1×1 Supersonic Wind Tunnel

The 1- by 1-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel (1×1) specializes in conducting fundamental research in supersonic and hypersonic fluid mechanics, supersonic-vehicle-focused research and detailed benchmark quality experiments for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code validation.

Facility Overview

The 1×1, located in theEngine Research Building (ERB), is one of the most active test facilities at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. This facility is used to conduct fundamental research in supersonic and hypersonic fluid mechanics, supersonic-vehicle-focused research and detailed benchmark quality experiments for CFD code validation.

The tunnel can provide continuous operation at 10 discrete airspeeds from Mach 1.3 to 6.0 by using an appropriate fixed-area contoured nozzle block upstream of the test section.

A number of specialized support systems are available to meet the research customer’s needs such as auxiliary bleed, model hydraulics, and probe actuation systems. Model buildup and machine shop equipment also are available to accommodate model changes. The 1×1 uses several different types of experimental research tools that are invaluable to fundamental studies.

Flow can be visualized with the use of a Schlieren imaging system, a sheet-laser system, or blue Zyglo (Magnaflux) and black lights. Qualitative flow-field measurements can be made with two-component laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) and trace gas systems.

The equipment in the 1×1 is complemented by staff experienced in supersonic test hardware and experimentation. Two-shift staffing and operation provide high productivity, flexibility, and quick model installation and configuration changes. With its capabilities, expert staff, and efficiency, the 1×1 offers the supersonic research community an excellent low-cost tool for fundamental small-scale research.

Quick Facts

The 1×1 is used to conduct fundamental research in supersonic and hypersonic fluid mechanics. It is also used for supersonic-vehicle-focused research and detailed benchmark quality experiments for CFD code validation.

Name:	1- by 1-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel (1×1 )
Mach no.:	1.3 to 6.0 (10 discrete airspeeds)
Test section:	1 foot high by 1 foot wide by 8 feet long

• The 1×1 is a valuable tool to conduct fundamental research in supersonic and hypersonic fluid mechanics.
• It specializes in conducting fundamental research in supersonic-vehicle-focused research.
• The 1×1 offers the supersonic research community an excellent low-cost testing tool for small-scale research.
• It contains a number of specialized support systems, including auxiliary bleed, model hydraulics and probe actuation systems.

Capabilities

The 1×1 provides customers with a facility capable of conducting fundamental research in supersonic and hypersonic fluid mechanics.

Characteristics and Performance

• Mach number range: 1.3 to 6.0 (discrete number)
• Reynolds number: 0.4 – 16.5 by 106/ft
• Total temperature: 520 – 1100°R
• Dynamic pressure: 80 to 1750 lbf/ft²
• Maximum pressure: 165 psia

Flow Visualization

• Schlieren
• Sheet-laser system
• Blue Zyglo
• Black light

Support Systems

• Model hydraulics
• Auxiliary bleed
• Probe actuation systems

Model Data and Control System Capabilities

• Pressure Systems
  Electronically scanned pressure (ESP) is an off-the-shelf system. The system consists of numerous 32-port, rack-mounted modules from ±2.5 psid to +500 psid, located outside the test chamber. Each module has a check pressure to make sure that the module is performing correctly and can be calibrated in place using up to five highly accurate calibration pressures to maintain the overall system accuracy of ±0.05 percent of range. This calibration is performed every 2 hours. For the 1×1, the following ranges are typically provided:
  • 224 ports ±5 psid 5 psia reference
  • 256 ports ±15 psid barometric reference
  • 64 ±30 psid barometric reference
  • 96 ±100 psid barometric reference
  • 32 ±250 psid barometric reference
• Data System – Escort
  • Escort, the steady state data acquisition system, uses a DEC Alpha microprocessor to provide:
    • An X Window-based system
    • Real time on-line acquisition of analog signals
    • Conversion of raw 10Hz filtered digitized Neff data to engineering units
    • Computed performance calculations, which can be displayed in a variety of tabular and graphical formats.
    • Limit checking on all selected changes
    • 1-s update rate
  • Escort can stand alone to meet all secure test requirements or it can be connected to a central processing cluster, which facilitates software application development, downloading of software, uploading and storage of facility tables, post processing of data and transmitting of data to a data collector for archival storage. For the 1×1, Escort provides the following:
    • Accuracy for the Neff 400 is ±0.05 percent of range
    • 240 channels of which 220 are available for the test article
    • 48 temperatures from type E
• Dynamic Data System
  The transient data system provides multi-channel high speed digitized acquisition of rapidly changing cyclic on non-periodic impulse type events. The system consists of:
  • A near-real-type display capability
  • Off-loading the data via file transfer protocol (FTP), in near real-time, to either a NASA computer or off-site computer for post-processing
  • 48 16-bit analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) per channel
  • Throughput of 9.6 million samples per second

Contact

1×1 Supersonic Wind Tunnel (1×1)
Facility Manager: Gwynn Severt
216-433-8310
Gwynn.A.Severt@nasa.gov

Test Facility Management Branch
Branch Chief: Deborah L. Waters
216-433-5371
deborah.l.waters@nasa.gov

Using Our Facilities

NASA’s Glenn Research Center provides ground test facilities to industry, government, and academia. If you are considering testing in one of our facilities or would like further information about a specific facility or capability, please let us know.

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