Vertical Fan Wind Tunnel Branches for Free Fall Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind tunnel designs face high energetic demands, pressure losses, excessive vibrations, and noise due to fan placement and cooling systems, leading to inefficient operation and robust construction requirements.
Innovation Solution
Fans are installed in a vertical position in separate branches within the wind tunnel system, split in the upper horizontal section, combined with an internal diffuser and cooling system using a heat exchanger and auxiliary fans to minimize pressure losses and optimize airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fans are installed in the wind tunnel upper horizontal part or cooling is done by air exchange with ambient atmosphere, then cooling function is achieved, but high energetic demands and frequent pressure losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The wind tunnel is divided into two separate branches (left and right) with independent fan installations. Each branch has its own fan positioned vertically at the lower end, allowing independent operation and optimized airflow control. This segmentation enables the cooling function to be achieved with reduced energy consumption compared to a single centralized fan system.
2Speed
If fans are installed in the wind tunnel upper horizontal part, then airflow generation is achieved, but excessive vibrations and noise occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning fans horizontally in the upper part of the wind tunnel, the invention inverts the fan orientation to vertical position at the lower end of each branch. This inversion of the conventional fan arrangement significantly reduces vibrations and noise while maintaining effective airflow generation through the flight chamber.
3Device complexity
If single return branch wind tunnel system is used with all fans installed at once, then system simplicity is achieved, but high pressure losses and excessive noise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The wind tunnel system is segmented into two separate branches (left and right) rather than using a single return branch. Each branch operates with its own fan, which reduces pressure losses by distributing the airflow load and minimizing turbulence. Although this increases structural complexity slightly, the energy efficiency gains significantly outweigh the additional structural requirements.
4Stability of the object's composition
If robust construction is used to support equipment center of gravity in upper third, then structural stability is achieved, but construction weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional heavy construction approach by positioning fans vertically at the lower end of each branch rather than in the upper horizontal part. This repositioning lowers the equipment center of gravity, allowing for reduced construction weight while maintaining structural stability through a more balanced weight distribution throughout the wind tunnel structure.
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
This configuration reduces the overall energy input, construction height, noise, and stress on the flight chamber walls, achieving a more efficient and lighter wind tunnel design with reduced vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling system with heat exchanger and auxiliary fans is installed at the outlet
Implementation Method 2
a flight chamber (2) provided with an air supply from fans
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Free fall simulator is formed by the flight chamber, provided with the air supply from fans; it has the fans (9) installed in a vertical position in separate ducts located in parallel with the flight chamber (2). The free fall simulator has independent ducts with fans (9), divided in the wind tunnel system in its upper horizontal section after the flight chamber (2). The free fall simulator is moreover equipped with the system of internal diffusers (3, 6, 10). The free fall simulator moreover includes the cooling system (12) with heat exchanger and auxiliary fans.