The Servo Controlled Wind Tunnel and Control Console

This wind tunnel provides uniform, forced-convection test conditions necessary for measuring the thermal performance of electronic components in forced-air cooling conditions. Since the thermal resistance of air-cooled electronic devices depends strongly on air flow velocity, accurate measurement and control of flow speed is essential for accurate test results. With a device-under-test fixtured in the test section, thermal resistance measurements can be conveniently and accurately performed over a range of air flow speeds.

Wind Tunnel Features

• Integrated hot-wire-anemometer air speed measurement
• Feedback control for steady air-speed
• Window access hatch to test section
• Two piece construction for transit and storage
• Spatially uniform air velocity ± 1% FS in test section
• Flow steadiness to ± 1% in test section
• Sturdy aluminum construction
• Convenient display and control console
• Compact and safe "table top" design
• Selectable stand-alone operation
• Complete including test fixturing, thermocouple probe, and anemometer

Wind Tunnel Control Console
The control console provides a continuous LCD display of the air flow speed in feet per minute. Air speed can be controlled manually with the front panel knob or automatically from a Thermal Analyzer. The linkage of the Analyzer with the Wind Tunnel allows complete software coordination of component test and air flow speed. When testing in batch mode, the air flow speed is automatically indexed to the next value in the prepared batch-test list after equilibrium has been detected in the current test. In this manner a battery of tests can be initiated to generate complete curves of thermal resistance versus air flow speed without operator attendance.