Client
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia
Project Objectives
- Improve the flow quality and cryogenic mechanisms in the National Transonic Facility (NTF)
- The National Transonic Facility (NTF) utilizes an extremely cold stream of nitrogen vapor to develop the highest Reynolds number flows of any facility in the world. At that time the facility suffered from flow quality turbulence problems and the malfunction of various cryogenic mechanisms that operated the tunnel.
Summary of Project and Results (Non-Confidential)
- Measured the fluctuating pressure and bulk velocity of the wind tunnel and performed fast Fourier transforms of these data. Calculated Strouhal numbers and corresponding length scales of objects that may be perturbing the flow. Eliminated these devices from the tunnel.
- Improved the flow quality of the tunnel and directionality of the flow in the test section
- Redesigned malfunctioning cryogenic components in the tunnel. Minimized the use of differential metal components in the devices, and applied thermoelectric heaters.
- Improved the analog-digital boards and data acquisition systems of the facility
The National Transonic Facility Liquid Nitrogen Cryogenic Wind Tunnel
High Reynolds Number Flow Testing of a Model in the Test Section