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