Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
torque meters are unnecessary. Metal prototypes for mud loop evaluation
followed successful concept validation and results were described previously.
F
Radius R
Force
gauge
Reflective
surface
Figure 8.18.
Turbine test setup schematic.
A second example demonstrating how wind tunnels can enhance physical
understanding is found in the area of three-dimensional effects. The tip vortices
in Figure 8.16 can be visualized using smoke, neutrally-buoyant, helium-filled
soap bubbles, and small, light-weight, gas-filled beads (the author has evaluated
all three). Simple flexible airfoils that can be bent and deformed from run-to-
run were used for convenient testing and vortex strength can be assessed
visually - the air stream will literally blow the vortex downstream into the room
where all can observe its destructive tendencies. These flexible airfoils are
constructed by embedding flexible skeletons made from copper wire in rubber
skins. The wire skeletons are actually placed in a mold into which liquefied
rubber is poured - the curing process requires several hours. Figure 8.19 shows
one such flexible airfoil, with the hole revealing a broken solder joint after
numerous twists and turns from wind tunnel tests.
Figure 8.19.
Flexible rubber airfoil with copper skeleton.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search