Wind tunnel test cart enclosures upgraded to accommodate new systems

The AEDC Propulsion Wind Tunnel facility has received new enclosures for its test carts. These enclosures house the data acquisition and control systems. Pictured are Barry McCann, ATA Test Article Control System engineer, and Dale Schultz, ATA instrument technician, checking out the Cart Test Article Controls for the High Angle Automated System. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jaqueline Cowan)

Wind tunnel test cart enclosures upgraded to accommodate new systems

Published May 9, 2016
By Deidre Ortiz
AEDC/PA

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- The test carts for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex Propulsion Wind Tunnel have received new enclosures to house the updated data acquisition and control systems.

"With new systems on the carts, we had to come up with a new enclosure to house that equipment," said Marc Smotherman, ATA project manager for the Improve Transonic Test Capability and Test Article Control System programs.

Though the internal data acquisition and control equipment in the enclosures is essentially the same, it was a requirement that the new enclosures be able to house the same equipment but also be lighter and reduce the time to access the internal equipment. Another benefit is that the updated data acquisition and control equipment will increase reliability and improve data rates as well as system controls.

Smotherman mentioned the upgrade was completed at half the expected cost thanks to the work of the project team, which included members of PWT and the Model Shop.

"We initially expected each of the 11 enclosures to cost approximately $120,000, but the work was completed for $60,000," Smotherman said.

Phillip Krepp, ATA mechanical designer, headed the design for the new enclosures. Jeff Tate, ATA mechanical planner with the Model Shop, led the fabrication effort in developing a prototype enclosure that was used for verification of the design. Robert Reed, PWT Test Operations system engineer, then developed and executed tests to verify that the prototype met all system requirements.

Due to the workload of the Model Shop, the fabrication of the enclosures was sent to an outside vendor, and so far 9 of the 11 enclosures have been received. The remaining enclosures are expected to be delivered by May.