Supersonic Wind Tunnels (variable Mach number)
Employing a unique nozzle design, all AEROLAB supersonic wind tunnels offer "on-the-fly" Mach number adjustability. Virtually all Aerospace and Mechanical engineering curricula include courses in compressible flow. For students, wind tunnel experience with shock and expansion waves makes an excellent addition to theoretical studies. AEROLAB offers variable Mach number supersonic wind tunnels in test section sizes from 1-inch x 1-inch (2.54cm x 2.54cm) to 12-inch x 12-inch (30.5cm x 30.5cm). AEROLAB can supply complete supersonic wind tunnel systems including compressors, dryers and plumbing. Contact AEROLAB with your specifications for a quotation.
AEROLAB Variable-Mach-number wind tunnels are available in two configurations:
"Console" |
- available for 1-inch (2.54cm) and 2-inch (5.08cm) systems only |
"Standard" |
- 3”x3” (7.6cm x 7.6cm), 4”x4” (10.2cm x 10.2cm), 6”x6” (15.2cm x 15.2cm), 8”x8” (20.3cm x 20.3cm), and 12”x12” (30.5cm x 30.5cm) systems |
Console systems are complete, compact supersonic wind tunnel laboratories requiring only compressed air. These systems include an oil separator, a heatless desiccant air dryer, ASME Code storage and stagnation tanks, an electro-mechanical pressure control valve, a complete Schlieren system, a set of four models, a model positioning “quadrant” and a diffuser.
1-inch console system
Standard systems include an electro-mechanical pressure valve, an ASME Code stagnation tank, the supersonic wind tunnel and diffuser. These systems require a compressor, oil separator, dryer, storage tank and all associated plumbing (available from AEROLAB).
4-inch standard system
Common Applications:Supersonic research and educational demonstration Performance Specifications:
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Data Acquisition Display panel |
Detailed Description:
- Data Acquisition, Display and Control system - This system displays (real time) and records storage tank pressure, stagnation pressure, stagnation tank total temperature, nozzle block position, test section static pressure, “sting” force balance output (optional) and model pitch angle (only available with optional motor control). The system controls stagnation pressure, calibrated nozzle block position and optional model pitch angle. Based on a desired Mach number, the program offers an approximate stagnation set point. A Dell desktop computer and an executable LabVIEW file (LabVIEW software is not needed.) are supplied with the system.
- Electro-mechanical pressure valve - Controlled by LabVIEW, this device provides fast ramp-up and stable stagnation pressure.
- Stagnation tank - An ASME Code (certified to 200 psi - 1.28 MPa) bell-shaped tank with a steel perforated flow-smoothing baffle plate acts as a “stagnation” or “settling” chamber.
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Stagnation tankBaffle plate - Stainless steel turbulence-reducing screens - Two, 20 x 20 mesh screens down-stream of the perforated baffle plate smooth the flow before it enters the contraction. The contraction area ratio is in excess of 30:1.
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Motor - driven adjustable nozzle blocks - Using a contour developed at the University of Michigan, blocks are machined, accurately ground and polished to close tolerances from solid aluminum. The lower (sliding) block is machined with grooves to receive Teflon and rubber seals. This sealing method has proved to last for decades. 
- Test section - Made of heavy steel plates and surface ground on the inside, deformation is not an issue. Access to the test section is obtained by loosening two knobs and sliding the track-mounted supersonic diffuser downstream, away from the test section. Because the model positioning system (angle of attack “quadrant”) is fastened to the diffuser, access to the model is quick, unhindered and convenient. If desired, the angle of attack quadrant may be removed.
- Windows - Made of polished plate glass and selected for Schlieren uniformity - one on each side.
- Static Pressure Ports – Test section static pressure can be used to calculate Mach number. To avoid errors resulting from shock-wave boundary-layer interactions, several static pressure ports are available within the test section.
- 4-piece stainless steel supersonic model set – The set includes a sphere, a wedge, a cone and a total pressure probe. Designed for easy use, they quickly install on the included model positioning system or optional sting Force/Moment balance.
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4-piece stainless steel supersonic model set
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Model positioning system – Conveniently mounted to the top of the supersonic diffuser, a “quadrant” style model positioning system is supplied. The basic positioner is adjusted manually and pitch angle is read from a calibrated mechanical indicator. A computer controlled motor drive with position sensor is available as an option. 
Model Positioning Quadrant - Diffuser – Immediately downstream of the test section is a series of two diffusers. First, the supersonic diffuser reduces the airflow speed to subsonic levels. Second, the subsonic diffuser continues to reduce the airflow speed. At this point, the flow can be emptied into the laboratory environment directly or plumbed to an optional acoustic silencer.
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Supersonic DiffuserSubsonic Diffuser
Optional Features:
- Motorized and computer controlled model pitch angle (positioning quadrant).
- Strain gage “sting” balance (available for 2-inch and larger tunnels) with model positioning quadrant included
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| Model Mount and Quadrant Type Positioning System | Sting Balance and Quadrant Type Positioning System |
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| 3 Component Sting Balance & Positioning System for use in a 6" SS tunnel | Cone Model on Model Positioning System for use in a 6" SS tunnel |
- Specialty models including AGARD - B, force missile and pressure missile
- Acoustic Silencer
- Air Compressor
- Compressed Air Storage Tanks (included with the 1-inch and 2-inch systems)
- Air Dryer (included with the 1-inch and 2-inch systems)
Related Products:
6-inch standard system with Schlieren system
2-inch console system