-lb)
(lb),(ft-lb)
1984
3968
Lift
Drag
794
1587
1984
3968
Side Force
Pitch
839
1678
Yaw
817
1635
4195
8390
Roll
Full Scale
Resolution
(0.002%)
(lb),(ft-lb)
0.079
0.032
0.079
0.034
0.033
0.168
Full Scale
Accuracy
(0.02%) (lb),(ftlb)
0.794
0.317
0.794
0.336
0.327
1.678
N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A V I A T I O N R E S E A R C H
Sting Mounting System
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Operational since Fall 2008
Designed to take as large
a model as can fit in the
tunnel
2 inch diameter stainless
steel mounting shaft, 8
inch at C-strut
AOA range of -20 to +50
degrees
Fully integrated with the
tunnel control systems
One of the few low speed
wind tunnel sting mounts
with an image system
Base pressure correction
Q-Flex ready, readings
directly into data file
N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A V I A T I O N R E S E A R C H
Internal Balances
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State of the art new internal
balances
Aerotech 2” tapered mount (Qty. 2)
Triumph 2” straight mount
Load Range:
– Normal force = 2000 lb
– Axial force = 250 lbs
– Side force
= 1000 lb
– Pitching moment = 6000 in-lb
– Yawing moment = 3000 in-lb
– Rolling moment = 3000 in-lb
N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A V I A T I O N R E S E A R C H
Tunnel Control & Data Systems
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Fully closed loop control
Online data graphing in real time
Instant customer access to collected
data
HP A/D data acquisition system
PSI pressure measurement system
with 1 psi or 2.5 psi modules
3 online DVD recorders, up to 6
video cameras
35mm Digital SLR
Smoke flow visualization – smoke
wand
Assorted surface flow visualization
methods
UV lights and flash
3 watt Argon-Ion (green) Laser light
sheet
N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A V I A T I O N R E S E A R C H
Tunnel Fan
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14 feet diameter
18 bladed fan
2500 hp drive motor, cooled
using external air, so as not to
add heat into the tunnel loop
The fan and associated vane
systems reduce swirl and play
a major part in the reduction of
flow turbulence and acoustic
signature
Air flow ~ 1.4x106 CFM or
1642 lbm/sec
N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A V I A T I O N R E S E A R C H
Heat Exchanger
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Maintains tunnel
temperature at ~ 90ºF
On very hot & humid
days, OAT is maintained
N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A V I A T I O N R E S E A R C H
High Speed Annex
For customers
requiring high
speed subsonic
tests of small parts.
The 9x9 inch
Supersonic Tunnel
can be operated
with subsonic
blocks. New
calibration allows
targeted airspeeds.
In addition runs can
also be made at
Mach 2 and 4.
N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A V I A T I O N R E S E A R C H
Water Tunnel
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2x3 feet test section
Maximum flow at 1 f/s
RN ~ 100,000 per foot
Superb environment for flow
visualization to study
interaction between
components
Can accommodate Rapid
prototyped models with
internally plumbed dye lines
for flow visualizations
EI1 N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A V I A T I O N R E S E A R C H
Contacts
John Laffen
Director, Aerodynamic laboratories
316-978-3569
[email protected]
Eddie Irani, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
316-978-6313
[email protected]
For Tunnel availability please contact either John or Eddie
Current as of December 2008
7x10 feet Low Speed Wind Tunnel occupancy is charged at US$ 450.00 per hour with a 4 hour minimum
High Speed Tunnel (9x9 inch Supersonic Tunnel) is charged at US$ 125 per hour, with an 8 hour minimum
Water Tunnel is charged at US$ 125 per hour, with an 8 hour minimum