This late summer, the GrabCAD Community hosted a NASA challenge that asked participants to design innovative wind tunnel test section(s) that can increase the effectiveness of an advanced transonic (between Mach 0.05 to 1.6) wind tunnel facility.
In the past NASA has challenged the GrabCAD community to design rovers, mobility aids, common restraints, and even thermal protection shields for spacecraft and the community did not disappoint.
We want to thank everyone who participated in this challenge which helps support a NASA concept study called the “New Wind Tunnel Landscape.” The goal of the study is to develop several options to support the future wind tunnel testing required in the next 20-50 years.
Below are the winners:
NASA Challenge Winners
First Place
Aerodynamic tube with rechangeble workplace by konstantin.kostsov-1
“A variation on the multiple TS option that translates into the WT circuit, but someone finally addressed the data and instrumentation system connections that are a major inefficiency for quick turnaround options.”
Second Place
2022 NASA Wind Tunnel Challenge by david.surridge-1
“A good basic concept with nice details. The report (PowerPoint Presentation) has information on potential vendors for many of the subsystems that are used in the design.
Ground level carts make for easier transfer of models to and from the test section. A good basic concept with nice details. The report (PowerPoint Presentation) has information on potential vendors for many of the subsystems that are used in the design. Ground level carts make for easier transfer of models to and from the test section.”
Third Place
New Wind Tunnel Test Section Concept by adam.kooperman-2
“Modular test section Containers include everything needed for a quick swap out. Dual track wind tunnel. Nice animation and modelling. A pretty solid concept. Two circuit WT with two TS's per circuit for parallel buildup/removal and testing. TS flow surfaces are flush with WT interfaces. Only one circuit can be used at a time due to the common drive system. Adjacent TS areas could house model data/instrumentation systems to eliminate need to connect systems once TS is in circuit. Model mounting structure and interface details are provided.”
Fourth Place
[NASA Challenge] New Transonic Wind Tunnel Test Section by kim.s.h-1
“Interchangeable TS's use rail system with compact floor space layout. Model trolley allows for model prep in other areas as well and quick insertion. Cabling in floor and adjacent data system shows awareness of efficiency obstacles. Inflatable seals, locking mechanisms and modular sidewall panels show awareness of details that need to be considered.”
Fifth Place
Test Section with Automated Driving Interchangeable Platform. by anouar.barodi-1
“Minion carts insert upward TS has a replaceable floor. Small crawler units use a scissor jack to lift floor and model into place. Simple and efficient. Can transport from other locations. Floors may need to be able to carry a substantial load created by crawler, scissor jack, floor, model support and model.”
Honorable Mentions
NASA No-Fuss Fuselage by tommy.mueller-1
“Multiplecylindrical TS on overhead monorails, come into WT kind sideways kind of like 12' TS. Robot arm with smoke wand for instrumentation. Nice renders and animations.”
NASA Challenge by ammar.khaled-4
“Looks into multiple ideas to improve TS productivity, such as modular model mounts and window mounts for instrumentation. Calls out an actual product (Mecanum wheels.) for moving models, which is nice. Loved the annotations and this should be a normal part of every submission. Submitter has an understanding of WT and TS operations. Multiple modular bases provide for buildup outside the WT. Translation of model into TS may not be feasible with robotic arm due to model size/weight. Sidewall mount from same access point may be difficult as well. Modular electronics in base and modular instrumentation tiles are interesting options.”
[Final - Mechanical Design] Transonic Wind Tunnel Mechanism Concept NASA 2022 by bagoes.prawira.n-1
“Elaborate system using floor panels and multiple levels, carousel system, etc, to put model in TS Really nice work. One innovation was the rotating sensor wall so that different measurments could be performed on the different models.”
NASA Challenge: New Transonic Wind Tunnel Test Section by stephane.gazel-3
“Ferris wheel type test section loading. This does not seem as cost effective as less complicated methods that do the same thing.” I like this best of all the "revolver" concepts because it makes use of the revolver idea to have multiple independent model prep areas which are shielded from each other. Most of these concepts assume the models can be prepped in a big common room, and/or right next to the tunnel. swap test sections on ferris wheel”
Modular Tunnels by behdad.enjili-2
“A very cool facility. Not sur if it is practical but looks like something that could be built in 2040. Modular test sections. The propulsion system above the facility may have pros and cons. Biggest carousel. Diagonally-mounted WT to accommodate carousel. 28 TS.”
NASA Wind Tunnel Challenge by caustin.dixon-1
“A good basic concept with nice details. The report (PowerPoint Presentation) has information on potential vendors for many of the subsystems that are used in the design.
Ground level carts make for easier transfer of models to and from the test section.”
Modular transonic wind tunnel by giolu.cristian-1
“Another really nice concept with very good renderings. Be sure to download the MODULAR TRANSONIC WIND TUNNEL.pdf for some descriptions.
Configurable Test Section Design for Transonic Wind Tunnel by res.asst.murat.toptas-2
Multiple TS floor plates on a translation/lift system. Provides for model buildup/test/removal in a compact space. Floor locking occurs using translating pins. Cable connection box below floor surface noted. Someone was thinking about the details”
