LOW-SPEED WIND TUNNEL

• — Test section: 4 × 4 × 7 in
• — Contraction ratio: 6:1
• — Honeycomb flow straightener, diffuser
• — Designed in Fusion 360, 3D printed in PLA
• — Water-vapor flow visualization

DETAILS

I started off by designing the test section of the wind tunnel to make sure that it would be big enough to fit scale models. 4x4x7 in for the test section was ideal since it would be able to fit a decent-sized model and still leave room for a large contraction. From there, I incorporated a contraction section with a 6:1 contraction ratio to speed up the air as well as a diffuser to decelerate the flow and recover static pressure. A honeycomb pattern was used as a flow straightener in front of the contraction to condition the incoming airflow and the fan was placed at the end after the diffuser to pull in the air for steadier flow.

All parts were designed from scratch using Fusion 360 before being 3D printed using PLA plastic. Once the wind tunnel was assembled, I used water vapor to visualize the air within the test section.