User Guide
Contents
1. 3 Angle the VPS into the chamber Insert its legs into the holes in the floor of the chamber Attach thumb nuts to the legs of the VPS that protrude underneath the testing chamber 4 Plug the VPS cord into the port labeled Instrument in the wind tunnel s connection panel Plug the power pack into the jack at the rear of the wind tunnel 6 Locate the power pack and its cord Plug the cord into the power pack and the jack into the port at the rear of the wind tunnel Then plug the power cord into a standard wall outlet UT Mounting a Dragster on the VPS 1 Attach a drag link to a dragster s eye hook Place the dragster on the VPS and loop the link over the mounting hook at the front of the platform Other Vehicles The user must devise a method of attaching a drag link to vehicles other than dragsters 2 Slide the axle load plates so that the wheels of the dragster are centered on them This is an important step that assures the accuracy of your measurements Mounting an Object on the Stinger Figure 8 Vehicles 1 Install the Stinger Mount as directed on page 10 2 Remove the plastic cover from the top of the testing chamber 3 Angle the vehicle mounting platform and lower it into the testing chamber so that the hole in the platform faces toward the intake bell Figure 9 Insert the legs of the platform into the holes on the floor of the chamber Attach thumb nuts to the legs of the platform underneath the testing2. and the jack into the port at the rear of the wind tunnel Then plug the power cord into a standard wall outlet To Measure Vehicle Drag View Looking down into the testing chamber and through the glass panel at the bottom of the chamber The intake bell is at left Face the wind tunnel so that the intake bell is on your left Slide the Stinger Mount lengthwise onto the four frontmost posts that protrude from underneath the testing chamber Figure 24 The arrow should point away from the intake bell Figure 24 Proper Stinger Mount position for measuring vehicle drag 10 Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311 To Measure Wing Lift View Looking down into the testing chamber and through the glass panel at the bottom of the chamber The intake bell is at left Face the wind tunnel so that the intake bell is on your left Slide the Stinger Mount crosswise onto the four middle posts that protrude from underneath the testing chamber Figure 25 The arrow should point away from you Figure 25 Proper Stinger Mount position for measuring wing lift To Measu re Wing or Geometric Shape Drag View Looking down into the testing chamber and through the glass panel at the bottom of the chamber The intake bell is at left Face the wind tunnel so that the intake bell is on your left Slide the Stinger Mount lengthwise onto the four middle posts that protrude from underneath the testing chamber Figure 26 The arrow should
3. point away from the intake bell Figure 26 Proper Stinger Mount position for measuring wing or geometric shape drag To Me asure Rocket Drag View Looking down into the testing chamber and through the glass panel at the bottom of the chamber The intake bell is at left Face the wind tunnel so that the intake bell is on your left Slide the Stinger Mount lengthwise onto the four rear posts that protrude from underneath the testing chamber Figure 27 The arrow should point away from the intake bell Figure 27 Proper Stinger Mount position for measuring rocket drag Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311 11 12 PITSCO D U C A T I P O Box 1708 e Pittsburg KS 66762 www pitsco com Toll Free Orders 800 835 0686 Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311
4. the floor of the testing chamber into the Stinger Mount The leading edge of the wing should face the intake bell of the wind tunnel While holding the object in place reach underneath the chamber insert the T wrench into the set collar and tighten it to secure the mounting rod Figure 10 on previous page Replace the testing chamber cover The wing is ready to test Figure 16 Figure 15 Figure 16 Gather the T wrench horizontal mounting device bottle rocket plug thumb nut wind guard support base and the wind guard tube that best covers the rod of the horizontal mounting device when the rocket is positioned at half the height of the test chamber Remove the plastic cover from the testing chamber Take out the vehicle mounting platform if it is inside the chamber Remove the Stinger Mount if it is attached Figure 17 Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311 UT 8 Insert the wind gua rd View Looking down into the Wind guard support testing chamber from above base mounted here support base in the large hole on the bottom of the e mm e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e wind tunnel above the Kr eee eee e cm sm d ss bm ve sn bm ze ze e e e e e e e rm rm rm rm rm zm zm Stinger Mount Figure 18 Its screw will protrude fan ii II through the bottom of the chamber Reach hu MIT L ss mm slem sm zm e e zm zm zm rm zm zm rm zm rm zm zm rm mm underneath the chamber S EEGEN and threa
5. these items are included with the Stinger Mount Only the wire drag links are included with the VPS 10 tapped 10 plain Set of mounting mounting geometric ie rods Horizontal mounting lt shapes l device Platform drag hook i T wrench Drill rod Solid fuel rocket mounting plug A ire drag links ele Brass 9 plain Bottle rocket Brass wind wind guard mounting mounting plug guar support GC tubes base 4 Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311 Setting Up the Tunnel 1 Place the wind tunnel on a sturdy level table Allow the intake bell to hang over the edge of the table 2 Plug the handheld control unit into the middle port which is labeled Control Unit in the tunnel s connection panel Figure 1 3 Plug the fan motor power cord into the three prong AC receptacle at the rear of the connection panel Then plug the other end of the cord into a standard 120 V wall outlet 4 If you have purchased the X Stream Data Acquisition Software install it and Figure 1 connect your computer to the wind tunnel see instructions below Operating the Tunnel After Setting Up the Tunnel 1 Install the manometer see page 6 2 VPS Follow instructions for Installing the Vehicle Platform Sensor and Mounting a Vehicle on the VPS on page 7 Stinger Mount Depending on the object to be tested the Stinger Mount may be installed before or after mounting the object in the testing chamber Fo
6. thumbscrew Figure 5 2 400 2 500 ing the Manometer wech 2 600 The included manometer displays air velocity in 2 700 thousands of feet per minute FPM x 1 000 The 2 800 gauge displays numbers from 0 no velocity to gt 900 7 7 000 feet per minute Figure 7 The marks vi tyi 3 000 along the gauge s path divide the velocity into 3 100 3 200 3 300 3 400 3 500 3 600 upward the marks indicate ee 3 700 2 000 foot increments e 3 800 Tove 3 900 Use the handy table at right to ATT convert feet per minute to miles per hour l Figure 3 Figure 5 finer increments From 500 to 1 000 feet the marks indicate increments of 100 feet From 1 000 to 2 000 feet the marks indicate 1 000 foot increments From 2 000 6 Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311 Storing the Manometer Before storing the manometer disconnect the tubing Plug the high and low ports with the 3 section of tubing This will keep the fluid from leaking Installing the Vehicle Platform Sensor VPS The Vehicle Platform Sensor VPS simultaneously measures lift forces on front and rear axles and overall drag on a vehicle placed in the testing chamber of the wind tunnel 1 Make sure the power pack is disconnected from the jack at the rear of the wind tunnel and the master switch is off 2 Remove the plastic cover from the top of the testing chamber Thread the VPS s cable through the hole at the rear of the chamber
7. tunnel intake bell e Drill rod e Vehicle mounting platform e Set of geometric shapes e Handheld control unit e 12 volt power pack with power cord Stinger Mount e Detachable AC power cord Ree e 8 brass thumb nuts platform e T wrench e 4 wire drag links e Stinger mounting rods three 9 plain two 10 plain 10 tapped with a 4 40 threaded hole and screw in one end er Stinger Mount Horizontal mounting device eg instrument Platform drag hook e 3 brass wind guard tubes one each 2 3 and 4 long e Manometer in box with tubing fluid thumbscrew tubing clamp plastic washer and instructions mmm 4 Brass thumb nuts X Stream Data Acquisition Software e CD ROM e Serial cable Item Required not included e Scissors If you plan to mount a wing in the wind tunnel you will need e Electric drill e Fine point marking pen e Epoxy glue e Ruler e Masking tape Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311 Manometer Parts and Accessories Come with VPS and Stinger Mount Mounting bracket Thumb nut Plastic washer Tubing clamp Mounting post atop the wind tunnel s intake bell Power Cords Come with VPS and Stinger Mount Handheld Control Unit Comes with the wind tunnel Fan Motor E On Off Reset switch Zero Tare 12 volt power 4 EN A button pack with Wind Speed W i power cord Detachable AC power cord Fan motor cord Mounting Tools and Accessories All of
8. Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311 The Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel by Pitsco features adjustable speed and runs quietly Quality made and designed for accuracy the versatile X Stream will enhance your science and physics curricula for years to come Whether you ve purchased the wind tunnel with the Vehicle Platform Sensor VPS or the Stinger Mount this user guide will help you set up the tunnel install its accessories and mount objects in the testing chamber Installation instructions are also included for the optional X Stream Data Acquisition Software If you have any questions about this product please call Customer Service at 800 358 4983 For Optimum Performance and Safety e Read follow and retain these instructions e Do not block the intake bell or the exhaust of the wind tunnel An obstruction placed in the exhaust stream can change the flow in the tunnel by as much as 1 000 feet per minute e Position the exhaust end of the wind tunnel away from papers and lightweight objects e Never push objects of any kind through openings in this equipment e To avoid a short in the electrical system Connect all cables and components before plugging this product into a wall outlet Unplug this product from the wall outlet before connecting or disconnecting any cable or component e Unplug the wind tunnel when it is not in use e Route power cords so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched
9. by items placed upon or against them e If the unit is in need of repair contact Customer Service at 800 358 4983 Do not attempt to access any internal components of the system The X Stream Wind Tunnel CAUTION If power is lost while the wind tunnel is operating the fan motor will not restart when Manometer mounting post power is restored until the Fan Motor On Off switch on the Handheld Control Unit is switched off and then switched on Intake bell FRONT intake Testing chamber cover REAR exhaust Testing chamber Connection panel Master switch l Power pack jack 2 Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311 Items Included Wind Tunnel with Vehicle Platform Sensor VPS e Wind tunnel preassembled unit e Test chamber plastic cover Vehicle Platform Sensor VPS e Vehicle Platform Sensor e Thumb nut attached to platform on wind tunnel intake bell e 12 volt power pack with power cord e Detachable AC power cord e 4 brass thumb nuts e Handheld control unit 1 EE e 4 wire drag links sees e Manometer in box with tubing fluid thumbscrew tubing clamp plastic washer and instructions Axle load plates Brass thumb nuts Wind Tunnel with Stinger Mount e Wind tunnel preassembled unit e Brass wind guard support base e Test chamber plastic cover e Bottle rocket mounting plug e Stinger Mount instrument e Solid fuel rocket mounting plug e Thumb nut attached to platform on wind
10. chamber 4 Insert the platform mounting hook through the hole in the platform until its hook rests on the platform Figure 9 5 While holding the hook slightly above the surface of the platform reach underneath the testing chamber and insert the T wrench into the set collar underneath the Stinger Mount and tighten it Figure 10 6 Attach a drag link to the eye hook underneath the dragster Note The user must devise a method of attaching a drag link to vehicles other than dragsters Place the dragster or other vehicle on the Stinger Mount Loop the drag link over the the hook in the mounting rod 7 Replace the testing chamber plastic cover Figure 10 Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311 Wings Note To mount a wing in the wind tunnel a mounting rod must p be inserted into the wings edge and glued in place 1 Gather the wing an electric drill masking tape ruler marking Recommended depth 1 2 chord of wing pen epoxy glue the drill rod one of the 9 mounting rods and the T wrench gm y 6ue Mark 2 Measure the chord of your wing Figure 11 Divide it by two rod and make a mark Wrap a short piece of masking tape below mark around the rod so that its edge is aligned with the mark Figure 11 Figure 12 This will serve as a depth guide for drilling 4 Chuck the r
11. ckwise three full turns 3 Remove the fill plug While holding the manometer in its normal standing position fill the gauge with gauge oil until the fluid reaches zero on the scale about one third of the bottle Fill carefully and slowly because the gauge fills fast Hint To prevent drips use the other 3 section of tubing as a nozzle for the gauge oil bottle If you overfill the gauge remove excess by inserting a pipe cleaner through the fill port to blot up excess oil 4 Remove the thumb nut from the manometer mounting post atop the wind tunnel s intake bell Set the manometer on the post facing the rear of the tunnel Stack the tubing clamp and plastic washer in that order on the post and replace the thumb nut Figure 3 5 Remove the 3 section of tubing and replace it with the manometer tubing Plug the tube with the red stripe into the port labeled HIGH and the other tube into the port labeled LOW Figure 4 Run the tubing through the tubing clamp Figure 5 to secure it 6 Insert the other ends of the tube into the ports on the side of the intake bell Figure 6 Plug the tube with the red stripe into the leftmost port Plug the plain white tube into Figure 6 the port next to the testing chamber window Manometer Manometer Reading Reading 7 Level the manometer by tilting it slightly to the right or left until the bubble in the manometer s level vial is centered When it is level tighten the Ke lower manometer bracket
12. d a thumb nut on the screw Figure 18 Position of brass wind guard support base for mounting rockets Figure also shows installed Install the stinger Mount Stinger Mount positioned to measure drag on a rocket as directed on page 10 Slide the wind guard tube onto the wind guard support base Insert the rod of the horizontal mounting device through the wind guard tube into the Stinger Mount The short end of the rod should face toward the intake bell Reach underneath the chamber insert the T wrench into the set collar and tighten it to secure the mounting device Figure 19 the plug onto the horizontal mounting device Figure 20 Replace the plastic testing chamber cover Solid Fuel Rockets Follow the instructions for mounting bottle rockets but use the solid fuel rocket mounting plug instead of the bottle rocket mounting plug Geometric Objects Note The Stinger Mount is not attached until the rocket is mounted 1 UT Gather the T wrench horizontal mounting device thumb nut geometric object wind guard support base and the longest wind guard tube Remove the plastic cover from the testing chamber Take out the vehicle mounting platform if it is inside the chamber Remove the Stinger Mount if it is attached Insert the wind guard support base into the large middle hole on the bottom of the wind tunnel Figure 21 Its screw will protrude through the bottom of the chamber Reach underneath the chambe
13. e object in the testing chamber does By covering the sensing rod completely rod drag will not be reflected in your wind tunnel measurements Installing the Stinger Mount Note Before installing the Stinger Mount read the instructions for mounting your object on the Stinger In some cases the Stinger is attached before mounting the object in other cases it is attached after mounting the object The Stinger Mount measures drag on mounted objects positioned inside the testing chamber It also measures lift or drag on mounted wings The Stinger slides onto posts underneath the testing chamber and is secured with thumb nuts Its exact mounting position varies depending on the objects to be tested and the force to be measured 1 Locate the Stinger Mount and four brass thumb nuts 2 Make sure that the power pack is disconnected from the jack at the rear of the wind tunnel 3 While looking through the glass panel at the bottom of the testing chamber position the Stinger Mount on the posts underneath the chamber according to the object and force to be measured see the figure from whichever of the next four sections are appropriate for the object being tested 4 Screw a thumb nut onto each of the posts to hold the Stinger Mount in place Figure 23 5 Plug the Stinger Mount s cable into the port labeled Instrument in the wind tunnel s connection panel Figure 23 6 Locate the power pack and its cord Plug the cord into the power pack
14. ed 4 Open the folder for the program you wish to install The X Stream setup window opens Double click setup exe and follow the installation instructions that appear on your computer screen 6 If you wish to install both programs return to the CD ROM window it should still be open double click the other program folder and repeat Step 5 UT To establish connections 1 Plug the included serial cable into the COM1 or COM2 serial port of your computer Plug the other end of the cable into the port labeled 232 in the wind tunnel s connection panel 2 Click the Windows Start button 3 Point to Programs and then double click either X Stream Stinger System or X Stream VPS System The program window opens 4 Click the Options menu and select either COM1 or COM2 whichever one was used in Step 1 to connect the computer to the X Stream Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311 5 Installing the Manometer 3 section of tubing keeps fluid from leakin The manometer its tubing and gauge oil are packaged in a separate box with fesch instructions Please read these carefully before installing Se 1 Cut off and split a 3 length of the manometer tubing Insert one of the tubes i emmer into the HIGH and LOW ports on the top left hand corner of the manometer Figure 2 This plugs the ports and keeps oil from leaking during installation Figure 2 2 Turn the zero set knob counterclockwise until it stops then turn it clo
15. llow the instructions for mounting objects that begin on page 7 3 Turn on the wind tunnel s master switch Then on the handheld control unit switch on the fan motor Use the dial on the control unit to increase or reduce wind speed When air begins to move through the tunnel The force that impacts the object in the testing chamber is registered in grams on the handheld control unit s LED display If the X Stream software is installed the force will display graphically on your computer screen The manometer simultaneously displays wind speed in feet per minute See Page 6 for an explanation of manometer readings and a table that you can use to convert those readings into miles per hour 4 To stop operating the wind tunnel switch off the fan motor To shut down the wind tunnel turn off the master switch Installing the Software X Stream Data Acquisition Software provides a colorful graphical depiction of the information displayed on the hand held control unit The data can be viewed or printed for further analysis Use of the software is optional The software is compatible with a Windows 95 or higher operating system To Install the Software 1 Insert the CD ROM in your computer s CD ROM drive 2 Double click the My Computer icon on your desktop The My Computer window opens 3 Double click the icon for your CD ROM drive usually D The CD ROM drive window opens Two program folders Stinger Setup and VPS Setup are display
16. od into the drill Mark the drill point on your wing at 25 percent of the chord Figure 13 5 Very carefully drill into the wing edge Figure 14 Drill slowly and straight so that the drill 6 With the ruler measure the wing length Rockets Figure 17 Note The Stinger Mount is not attached until the rocket is mounted 1 Masking tape gt 3 Measure the resulting distance from the pointed end of the drill Geng wrapped just Remove the plastic cover from the testing Leading Install the Stinger Mount as directed pm Insert the rod of the mounted wing rod does not exit the wing surface When the masking tape contacts the wing edge stop Figure 12 drilling Figure 11 and divide by two Measure and mark the resulting distance from one end of the 9 mounting rod Put a few drops of epoxy on the end of the rod and insert it into the drilled hole Push it until the mark is aligned with the wing edge Set the wing rod assembly aside and allow the Sol oe epoxy to dry for 10 minutes An example of a finished mounted wing is pictured in Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 15 chamber and take out the vehicle edge mounting platform if it is inside the chamber page 10 through the middle hole in
17. r and thread a thumb nut on the screw Install the Stinger Mount as directed on page 10 Slide the wind guard tube onto the support base Insert the rod of the horizontal mounting device through the wind guard tube and into the Stinger Mount Position either the long or short end toward the intake bell While holding the rod in place reach underneath the chamber insert the T wrench into the set collar and tighten it Figure 19 above Select one of the geometric objects and slip it onto the end of the horizontal mounting device that faces the intake bell Figure 22 Then replace the testing chamber plastic cover Airtech X Stream Wind Tunnel User Guide 57889 V0311 sae L Se e m Insert the bottle rocket plug into the mouth of the bottle rocket Then insert Figure 20 View Looking down into the Wind guard testing chamber from above Support base mounted here e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e ze e e d ss L ss ss ss ss L se ze e e e e e e e e e e ze e ze zm mm d el Lk e vs ss vs L es zm e e rm rm rm rm em rm rm rm rm zm rm zm mm rm zs e sl e e m Figure 21 Position of brass wind guard support base for mounting geometric shapes Figure also shows Stinger instrument installed to measure drag Figure 22 What Are the Wind Guards For Mounting rods become sensing devices when inserted into the Stinger Mount They produce drag just like th
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