Maxwell Project Highlights
Duration: Fall 2022 – Winter 2023
Tools Used:
- SOLIDWORKS for CAD design
- Educational visualization techniques
- Fundamental principles of aerodynamics
Project Summary:
Project Maxwell focused on designing and building a custom wind tunnel for educational purposes, specifically to demonstrate the basic principles of lift to younger students. The wind tunnel was designed using SOLIDWORKS to create a clear and functional model that visually shows how air moves around an airfoil. The project emphasized hands-on learning, providing an accessible and interactive way to grasp key aerodynamic concepts.
Highlights and Insights Gained:
- Developed skills in creating educational tools that simplify complex ideas.
- Improved ability to convey fundamental aerodynamic principles to a younger audience.
- Gained experience in designing functional models that facilitate hands-on learning.
- Enhanced understanding of how to effectively communicate technical concepts in an academic setting.
Design
Target Airspeed: The target airspeed within the viewing chamber was approximately 15 m/s, which was necessary to visibly demonstrate the effects of lift on the airfoil.
Consistent Speed: The wind tunnel was designed to ensure that this airspeed remained consistent throughout, from the intake to the exit, enabling accurate observation of aerodynamic principles.
Flow Transition: Careful management of airflow transitions between sections helped maintain a steady speed and prevent any disruptions that could interfere with the visual demonstration.
PVC Flow Straighteners: Hundreds of PVC tubes were used at the intake to straighten the airflow, ensuring that the air entering the wind tunnel was laminar and free from turbulence.
Cubic Curve Role: The cubic curve of the intake played a crucial role in maintaining smooth airflow, as it gradually funneled the air into the smaller viewing chamber without causing sudden changes in velocity.
Preserved Laminar Flow: By carefully controlling the flow from intake to exit, the design preserved laminar flow, which is essential for accurately demonstrating the aerodynamic effects on the airfoil.
Dimensional Design: The wind tunnel's dimensions—two feet for the intake, one foot for the viewing chamber, and three feet for the exit—were selected to balance airflow and maintain the desired airspeed.
Cross-Sectional Areas: The cross-sectional areas were designed to ensure a smooth transition of air, with the intake starting at 439 mm, the viewing chamber at 170 mm, and the exit at 243 mm.
Educational Purpose: The overall purpose was to create an educational tool that effectively demonstrated lift and other aerodynamic principles, making complex concepts accessible and engaging for students.
Maxwell Project Summary
Project Maxwell was a custom-built wind tunnel designed for educational purposes, specifically to showcase the principles of lift. The project utilized laser-cut MDF boards for the external frame, acrylic sheets for the viewing chamber, and a 3D-printed airfoil. The wind tunnel included a smoke generator to visualize airflow and an industrial fan for air intake. The intake, viewing chamber, and exit nozzle were designed with specific dimensions to ensure accurate airflow, with ratios included to maintain consistency. The expected internal airspeed was around 15 m/s, providing a controlled environment for demonstrating the relationship between airflow and lift.
The primary goal of Project Maxwell was to create an accessible and interactive tool for students to visually understand how air moves around an airfoil and generates lift. The wind tunnel allowed for clear visualization of airflow patterns using smoke, helping to demystify complex aerodynamic concepts for a younger audience. The design emphasized simplicity and clarity, making it suitable for classroom demonstrations and hands-on learning experiences.
Key aspects of the project included ensuring the structural integrity of the wind tunnel while maintaining precise airflow control. The project also involved calculating the appropriate fan power and airflow ratios to achieve the desired airspeed and visualization effects. The use of a smoke generator added an interactive element, allowing students to see how different airfoil shapes affected airflow and lift generation in real time.
Project Maxwell was a valuable educational tool, providing a hands-on way for students to engage with and understand fundamental aerodynamic principles. The project highlighted the importance of clear communication and effective design in creating educational resources that can simplify and convey complex ideas to a broader audience.