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TunnelSys - Application Downloads

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Icon for TunnelSys program

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.


Computer drawing of wing design

 

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:

  1. 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.
  2. The downloaded file is in .ZIP format which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your browser.
  3. Click Here to download a copy of Version 1.0h, TunnelSys Design Application
  4. Go to the folder where you have stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files. Remember the name of this folder.
  5. The "DesignManual" file can be printed to assist you in launching and operating the program.
  6. Open a DOS window. Type "java -cp (path to the folder) Design" to launch the application. You can re-size the window as desired.


Computer drawing of wind tunnel

 

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:

  1. 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.
  2. The downloaded file is in .ZIP format which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your browser.
  3. Click Here to download a copy of Version 1.0j, TunnelSys Wind Tunnel Test Application
  4. Go to the folder where you have stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files. Remember the name of this folder.
  5. The "TestManual" file can be printed to assist you in launching and operating the program.
  6. Open a DOS window. Type "java -cp (path to the folder) Tunnel" to launch the application. You can re-size the window as desired.


Computer drawing of a performance plot

 

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:

  1. 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.
  2. The downloaded file is in .ZIP format which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your browser.
  3. Click Here to download a copy of Version 1.0g, TunnelSys Wind Tunnel Test Application
  4. Go to the folder where you have stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files. Remember the name of this folder.
  5. The "ProcessManual" file can be printed to assist you in launching and operating the program.
  6. 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.


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Beginner's Guide to Wind Tunnels
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Beginner's Guide to Hypersonics
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Editor: Nancy Hall
NASA Official: Nancy Hall
Last Updated: May 13 2021

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