Jet Stream 500

The Jet Stream 500 is a low cost desktop wind tunnel with a 5 1/4" square 16" deep test area. Objects placed in the tunnel can be monitored for lift and drag while the actual wind speed is accurately controlled between 1.0 and 80.0 MPH using a pitot static tube. Airfoils and cars can be easily compared for aerodynamic efficiency and stability.

  

With the included Windows software, the unit can control the wind speed while displaying the lift and drag forces graphically. The L/D (lift/drag) can be graphically displayed for airfoils as well as the Cd (cross sectional drag) for cars to measure and compare design efficiency. After a test is complete, further analysis can be done to visually compare two tests by overlaying graphs or exporting the results into a spreadsheet for further analysis.

New in 2019  An air density calculator is now integrated into the Jet Stream 500 controller.  Students can program the wind tunnels altitude, air temperature, barometric pressure and humidity (dew point or percent humidity) and the wind tunnel will automatically calculate the air density factor (roe) that matches the simulated conditions.  This allows students to evaluate the impact of lift and drag at various temperatures or elevations to learn firsthand how these influence airfoils or cars.  Students can simulate taking off from high altitudes on a hot day or the impact on a humid vs. dry day within the classroom.  The air density changes can be viewed graphically on the computer display as well.  This is an advanced feature typically found in expensive laboratory wind tunnels except the Jet Stream 500 wind tunnel by Interactive Instruments.

Contact Interactive Instruments if you are interested in upgrading your older Jet Stream 500 wind tunnel to our latest version which includes our graphical display, USB communication, integrated air density calculator with improved lift and drag measurement accuracy and resolution.

 

Interactive Instruments has been manufacturing the Jet Stream 500 with only minor improvements since 1993 which shows our dedication to STEM education.

If you have mis-placed your Jet Stream 500 Windows program, use one of the links below to downlaod the program to your computer.  If your wind tunnel controller has a serial port and a black wind speed knob, try downlaoding the original Jet Stream 500 CD ROM ZIP file.   if your controller has a serial port and a keypad, try version 2.1.  If your controler has a USB port, download the Jet Stream 500 USB version 3.0 or 4.0 ZIP file.  Once downloaded expand the ZIP file contents to your hard drive and run the setup program to install.

Download Original Jet Stream 500 Version 1.0 CD ROM (serial)

Download Jet Stream 500 Serial Version 2.1

Downlaod Jet Stream 500 USB Version 3.0

Download Jet Stream 500 USB Version 4.01

These files can also be accessed from our FTP server follow the information in the document (Jet Stream 500 Windows Software Programs.pdf) for instructions on downloading the appropriate software for your wind tunnel.  Our FTP server is at ftp.interactiveinstruments.com.  Many schools block access to FTP sites, you may be able to get around it by downloading the necessary files and documents at home or from a library.

 

Important items to consider

 

Many critical features are missing from desktop wind tunnels today. Several items listed below should be checked before purchasing your wind tunnel.

  1. Be sure the tunnel has a long smooth tapered transition from the motor to the test area. The smooth transition is required so the air turbulence is minimized as it is pulled down the tunnel. Short tunnels generate excessive turbulence in the test area because air can't make sharp transitions without disturbing the air.
  2. A low restriction flow straightener before and after the test area is a must. The holes should be small (3/8" or smaller) and deep (1.5" or greater) and have very narrow walls to remove the twists and turbulence from the fan and incoming air. Low cost plastic straighteners are typically too coarse and thick to function properly in a small wind tunnel. We found that thin wall aluminum hex cell material to be the best choice for desktop wind tunnels.
  3. Be sure the tunnel has the ability to measure very small lift and drag forces. Small wings in a desktop wind tunnel generate light forces. Without high-resolution force measurements it is difficult to measure small model deviations. Many tunnels can't measure small forces due to design problems with excessive motor vibration and resonance.
  4. The test area should be air tight to prevent the air from leaking onto the test model from all directions. A leaky test area will produce inconsistent test results.
  5. Be sure the wind speed is properly controlled. Many tunnels today can't maintain a constant speed over the model because they don't have integrated wind speed sensors. Changes in the angle of attack or model size will significantly impact the test area's wind speed. If you can't be sure of the actual wind speed how can a student make reliable model comparisons.
  6. Be sure the wind tunnel can be controlled and monitored by a computer. A full functioning interface includes the ability to control wind speed and monitor the test models lift and drag. A real time graph is helpful for students to visually compare the differences between various models and conditions. Many wind tunnels don't come standard with a computer interface and graphical software.
  7. Its one thing to demonstrate aerodynamics at a fixed air density but demonstarting the impact of lift and drag at various aire densitys opens a new area of classroom aerodynamic research.  With our latest wind tunnel you can graphically demonsteate the impact of an airfoil or race car at high altitude and high temperature lift vs, low temperature sea level inside a classroom.
  8. Most importantly be sure the wind tunnel manufacturer and distributor you select understand the basic principles in proper wind tunnel design and operation. If a wind tunnel manufacturer claims to know basic wind tunnel design rules but violates one or more of the above requirements, think again before purchasing.

 

Note: When using USB to serial adaptors for older serial port controllers, we recommend using adapters with original FTDI chipsets for best results.

 

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Specifications

  • Rugged molded ABS construction for superior flow and durability
  • Tunnel length 6' 2", depth 18", height 23" fits most 6 ft tables
  • Dimensions derived from professional wind tunnels for improved laminar flow
  • Computer generated wind flow design
  • Wind speed controlled between 1.0 and 80.0 MPH
  • Integrated air density calculator demonstrates impact of temperature, altitude, barometric pressure and humidity
  • Safety guards before and after the motor/fan section
  • Standard version operates at 110 volts 50 or 60Hz at 10 amps
  • Optional 220 Volt version available
  • Measures 5.25" - h, 5.25" - w, 16.0" - d
  • Precision low restriction flow straightened before and after the test area for smooth laminar flow
  • Clear unobstructed 3 sided viewing area with reflective bottom
  • Measures lift (+/-) and drag up to 1.8 lb. (0.0001 lbs. resolution)
  • Airfoil angle adjustment +/- 30° (5° resolution), without removing model
  • Optional Test Bed supports CO2 project cars
  • Industrial 1 HP, 120 volt ball bearing AC motor for long life
  • 10.5" - 3 blade high speed nylon propeller
  • Microcontroller controlled fan with pitot tube feedback for constant wind speed
  • Lift and drag forces measured via precision load cells
  • Wind speed measured and controlled via pitot tube (0.1 MPH resolution)
  • Data is collected by a microcontroller with a 24 bit A/D converter
  • Measures lift (+/-) and drag up to 1.8 lb. (0.0001 lbs. resolution)
  • Air density calculator based on programmable temperature, altitude, humidity and barometric pressure
  • Integrated air density calculator simulates actual air density (rho) in real time
  • Displays values in Metric or English units
  • Control panel plugs into the wind tunnel for manual control
  • Simple 16 key keypad inputs wind speed and option commands
  • Programmable Maximum wind speed limits
  • Wind speed is digitally programmed for constant or ramping velocities
  • LCD constantly displays lift, drag, and wind speed in real time
  • Lift/Drag (L/D) is also calculated and displayed in real time
  • Cross sectional drag (Cd) can be calculated and displayed in real time
  • 72 MHz, 32 Bit ARM Controller
  • Multi-channel, 24 bit A/D converter
  • Full speed USB Computer Interface for remote control and data collection
  • 128 X 64 pixel backlight graphical LCD panel
  • 0 - 1 PSI differential pressure transducer to sample and control the wind speed
  • 0 - 1.8 lb. strain gages to measure the model's lift and drag
  • Computer controlled solid state motor speed controller
  • Automatically adjusts to 60 Hz or 50 Hz line frequency
  • Easy to use Windows software with built-in help
  • Graphically displays lift, drag, L/D, and C(d) with respect to wind speed
  • Calculates air density via altitude, barometric pressure, humidity and temperature
  • Simulates impact of variations in air density in real time
  • Overlay graphical test results for quick comparison
  • Displays graphical results in Metric or English units
  • Data can be exported into most spreadsheets for further analysis