The Theory, Design and Performance of a Two Dimensional High Speed, Induction Type Wind-Tunnel

Citation

Kane, Richard Francis and Kelley, Edward Frederick (1943) The Theory, Design and Performance of a Two Dimensional High Speed, Induction Type Wind-Tunnel. Engineer's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/S53W-ST96. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-11252008-134052

Abstract

(1) A two-dimensional wind tunnel, induction type, of rectangular working section, 2 1/2" x 12", has been designed and constructed for the purpose of testing aerodynamic shapes at velocities close to the speed of sound. (2) The design theory is based upon the fundamental equations of momentum, continuity, and energy with the assumptions that mixing takes place at constant area and that jet exit velocities in this supersonic range may be obtained. (3) Calibration runs, in which the maximum Mach number of 0.65 was obtained, revealed that the actual tunnel performance did not agree with the design performance curves except at high compression ratios. (4) A variation of the original theory, i.e., sonic jet exit velocities, was used to obtain a new set of design curves. These curves are in excellent agreement with actual performance data except at high compression ratios. (5) Failure of the tunnel to meet design conditions is considered to lie in the jet shape which assumes a true supersonic nozzle shape only at small jet openings (high compression ratios).

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