Rotary actuator assemblies, wind tunnels including the same, and associated methods are disclosed. A rotary actuator assembly includes a rotary element and a rotary actuator with a shape memory alloy element. The rotary actuator is configured to generate a first torque and a second torque in opposing rotary directions to rotate the rotary element. A rotary actuator assembly further includes an assist magnetic element and a receiver magnetic element configured to generate a magnetic force therebetween. Wind tunnels include an aerodynamic model with a rotary actuator assembly to rotate a portion of the aerodynamic model with respect to an airstream in a chamber. A method of rotating a rotary element includes modulating a temperature of a shape memory alloy element and applying a supplemental torque to the rotary element with an assist magnetic element and a receiver magnetic element.

Rotary actuator assemblies, wind tunnels including the same, and associated methods are disclosed. A rotary actuator assembly includes a rotary element and a rotary actuator with a shape memory alloy element. The rotary actuator is configured to generate a first torque and a second torque in opposing rotary directions to rotate the rotary element. A rotary actuator assembly further includes an assist magnetic element and a receiver magnetic element configured to generate a magnetic force therebetween. Wind tunnels include an aerodynamic model with a rotary actuator assembly to rotate a portion of the aerodynamic model with respect to an airstream in a chamber. A method of rotating a rotary element includes modulating a temperature of a shape memory alloy element and applying a supplemental torque to the rotary element with an assist magnetic element and a receiver magnetic element.

A method for testing water droplet shedding ability of a surface of an aircraft wing includes: blowing air toward a surface of a cylindrical member in an airflow direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the cylindrical member, the cylindrical member simulating the wing and having water-related surface characteristics that differ across a predetermined boundary position in a circumferential direction; supplying a water droplet to a portion of the surface of the cylindrical member on a leading edge side with respect to a flow of the air; and capturing an image of the water droplet that moves on the surface of the cylindrical member across the boundary position due to the flow of the air.

A method for testing water droplet shedding ability of a surface of an aircraft wing includes: blowing air toward a surface of a cylindrical member in an airflow direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the cylindrical member, the cylindrical member simulating the wing and having water-related surface characteristics that differ across a predetermined boundary position in a circumferential direction; supplying a water droplet to a portion of the surface of the cylindrical member on a leading edge side with respect to a flow of the air; and capturing an image of the water droplet that moves on the surface of the cylindrical member across the boundary position due to the flow of the air.

In one aspect, a transducer body includes a support having clevis halves. The sensor body includes a generally rigid peripheral member disposed about a spaced-apart central hub joined to each of the clevis halves. At least three flexure components couple the peripheral member to the hub. The flexure components are spaced-apart from each other at generally equal angle intervals about the hub; the sensor body further including a flexure assembly for some flexure components joining the flexure component to at least one of the hub and the peripheral member, the flexure assembly being compliant for forces in a radial direction from the hub to the peripheral member. Each flexure assembly is configured such that forces transferred concentrate strain at a midpoint along the length of each corresponding flexure component.

In one aspect, a transducer body includes a support having clevis halves. The sensor body includes a generally rigid peripheral member disposed about a spaced-apart central hub joined to each of the clevis halves. At least three flexure components couple the peripheral member to the hub. The flexure components are spaced-apart from each other at generally equal angle intervals about the hub; the sensor body further including a flexure assembly for some flexure components joining the flexure component to at least one of the hub and the peripheral member, the flexure assembly being compliant for forces in a radial direction from the hub to the peripheral member. Each flexure assembly is configured such that forces transferred concentrate strain at a midpoint along the length of each corresponding flexure component.

Mobile tunnels may be provided on trailers or in association with one or more other vehicles. A mobile tunnel may be towed or otherwise accelerated to a sufficient velocity, thereby causing a fluid such as air or seawater to travel above, below and around the tunnel. The fluid may be diverted into the tunnel and caused to pass over a test object such as an unmanned aerial vehicle or unmanned undersea vehicle within the tunnel, thereby enabling aerodynamic testing or hydrodynamic testing of the test object to be performed. Additionally, one or more materials may be injected into the fluid, thereby enabling destructive testing of the test object to be performed.

Mobile tunnels may be provided on trailers or in association with one or more other vehicles. A mobile tunnel may be towed or otherwise accelerated to a sufficient velocity, thereby causing a fluid such as air or seawater to travel above, below and around the tunnel. The fluid may be diverted into the tunnel and caused to pass over a test object such as an unmanned aerial vehicle or unmanned undersea vehicle within the tunnel, thereby enabling aerodynamic testing or hydrodynamic testing of the test object to be performed. Additionally, one or more materials may be injected into the fluid, thereby enabling destructive testing of the test object to be performed.

An assembly quality detection device and a method for a wind screen cleaning system based on streamline pattern, includes a main body of a test bench and a detection system. The main body of the test bench includes a test bench rack and a cleaning centrifugal fan; the inside of the test bench rack is provided with a cleaning space. The detection system includes a smoke generation and transmission device, a two-degree-of-freedom smoke fixed-point release mechanism, a high-speed image acquisition system and a control system. A fixed base is installed on the upper end of the outlet of the cleaning centrifugal fan, a linear moving guide rail device is installed on the fixed base, the linear moving guide rail device is equipped with a moving slider, the moving slider is installed with a rotating mechanism, the rotating mechanism output end is provided with a smoke releasing duct, the smoke releasing duct is communicated with the smoke generation and transmission device. The detection device and method can test the manufacturing and assembly quality of the cleaning system of the combine harvester by combining the characteristics of wind tunnel streamline pattern with image processing and corresponding mathematical operation.

A wind tunnel for stable sustained human flight for research or recreation, including a tunnel including first and second portions having first and second central axes, respectively, and a fan to create an air flow in the test section. The second portion is a test section. The first and second central axes are arranged at a first angle with respect to each other. The second central axis is at a second angle of 5°-85° with respect to a horizontal plane. A safety system for an inclined wind tunnel for stable sustained human flight is provided, including an inclined test section of the wind tunnel that is arranged at an angle of 5°-85° with respect to a horizontal plane, a fan to create an air flow in the test section directed from an upstream end towards a downstream end thereof, and a delimiting arrangement arranged at the test section for preventing a person using the test section from leaving it.