A Heavy Duty Balance Calibration Machine for the RAE 5m Low Speed Wind Tunnel.
Abstract
The 5m low speed wind tunnel at RAE Farnborough will make use of a wide variety of balances for measuring the aerodynamic loads on the models to be tested in it. These will include internal and external strain gauge balances for complete and half model testing, as well as a mechanical lever balance which can cope with tests on both forms of model. Maximum model normal forces will approach 130 kN in half model testing and up to 90 kN on complete models. This Report reviews the background to the calibration problem and then describes the development of the design of a calibration machine which is sufficiently versatile to cope with all of the foreseeable types of balances which will be used in the tunnel. The loading system of this machine is based on pneumatically-powered force generators controlled by a computer, and these are capable of generating any combination of loads in response to an input demand originating from a manually operated switchboard or from a stored programme. A typical 400 point calibration occupies less than 12 machine hours of testing with one operator in attendence. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA077180
Entities
People
- E. C. Brown
Organizations
- Royal Aircraft Establishment