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TunnelSys - Application Downloads
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Glenn
Research
Center
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Aerospace engineers use
wind tunnels
to determine the performance and operation of a proposed aircraft
by measuring the forces on a model of the aircraft or some component
of the aircraft.
In the process of
wind tunnel testing,
an engineer must first
design
and build the wind tunnel
model
with appropriate instrumentation included.
The model is then placed in the tunnel
test section,
air is blown over the model, and the forces on the model are recorded.
Diagnostic techniques may also be employed during a
wind tunnel test to
provide detailed information to the design engineer.
The engineer who conducts the wind tunnel test is
not normally the same engineer who designed the model, but someone who is a specialist
at wind tunnel operation.
Raw data from the test is reduced to performance plots by another engineer
and the results are then reported to the design engineer.
TunnelSys is a series of three Java computer programs which simulate the process of
model design, wind tunnel testing, and data reduction.
The programs permit a team of students to work on the various systems engineering
aspects of wind tunnel testing. Each student
works only on their particular task of the project (design, test, or data reduction) and
information is passed between the programs by data files which must be stored on
their computers. The output from the design program becomes the input to the testing program, the
output of the testing program is the input to the data reduction program.
Java applets are not allowed to read or write data files because of computer security restrictions.
So the three computer programs of TunnelSys are Java applications, not applets, and must be
executed from the command prompt. We have built an
applet version
of TunnelSys that has limited capabilities but demonstrates the operation of the programs.
On this web page, we provide the links and instructions to download and install the
three Java applications
that comprise TunnelSys. We suggest that you store all three programs in the same directory
(TunnelSys) but in separate sub-directories (design, wtest, and post). Each of the programs
is delivered in .zip format and all of the files for each program must be "Extracted"
from the .zip. Each program has a User's Manual file that describes the operation of the
program. You can gain some additional experience from the on-line
applet version.
Design Program
The design program is used to lay out the design of the wing to be tested in the numerical wind tunnel.
The user specifies the camber, chord, thickness and type of airfoil and then saves the design to a file.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of the TunnelSys Design Application:
- Install a copy of the Java 1.1.8 (or higher)
JDK program language on your computer. This software is available for free
from Sun Microsystems.
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
Version 1.0h, TunnelSys Design Application
- Go to the folder where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files. Remember the name of this folder.
- The "DesignManual" file can be printed to assist
you in launching and operating the program.
- Open a DOS window.
Type "java -cp (path to the folder) Design" to launch the application.
You can re-size the window as desired.
Wind Tunnel Test Program
The wind tunnel test program is used to obtain the lift of the wing model designed using the Design Program.
The user selects which wing models to test, then sets the flow conditions in the tunnel, and changes
either the speed, angle of attack, or pressure in the tunnel. The resulting lift and the flow conditions
are saved to a file.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of the TunnelSys Wind Tunnel Test Application:
- Install a copy of the Java 1.1.8 (or higher)
JDK program language on your computer. This software is available for free
from Sun Microsystems.
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
Version 1.0j, TunnelSys Wind Tunnel Test Application
- Go to the folder where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files. Remember the name of this folder.
- The "TestManual" file can be printed to assist
you in launching and operating the program.
- Open a DOS window.
Type "java -cp (path to the folder) Tunnel" to launch the application.
You can re-size the window as desired.
Post-Processing Program
The post-processing program is used to plot the results of the wind tunnel test performed using
the Wind Tunnel Test Program.
The user selects which test data to plot and can make comparisons between models and test conditions.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of the TunnelSys Post-Processing Application:
- Install a copy of the Java 1.1.8 (or higher)
JDK program language on your computer. This software is available for free
from Sun Microsystems.
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
Version 1.0g, TunnelSys Wind Tunnel Test Application
- Go to the folder where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files. Remember the name of this folder.
- The "ProcessManual" file can be printed to assist
you in launching and operating the program.
- Open a DOS window.
Type "java -cp (path to the folder) Process" to launch the application.
You can re-size the window as desired.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
This software is in the Public Domain. It may be freely copied and
used in non-commercial products, assuming proper credit to the author
is given. IT MAY NOT BE RESOLD. If you want to use the software
for commercial products, contact the author.
No copyright is claimed in the United
States under Title 17, U.S. Code. This software is provided "as
is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed, implied,
or statutory, including but not limited to, any warranty that the
software will conform to specifications, any implied warranties
of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom
from infringement, and any warranty that the documentation will
conform to the program, or any warranty that the software will be
error free.
In no event shall NASA be liable for
any damages, including, but not limited to direct, indirect, special
or consequential damages, arising out of, resulting from, or in
any way connected with this software, whether or not based on warranty,
contract, tort or otherwise, whether or not injury was sustained
by persons or property or otherwise, and whether or not loss was
sustained from or arose out of the results of, or use of, the software
or services provided hereunder.
Navigation..
- Beginner's Guide to Wind Tunnels
- Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics
- Beginner's Guide to Propulsion
- Beginner's Guide to Hypersonics
- Beginner's Guide to Compressible Aerodynamics
- Beginner's Guide to Model Rockets
- Beginner's Guide to Kites
- Free Software
- Aerospace Activities and Lessons
- Beginner's Guide Home Page
- Aeronautics Resources
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