WO2017098411A1

WO2017098411A1 - Wind tunnel provided with a launching platform, in particular to perform simulations of free fall or parachuting

Info

Publication number: WO2017098411A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/057397
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianni MENGA; Carlos EURIBE
Original assignee: Extreme Flight Fze
Priority date: 2015-12-11
Filing date: 2016-12-07
Publication date: 2017-06-15
Also published as: ITUB20156888A1

Abstract

A wind tunnel, in particular to perform simulations of free fall or parachuting, comprising: a flying chamber (10), for accommodating a person who is intended to float when hit by an air flow; a fan device (14) for producing the air flow in the flying chamber (10); a launching platform (15), arranged on the outside of the flying chamber (10) and communicating with said flying chamber (10) through an access area. The platform (15) is arranged in a higher position compared to the bottom surface of said flying chamber (10).

Description

TITLE: "Wind tunnel provided with a launching platform, in particular to perform simulations of free fall or parachuting"

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The invention relates to a wind tunnel, in particular to perform simulations of free fall or parachuting.

Technological background

Wind tunnels are known, which are used to perform simulations of free fall or parachuting. Known wind tunnels usually have an access, through which users enter and exit the flying chamber in order to float in the air due to the air flow produced. Said access is situated at the same level as the floor, or support surface, of the flying chamber. The flying simulation resulting therefrom has a limited quality.

Summary of the invention

An object of the invention is to provide a wind tunnel, which is able to solve this and other drawbacks of the prior art and which, at the same time, can be produced in a simple and economic manner.

In particular, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a wind tunnel with a simple structure provided with an innovative access to the flying chamber, through which the user can enter or exit.

In particular, said access allows the user to enter the flying chamber by jumping. By so doing, for example, users can simulate the jump made in the discipline known as "BASE jumping", or they can simulate the free fall performed by parachutists when they jump from the body of an aircraft. Therefore, owing to this invention, users can experience free falling, though minimizing the risks taken and with no need for safety systems, which would be necessary in other situations, for example a parachute, retaining cables, elastics, etc.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method for modifying an existing wind tunnel through the installation of an innovative access to the flying chamber.

According to the invention, this and other objects are reached by means of a wind tunnel and a method having the features set forth in the appended independent claims.

The appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description concerning the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the invention and describe optional technical features thereof.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description, which is provided by way of example and is not limiting, with reference, in particular, to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a front view of a wind tunnel according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

- figure lb is a perspective view of the inside of a waiting chamber including a platform according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

figure lc is a perspective view from above of the inner part of a flying chamber, where it can be seen a waiting chamber including a platform according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

- figures 2, 3, 4, 5 show constructional details of the wind tunnel.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 schematically shows a wind tunnel according a preferred embodiment of the invention. In particular, it is a wind tunnel with a recirculating air flow.

The wind tunnel comprises:

a flying chamber 10, which is configured for accommodating a person who is intended to float when hit by an air flow, and

- a fan device 14 which is configured to produce said air flow in the flying chamber 10.

With particular reference to the preferred wind tunnel with a recirculating air flow shown in figure 1, there is a recirculation apparatus, which is in fluid communication with the flying chamber 10, defining a substantially closed path for said air flow. The fan device 14 is configured to produce an air flow, which is going to circulate between the flying chamber 10 and the recirculation apparatus. According to further variants of the invention, the wind tunnel can be a non-recirculating wind tunnel .

The wind tunnel comprises, furthermore, a launching platform 15, which is situated on the outside of the flying chamber 10 and communicates with said flying chamber 10 through an access area, in particular through an aperture 17. The platform 15 is arranged in a higher position compared to the bottom surface of the flying chamber 10. The bottom surface is substantially a floor or a bottom wall delimiting the flying chamber 10. In particular, the position of the platform 15 is higher compared to the bottom surface by some meters, for example the height distance between the platform 15 and the bottom surface of the flying chamber 10 ranges from 2 to 10 meters. The platform 15 allows users to jump into the flying chamber 10 so as to be hit by the flow of air. The access area allows users to go from the platform 15 to the flying chamber 10. The access area can be selectively opened or closed, based on different operating needs (for example due to safety reasons) .

In the example shown herein, the flying chamber 10 is substantially vertical. The platform 15 is situated in the upper part of the flying chamber 10.

Preferably, there is a closing system, which is configured for opening/closing, optionally in a fluid-tight manner, the aperture 17 between the platform 15 and the flying chamber 10. The closing system can be a door; alternatively, one can use further known closing systems, such as a sliding shutter, etc.. In such a manner, the flying chamber can be closed, thus preventing the air flow to be dispersed through the aperture 17, which establishes a communication between the platform 15 and the inner part of the flying chamber 10.

According to a possible variant of the invention, the closing system is automatic. In particular, said closing system comprises a sensor to detect the presence of a person close to the aperture 17, so as to close said aperture 17 when said sensors do not detect the presence of said person. Said sensor can be, for example, a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor installed on the platform 15 to detect the users' weight, a photodetector , a video camera, etc.. Alternatively, the closing system can be operated by a user in a remote manner. For example, a user acts upon control systems (e.g. a keyboard, a switch, push-buttons, a control system etc.) in order to control the opening or the closing of the closing system, for example the door. According to an optional variant of the invention, when in the flying chamber 10 there is no air flow capable of causing the user to float, said closing system is prevented from opening. By so doing, it is reduced the risk for the user of falling from the platform 15 to the bottom wall of the flying chamber, with the following risk of hurting himself/herself . Optionally, warning means are provided in order to warn the user that in the flying chamber 10 there is no air flow capable of causing the user to float. The warning means can be per se known, such as acoustic and/or visual warning means.

Conveniently, the wind tunnel comprises, in addition to the access area at the platform 15, an access (not shown) which is configured to allow a person to enter the flying chamber 10, said access being placed under the platform 15. The access is conveniently placed at the bottom surface of the flying chamber 10, which preferably includes an air-permeable wall 40, which is capable of being flown through by the air flow. Therefore, the access is substantially aligned with the air-permeable wall 40.

With particular reference to the variant comprising the platform 15 and the access, the user can enter and exit the flying chamber 10 in different ways. For example, the user can enter the flying chamber 10 starting from the platform 15 through the aperture 17, thus "jumping" into the air flow in the flying chamber 10. Or the user can enter through the access in a traditional manner. Furthermore, the user can exit the flying chamber 10 through the aperture 17 or through the access. Therefore, there are many ways in which the user can enter and exit the flying chamber 10, thus making the wind tunnel according to the invention easy and flexible to be used. The platform 15 is situated along the flying chamber 10 so as not to be directly hit by the air flow generated in the flying chamber 10.

Optionally, the platform 15 belongs to a waiting chamber 19, which is capable of accommodating one or more persons. The waiting chamber 19 can be provided with its own access (different from the aperture 17), so as to allow one or more persons to enter the waiting chamber 19. In the preferred example shown in figure lb, said respective access to the waiting chamber 19 is delimited by a respective door 50. The closing system described above comprises two doors 48. The waiting chamber 19 faces the flying chamber 10 through the aperture 17. Optionally, there is a screen 52 configured for displaying information for the users standing on the platform 15, such as for example information of the operating conditions of the wind tunnel or of the flying chamber. Therefore, the screen 52 can be part of the warning means mentioned above. Figure lc shows that the platform 15 is in a higher position compared to the air-permeable wall 40 belonging to the bottom surface or plane of the flying chamber 10.

According to a convenient variant of the invention, the platform 15 is at least partly made of a visually transparent material, such as glass, crystal, transparent plastic, polymethylmethacrylate (also known as Plexiglas), etc.. A part of the flying chamber 10 - and, optionally, the entire flying chamber - is also made of a visually transparent material. The transparent material turns out to be convenient as it offers the possibility to see through the platform 15, for example allowing a person standing on the platform 15 to see whether other people are engaged in a simulation of free fall or parachuting on the inside of the wind tunnel. Optionally, the waiting chamber 19 is also at least partly transparent; in such a manner, viewers standing on the outside of the wind tunnel can observe the person jumping from the platform 15.

With particular reference to the variant of wind tunnel shown and described below, the aperture 17 is located in an angular portion 22. According to alternative variants of the invention, the aperture 17 can be situated in a cylindrical portion 11, or in a frusto-conical portion 12, or in two of the portions indicated 11, 12, 22.

Hereinafter there is a description of further optional aspects of the present invention, with reference to the preferred variant of wind tunnel shown by mere way of example .

The flying chamber 10 belongs to a substantially vertical conduit comprising:

a cylindrical portion 11 with a circular section, a frusto-conical portion 12, which is connected, on the upper side, to the cylindrical portion 11 and has the shape of a truncated cone diverging towards the upper part .

Preferably, the flying chamber 10 comprises the cylindrical portion 11 and the frusto-conical portion 12. In particular, the flying chamber 10 also comprises the area indicated with number 22.

In particular, the frusto-conical portion 12 is a right truncated cone, whose bases are parallel to one another .

The air flow in the vertical conduit and, hence, in the flying chamber 10 is ascending. The vertical conduit has a substantially straight vertical axis z-z . The air flow passes through the flying chamber 10 in a substantially axial or vertical direction. The cylindrical portion 11 and the frusto-conical portion 12 are aligned with the vertical axis z-z. The cross sections of the cylindrical portion 11 and of the frusto-conical portion 12 are circular.

One of the advantages of the particular conformation of the cylindrical portion 11 and of the frusto-conical portion 12 lies in the possibility of offering an adequate air flow rate needed for the free fall simulation, minimizing at the same time the consumption of energy used to maintain said air flow rate. As a matter of fact, the frusto-conical portion 12 reduces the speed of the fluid and, as a consequence, also reduces the losses of load, thus decreasing the consumption of energy.

With reference to the variant shown herein, air circulates in the wind tunnel in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the broken-line arrow carrying number 7.

As it can be seen in the drawings, the recirculation apparatus comprises a firs conduit 16, which is in fluid communication with the frusto-conical portion 12 by means of an angular connection 18, which comprises deflector means 20 (hereinafter also referred to as "deflectors" 20), which are interposed between a pair of angular portions 22, 24, wherein at least one of said angular portions 22, 24 has diverging surfaces like the frusto-conical portion 12, which are such as to create a substantially continuous profile with said frusto-conical portion 12 with the shape of a truncated cone. In other words, the angular connection 18 is a conduit capable of establishing a fluid communication between the first conduit 16 and the frusto- conical portion 12. The deflectors 20 are situated in the inner part of the angular connection 18. Figure 5 shows, by way of example, a particular type of deflector means 20, in particular associated with the angular portion 22. In particular, the deflector means 20 shown herein is a grid deflector means.

Therefore, with particular reference to figures 2 and 3, the first angular portion 22 and the frusto-conical portion 12 create a continuous profile having the shape of a truncated cone (diverging upwards), in which the upper edge 22a of the first angular portion 22 lies on a plane that is not perpendicular to the vertical axis z-z of the flying chamber 10. In particular, the upper edge 22a has a substantially elliptical shape.

Preferably, the second angular portion 24 has diverging surfaces with the same divergence angle as the first angular portion 22.

Therefore, the assembly made up of the portions indicated 12, 22, 24 creates an angular and diverging conduit for the air flow, owing to which the speed of the fluid is reduced, thus minimizing the losses of load and, hence, the consumption of energy. Furthermore, the flying experience of a user can take place in a volume with no discontinuities mainly due to changes of section or to non- circular sections. Moreover, manufacturers are allowed to build a wind tunnel with a recirculating air flow that does not take up much space.

In particular, the first conduit 16 develops along a longitudinal axis and is inclined relative to the flying chamber 10 and, hence, relative to the vertical conduit. Therefore, the angular connection 18 deflects the air flow flowing out of the flying chamber 10 towards the first conduit 16.

Owing to the deflector means 20, the wind tunnel can become more efficient by allowing the air flow to more easily flow from the air conduit arranged downstream to the one arranged upstream of the deflector means 20. According to a different embodiment, the angular connection 18 is not provided with deflector means 20; therefore, the first angular portion 22 and the second angular portion 24 are directly connected to one another.

With reference to the example shown herein, the first conduit 16 is substantially horizontal and the recirculation apparatus further comprises:

- a second substantially vertical conduit 26, which is in fluid communication with said first conduit 16;

a lower substantially horizontal conduit 18, which is in fluid communication with said second substantially vertical conduit 26 and said flying chamber 10.

Starting from the flying chamber 10, the air flows through the angular connection 18 into the first horizontal conduit 16 and then it flows into the second vertical conduit 26, where it flows with a descending motion. After that, the air flows into the lower horizontal conduit 28 and it is finally led into the vertical conduit, where it reaches the flying chamber 10. Therefore, the conduits belonging to the particular wind tunnel described above are arranged so as to substantially form a parallelepiped.

Preferably, the first conduit 16 is diverging relative to the air flow. By so doing, it can be further reduced the losses of lead and, therefore, the energy needed. With particular reference to figure 1, the second vertical conduit 26 is diverging relative to the air flow. Preferably, the cross section of the first conduit 16 is substantially circular; by so doing, it can be further reduced the losses of load.

With reference to the preferred embodiment shown herein, starting from the frusto-conical portion 12 up to the end of the second substantially vertical conduit 26, there is an increase in the cross section through which the air flow is going to flow, if necessary with short portions with a constant cross section. By so doing, it can be reduced the losses of load and avoid sudden changes in the cross section, thus minimizing the consumption of energy.

With reference to the preferred example shown herein, the vertical conduit comprises a tapered portion 30 in fluid communication with the lower part of the cylindrical portion 11; the inner surface of the tapered portion 30 has, in its longitudinal section, a concave part 30a and a convex part 30b (see figure 4) . Said tapered portion 30 gets narrower, with particular reference to the air flow, towards the cylindrical portion 11. The tapered portion 30 accelerates the speed of the air that is going to enter the flying chamber 10 on the lower side, in particular in the cylindrical portion 11, so as to allow the user to float when he/she is hit by an air flow. In particular, the tapered portion 30 is coaxial to the vertical axis z-z and the cross section shown in figure 4 is made along a plane including said vertical axis z-z. The concave part 30a and the convex part 30b, shown in figure 4, meet in an inflection point indicated with F. Conveniently, the cross section of the tapered portion 30 is substantially circular .

In the example shown herein, a first junction 32 establishes a fluid connection between the first conduit 16 and the second vertical conduit 26. A second junction 34 establishes a fluid communication between the second vertical conduit 26 and the lower horizontal conduit 28. A third junction 36 establishes a fluid communication between the lower horizontal conduit 28 and the vertical conduit, hence the flying chamber 10. The junctions 32, 34, 36 have an angular shape and deflect the flow. Preferably, said junctions 32, 34, 36 accommodate, in their inner wall, respective deflector means 20, which are advantageously equal or similar to the ones used in the angular connection 18.

According to a particular embodiment, the deflector means 20 comprise a plurality of wings fixed to a support structure, which can be for example a peripheral support structure (for example, with an elliptical shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, etc.) . The wings can have a curvature to improve the deflection of the air flow.

In the particular example shown herein, the fan device

14 is placed in the second vertical conduit 26. However, it can also be placed in other parts of the wind tunnel. Furthermore, there can be a plurality of fan devices 14 located in different areas of the wind tunnel, in accordance with the requested aeraulic performances. For example, the fan device 14 can be a single fan; however, a plurality of fans can be used, as well as other known apparatuses .

If necessary, the fan device 14 can be controlled by a control system; by way of example, the control system is capable of controlling the activation/deactivation of the fan device 14 based on the actuation of an operator, who, for example, intervenes by means of a remote control panel. Optionally, the control system is capable of controlling the operation of the fan device 14 depending on the reading of parameters detected by sensor means associated with the wind tunnel . According to a preferred variant of the invention, the flying chamber 10 comprises an air-permeable wall 40, which is capable of being flown through by an air flow. For example, the permeable wall 40 can be a grid, a net, a net- like wall, or a perforated wall having holes with any shape and size, depending on the different needs.

In the embodiment shown herein, the permeable wall 40 is arranged on a plane that is substantially transverse relative to the vertical axis z-z of the flying chamber 10.

In the example shown herein, the permeable wall 40 also acts as a support surface, or as a floor, for the people standing inside the flying chamber 10 as well as for objects. The permeable wall 40 is arranged at the base of the cylindrical portion 11, in particular it is interposed between the cylindrical portion 11 and the tapered portion 30.

Optionally, there is, in the flying chamber 10, a second permeable wall, which is arranged in the upper part of the chamber 10 and is useful to hold the people - or the objects - floating in the air flow, thus preventing them from accidentally hitting other parts of the wind tunnel. Therefore, the second permeable wall minimizes the danger for people or objects of being pushed by the air flow towards parts of the wind tunnel, such as for example the recirculation apparatus or the fan device 14, thus preventing them from getting hurt and avoiding faults or jamming of the wind tunnel. For example, the second permeable wall can be made up of the deflector means 20. Alternatively, the second permeable wall can be placed between the portions indicated 12 and 22. Therefore, in these embodiments, the permeable wall 40 and the second permeable wall delimit the area of the flying chamber 10 where a user can float in a vertical or ascending air flow, thus experiencing a simulation of free fall or parachuting in total safety conditions.

According to a convenient variant of the invention, the flying chamber 10 is at least partly made of a visually transparent material, such as glass, crystal, transparent plastic, polymethylmethacrylate (also known as Plexiglas), etc. The transparent material turns out to be convenient as it offers the possibility to see through the flying chamber 10, for example allowing a group of people standing outside the wind tunnel to see a user who is engaged in a simulation of free fall or parachuting on the inside of the wind tunnel.

In an particularly convenient manner, an entire part of the flying chamber 10 can be made of a transparent material, thus enabling a 360° view from the inside of the chamber 10. For example, there can be a portion comprised between two sections orthogonal to the main axis z-z where the vertical conduit is made of a transparent material. For example, th cylindrical portion and, if necessary, the frusto-conical portion 12 can be made of a transparent material. Alternatively, the portions indicated 11 and/or 12 have a window-like surface made of a transparent material .

As already mentioned above, according to a preferred variant of the invention, the wind tunnel comprises an access, which is capable of allowing people or objects to enter and exit the flying chamber 10. For example, said access extends through the cylindrical portion 11 and/or the frusto-conical portion 12, in particular according to a substantially radial or transverse direction. By mere way of example, the access only comprises a door; or it comprises a generic element to regulate the access and the exit of a person or an object to and from the flying chamber 10, such a sliding shutter or a sliding door. The door (or the doors) can be of a known type, such as a single-leaf door, a double-leaf door, a sliding shutter, etc. Conveniently, the access is also made of a transparent material .

Optionally, the part of wind tunnel comprised between the air-permeable walls (one of them is indicated with 40) is made of a transparent material. Furthermore, the access, which is also made of a transparent material, is preferably placed between the permeable walls.

According to the invention, there is also provided a method to modify an existing wind tunnel comprising: a flying chamber 10, which is configured for accommodating a person intended float when hit by an air flow, a fan device 14, which is configured to produce said air flow in said flying chamber 10. The method comprises the following steps :

- providing a launching platform 15;

- fitting the launching platform 15 to the wind tunnel, so that the launching platform 15 is: on the outside of said flying chamber 10, in communication with said flying chamber 10 through an access area, and in a raised position compared to the bottom surface of said flying chamber 10.

By so doing, not only a wind tunnel with a recirculating air flow can be modified, but also a non- recirculating wind tunnel.

The platform 15 can be conveniently fitted to the wind tunnel by means of known fixing means, such as for example screws, bolts, brackets, and possibly using support structures, such as beams or a framework, etc. In particular, the platform 15 can be fitted to the flying chamber 10, for example on its outer surface.

In particular, it is provided the step of making an aperture 17 in the flying chamber 10, which is capable of establishing a communication between the platform 15 and the flying chamber 10. By so doing, the user can access the flying chamber going through the aperture 17. The aperture 17 can be made by making a cut on a wall of the flying chamber; or by removing one or more modular elements, in case at least part of the side surfaces of the flying chamber is made up of removable modular elements (e.g. modular panels) .

Optionally, it is provided the step of providing the aperture 17 with a closing system, which can be automatic and is designed to open/close the aperture 17 in a fluid- tight manner.

According to the invention, the wind tunnel can be provided with sensor means to detect the presence of a person close to the aperture 17, so as to close said aperture 17 when the sensors do not detect the presence of said person.

Furthermore, the wind tunnel can be provided with warning means in order to warn the user that in the flying chamber 10 there is no air flow capable of causing the user to float.

Moreover, an existing wind tunnel can be modified by adopting further particular technical features described above, which, for the sake of conciseness, are not repeated hereinafter.

Naturally, the principle of the invention being set forth, embodiments and implementation details can be widely changed relative to what described above and shown in the drawings as a mere way of non-limiting example, without in this way going beyond the scope of protection as defined by the appended claims .

Claims

1. Wind tunnel, in particular for performing simulations of free fall or parachuting comprising:

a flying chamber (10) configured for accommodate a person who is intended to float when hit by an air flow, and

a fan device (14) configured for producing said air flow in said flying chamber (10) ;

characterized in that it comprises a launching platform (15) situated on the outside of said flying chamber (10) and communicating with said flying chamber

(10) through an access area; said platform (15) being situated in a higher position compared to the bottom surface of said flying chamber (10) .

2. Wind tunnel according to claim 1, wherein said platform (15) communicates with said flying chamber (10) through an aperture (17) .

3. Wind tunnel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said platform is situated in the upper part of said flying chamber (10) .

4. Wind tunnel according to claim 2 comprising a closing system configured for opening/closing the aperture (17) between said platform (15) and said flying chamber (10) .

5. Wind tunnel according to any of the previous claims and comprising a further access configured for allowing a person to get into and out of said flying chamber (10), said further access being arranged under said platform (15) .

6. Wind tunnel according to any of the previous claims, wherein said platform (15) is arranged along said flying chamber (10) so as not to be directly hit by the air flow generated in said flying chamber (10) .

7. Wind tunnel according to claim 4, wherein said closing system is automatic.

8. Wind tunnel according to claim 7, wherein said closing system comprises a sensor configured for detecting the presence of a person close to said aperture (17), so as to close said aperture when said sensors do not detect the presence of said person.

9. Wind tunnel according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, when in the flying chamber (10) there is no air flow capable of causing the user to float, said closing system is prevented from opening.

10. Wind tunnel according to any of the previous claims comprising warning means configured for warning the user that in the flying chamber (10) there is no air flow capable of causing the user to float.

11. Wind tunnel according to any of the previous claims, wherein said platform (15) belongs to a waiting chamber (19) that is capable of accommodating one or more persons.

12. Wind tunnel according to any of the previous claims, wherein said flying chamber (10) is substantially vertical.

13. Wind tunnel according to any of the previous claims, wherein said platform (15) is at least partially made of a visually transparent material.

14. Wind tunnel according to any of the previous claims, wherein the wind tunnel is configured to operate with a recirculating air flow and comprises a recirculation apparatus (16, 26, 18, 28, 32, 34, 36), which is in fluid communication with said flying chamber (10), defining a substantially closed path for said air flow; said fan device (14) being configured to produce an air flow that is suited to circulate between said flying chamber (10) and said recirculation apparatus.

15. Method to modifying an existing wind tunnel comprising: a flying chamber (10) configured for accommodating a person who is intended to float when hit by an air flow, a fan device (14) configured for producing said air flow in said flying chamber (10); the method comprising the following steps:

providing a launching platform (15);

fitting the launching platform (15) to the wind tunnel, so that said launching platform (15) is: on the outside of said flying chamber (10), in communication with said flying chamber (10) through an access area, and in a higher position compared to the bottom surface of said flying chamber (10) .