What is UWAL?
The University of Washington Aeronautical Laboratory (UWAL) is an auxiliary enterprise of the UW Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Since 1939, UWAL has operated the Kirsten Wind Tunnel for commercial and academic testing. UWAL can also support tests utilizing other department facilities and equipment.
Kirsten Wind Tunnel
The Kirsten Wind Tunnel is a subsonic, closed circuit, double return wind tunnel. The tunnel has a test section with a rectangular 8' x 12' cross-section that is 10 feet long. Two sets of 14' 9"-diameter seven-bladed propellers move the air up to 200 MPH through the test section. A computer-automated model positioning and data acquisition system ensures testing efficiency and precise measurements while a networked data reduction and plotting system allows for immediate data visibility. Most tests make use of UWAL's six-component external balance. We also support high channel count Electronic Pressure Scanning (EPS) systems. For more detailed information, please see the Technical Guide to the Kirsten Wind Tunnel .
| Air Speeds | 5-200 MPH (90 m/s, 295 ft/s) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dynamic Pressures | 0.07-100 psf | ||||||||||||||||||
| Flow Angularity | Upflow = -0.012°, Crossflow = 0.0° | ||||||||||||||||||
| Turbulence Intensity | 0.72% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Test Section | 8' tall, 12' wide, 10' long (2.44x3.66x3.05m |
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| External Balance Limits |
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| Model Positioning | Fully automated pitch and yaw accurate to ±0.02° | ||||||||||||||||||
| Data Reduction | Semi-corrected plots of data available in real-time. A separate data set with final corrections is produced as appropriate with customer input. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Flow Visualizations | Smoke, oils, china clay, sublimation, UV minitufts | ||||||||||||||||||
| Electronic Pressure Scanning | Scanivalve EPS Modules, 1 64 Port Dual Bank (±0.005psi) and 1 32 Port (±0.001psi) module | ||||||||||||||||||
| Test Types | Scale-model Aircraft, Scale-model Ground Vehicles, UAV's, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Racing Yacht Keels ( **NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING ONLY!!!! ) |
Aero and Astro Dept. Water Tunnel and 3X3 LSWT
UWAL can arrange for commercial testing using the department's 3X3 Low Speed Wind Tunnel or 0.7m x 0.7m Water Tunnel.
The 3X3 is ideal for testing 2-D models and small 3-D models up to speeds of 125 MPH. The test section of this open circuit LSWT has a square 3' x 3' cross-section that is 8 feet long. Generally, customers supply their own instrumentation and mounting apparatus.
The water tunnel test section dimensions are 0.7 by 0.7 by 2.5 meters. Generally, customers supply their own instrumentation and mounting apparatus.
Other Related Websites:
University of Washington Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics
-- Old news links and announcements have been archived and are available here