CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPEMENT - The SAI Wind Simulator

Sage Action, Inc. is proud to introduce the development of our latest product, the SAI Wind Simulator. Formally titled the "SAI WINDSIM" the plan is to provide a low cost product which produces a laminar open jet of air of uniform velocity for "Table Top" analysis of model airflows.

Almost everything can be “contained” on a table top or on the top of a display cabinet which can be purchased separately. There are two exceptions. One, the Fan for the WINDSIM would be a stand alone “caged” unit placed about 42” from the “upstream” edge of the table top. The other is the Basic Light that would be mounted on its own tripod about 18” from the “downstream” edge. We realize there may be a preference to have both the Fan and the Basic Light attached to the table top. Our tests, however, show that this would definitely compromise the performance and increase the complexity and cost.

With respect to the choice of flow visualization equipment, we recommend our Model 5 Console with one output. This unit has a lot of run time over many challenging situations. A single filling of 250 cc will give 2 hours of operation, or twelve 10-minute runs.

If the display cabinet is purchased, the Console would be placed in the upstream storage drawer and a line of tubing connected from the Mini-Vortex Filter Output to a Wand through a hole in the side of the table top. The Wand, itself, would be held by a simple fixture attached to the plenum lip of the WINDSIM with provision for quick vertical or angular adjustment by hand. It would provide 18,000 to 24,000 bubbles per minute (bpm). Our tests showed this was quite adequate for up to five model buildings with base dimensions from 0.5” to 3.0” and heights from 2.0” to 8.0”.

Similarly, we recommend the use our regular Basic Light, which is a proven design as well, with a direct throw upstream on to the model(s). It is again a trade-off of performance with complexity and cost. Using the Light on our standard tripod somewhat downstream as mentioned above will do an excellent job and allow the light axis to be reoriented as desired. Such capability could be quite valuable with opaque models, depending on the flow interaction to be viewed. Lighting is of utmost importance and fixing the Light direction really limits what can be seen. Furthermore, we will include both our Slit and Iris Apertures, again to gain optimum lighting. The Basic Light w/tripod can be readily broken down and put away if they wish in one of the storage drawers.

The last piece of equipment to make a "Complete System" is the Auxiliary Helium & Air Supply. This, too, is a solid unit which has had substantial usage. It comes with a carrying case ordinarily, but this has been omitted here because it isn’t needed and saves that cost. Likewise, we have omitted the Transfill Manifold which is usually included to refill the He supply bottle. Instead, we have included a spare bottle that can be refilled at most welding supply houses. One filled cylinder will give approximately 20 hrs of running time.

The Air & Helium Supply could be located in the center storage area in the display cabinet. Short hoses with quick-connect fittings will be provided to hook up the compressed helium and air to the respective Console inlet fittings through appropriate openings or connections as necessary between the drawers. If necessary, the inside of the cabinet could be lined with an acoustical material to minimize the noise, yet permit make-up air to enter.

SPECIFICATIONS -

Bubble Generation Rate: 300 - 400 bps / per output

Bubble Diameter: 0.050” - 0.150”

Bubble Life: 1 - 2 Mins

Helium Operating Pressure: Regulated @ 20 psi

Air Operating Pressure: Regulated @ 40 psi

BFS Cylinder Capacity: 250 cc

Recommended Bubble Film Solution: SAI™ 1035 BFS

Basic Light Rectangular Beam Spread: 0" x 22" to 8" x 22" @ 6'

Basic Light Circular Beam Spread: 2" - 24" Dia @ 6'

Maximum Open Jet Velocity of WINDSIM: 10 fps

Cross Section of Open Jet: 22" wide x 18" high