Wind tunnel testing
View Patent ↗A wind tunnel model for wind tunnel testing having an additional mass mounted on the model via vibration absorbing material to dampen model vibration.
1. A wind tunnel model having an additional mass fixed to the model via vibration absorbing material, said material comprising a primary vibration absorber.
2. A model as claimed in claim 1 wherein the additional mass is fixed to the model via vibration absorbing material designed to dampen model vibration to an acceptable level throughout a test envelope by optimising the volume distribution of the material around the additional mass and the material's vibration absorption properties.
3. A model as claimed in claim 1 wherein the additional mass is fixed to the model inside of the model.
4. A model as claimed in claim 3 wherein the vibration absorbing material is evenly distributed around the perimeter of the additional mass.
5. A model as claimed in claim 2 wherein the additional mass is mounted on vibration absorbing material positioned at ends of the additional mass.
6. A model as claimed in claim 1 wherein the additional mass is hollow.
7. A model as claimed in claim 6 wherein the additional mass surrounds a sting for the wind tunnel model.
8. A model as claimed in claim 1 wherein an outer profile of the additional mass is similar in shape to an inner profile of a fuselage section of the model.
9. A method of wind tunnel testing including the steps of:
fixing an additional mass to a model via vibration absorbing material, and
optimising the volume, distribution and vibration absorption properties of the material to dampen model vibration to an acceptable level throughout a test envelope.