T1500 - STARCS Pressurized Transonic Wind Tunnel 

The T1500 Wind Tunnel is a closed-circuit, pressurised facility suitable for civil and military aerodynamics research and for project testing. It provides high Reynolds number capability and excellent flow quality and is equipped with high performance data acquisition systems, including provision for unsteady force measurements, electronic scanning pressure systems and flow visualization techniques. Full span or half span models can be mounted and high pressure air is provided for engine flow simulation. The wind tunnel can operate either with angle of incidence sweep at constant Mach number, ('step and pause' or continuous variation), or with varying Mach number at constant angle of incidence. The typical number of runs per hour is at present 4 but depending on required flow conditions and necessary run time this can vary up or down. The test results are available immediately after each run and the model is accessible within a few minutes.
Testing performed in TVM500
  • Missiles
  • Artillery shells
  • Half models
  • Flutter
  • Wind tunnel correction methods
  • Slotted and perforated wall optimisation
 

Technical Specifications

STARCS T1500 is an injector driven closed circuit wind tunnel, working in an intermittent operational mode, with a 1.5m x 1.5m slotted wall test section. There are four slots in each wall. The Mach number range is 0.19-1.70 and the stagnation pressure range is 110-550 kPa. Available run time is from 40 to 170 sec depending on the test conditions of Mach number and stagnation pressure. At sub- and transonic Mach numbers a choke is used for Mach number control.
 At low stagnation pressures a plenum ejector is used to augment the evacuation of air from the plenum chamber. At stagnation pressures close to atmospheric pressure another ejector is used to pump out air from the main circuit. Both the plenum ejector and the main circuit exhaust ejector use air from the same air storage as is used for the drive of the wind tunnel.

 

 
 

 

The wind tunnel is controlled by a digital control system. There are three different closed control loops in operation during a run: injector pressure, stagnation pressure and Mach number. In the run times mentioned above the time needed for tunnel start is not included. To start the tunnel an extra 4-7 seconds are needed, the closer to M=1.0 the longer the start time.


The model support consists of a vertical strut performing a vertical linear motion. On the strut there is a sting pod performing a rotational motion about the transverse axis. Both motions are coordinated to a

center of rotation at the test section schlieren window. In addition a roll angle stage can be inserted between the sting pod and sting. By combining the angle of attack motion with a roll motion also various yaw angles can be set. On both sides of the sting pod there are removable access doors behind which there are various connectors for data measurement and hydraulic systems.


There is also equipment for testing semi-span models by mounting the balance and model on the far sidewall.
 
Tunnel Data
  • Test section: 1.5m * 1.5m.
  • Mach number range: M = 0.19 - 1.2 continuously variable; fixed mach number blocks for M = 1.4 and M = 1.7 are available. 
  • Reynolds number: Up to 80 million/m.
  • Stagnation pressure range: 110 to 550 kPa.
  • Run time: from 40 to 170 seconds depending on the combination of Mach number and stagnation pressure.
 

 

Main Features

T1500 is a pressurized transonic wind tunnel with an extreme range of Reynolds number simulation capability. The flexible architecture with extensions like the mobile Store Release Rig and the Air Intake simulation capability together with the highly experienced crew makes T1500 a truly modern state-of-the art facility.

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Related Information

Inlet Aerodynamics

STARCS has a unique capacity of high flow rate air suction which can be used for simulation of air inlet specific phenomena.
 
 

Store Release Simulation

An additional highly agile motorized arm attached to the ordinary model sting pod, allow for sophisticated store release simulation.
 
 
LT1 - Low Speed Wind Tunnel
STARCS low speed wind tunnel is a multipurpose aerodynamic wind tunnel, capable of testing not only all sorts of aircraft models but also almost any type of transportation, large buildings and wind turbines.