User:2jjones/enes100/Mywork2

Write problem/project Goal
The purpose of this project is to create a working Wind Tunnel so that an objects aerodynamics can be tested, precisely and scientifically.

My First Task
Over the first weekend I will be designing a prototype wind tunnel using 123 CAD software.

Summary of actual work over first weekend
- Found that there must be a compressor, diffuser, and test section. This will be important in my design. - Found that a filter or honeycomb needs to be incorporated on the compressor to reduce buffer and create even current of air. - My first design was not practical because I made the test section too long. This reduces wind speed and precision of data. - In the second design I shortened the test section, along with enlarging the diffuser and compressor to enable higher wind speeds. -But I had problems with the software and could not bore out the center of objects. - In my final design I found that i needed to use the shell feature to bore out the center to be able to show where the air would flow. -I also displayed the materials which would be used in the building.
 * Researched different forms of wind tunnels including sub sonic and super sonic to learn about design elements necessary.
 * Designed multiple wind tunnels

Week1 Narrative
Designed a prototype wind tunnel to work off of during the construction.

My Second Task
Over the second weekend it will be my job to start planning and building the air compressor for the windtunnel

Summary of actual work over second weekend
My plan was to simply build the air compressor with particle board in the engineering lab. What made this different was that I had a set measurement of 9 inches for the straws to diffuse the air. I got this measurement by measuring the straw I wanted to use earlier in the week. However, I could not find this kind of straw to purchase. I made my cuts with a length of 9 inches though, so I had to cut all the boards back by 2 inches to fit the straws. Another problem I faced is that I could not calculate how many straws I needed to fill the air compressor so I ended up not having enough. The final problem I faced was holding the straws together. I thought this would be a simple task however the straws were hard to work with. I decided to zip tie the straws into bundles and then stuff them into the box so that it was a tight fit. I may need to hold them in a different manner however, because the zip ties leave small gaps that I do not know how to fill.

Week2 Narrative
I researched wind tunnels in multiple data bases including NASA to try and find the correct design. through this research I found that most of the wind tunnels pull the air through instead of pushing. I decided to follow their science and put the fan on the back of the compressor. This however means that we need to put a guard on the blade so that nothing gets sucked through the fan. I built the compressor by first making 4 12x9 cuts in particle board to make a cube. I found that this would not work because the straws did not match these dimensions. So I cut down each side by 2 inches to accommodate. I then found that I could not make a perfect cube if all the sides were the same length. because of this I decided to measure the width of the board and cut that away from each side of the bottom piece, to make all the sides equal to fit. I then secured the sides with an air compressed nail gun so as the make the seal as tight as possible along the vertices. After that I chose to seal all the seams with industrial gap sealer which is air tight, waterproof, and sandable. I found a problem with this because I could not get it completely into the crevices also, it expands a great amount and clumps off. I believe that if I apply it in a better fashion, I can sand it down to make the seals perfect for air draw.

My Third task
I will be designing and building the fan mount and air diffuser for the wind tunnel.

Summary of actual work over third weekend
I planned to just build the engine mount and beginning of the diffuser through simple assembly, but some of the measurements were off so I had to correct this with a table saw before I was able to proceed.

Week3 Narrative
Cut 4 8x13 boards for the engine mount. The blades of the fan are 11 inches long so I gave an inch of room on each side for the blade to spin without interference. Some of the cuts were varied so I exacted the measures with a table saw. I then assembled the boards together using 5 finishing nails per side. After that I decided to seal off the edges so as to not pull in any extraneous air. I used plumbing sealant for its waterproof, airtight, and durable qualities.



My Fourth task
I will be designing and assembling the test section as well as the connections for the diffuser and compressor.

Summary of actual work over fourth weekend
In actuality I ended up making the piece for the fan to attach to on the diffuser of the windtunnel. this is different from what I expected cause I thought I was going to begin the test section and connections which would involve cutting the plexi glass.

Week4 Narrative
-brainstormed Ideas on how to mount the fan onto the air diffuser so that air could be effectively pulled through at the same velocity that it is pushed. I believe that if the wind tunnel is air tight the volume of air being pushed by the fan must be coming through the wind tunnel due to diffusion and the idea that if the fan speed does not change it needs the same volume of air even if its drawing area is confined. I decided to mount the fan on a single inch thick stand that is equidistant from all sides of the diffuser. This provides the most strength without interfering with the dynamics.

What I ended up doing is taking the stake and cutting about 2 inches off with a table saw so that it would fit exactly inside the diffuser. This measured about 18 1/2 inches which is the same as the width and height of the cube. I then secured it down in the very center of the cube with finishing nails. Finally, to prevent any side currents, I secured all the vertices with plumbing sealant which is waterproof and airtight.

Complete Team Page
Fill out the Team Form (should have already copied the form, created the team page, linked to it and started filling it out).