Proposal

The wind tunnel consists of a series of chambers where the wind will be enclosed. This particular prototype will be an open-circuit wind tunnel where drafts of air circulate from one end to another. The wind will come in contact with the test wing which will be attached to force sensors reading the forces interacting on the surface of the wing.

The following diagram explains the working of an empirical wind tunnel:

Section A: The drive section contains a fan which is powered by an electric motor. The power in this motor will be small enough to propel a medium sized fan. There is the option of being able to regulate the output of the motor, but the idea needs to be revisited.

Section B and D: The diffusers are long wooden enclosures that will contain the wind circulating throughout the chambers.

Section C: The test area will be a transparent section that will allow us to see the air interactions on prototype wing D. At the same time, the testing wings will be attached to force sensors that will detect the forces passing around the wing's surface.

Section E: The contraction cone will concentrate the wind coming from the outside into a smaller area. Air will be sucked in, generating a greater wind velocity by the time the wind reaches the testing area where the wing will be attached.

The materials used in this wind tunnel will be unsophisticated, hence there will be room for systematical error. However, we should come up with robust data and a better understanding on fluid dynamics by the completion of the project.