Kirsten Wind Tunnel Technical Guide
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Introduction
The University of Washington Aeronautical Laboratory (UWAL) is an aerodynamic testing organization under the Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics. UWAL uses the facilities of the Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics for aeronautical testing for companies, individuals, and governments. Revenue generated by commercial testing helps fund undergraduate use of the facilities and research. This document describes the technical aspects and capabilities of the primary facility, the Kirsten Wind Tunnel.
Any further questions or requests for more information will be gladly handled by UWAL personnel. UWAL is dedicated to meeting the customer's needs with professional service and quality data.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Description
Types of Wind Tunnel Tests
- Six component force tests
- Pressure tests
- Flow visualization tests
The Facility
- Location
- Overview
- Control Room
- Company Room
- Model Shop
- Fans
- Observation Deck
- Model Deck
Test Section
- Dimensions
- Construction
- Test Section Conditions
- Dynamic Pressure Transducer
- External Balance
Probes
- Five-hole probe
- Total and static probes
- 20" wake rake
- Boundary layer probes
- Other probes
Pressure Measurements
Traverse Rig
Flow Visualization
- Smoke
- Tufts
- China Clay
- Oil
- Sublimation
Photography
- Digital camera
- 35mm camera
- Digital video camera
- Analog video camera
- Video frame capturing
- Normal lighting
- Ultraviolet lighting
- Image processing
Two Dimensional Model Mounting
Three Dimensional Model Mounting
- Model Installation
- General mounting information
- Two-point
- One-point
- Special mounting systems
- Ground planes
Automotive Model Mounting
- General mounting information
- Car models
- Truck models
- Coverplates
- Boundary layer suction system
Model Support Effects
- Standard fork tares
- Image strut/fork
Powered Testing
- Auxiliary model power
- Electric motor
Data Acquisition System
- Hardware
- Data Processing
- Daily Calibration Process
- Model Positioning
- Auxiliary Instrumentation
Data Reduction System
- Hardware
- Software
- Storage media
Data Plotting
- Online plots
- Final plots
Auxiliary Services
- Model design/construction
- Data analysis
- Copy, duplication, and printing services
- Internet access
- Vinyl letters and logos
Miscellaneous
- Model Accelerometer Mount
- Inclinometer Drawings/Images
- Sample Run Log
- Airspeed Conversion Chart