Wind tunnel wake generator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10948381-B2
Application number	US-202016840864-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 6, 2020
Priority date	Jan 31, 2018
Publication date	Mar 16, 2021
Grant date	Mar 16, 2021

Abstract

A wake generator for placement in a wind tunnel between a wind source and a test object for generating a predetermined wake pattern, comprising: a first frame member comprising a first track formed thereon, the first track having a rounded first side and a flat second side; a mounting plate disposed within a perimeter of the first track, the mounting plate rotatable relative to the first frame member about a first axis; and a plurality of bars slidably engaged to the mounting plate and structurally configured to traverse along the first track when the mounting plate is rotated about the first axis, where each of the plurality of bars comprises a pivotal connection allowing each of the plurality of bars to pivot about the pivotal connection when traversing along the first track, wherein the plurality of bars are parallel to the track on the second side of the wake generator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wake generator for placement in a wind tunnel between a wind source and a test object, comprising:
a first frame member comprising a first track formed thereon, the first track having a shape comprising a first side that is rounded and a second side that is flat;
a mounting plate disposed within a perimeter of the first track, the mounting plate rotatable relative to the first frame member about a first axis; and
a plurality of bars slidably engaged to the mounting plate and structurally configured to traverse along the first track when the mounting plate is rotated about the first axis, where each of the plurality of bars comprises a pivotal connection allowing each of the plurality of bars to pivot about the pivotal connection when traversing along the first track, wherein the plurality of bars are parallel to the track on the second side of the wake generator.

2. The wake generator of claim 1 , where the shape of the first track is structurally configured to mitigate a reverse wake created by the plurality of bars at the first side and to generate a predetermined wake by the plurality of bars at the second side.

3. The wake generator of claim 1 , where each of the plurality of bars comprises at least one face that is flat, and where each of the plurality of bars is structurally configured to align the at least one face parallel to the second side of the first track when disposed along the second side, and to align the at least one face at an angle relative to the second side of the first track when disposed along the first side.

4. The wake generator of claim 3 , where the angle is perpendicular to the second side of the first track when disposed along the first side.

5. The wake generator of claim 1 , where the first track is defined by a cutout on the first frame member.

6. The wake generator of claim 1 , where the shape of the first track is circular but for the second side being substantially flat.

7. The wake generator of claim 1 , further comprising one or more sliders affixed to the mounting plate between the mounting plate and the plurality of bars, where each of the plurality of bars is slidable along the one or more sliders to translate along the mounting plate relative to the first axis.

8. The wake generator of claim 1 , further comprising a motor engaged with the mounting plate, the motor operable to rotate the mounting plate about the first axis.

9. The wake generator of claim 1 , further comprising a second frame member disposed opposite the first frame member with the plurality of bars disposed therebetween, the second frame member comprising a second track.

10. The wake generator of claim 1 , where each of the plurality of bars comprises a bearing engaging the first frame member.

11. The wake generator of claim 1 , further comprising a bracket disposed between each of the plurality of bars and the mounting plate, the bracket structurally configured to engage the first track and to align each of the plurality of bars in predetermined positions throughout the first track when the mounting plate is rotated about the first axis.

12. A wake-generating system, comprising:
a wake generator comprising:
a first frame member comprising a first track formed thereon, the first track having a shape comprising a first side that is rounded and a second side that is flat;
a mounting plate disposed within a perimeter of the first track, the mounting plate rotatable relative to the first frame member about a first axis; and
a plurality of bars slidably engaged to the mounting plate and structurally configured to transverse along the first track when the mounting plate is rotated about the first axis, where each of the plurality of bars comprises a pivotal connection allowing each of the plurality of bars to pivot about the pivotal connection when traversing along the first track, wherein the plurality of bars are parallel to the track on the second side of the wake generator;
a motor engaged with the mounting plate, the motor operable to rotate the mounting plate about the first axis; and
a controller comprising a processor and a memory, the processor configured to control one or more of the motor, rotation of the plurality of bars, translation of the plurality of bars, and pivoting of the plurality of bars.

13. The wake-generating system of claim 12 , further comprising a sensor downstream of the wake generator operable to measure a wake created by the wake generator.

Assignees

• Us Gov Air Force
• Us Air Force

Inventors

• Pickl Carl
• Rutledge James L
• Polanka Marc D
• Crabtree Brian
• Harkless Christopher

Classifications

• G01M7/02

  Vibration-testing {by means of a shake table} · CPC title

• F01D17/08

  responsive to condition of working-fluid, e.g. pressure · CPC title

• G01M9/065 Primary

  dealing with flow · CPC title

• G01M9/062

  Wind tunnel balances; Holding devices combined with measuring arrangements · CPC title

• G01M9/04 Primary

  Details · CPC title