Wind Tunnel Testing and Solar Array
Good news has come from additional testing following Continuum's encounter with a dust devil on September 27th. Testing and inspection of the solar array revealed no damaged modules and no drop in performance. A repair to our vehicle's canopy was made successfully and a spare has since been completed. The only lasting sign of the incident is a small chip in the paint on Continuum's trailing edge.
(Above Left) AUS dust devil (Above Right) Chipped paint on array
(Above) Hole dug by falling array's trailing edge
Continuum underwent two more days of wind tunnel testing early last week thanks to the generous support of Holden. 9 students traveled to the Monash University's Clayton campus in southeast Melbourne to use their full-scale wind tunnel, the only one of its size in the southern hemisphere. The drag measurements gathered during this testing will play a vital role in the development of our team's strategy for the upcoming race.
This was the second round of wind tunnel testing for Continuum. Initial testing was performed at the Jacobs Engineering Group wind tunnel in early July using the vehicle's display upper surface. Additional testing provides valuable information on changes in drag caused by the solar array, race fairings, body seams, and air vents.
(Above) Drawing of the 1.4 Megawatt Monash University wind tunnel.
(Above) Monash University built a custom platform to hold Continuum in the main test section
(Above) The tunnel is soundproofed to help test noise levels for Ford and Holden vehicles
(Above) Return duct intake at tail end of main test section
(Above) Scale models of various buildings and bridges are tested
in the wind tunnel's 12m x 5m return duct.
(Above) Continuum being lifted into the Monash tunnel
(Above) Continuum strapped to rotating table with load cells under each wheel
(Above) Early wind tunnel testing at the Jacobs Engineering Group wind tunnel in July 2007
Less than one week is left before we begin track testing at the Hidden Valley Raceway. After finishing some last minute modifications in Adelaide, we'll be hitting the road early Wednesday morning to begin our 3000 kilometer commute to Darwin.
Go Blue!
Brian
Continuum underwent two more days of wind tunnel testing early last week thanks to the generous support of Holden. 9 students traveled to the Monash University's Clayton campus in southeast Melbourne to use their full-scale wind tunnel, the only one of its size in the southern hemisphere. The drag measurements gathered during this testing will play a vital role in the development of our team's strategy for the upcoming race.This was the second round of wind tunnel testing for Continuum. Initial testing was performed at the Jacobs Engineering Group wind tunnel in early July using the vehicle's display upper surface. Additional testing provides valuable information on changes in drag caused by the solar array, race fairings, body seams, and air vents.
(Above) Drawing of the 1.4 Megawatt Monash University wind tunnel. 
(Above) Monash University built a custom platform to hold Continuum in the main test section
(Above) The tunnel is soundproofed to help test noise levels for Ford and Holden vehicles
(Above) Return duct intake at tail end of main test section
(Above) Scale models of various buildings and bridges are testedin the wind tunnel's 12m x 5m return duct.
(Above) Continuum being lifted into the Monash tunnel
(Above) Continuum strapped to rotating table with load cells under each wheel
(Above) Early wind tunnel testing at the Jacobs Engineering Group wind tunnel in July 2007Less than one week is left before we begin track testing at the Hidden Valley Raceway. After finishing some last minute modifications in Adelaide, we'll be hitting the road early Wednesday morning to begin our 3000 kilometer commute to Darwin.
Go Blue!
Brian
Labels: WSC 2007 Season
Posted by Brian Ignaut at 6:16 AM | Permalink |
5 comments
5 Comments:
All this stuff looks really awesome, and I kinda wish I was there with you guys right now.
You guys are all doing such a fantastic job! Thank you for these great blogs & pictures so we can see what you're up to. !! GO BLUE!!
Outstanding photos! A little chipped paint is all the damage? That's great. Slap some yellow tape on it and no one will know.
What is the time difference between here and there? The almanac says 13 1/2 hours. Can that be right? Noon here is 1:30 AM tomorrow there? Wanna get this straight before the race, so I can plan when to miss sleep.
You have the time change correct. At noon eastern its 1:30AM the next day. Australia has daylight savings October 28th this year, so that will be after the race.
Keep posting pictures and the blog, have fun, and win!
Thanks, Max. Good to hear from you.
Okay, so the racing day starts at what, 8:00 AM Central Outback Time? And that's 6:30 PM here. When does the racing stop for the day? 6:00 PM? And here that's . . . oh, no, no, no. 4:30 AM?!? I may need to take a little time off work.
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