Wind tunnel testing

• US 20030177825A1
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus UK Limited (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Gibson, Thomas M
• Granted Patent: US 7,127,942 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/147
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 9/08 Aerodynamic models

Abstract

A wind tunnel model for wind tunnel testing having an additional mass mounted on the model via vibration absorbing material to dampen model vibration.

Claims

1. A wind tunnel model having an additional mass mounted on the model via vibration absorbing material.

2. A model as claimed in claim 1 wherein the additional mass is mounted on the model via vibration absorbing material designed to dampen model vibration to an acceptable level throughout a test envelope by optimising the volume distribution of the material around the additional mass and the material'"'"'s vibration absorption properties

3. A model as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the additional mass is mounted inside the model.

4. A model as claimed in claim 3 wherein the vibration absorbing material is evenly distributed around the perimeter of the additional mass.

5. A model as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the additional mass is mounted on vibration absorbing material positioned at ends of the additional mass.

6. A model as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the additional mass is hollow.

7. A model as claimed in claim 6 wherein the additional mass surrounds a sting for the wind tunnel model.

8. A model as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an outer profile of the additional mass is similar in shape to an inner profile of a fuselage section of the model.

9. A method of wind tunnel testing including the steps of:

mounting an additional mass to a model via vibration absorbing material, and

optimising the volume, distribution and vibration absorption properties of the material to dampen model vibration to an acceptable level throughout a test envelope.