Abstract: A cooling system for a wind tunnel is disclosed. The heat exchanger of the present disclosure is formed as a turning vane in an airflow duct of a re-circulating wind tunnels. The individual vanes are formed from extruded aluminum with coolant fluid channels running continually down the length of the vane. One or more channels can be used, depending on the application of vane and the cooling capacity needed. The exterior of the vanes are formed in an airfoil shape to efficiently turn the air flow the desired amount in a manner well known in the art. The turning vanes are connected to a fluid supply with single piece connectors that removably attach to the turning vanes. In the depicted embodiment the connectors are attached with screws. In the depicted embodiment the connectors are formed as a single piece in a two-piece injection mold.

Abstract: A vertical wind tunnel for indoor skydiving having at least one recirculating airflow plenum. The airflow plenum includes a first vertical member housing a flight chamber, a top horizontal member, a second vertical member, and a bottom horizontal member. The bottom horizontal member has a first section and a second section. A corner section connects the second section of the bottom horizontal member with the first vertical member. The second section of the bottom horizontal member contracts the airflow travelling through the bottom horizontal member between the first section and its exit to the corner section. The corner section further contracts the airflow exiting the second section of the bottom horizontal member towards the first vertical member.

Abstract: A vertical wind tunnel for indoor skydiving having at least one recirculating airflow plenum. The airflow plenum includes a first vertical member housing a flight chamber, a top horizontal member, a second vertical member, and a bottom horizontal member. The bottom horizontal member has a first section and a second section. A corner section connects the second section of the bottom horizontal member with the first vertical member. The second section of the bottom horizontal member contracts the airflow travelling through the bottom horizontal member between the first section and its exit to the corner section. The corner section further contracts the airflow exiting the second section of the bottom horizontal member towards the first vertical member.

Abstract: A cooling system for a wind tunnel is disclosed. The heat exchanger of the present disclosure is formed as a turning vane in an airflow duct of a re-circulating wind tunnels. The individual vanes are formed from extruded aluminum with coolant fluid channels running continually down the length of the vane. One or more channels can be used, depending on the application of vane and the cooling capacity needed. The exterior of the vanes are formed in an airfoil shape to efficiently turn the air flow the desired amount in a manner well known in the art. The turning vanes are connected to a fluid supply with single piece connectors that removably attach to the turning vanes. In the depicted embodiment the connectors are attached with screws. In the depicted embodiment the connectors are formed as a single piece in a two-piece injection mold.

Abstract: A vertical wind tunnel for indoor skydiving having at least one recirculating airflow plenum. The airflow plenum includes a first vertical member housing a flight chamber, a top horizontal member, a second vertical member, and a bottom horizontal member. The bottom horizontal member has a first section and a second section. A corner section connects the second section of the bottom horizontal member with the first vertical member. The second section of the bottom horizontal member contracts the airflow travelling through the bottom horizontal member between the first section and its exit to the corner section. The corner section further contracts the airflow exiting the second section of the bottom horizontal member towards the first vertical member.

Abstract: An interactive modular sensor system for an indoor skydiving wind tunnel. The system comprises a plurality of nodes arranged around the flight chamber of the wind tunnel. The nodes have at least one sensor and at least one light source. The sensors are configured to detect user movement within the flight chamber. The light sources are configured to change appearance between at least two indicator states. A network connects the plurality of nodes. A program coordinates the activity of the nodes, whereby each of the nodes may be individually controlled. The program may include various modes with different user objectives and rules. Users are directed to perform or not perform actions by the light source indicator states of each node, and the sensor monitors for the occurrence of such actions. Information from multiple systems may be compiled in an inter-tunnel system. Other aspects of the system are also described.

Abstract: An interactive modular sensor system for an indoor skydiving wind tunnel. The system comprises a plurality of nodes arranged around the flight chamber of the wind tunnel. The nodes have at least one sensor and at least one light source. The sensors are configured to detect user movement within the flight chamber. The light sources are configured to change appearance between at least two indicator states. A network connects the plurality of nodes. A program coordinates the activity of the nodes, whereby each of the nodes may be individually controlled. The program may include various modes with different user objectives and rules. Users are directed to perform or not perform actions by the light source indicator states of each node, and the sensor monitors for the occurrence of such actions. Information from multiple systems may be compiled in an inter-tunnel system. Other aspects of the system are also described.

Abstract: A cooling system for a wind tunnel is disclosed. The heat exchanger of the present disclosure is formed as a turning vane in an airflow duct of a re-circulating wind tunnels. The individual vanes are formed from extruded aluminum with coolant fluid channels running continually down the length of the vane. One or more channels can be used, depending on the application of vane and the cooling capacity needed. The exterior of the vanes are formed in an airfoil shape to efficiently turn the air flow the desired amount in a manner well known in the art. The turning vanes are connected to a fluid supply with single piece connectors that removably attach to the turning vanes. In the depicted embodiment the connectors are attached with screws. In the depicted embodiment the connectors are formed as a single piece in a two-piece injection mold.

Abstract: A cooling system for a wind tunnel (100) is disclosed. The heat exchanger (200) of the present disclosure is formed as a turning vane assembly in an airflow duct of a re-circulating wind tunnels. The individual vanes (201) are formed from extruded aluminum with coolant fluid channels (206, 207, 208) running continually down the length of the vane. One or more channels can be used, depending on the application of vane and the cooling capacity needed. The exterior of the vanes are formed in an airfoil shape to efficiently turn the air flow the de-sired amount in a manner well known in the art. The turning vanes are connected to a fluid supply (204) with single piece connectors (202) that removably attach to the turning vanes. In the depicted embodiment the connectors are attached with screws. In the depicted embodiment the connectors are formed as a single piece in a two-piece injection mold.

Abstract: A cooling system for a wind tunnel (100) is disclosed. The heat exchanger (200) of the present disclosure is formed as a turning vane assembly in an airflow duct of a re-circulating wind tunnels. The individual vanes (201) are formed from extruded aluminum with coolant fluid channels (206, 207, 208) running continually down the length of the vane. One or more channels can be used, depending on the application of vane and the cooling capacity needed. The exterior of the vanes are formed in an airfoil shape to efficiently turn the air flow the de-sired amount in a manner well known in the art. The turning vanes are connected to a fluid supply (204) with single piece connectors (202) that removably attach to the turning vanes. In the depicted embodiment the connectors are attached with screws. In the depicted embodiment the connectors are formed as a single piece in a two-piece injection mold.

Abstract: A vertical wind tunnel flight simulator comprises a flight chamber wherein a flier may experience a freefall simulation. Airflow to support the flier is induced by fans connected above the flight chamber through a duct. A staging area having openings to the flight chamber is adjacent to the flight chamber. One or two return air ducts are used to return air from the fans outlet to the fans inlet. Opposed louvers are included on at least one duct segment thereby regulating the temperature via forcing ambient air into the simulator. The use of many duct segments having diverging walls adds commercial value to the system by lowering the height. Mounting components on the roof and behind walls creates a spectacular pedestrian viewing scene of people in flight.

Abstract: A reduced drag cable for use in vertical wind tunnels and other applications with a change in the spacing and/or size of the strands of a standard twisted wire cable is disclosed. The perimeter strands of one embodiment all have a standard diameter, with the exception of one or more wires with different diameter from the other perimeter strands. The different sized strand forms a helical feature around the cable, creating a non-circular profile to reduce drag in air.