Over the last few months, Edsion2 has released photos of the different models we have made to explore design ideas. Behind their visual differences, our models have one important thing in common: they’re all made to the same 25% scale.
The bigger you make a model, the better the results you get from the wind tunnel, up to a point. Wind tunnels have walls and the proximity of those walls to a model becomes significant to your readings if you put in a model that’s too big. For our model work, we’ll be using Virginia Tech’s 6ft x 6ft tunnel and we’ve chosen 25% scale models to keep the blockage ratio at about 3%.
Virginia Tech’s tunnel has a 600 horsepower fan (photo below) that can blow the test section at up to 180mph. At that speed, mounting even a 25% model needs to be taken seriously so last week a delegation from Edison2 visited the tunnel to agree on a plan of action with the tunnel’s personnel.
We have the tunnel booked beginning May 16th and a very thorough series of tests planned. It’s going to be a busy time between now and then in the experimental shop getting our model installation ready to go.
