N.E. Zhoukovsky
We are designing a compact open-circuit wind tunnel with a centrifugal blower and a wide-angle diffuser intended for propeller testing. The wind tunnel will accommodate propellers up to 20 inches (0.508 m) in diameter, achieve a maximum test-section velocity of 20 m/s (72 km/h), and operate with a 15 kW motor driving the blower at 960 RPM.
- Cost and space efficiency: open-circuit tunnels are more economical and require less space than closed-circuit designs.
- Avoidance of recirculation: disturbed air from the working section is not recirculated, improving flow quality for propeller testing.
- Elimination of corners: since corners contribute significantly to pressure losses, their absence in an open-circuit design reduces energy consumption.
- Flexible exit configuration: the exit diffuser can be omitted or adjusted for easier integration into limited spaces.
Why do we need this small tunnel?
For Fast, Precise Propeller & Powerplant Testing
Testing propellers and electric power systems in real-world conditions is time-consuming and expensive. Our wind tunnel will deliver:
Quick Comparisons – Test multiple propellers in minutes, not days.
Accurate Data – Measure thrust, efficiency, and power draw under controlled conditions.
Optimize Performance – Find the best propeller-motor combo for drones and aircraft.
Cost-Effective R&D – Avoid costly trial-and-error in the field.
How will we ensure the high quality of test data?
1. Precision Instrumentation
High-accuracy load cells (±0.1% error) for thrust/torque.
Calibrated RPM sensors and power analyzers
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2. Flow Conditioning
4 Screens + Honeycomb – Reduces turbulence and aligns flow for uniform velocity.
Optimized porosity and positioning to minimize boundary layer effects.
3. Rigorous Calibration
Regular sensor validation against NIST-traceable standards.
Baseline tests with reference propellers.
4. Flow Quality Control
Periodic checks via pitot-static surveys and, hopefully, PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry).
Automated data filtering to eliminate electrical noise.
Result we expect? Repeatable, lab-grade data we and you can trust.
What is the expected performance of our wind tunnel?
Here are some specifications and estimated characteristics of the designed wind tunnel:
What's new?
May, 2025: we are gradually transitioning to the construction of the wind tunnel.
February, 2025: we started working on the baseline design of the wind tunnel.
karpovichea@mai.ru
