Development of a Sensitivity-Adjustable Three-Component Force Balance and Its Application to Wind Tunnel Testing

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to develop the method of designing and manufacturing a sensitivity-adjustable three component force balance utilized in a wind tunnel experiment. This paper describes the characteristics of the force balance and its application to wind tunnel testing. In this study, an oval-shape force balance is newly introduced and the characteristics are investigated by FEM analysis and force balance calibration. Also, the validity of the force balance is investigated in a wind tunnel experiment. As a result, the sensitivity of the oval-shape force balance can be adjusted by changing the aspect ratio and aerodynamic forces can be measured in a wind tunnel experiment using it. In conclusion, we can develop the sensitivity-adjustable force balance by applying oval shape and the force balance can be used in a wind tunnel experiment. It is recommended that the strain gauge position and its paste procedure be still improved.