SWAP - Specialized Wind tunnel Accessories Permutation

grabcad

This is a proposal for a versatile wind tunnel concept towards fast swapping between models and/or test chamber parameters and accessories for optimizing downtime of the wind tunnel and therefore its throughput in terms of service.The conceptual design is crafted around a mobile panel system for the test chamber panels which allows swapping walls, floor and ceiling for different test chamber characteristics (window positions or properties, anechoic walls, etc.). The panels are mounted on hinges featuring an asymmetric parallelogram mechanism. The panels can be moved from the position where they are fixed to the test chamber structure to an extended position where they can be picked up through lifting or using forklifts.Since ceiling and floor can be opened and swapped, this configuration allows for eased swapping and preparation of the models. While the ceiling panel is opened, the models fixed to the main load mast may be manipulated in and out of the test chamber through the use of a bridge crane and lifting slings. As an option, it is also possible to have smaller models being fixed on robotic arms. The panels can be prepared, fixed to hinges, while the wind tunnel is under operation. The models attached to the robotic arms can be prepared just as well while the tunnel is running. Therefore, the preparation of the next test can be performed in parallel to the wind tunnel running the current test, minimizing downtime.Credits for models incorporated in the CAD and captions (colors removed):Space Shuttle and Friends - Zack HammackSpace Shuttle and FriendsScimitar scout drone - Eric KooScimitar scout droneBoeing 2707 Supersonic Airliner on SOLIDWORKS - Usama IdreesBoeing 2707 Supersonic Airliner on SOLIDWORKS