About Wind Tunnels

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There are many types of wind tunnels based on their air velocity, however, the velocity range were interested
in will be subsonic. There are two basic formats for a subsonic wind tunnel:
Open Circuit Closed-Circuit Wind Tunnel
Linear Configuration: Air is pulled into one end and
blown out of the other
Circuit Configuration: All air is contained and blown
through a path
Wind Tunnel Experiments
- Investigation of Lift: Best Paper Airplane
- Investigation of Drag: Flow Indicating Threads , Force-Gage Drag Measurement
- Pure Bernoulli Principle Demonstration
- Wind patterns around ground structures such as buildings.
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/tunoret.html
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Windtunnel3-en.svg
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Kim, Hyun-goo, and Hyung-Ki Shin. Compact Wind Tunnel Instrument.
Korea Institute of Energy Research, assignee. Patent 8272259. 25 Sept. 2012
A compact, closed-circuit wind tunnel instrument with variable wind speed controls
Used for creating a vertical profile of wind to simulate the effects of wind on ground
structures such as buildings, trees, etc.
Purcell, James R. Demonstration Wind Tunnel. James R. Purcell, assignee.
Patent 5501101. 26 Mar. 1996.
A portable, induction wind tunnel for educational demonstration purposes capable of
incorporating a tuft wand or airfoil testing apparatus
Designed to be safe, simple, insensitive to mishandling, lightweight, inexpensive, and
portable
Vakili, Ahmad D. Structure and Method for Improving Flow Uniformity
and Reducing Turbulence. Ahmad D. Vakili, assignee. Patent 7249614. 31 July
2007.
A structure for decreasing turbulence and increasing flow uniformity in wind tunnels
The flow straightener channels are connected by holes near the entrance of the flow
straightener that allow the channel fluids to communicate
Wind Tunnel Patents
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Cheap Micro Bench Wind Tunnel - $59.95
Science First - http://www.sciencefirst.com/Wind-Tunnel.html
Accessed: 9/6/2014
A small simple fixture featuring a clear tube containing an airfoil on a rod that extends through the bottom of the
tube. A computer fan blows air over the wing and by attaching a scale under the tube with the rod on top of it, the
effects of lift can be shown by the decrease in apparent weight.
This cheap simple design is a great benchmark for minimum functionality
Laboratory-Grade Bench Wind Tunnel - $3,495.00
Omega - http://www.omega.com/pptst/WTM-1000.html?pn=WTM-1000
Accessed: 9/6/2014
This is a professional grade tabletop wind tunnel with four speed settings and a 4 diameter test cell that can even fit
a hot wire or vane-type anemometer. Comes with an NIST calibration certificate for the four air speeds.
This is a great benchmark for maximum functionality in a classroom setting.
Wind Tunnel Experiments for Grades 8-12
Glenn Learning Technologies Project - http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-
12/WindTunnel/WTExpKids/index.htm
Accessed: 9/6/2014
Although this site is for experiments for grades 8-12, the experiments could be great inspiration for experiments for
elementary age students
This site includes sample experiments as well as the scientific background for the experiments.

Wind Tunnel Web Resources
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Takeaway #1:
Varying degrees of complexity exist even in tabletop wind
tunnel designs. Major design decisions will be based on balancing
cost and functionality.
Takeaway #2:
Scientific insights can be gained without expensive technology.
Focus on off-the-shelf products that can be used to show
scientific principles
Takeaway #3:
Simple, and consequently cheap, ways exist to increase
experiment quality. Make sure to research wind tunnel
innovations that may be worth applying on a smaller scale.
Summary on Wind Tunnels