Flow diverting wind tunnel
First Claim
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1. A wind tunnel device comprising:
- a closed-loop tunnel that forms a generally rectangular path;
a fan positioned in the tunnel, the fan configured to circulate air through the closed-loop tunnel;
one or more turning vanes positioned in a corner of the tunnel and configured to move between a first position in which the one or more turning vanes permit re-circulation of air through the tunnel and a second position in which the one or more turning vanes inhibit re-circulation of air through the tunnel;
a supply duct selectively in fluid communication with the tunnel; and
an exhaust duct selectively in fluid communication with the tunnel;
wherein the supply duct is configured to supply air to the tunnel and the exhaust duct is configured to permit air to flow out of the tunnel via the fan in response to the one or more turning vanes being moved to the second position.
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Abstract
A wind tunnel device is provided herein that enables the wind tunnel to transform between two modes of operation and/or to refresh/recondition air within the tunnel. The wind tunnel device may provide selective diversion of airflow within the wind tunnel. The diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to include a multi-configurable wind tunnel that can be operated as either an open-return wind tunnel or a closed-return wind tunnel. Additionally, or alternatively, the diversion of airflow may enable the wind tunnel device to recondition air within a closed-return wind tunnel.
27 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wind tunnel device comprising:
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a closed-loop tunnel that forms a generally rectangular path; a fan positioned in the tunnel, the fan configured to circulate air through the closed-loop tunnel; one or more turning vanes positioned in a corner of the tunnel and configured to move between a first position in which the one or more turning vanes permit re-circulation of air through the tunnel and a second position in which the one or more turning vanes inhibit re-circulation of air through the tunnel; a supply duct selectively in fluid communication with the tunnel; and an exhaust duct selectively in fluid communication with the tunnel; wherein the supply duct is configured to supply air to the tunnel and the exhaust duct is configured to permit air to flow out of the tunnel via the fan in response to the one or more turning vanes being moved to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating a wind tunnel comprising:
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re-circulating air through a tunnel via a fan positioned in the tunnel; moving one or more turning vanes positioned in a corner of the tunnel from a first position in which the one or more turning vanes permit re-circulation of air through the tunnel to a second position in which the one or more turning vanes inhibit re-circulation of air through the tunnel; supplying air to the tunnel via a supply duct in response to the one or more turning vanes being moved to the second position; and permitting air to flow out of the tunnel via an exhaust duct in response to the one or more turning vanes being moved to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of operating a wind tunnel comprising:
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operating the wind tunnel as a closed-loop wind tunnel in which air is re-circulated through the wind tunnel via a fan positioned in the wind tunnel and air is directed around a corner of the wind tunnel via turning vanes adapted to minimize fluid resistance at the corner; rotating the turning vanes to seal the corner of the wind tunnel to inhibit re-circulation of air through the wind tunnel; and operating the wind tunnel as an open-return wind tunnel in which air enters the wind tunnel via a supply duct and exits the wind tunnel via an exhaust duct. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification