Design of a Flow Cell Device for the Validation of Quality of Air Intakes on Wind Tunnel Models in the T-38 Wind Tunnel

 

Aleksandar Vitić

Jovan Isaković

 

A description of a construction of airflow metering-flow cell device for the validation of quality of air intakes on wind tunnel models in the T-38 wind tunnel is given in this paper. The aircraft air intake performs a crucial role because it delivers the air to the engine. The airflow into an engine must be uniform so that the engine operates efficiently and reliably with the minimum possible requirements for maintenance. The air intake must perform its function throughout the operational envelope whatever the speed or attitude of the aircraft. Wind tunnel tests with airflow  metering-flow cell devices are particularly important for the validation of air intake design. Wind tunnel tests provide a large quantity of high-fidelity data needed to quantify the level of distortion and separation in the airflow near the engine face throughout the operational envelope of the aircraft.

Key words: wind tunnel, flow cell, air intake, calibration.