A Two-Dimensional Working Section for the High-Speed Water Tunnel at the California Institute of Technology

Abstract

A brief historical account is given of the development of a well-known water tunnel, culminating in a new two-dimensional working section leg. Limitations in the existing facility prompted a scale model study which verified the feasibility of critical features of the new design. Hydrodynamic design features include a novel transition nozzle, and a rectangular working section with walls which can be adjusted to control the longitudinal pressure gradient. Mechanical design features are discussed which are aimed at solving model fabricating and support problems. A brief description of the tunnel operating characteristics includes preliminary measurements and photographs of a base-cavitating wedge hydrofoil in the new working section.