Wind tunnel

A wind tunnel is a research tool developed to assist with studying the effects of air moving over or around solid objects.

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Air is blown or sucked through a duct equipped with a viewing port and instrumentation where models or geometrical shapes are mounted for study. Various techniques are then used to study the actual airflow around the geometry and compare it with theoretical results, which must also take into account the Reynolds number and Mach number for the regime of operation.

Related Topics:
Model - Reynolds number - Mach number

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For example:

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Threads can be attached to the surface of study objects to detect flow direction and relative speed of air flow.

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Dye or smoke can be injected upstream into the airstream and the streamlines that dye particles follow photographed as the experiment proceeds.

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NASA wind tunnel with the model of a plane

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Probes consisting of a Pitot tube can be inserted at specific points in the air flow to measure static and dynamic air pressure.

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A vertical wind tunnel is a recreational facility for indoor skydiving.

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