Non-uniform temperature profile generator for use in short duration wind tunnels

Abstract

Apparatus for producing a non-uniform temperature profile in a short duration wind tunnel includes a plurality of nested cylindrical elements each having an inlet end and an outlet end, a plurality of heater element extending axially along the surface of each of the cylindrical elements. The length and thermal mass of the cylindrical elements permits the temperature of test gasses to be raised to the desired level while the gasses are passing over those elements. A plurality of honeycomb elements occupy the space between each of the cylindrical elements to distribute the heating effects smoothly both radially and circumferentially. Each heater is controlled individually by a control circuit in order to establish the desired temperature profile at the outlet end of the apparatus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.