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Development of Large Intermittent Wind Tunnels
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 July 2016
Summary
Two types of intermittent wind tunnel drives, the pressure storage drive(with atmospheric exhaust) and the vacuum storage drive (with atmospheric inlet), are examined and found to match well the tunnel pressure ratio-mass flow characteristics over a wide Mach number range (0 to 4). The design of components of intermittent wind tunnel installations, their operation and instrumentation are then considered in some detail. In order to increase the output of intermittent wind tunnels to a level comparable to that of continuously running tunnels, it is proposed to drive the models during each tunnel run through a range of incidence. This technique is at present under development in the National Aeronautical Establishment's High Speed Aerodynamics Laboratory and results so far obtained are discussed. Two tunnels are considered as examples of large intermittent installations: a 4 ft. square pressure-driven tunnel and a 6 ft. square vacuum-driven tunnel. The former is found to be a more compact and economical installation. Relative merits of continuous and intermittent installations are discussed.
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- Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1955
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