The High Speed Water Tunnel three-component balance

Abstract

An experimental program was initiated in the High Speed Water Tunnel to measure force coefficients for hydrofoils under cavitating conditions. This program necessitated either a new force balance or a major modification of the existing one. Various balance configurations and pressure seal designs which were considered are described. A balance modification design was selected which consists of an appendage bolted between the existing balance and the water tunnel working section. This appendage alters the basic geometry of the force balance so that the model is now mounted on a parallelogram linkage instead of on a simple pivoted lever. The addition of the parallelogram force table suspension to the old balance renders the modified balance unresponsive to moments which in the old balance, interacted with forces and resulted in errors in the force readings. This modification which is described in detail was accomplished and resulted in a successful force balance capable of accurate measurement of forces on cavitating and noncavitating hydrofoils; and, in fact, it is expected to replace the old force balance for all force measurement work in the High Speed Water Tunnel. The cost and construction time for the balance modification were considerably less than would have been required for an entirely new force balance of comparable accuracy and sensitivity.

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