This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
The Ground Simulation Upgrade of the Large Wind Tunnel at the Technische Universität München
Technical Paper
2012-01-0299
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
The large wind tunnel at the Technische Universität München was upgraded by integrating a modular single-belt system, which enables the simulation of moving ground conditions for ground vehicle testing. Central part of this system is its large belt that moves at a maximum speed of 50 m/s. This belt not only simulates the relative motion between the model vehicle under investigation and the floor, but also drives the model's wheels. Due to its size, the wind tunnel facility is suited for testing 40%-scaled models of typical passenger cars, which are held in place by a newly designed model support system consisting of five struts: One strut to support the body of the model and four struts to hold the model's wheels on top of the moving belt. Another crucial step in upgrading the wind tunnel was to install a boundary layer scoop system to reduce the thickness of the boundary layer approaching the moving belt. All new systems were designed such that they can be moved into and out of the test section of the wind tunnel to be able to restore the old setting of the test section floor. This report addresses the key challenges we had to face during the process of upgrading the wind tunnel facility and introduces its special features and its most important sub-systems. The current report also contains results of tests we conducted to measure the distribution of the static pressure along the test section and the size of the boundary layer at different locations on top of the moving belt. Even though we did not obtain perfect conditions regarding the size of the boundary layer thickness on top of the moving belt, we still were successful in improving the scope of the wind tunnel facility in terms of ground vehicle testing.
Recommended Content
Authors
Topic
Citation
Mack, S., Indinger, T., Adams, N., and Unterlechner, P., "The Ground Simulation Upgrade of the Large Wind Tunnel at the Technische Universität München," SAE Technical Paper 2012-01-0299, 2012, https://doi.org/10.4271/2012-01-0299.Also In
References
- Hucho, W.-H. “Aerodynamik des Automobils,” 5th Vierweg und Teubner Wiesbaden, Germany 978-3-528-03959-2 2005
- Wickern, G. Lindener, N. “The Audi Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel: Final Design and First Operational Experience,” SAE Technical Paper 2000-01-0868 2000 10.4271/2000-01-0868
- Cogotti, A. “A Parametric Study on the Ground Effect of a Simplified Car Model,” SAE Technical Paper 980031 1998 10.4271/980031
- Wickern, G. Zwicker, K. Pfadenhauer, M. “Rotating Wheels - Their Impact on Wind Tunnel Test Techniques and on Vehicle Drag Results,” SAE Technical Paper 970133 1997 10.4271/970133
- Wäschle, A. “Numerische und experimentelle Untersuchung des Einflusses von drehenden Rädern auf die Fahrzeugaerodynamik,” Ph.D Thesis Expert Verlag Stuttgart, Germany 978-3-8169-2659-7 2006
- Elofsson, P. Bannister, M. “Drag Reduction Mechanisms Due to Moving Ground and Wheel Rotation in Passenger Cars,” SAE Technical Paper 2002-01-0531 2002 10.4271/2002-01-0531
- Koenig-Fachsenfeld, v. Freiherr, R. “Aerodynamik des Kraftfahrzeugs, Bd. I und II,” Umschau-Verlag Frankfurt, Germany 1951
- Cogotti, A. “Ground Effect Simulation for Full-Scale Cars in the Pininfarina Wind Tunnel,” SAE Technical Paper 950996 1995 10.4271/950996
- Walter, J. Duell, E. Martindale, B. Arnette, S. et al. “The DaimlerChrysler Full-Scale Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel,” SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-0426 2003 10.4271/2003-01-0426
- Duell, E. Kharazi, A. Muller, S. Ebeling, W. et al. “The BMW AVZ Wind Tunnel Center,” SAE Technical Paper 2010-01-0118 2010 10.4271/2010-01-0118
- Koremoto, K. Kawamra, N. Kuratani, N. Nakamura, S. Arai, T. Galanga, F. Walter, J. Martindale, B. Duell, E. Muller, S. “The Characteristics of the Honda Full Scale Aero-acoustic Wind Tunnel equipped with a Rolling Road System,” 8th MIRA International Vehicle Aerodynamics Conference UK October 13 14 2010
- Sternéus, J. Walker, T. Bender, T. “Upgrade of the Volvo Cars Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel,” SAE Technical Paper 2007-01-1043 2007 10.4271/2007-01-1043
- Katz, J. “New Directions in Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed” 2nd Bentley Publishers Cambridge, MA, USA 978-0-8376-0142-7 2006
- Cogotti, A. “The New Moving Ground System of the Pininfarina Wind Tunnel,” SAE Technical Paper 2007-01-1044 2007 10.4271/2007-01-1044
- Walter, J. Bordner, J. Nelson, B. Arnette, S. Boram, A. “Tire Contact Patch Force Measurement at the Windshear Rolling Road Wind Tunnel” 8th MIRA International Vehicle Aerodynamics Conference UK October 13 14 2010
- Wickern, G. Dietz, S. Luehrmann, L. “Gradient Effects on Drag Due to Boundary-Layer Suction in Automotive Wind Tunnels,” SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-0655 2003 10.4271/2003-01-0655
- Mercker, E. Wiedemann, J. “On the Correction of Interference Effects in Open Jet Wind Tunnels,” SAE Technical Paper 960671 1996 10.4271/960671
- Heft, A. Indinger, T. Adams, N.A. “Investigation of Unsteady Flow Structures in the Wake of a Realistic Generic Car Model” AIAA Paper 2011-3669 2010
- Heft, A. Indinger, T. Adams, N. “Introduction of a New Realistic Generic Car Model for Aerodynamic Investigations,” SAE Technical Paper 2012-01-0168 2012 10.4271/2012-01-0168
- Wiedemann, J. Potthoff, J. “The New 5-Belt Road Simulation System of the IVK Wind Tunnels - Design and First Results,” SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-0429 2003 10.4271/2003-01-0429
- Barlow, J.B. Rae, W.H. Pope, A. “Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Testing,” 3 rd Wiley New York, NY, USA 0-47-1557749 1999
- Reß, R. Department of Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, Technische Universität München, personal communication 2011