Wind Tunnel Force Balance Support with Biasing Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current force and moment balances in wind tunnels and other applications experience undesirable vertical movement associated with horizontal forces, increasing calibration time and complexity due to inherent movement issues.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with first and second ends, including biasing means that cause opposing relative longitudinal movement between support members, neutralizing lateral movement effects, and using optical fiber measurement means to accurately measure movements and compensate for resultant forces and moments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional support structures are used for force and moment balances, then the balance can measure forces and moments, but lateral movement of the movable end causes inherent vertical movement which increases calibration time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates biasing means that pre-establish opposing relative longitudinal movement between support members to counteract the vertical movement caused by lateral forces before measurement begins. This preliminary anti-action eliminates the need for complex calibration procedures while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical parameters of the support structure by introducing biasing means that create controlled longitudinal movement between support members. This parameter change transforms the support structure from one that allows unwanted vertical movement to one that actively compensates for it, reducing calibration requirements.
2Measurement precision
If traditional support structures are used for force and moment balances, then the balance can measure forces and moments, but lateral movement of the movable end causes inherent vertical movement which increases calibration complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing means are built into the support structure to pre-establish opposing relative longitudinal movement between support members, creating a self-compensating mechanism that eliminates vertical movement artifacts before measurement begins. This reduces calibration complexity while preserving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure with biasing means serves itself by automatically compensating for vertical movement caused by lateral forces through opposing relative longitudinal movement between members. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external calibration procedures.
3Ease of operation
If support members are made integrally formed to enable flexing, then opposing relative longitudinal movement is achieved to neutralize lateral movement effects, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are integrally formed to combine multiple functions into a single structure: load bearing, flexing, and generating opposing relative longitudinal movement. This merging achieves movement neutralization while managing structural complexity through integration rather than assembly of separate components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces calibration complexity and allows for accurate measurement of forces and moments by minimizing inherent vertical movement during lateral forces, enabling simpler and more precise data collection.
Implementation Method 1
The members may be integrally formed wherein the relative longitudinal movement between the first support member and the intermediate member and biasing between the members are caused by flexing of the members
Implementation Method 2
The deformation of optical fibers may be used to measure the movement of the movable end relative to the fixed end
Implementation Method 3
The filter or reflector may be a Bragg reflector. The Bragg reflector may Bragg grating
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a force and moment balance (1) including a support (9) therefor and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a force and moment balance (1) and a support (9) therefor for a wind tunnel. Force and moment balances are known in the art and are typically used in wind tunnels to measure the force and moment loads on a model in the wind tunnel. A problem with current balances is that there is inherent vertical movement associated with horizontal force. According to the invention, the balance (1) has a fixed end (3) and a movable end (6) with a number of supports (9) between the fixed end (3) and the movable end (6). Each support (9) includes compensation means to compensate for resultant movements caused by lateral movement of the movable end (6) relative to the fixed end (3).