The National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex at NASA’s Ames Research Center is the largest wind tunnel in the world. At 80 by 120 feet, the open-circuit wind tunnel draws air in through the 360 foot wide by 130 foot high air intake. The air then goes through the 120 foot wide by 80 foot tall test section — big enough to hold a full scale Boeing 737 — at speeds up to 115 mph before being exhausted to the atmosphere. Six 40 foot diameter fan blades driven by 23,500 hp motors are responsible for moving the air.
Frankly, all that is great, but the air intake looks damn sexy with a sunset in the background.
Power is derived from six 40-foot diameter fan blades, each motor rated at 23,500 hp. The wind tunnel began regular operations in 1987.
[Image Credit: me! (sorry it's a bit blurry)]
Those dimensions seem small for it to be the world's largest wind tunnel.
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COTD
Your post reminds me of a question that I've long had. The Ames wind tunnel will hold a full-size 737 and subject it to 115 mph winds, but that wind speed is far below the 737's operational speed, and even below its takeoff speed I believe. What can they actually test on an aircraft with that low of a wind velocity? Just general aerodynamics? Wouldn't it be better to use a smaller model of the plane and use a wind tunnel with higher wind velocities for a truer test? I obviously don't understand the finer points of this kind of testing. I seek enlightenment.
I think they say it'll hold a 737 to paint a picture. I'm not sure they've ever tested a full size 737 in the tunnel.
The way you test a model in a wind tunnel is by matching the Reynolds number. It's a dimensionless number that is a relationship of the inertial to viscous forces. By matching Reynold's numbers between a full size aircraft and a model, the aerodynamic forces are scaled and can be compared.
The Reynolds number for a second generation Trans Am is 2.
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Toupe, you say?
Toupe Jokes? I am not amused.
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From what I've heard, I think there is a problem with interference from the tunnel's walls when the object is too large. The flow modelling won't be accurate (speaking from a non-aerodynamic engineer perspective)(?).
Nice shot. Just out of curiosity, is the exhaust directed vertically? Flying over a tunnel exhaust too low can be a life altering experience.
We have two wind tunnels in town. One is a small open circuit type powered by a 1950's vintage Orenda engine out of a Sabre, I believe. The other one is a relatively large subsonic tunnel that can hold fairly large objects, small aircraft, cars (NASCAR has used it), skiers (yup, Olympic types checking out new suits and equipment), etc. I heard rumours that the larger tunnel will shut down.