Large Hypersonic Quiet Tunnel: Gate Valve and Nozzle Heaters
Abstract
We are seeking DURIP funds for the final essential components of a Mach-6 high-Reynolds number quiet wind tunnel that is under construction at the University of Notre Dame. The AFOSR DURIP award will keep us on schedule for a first run in the third quarter of 2018. Specifically, we will use DURIP funds to acquire the 42-inch gate valve that connects the test section to the vacuum tanks and the heaters and insulation that will maintain the nozzle temperature distribution.The tunnel is the only one in the U.S. that is capable of studying natural laminar-to-turbulent transition that critically impacts surface heating, skin friction, flow separation, aero-optical distortion, and other boundary-layer properties. The facility is designed to accommodate models greater than 2 m in length that reside completely in the quiet region and reach x-Reynolds numbers of 40*10^6, where flight tests indicate turbulent transition occurs. It will be an asset for focused fundamental research as well as supporting the test and evaluation of proposed systems. The facility is part of the Notre Dame Institute for Flow Physics and Control, which provides a dedicated infrastructure for model building, instrumentation, and full-time technical staff.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 24, 2019
- Source ID
- FA95501810672
Entities
People
- Thomas J. Juliano
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Notre Dame