Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A 6-DOF isotropic measuring system for force and torque components of drag for use in wind tunnels

Innovative design

  • Published:
International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A 6-DOF isotropic device for measurement of force and torque components of drag that is suitable for use in wind tunnels is described in this paper. With our system, only the body under investigation and its fastening elements are placed inside the wind tunnel; six force sensors (load cells) are fastened outside the wind tunnel in a symmetric design by means of a metal cubic frame suspended on a massive base. Mathematical expressions describing the measurement and computation process of the values of the six force and torque vectors of the above-mentioned sensors are proposed. The isotropy features of the proposed device were shown to be superior to those of an existing tunnel balance device. To test the proposed device, the influence of the air flow on a model pattern in the shape of a flat disc or a cube fastened along its diagonal, the patterns were positioned at different angles relative to the air flow in the tunnel.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. “Balances: Force & Moment, Internal and External Full Calibration Systems and Services”, Allied Aerospace, 7340 Trade St., Suite D, San Diego, CA 858-537-2020x301, www.fms-sd.com.

References

  • Bentur, A., Berke, N.S., Diamond, S.: Diamond, Steel Corrosion in Concrete: Fundamentals and Civil Engineering Practice, 201 pp. Arnon Israel Sidney Diamond School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapsky, V., Portman, V., Sandler, B.-Z.: Single-mass 6-DOF isotropic accelerometer with segmented PSD sensors. Sens. Actuators A 135/2, 558–569 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corliss, J.M., Cole, S.R.: Heavy gas conversion of the NASA Langley Transonic dynamics tunnel, NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, AIAA-1998-2710, Advanced Measurement and Ground Testing Technology Conference, 20th, Albuquerque, NM, 15–18 June 1998

  • Ewald, F.R.: Multi-component force balances for conventional and cryogenic wind tunnels. Meas. Sci. Technol. 11, R81–R94 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gorlin, S.M., Slezinger, I.I.: Wind tunnels and their instrumentation, translated from Russian for NASA tt f-346. http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Evolution_of_Technology/advanced_wind_tunnels/Tech36.htm (2000)

  • Kerr, D.R.: Analysis, properties, and design of a Stewart-platform transducer” in transaction of the ASME. J. Mech. Transm. Autom. Des. 111/25, 25–28 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, S.A., Tso, H.L.: A novel six-component force sensor of good measurement isotropy and sensitivities. Sens. Actuators A 100, 223–230 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nguen, C.C., Antrazi, S., Zhou, Z.-L., Cambell Jr., C.E.: Analysis and experimentation of a Stewart platform-based force/torque sensor. Int. J. Robot. Autom. 7(3), 133–141 (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope, A., Harper, J.J.: Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Testing. Wiley, New York (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanderson, S.R. Simmons, J.M.: Force measurement in impulse facilities, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Queensland. http://www.mech.uq.edu.au/~mee/force_balances.html (2006)

  • Tuttle, S.L., Mee, D.J., Simmons, J.M., Daniel W.J., et al.: “NASA technical reports”. http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp (1994)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    V. Portman, B. Z. Sandler, V. Chapsky & I. Zilberman

Authors
  1. V. Portman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. Z. Sandler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. V. Chapsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. I. Zilberman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. Z. Sandler.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Portman, V., Sandler, B.Z., Chapsky, V. et al. A 6-DOF isotropic measuring system for force and torque components of drag for use in wind tunnels. Int J Mech Mater Des 5, 337–352 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10999-009-9106-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10999-009-9106-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation