Wind-up free-fall simulator

• Grant number: 02/03120-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: December 01, 2002 - May 31, 2006
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering - Aerospace Systems
• Principal Investigator: Luciano Tanz
• Grantee: Luciano Tanz
• Host Company: Dynamis Comércio e Serviços Ltda. - ME
• City: Ferraz de Vasconcelos

Abstract

The Wind-up Free-fall Simulator is a free-fall simulator for people based on the generation of a high velocity ascending airflow. At present the 20 ton mobile version is being built on a 15 meter long trailer to which high efficiency, low noise, great mobility, safety and comfort will be added. Despite the existence of similar equipment, the combination of all these features in a single piece of apparatus was not possible until now due to technological limitations. A vast national and international bibliography was collected on the subject of load in various wind tunnel elements.Assisted by parachutists,we also collected a vast amount of data on jumps which, after being processed by specially developed programs, allowed us to establish parameters for people weightlessness in terms of weight, height, position and type of clothing.With this data it was possible to simulate the tunnel on the computer and optimize its aerodynamic to improve energy efficiency. Propellers of 2.7 meters and 11 blades were specially designed for this equipment, aiming for high efficiency and low noise levels. One of these propellers has now been made. The design of the propeller and the acoustics were done in conjunction and a sub-product was created for the attenuation and insulation of low frequency sound.Wind-up is a cheap and safe means of training for sky-diving. (AU)