Characterization of the Wind Flow Generated by the Windshaper

A fan array wind generator known as the Windshaper is operated and analyzed using quantitative data-collection experiments conducted at Syracuse University. The wind-flow generated from the Windshaper is characterized through the collection of air pressure measurements using a Scanivalve pressure scanner. The Windshaper used in testing is a device made up of 18 fan modules placed within a 1.5m x 0.75m wall. Each module consists of nine pixels with each pixel having two fans attached face to face rotating in opposite directions. This enables the experimenter to control the generated wind-flow by creating a downstream, upstream or mixed flow. Each fan in the Windshaper is individually controlled using a graphical user interface. This allows for the creation of various fan-array profiles to be analyzed. The data collection performed brings an understanding of how the turbulence created from the wind generator behaves. This data the potential to be compared to the flow behavior created by more traditionally used wind tunnels which are immobile and more expensive when compared to the Windshaper. This data also has the potential to assist in understanding the turbulence disturbances that can be generated for experimentation with Unmanned Arial Vehicles.