Automated aerodynamic testing system

A method for modifying an aerodynamic shape of a test object, comprising:

• introducing the test object into an open-circuit wind tunnel and locating the test object onto a load cell including a coolant system configured to cool a temperature of the test object to a temperature at or below freezing;
• activating a heating element formed on walls of the open-circuit wind tunnel, the heating element being configured to heat the walls to a temperature above freezing;
• activating an air induction device to draw a mixture of cold air and water vapor at a temperature at or below freezing over the test object;
• and
• measuring forces exerted on the test object by the mixture of cold air and water vapor using the load cell,
• wherein as the mixture of cold air and water vapor passes over the test object that is cooled to the temperature at or below freezing by the coolant system, the water vapor will freeze and collect at low pressure areas of the test object to change and improve the aerodynamic shape of the test object.

A test system for modifying an aerodynamic shape of a test object, comprising:

• an open-circuit wind tunnel configured for receipt of a mixture of cold air and water vapor;
• a chiller located at an entrance of an inlet of the open-circuit wind tunnel;
• an air induction device configured to draw air through the chiller before entering the inlet to form the cold air, and draw the cold air through the open-circuit wind tunnel toward the test object supported by a load cell;
• a fluid dispersion device located downstream from the chiller for dispersing water vapor into the open-circuit wind tunnel, wherein the mixture of cold air and water vapor is at a temperature between 14 degrees F. and 32 degrees F. as it passes through the open-circuit wind tunnel;
• and
• a heating element formed on walls of the open-circuit wind tunnel that is configured to heat the walls to a temperature above freezing and prevent the water vapor from collecting on the walls,
• wherein the load cell includes a plurality of transducers and a coolant system that is configured to cool the test object to a temperature at or below freezing, and
• as the mixture of cold air and water vapor passes over the test object that is cooled to the temperature at or below freezing by the coolant system, the water vapor will freeze and collect at low pressure areas of the test object to change and improve the aerodynamic shape of the test object, and the transducers are configured to generate signals indicative of forces applied to the test object by the mixture of cold air and water vapor as the mixture passes over the test object to determine amounts of drag created by the aerodynamic shape of the test object are reduced by the change and improvement of the aerodynamic shape of the test object.