Vertical wind tunnel training device
The present invention is a vertical wind tunnel amusement device. The device comprises a flight chamber wherein a user may experience a freefall through the atmosphere from the safety of an enclosed flight chamber. Airflow sufficient to fully support a user within the flight chamber is induced by a plurality of fans connected above the flight chamber through a duct. A staging area having openings to the flight chamber is adjacent to the flight chamber. A user may enter or retreat from the flight chamber at will through the staging area openings without significantly adjusting the airflow velocity in the flight chamber. A control room is adjacent to the fight chamber whereby an operator may observe a user or users within the flight chamber and thereby safely control the operation of the fans. A projection room is also adjacent to the flight chamber whereby a video of a skydiving experience may be displayed to a user within the flight chamber. A telemetry backpack may be worn by a user or users in the flight chamber so the user can interact with or choose the scenes being projected on the flight chamber. In alternate embodiment, return air ducts are used to return air from each fan to the wind tunnel inlet. Dampers are included on each return air duct thereby allowing the temperature of the airflow in the wind tunnel to be adjusted for user comfort.
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This application is a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/159,369 filed Sep. 23, 1998 now abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the field of vertical wind tunnels, more particularly, to non-return flow vertical wind tunnels used as amusement devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWind tunnels are well known in the art. Wind tunnels are available in many types and styles depending upon the needs of the user. These include subsonic wind tunnels with and without return flow, transonic wind tunnels with and without return flow, vertical subsonic wind tunnels with and without return flow, supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnels with and without return flow, and compressible flow wind tunnels.
The majority of the wind tunnels are used for research and testing purposes. These include testing of conventional aircraft, helicopters, parachutes and other aerodynamic devices, wing surfaces, control surfaces, submarines, rockets and other launch vehicles, ground vehicles, buildings and other basic flow investigations.
The wind tunnels are generally owned by major defense oriented corporations, the Federal government, or educational institutions and universities. Although vertical wind tunnels are available for use by persons for various types of atmospheric freefall training, these wind tunnels are also generally controlled by the foregoing institutions for use only by authorized personnel. As a result, access to the wind tunnels is limited at best. These wind tunnels are not generally designed nor intended to be used by persons for the purpose of enjoyment or for learning to skydive. Consequently, none of these wind tunnels are used for general amusement purposes. None of these wind tunnels are available for use by essentially untrained people or by those with limited instruction. None of these wind tunnels are available to the public for use as an amusement ride. Further, the design of these prior art wind tunnels are not “user-friendly” for the purposes of use and enjoyment by users such as those who frequent amusement parks and the rides they offer. The prior art wind tunnels do not offer any means of enhancing the ride experience such as with a concurrent/interactive video presentation, nor do they offer a means of airflow control adopted to meet the needs of an operator providing thrill rides to the public.
Representative of the art is:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,486,287 to Jackson discloses an adjustable nozzle of a supersonic wind tunnel having fixed and moveable walls.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,560,634 to Colley discloses a Venturi tube having means for varying the throat area while the venturi is being used.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,788,020 to Davie discloses a linkage for effecting adjustment of a wind tunnel nozzle having moveable, flexible walls.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,799,161 to Greene et al. discloses trisonic wind tunnel having facilities for testing in subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speed ranges.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,933,922 to Davis discloses flexible nozzles for wind tunnels.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,748 to Jacocks discloses a wind tunnel having adjustable slats allowing close matching of the streamlines within the wind tunnel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,410 to Sassak discloses an amusement apparatus comprising a spherical passenger holding body, and a vertical tube having a diameter sufficient to receive the body in a vertical path of motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,358 to Wulf et al. discloses a deformable plastic wall for use in a wind tunnel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,615 to Beard discloses an air driven amusement ride which propels a passenger vehicle upward along a guide cable out of an acceleration tube by a blast of pressurized air within the tube under the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,609 to Bouis discloses a wind tunnel having a plurality of wall surrounding a test section. The walls have a plurality of longitudinal slots, each channel created thereby having a flexible bottom.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,909 to Kitchen et al, discloses a skydiving trainer wind tunnel having a vertical air chamber with a video projection system on an interior wall.
University of Maryland, Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel Brochure.
Calspan Report No. WTO-300; 8-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel; Calspan Corporation, Buffalo, N.Y.
Compressible Flow Wind Tunnel; Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company, Marietta, Ga.
AGARD Memorandum; Advisory Group for Aeronautical Research and Development, Paris France, 1954.
Guide for Planning Investigations in the Ames 40- by 80-ft Wind Tunnel; NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field, Calif., 1984.
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement ride having a flight chamber on the inlet side of the fans for improved airflow control and stability. What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement ride having an adjacent staging area. What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement device having a plurality of fans. What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement ride having a single pass non-return airflow. What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement device having transparent windows looking into the flight chamber. What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement device having transparent windows looking into the staging area. What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement device having return air ducts with dampers to control the temperature of the airflow. The present invention meets these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe primary aspect of the present invention is to provide a vertical wind tunnel amusement device having a flight chamber located on the inlet side of the fans for improved airflow control and stability.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vertical wind tunnel amusement device having an adjacent staging area.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vertical wind tunnel amusement device having a plurality of fans.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vertical wind tunnel amusement device having transparent windows in the flight chamber.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vertical wind tunnel amusement device having transparent windows in the staging area.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vertical wind tunnel amusement device having a low profile to meet building constraints.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vertical wind tunnel amusement device having a non-return airflow.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a vertical wind tunnel having a re-circulating airflow with dampers to control a temperature of the airflow.
Other aspects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.
The invention comprises a single pass, non-return flow vertical wind tunnel amusement device having a flight chamber. It is within the flight chamber where the user experiences “freefall” within the vertical airflow column. Airflow is induced through the flight chamber by a plurality of fans located above, i.e. downstream of, the flight chamber. The fans are arranged radially about a major axis of the invention. The plurality of fans is driven by economics, from the standpoint that five industrial fans are a fraction of the cost, between one and two orders of magnitude, of a single fan large enough to support a user. Further, limiting the height of the structure using the radial diffuser encourages the use of several smaller fans versus a large single fan. A plurality of fans are also used so that in the event of a fan failure, the remaining fans can maintain the airflow through the flight chamber. The flow path through the invention begins at the inlet contraction. Ambient air is drawn into the inlet contraction starting with essentially zero velocity. The inlet contraction is aerodynamically designed to allow the incoming airflow to be accelerated to the optimum velocity with as little turbulence as possible. The airflow then passes through a floor mesh into the flight chamber. The floor mesh provides support for the users when the airflow through the flight chamber is not sufficient to support them. The flight chamber is approximately 12 feet in diameter. The airflow velocity in the flight chamber is approximately 120+ mph, which will fully support a user. The maximum airflow velocity in the flight chamber is approximately 175+ mph. Each wall of the flight chamber comprises windows constructed of transparent Plexiglas®, acrylic plastic, or similar high strength window material. The windows into the flight chamber are full length, thereby allowing an unrestricted view of the activities taking place within the flight chamber. Adjacent to the flight chamber is a staging area. The flight chamber has an entry opening and exit opening to the staging area through which a user may enter and exit the flight chamber. Users wait in the staging area for their turn in the flight chamber. In operation, the flight chamber may accommodate up to four users at a time, although the optimum number is two. In the preferred embodiment, a student will fly in the flight chamber with one instructor. The staging area has transparent windows so that an observer may view the flight of any person(s) within the flight chamber without entering the staging area. The remaining sides of the flight chamber comprise a window to the control room and windows for viewing the projection system. The control room is manned by a person operating the fans and projection system. The fans are controlled to achieve the optimum airflow velocity through the flight chamber. The projection system is used to project skydiving scenes for viewing by a user to enhance the flight experience. The upper section of the flight chamber comprises a perforated panel which is immediately above the staging area windows. This provides an alternate airflow path when users are entering and exiting the flight chamber. The airflow may pass through the entry and exit openings while a user is in the flight chamber. A portion of the airflow flows around a user, enters the staging area through the entry/exit openings and then re-enters the flight chamber at an elevation above the staging area. The perforated walls reduce the buoyancy tendencies which might result in a flyer going from the bottom to the top of the flight chamber immediately upon entry. This also results in added controllability and predictability of the supporting air column for a user. Next above the perforated section is a divergent diffuser. The divergent diffuser diverges at approximately 7 degrees from the major axis. The increasing cross-sectional area reduces the velocity of the airflow from the flight chamber to the fans. Next above the divergent diffuser are the fan inlets and the fans. The velocity of the airflow through the invention is controlled by either changing the pitch of the fans or by changing the rotational speed of the fans. The airflow passes through the fans and into the exit turning vanes. The fans are preferably axial flow fans, although any fan adapted for use in a wind tunnel is acceptable. The exit turning vanes turn the airflow path from substantially vertical to substantially horizontal. The airflow then enters and exits the delta shaped diffuser. The delta shaped diffusers are incorporated in a radial arrangement suited to the arrangement of the fans. The delta diffuser further diverges and slows the exhaust airflow from each fan. This results in an outlet airflow velocity of approximately 30 mph as compared to a velocity of 120+ mph within the flight chamber. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device also comprises a training area where users are instructed in the use of the wind tunnel and in the techniques of skydiving.
In an alternate embodiment, return air ducts are connected between the outlet of the fans and the inlet of the wind tunnel. Each return air duct has an outlet damper and an inlet damper. A portion of the airflow is blown out of the outlet damper. An equivalent portion of air is drawn into the inlet damper and then into the wind tunnel. This arrangement allows heated airflow air to be replaced with cooler ambient air, thereby allowing a user to adjust the temperature in the flight chamber for flyer comfort.
Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangements shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTReference is made to
In use, the user first enters a training area where he or she receives instruction in the proper method and technique for skydiving. Once the instruction is completed, the user “suits-up” in a skydiving jumpsuit. The user then proceeds to the observation area with an instructor where he or she is further instructed in the use of the vertical wind tunnel, particularly the flight chamber. The fans are then started at reduced speed or are slowed by the operator in the control room. Door 350 is opened and the user, instructor and any other users, enter the staging area 340, up to six total but more may enter depending upon the size of the staging area. Once all users or students are in the staging area door 350 is closed, and the fans are brought up to the proper operating speed by the control room operator. An instructor then enters the flight chamber. A user/student then enters the flight chamber through opening 320 with the assistance of the instructor. The user fly's flies in the flight chamber 110 with or without the instructor until a given amount of time passes. He or she then exits from the flight chamber through opening 330 to the staging area 340. This process may be repeated in order to meet the needs of the student or user. When the flight session is over, the control room operator throttles back the fans or shuts them off completely. The user then exits from the staging area 340 through door 350.
During operation an operator is in the control room 371. An operator controls the operation of the fans in concert with and in response to the instructions, signals or behavior of a user in the flight chamber 110. Control of the operation of the fans controls the airflow velocity within the flight chamber. Airflow velocity control may be accomplished by varying the rotational speed of the fan motors or by varying the pitch of the fan blades. The remaining sides of the flight chamber 110 comprise a rear screen projector by which scenes from actual skydives may be projected to enhance the illusion of freefall. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,909, entitled Skydiving Trainer Wind tunnel, which is herein incorporated by reference. Projection equipment (not shown) is contained in projection room 380. Observation room 390 allows non-participating observers to view a user within the flight chamber 110. This is accomplished by viewing through windows 341 in the staging area and windows 311 in the sides of the flight chamber 110. The windows are all large compared to the size of the flight chamber in order to allow a relatively unrestricted view of the flight chamber. The windows comprise Plexiglas®, Lexan® or other high strength transparent material capable of withstanding the differential pressure across the window caused by the operation of the fans. In operation door 350 is dynamically held closed by a force of approximately 40 to 50 lbs./sqft created by the airflow through the flight chamber 110. It is essentially impossible for a user to open door 350 to the staging area 340 while the invention is in operation. This “fail-safe”, feature prevents a user from inadvertently entering the staging area while the vertical wind tunnel amusement device is in operation. The arrangement of the openings 320 and 330 minimally affects the airflow within the flight chamber 110. This allows a user to stand in the staging area without experiencing the unpleasant effects of the 120+ mph airflow within the flight chamber. When the user desires to fly within the flight chamber, he or she simply steps through the opening 320 or 330 into the airflow. He or she is immediately supported by the airflow. If adjustment is necessary to stabilize a user, an operator in control room 371 adjusts the operation of the fans (not shown) to increase or decrease the velocity of the airflow. It is the airflow velocity and resulting dynamic pressure on a user which results in a user being fully supported in the flight chamber. Once supported in the airflow, a user may perform all of the maneuvers which a skydiver could otherwise only perform during an actual freefall. The invention allows all of the sensations of skydiving to be experienced by a novice user without the obvious danger of actually jumping out of an aircraft thousands of feet in the air.
Each return air duct 1800 further comprises outlet damper 1820 and inlet damper 1830. Outlet damper 1820 and inlet damper 1830 are used in concert to adjust the temperature of the airflow. It is known in the art that a rise in the temperature of the airflow will occur by the use of recirculated air in the wind tunnel. To avoid this problem, outlet dampers 1820 and inlet dampers 1830 are used to exchange a portion of the airflow at a higher temperature, with ambient air at a lower temperature. Each is adjustable in order to allow a user to ‘fine-tune’ the temperature of the airflow. Generally, each pair of dampers is adjusted and balanced with the other so that the air mass blown from the return air duct 1800 through outlet damper 1820 is replaced by the same mass of air entering through the inlet damper 1830. This improves flyer comfort by lowering the overall temperature of the airflow. A temperature sensor, not shown, is used by an operator to detect the temperature of the airflow. The operator then adjusts the dampers in response to the outside temperature, which is detected by a temperature sensor, not shown. Flow straightener 206 is shown at the opening to inlet contraction 100.
Each return air duct 1800 has a cross-sectional area that gradually expands from the fans toward plenum 1810 with an angle γ from a centerline. This has the effect of gradually increasing the cross-sectional area of the return air duct. Angle γ, in the range of 1° to 5°, is chosen so that air turbulence and flow separation in the return air duct are minimized, thereby reducing total pressure loss, and thereby power requirements during operation.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.
Claims
1. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow;
- a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; and
- a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber;
- an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and
- an upper section comprising perforations above said opening and between said staging area and said chamber whereby said staging area further aerodynamically communicates with said chamber.
2. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said duct has a diverging taper from said chamber to said fan thereby reducing an airflow velocity to a level incapable of supporting a user.
3. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 2 further comprising an inlet contraction connected to said chamber at a bottom end opposite said fan.
4. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 3 further comprising a plurality of fans mounted on top of the chamber for inducing an airflow upwards through the chamber.
5. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 4 further comprising:
- a return air duct having a first end connected to an outlet of said fan;
- a plenum aerodynamically communicating with said inlet contraction; and
- a second end of said return air duct connected to said plenum.
6. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 5, wherein said return air duct further comprises:
- an inlet damper in said second end; and
- an outlet damper in said first end.
7. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 6, wherein said return air duct further comprises:
- a cross-sectional area which gradually increases from said first end to said second end.
8. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 7 further comprising a plurality of return air ducts, each aerodynamically communicating with a fan and said plenum.
9. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 7 further comprising:
- a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of an airflow in said chamber;
- a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature external to said chamber; and
- a display for presenting each of said temperatures to a user.
10. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 9 further comprising a flow straightener cooperating with said inlet contraction.
11. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 3 further comprising an anti-vortex device aerodynamically cooperating with said inlet contraction.
12. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow;
- a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber area;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct;
- a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber;
- wherein said chamber further comprises a floor mesh, said floor mesh comprising:
- a plurality of metal cables, each having a fitting at one end and an adjustable a second fitting at the other end;
- each of said metal cables strung between structural members in a mesh fashion with each fitting in metal cable connected to an opposing structural member;
- a metal spring about adjacent to said adjustable second fitting on each cable, said spring contained between a fastener and a structural member whereby each of said cables is preloaded; and
- said floor mesh located at a lower end of said chamber.
13. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 12, wherein said chamber further comprises windows.
14. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 13, wherein said staging area further comprises windows for viewing said chamber.
15. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 14, wherein said staging area further comprises windows whereby an observer may view said staging area and said chamber.
16. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 15 further comprising a control room adjacent to said chamber.
17. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow;
- a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct;
- a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and
- a projection room adjacent to said chamber whereby scenes are projected on a chamber outside surface for viewing by a user and a diffuser connected to a discharge of said fan thereby reducing exit noise.
18. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow, said chamber having a width and said airflow being substantially constant across the width of the chamber;
- a at least one fan mounted above the chamber whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; and
- a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber;
- an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and
- wherein said duct has a diverging taper from said chamber to said fan thereby reducing an airflow velocity to a level incapable of supporting a user in that section.
19. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow, said chamber having a width and said airflow being substantially constant across the width of the chamber;
- a at least one fan mounted above the chamber whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; and
- a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber;
- an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and
- an inlet contraction connected to said chamber at a bottom end opposite said fan.
20. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow;
- a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; and
- a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber;
- an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and
- a plurality of fans mounted on top of the chamber for inducing an airflow upwards through the chamber.
21. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow;
- a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct;
- a staging area forming an outer chamber area adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber;
- said chamber further comprises a floor mesh, said floor mesh comprising:
- a plurality of cables, each having a fitting at one end and an adjustable fitting at the other end;
- each of said cables strung between structural members in a mesh fashion with each fitting in an opposing structural member;
- a spring about said adjustable fitting on each cable, said spring contained between a fastener and a structural member whereby each of said cables is preloaded; and said floor mesh located at a lower end of said chamber.
22. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 21 further comprising a diffuser connected to a discharge of said fan thereby reducing exit noise.
23. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 22 further comprising an anti-vortex device aerodynamically cooperating with said inlet contraction.
24. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow;
- a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; and
- a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber;
- an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and
- said chamber further comprises windows.
25. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 24, wherein said staging area further comprises windows for viewing said chamber.
26. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 25, wherein said staging area further comprises windows whereby an observer may view said staging area and said chamber.
27. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow;
- a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct;
- a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and
- a flow straightener cooperating with an inlet contraction.
28. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow;
- a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct;
- a staging area forming an outer chamber area adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber;
- a return air duct having a first end connected to an outlet of said fan;
- a plenum aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and
- a second end of said return air duct connected to said plenum.
29. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 28 wherein said staging area further comprises;
- an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber.
30. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 29 further comprising an inlet contraction connected to said chamber at a bottom end opposite said fan and said plenum.
31. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 30 further comprising a plurality of fans mounted on top of the chamber for inducing an airflow through the chamber.
32. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 31 further comprising;
- an upper section comprising perforations above said opening and between said staging area and said chamber whereby said staging area further aerodynamically communicates with said chamber.
33. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 32 further comprising an anti-vortex device aerodynamically cooperating with said inlet contraction.
34. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 33 further comprising a flow straightener cooperating with said inlet contraction.
35. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 34, wherein said return air duct further comprises:
- an inlet damper in said second end;
- an outlet damper in said first end; and
- a cross-sectional area which gradually increases from said first end to said second end.
36. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in claim 35 further comprising a plurality of return air ducts, each aerodynamically communicating with a fan and said plenum.
37. A vertical wind tunnel device comprising:
- an inlet contraction;
- a flight chamber above the inlet contraction;
- said flight chamber having a constant cross section along its length;
- a diffuser above the flight chamber;
- said diffuser having a widening cross section upward along its length;
- a transition duct above the diffuser;
- a plurality of fan inlet ducts above the transition duct;
- a fan mounted above each fan inlet duct; and
- wherein a maximum air flow occurs in the flight chamber.
38. The apparatus of claim 37, a cross section of the flight chamber is equal to of less than a smallest cross section of the inlet contraction.
39. A vertical wind tunnel device comprising:
- an inlet contraction at a base of the wind tunnel;
- a flight chamber above the inlet contraction;
- a plurality of fan inlet ducts above the flight chamber;
- a fan mounted above each fan inlet duct;
- a staging area adjacent the flight chamber;
- said staging area in fluid communication with the flight chamber;
- an observation area outside the staging area;
- a door between the staging area and the observation area; and
- said door having a fail safe design with a pressure from the staging area less than an ambient pressure, thereby preventing the door from opening outward when the wind tunnel is in operation.
40. A vertical wind tunnel device comprising:
- a base having a plenum;
- a flight chamber above the plenum;
- a diffuser above the flight chamber;
- a plurality of fans mounted above the diffuser;
- said fans creating a vertical air flow in the flight chamber;
- a return air inlet mechanism in a return air duct; and
- wherein a temperature in the flight chamber can be lowered by opening the ambient air inlet mechanism.
41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the ambient air inlet mechanism further comprises an inlet and an outlet damper.
42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the inlet damper has an operator controller.
43. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow, said chamber having a width and said airflow being substantially constant across the width of the chamber;
- a fan mounted above the chamber whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct;
- a staging area forming an outer area adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber;
- a return air duct having a first end connected to an outlet of said fan;
- a plenum aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and
- a second end of said return air duct connected to said plenum.
44. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
- a chamber for containing an airflow;
- a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said area;
- said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct;
- a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber;
- an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and
- a wall section comprising perforations between said staging area and said chamber, said wall section located near said opening.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 3, 2002
Date of Patent: Dec 13, 2011
Assignee: Skyventure, LLC (Orlando, FL)
Inventors: William J. Kitchen (Orlando, FL), Michael Palmer (Poquoson, VA)
Primary Examiner: Kien T Nguyen
Attorney: Oppedahl Patent Law Firm LLC
Application Number: 10/189,698
International Classification: A63G 31/00 (20060101); G09B 9/08 (20060101);