Omega WT-3100 User manual

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WT-3100
Controlled Open Loop Wind Tunnel
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User’s Guide

Servicing North America:
U.S.A.: Omega Engineering, Inc., One Omega Drive, P.O. Box 4047
ISO 9001 Certified Stamford, CT 06907-0047 USA
Toll Free: 1-800-826-6342 TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone] e-mail: [email protected]
Canada: 976 Bergar
Laval (Quebec), Canada H7L 5A1
Toll-Free: 1-800-826-6342 TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone] e-mail: [email protected]
For immediate technical or application assistance:
U.S.A. and Canada: Sales Service: 1-800-826-6342/1-800-TC-OMEGA®
Customer Service: 1-800-622-2378/1-800-622-BEST®
Engineering Service: 1-800-872-9436/1-800-USA-WHEN®
Mexico: En Español: 001 [phone] FAX: [phone]
[email protected] e-mail: [email protected]
Servicing Europe:
Benelux: Managed by the United Kingdom Office
Toll-Free: 0800 099 3344 TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone] e-mail: [email protected]
Czech Republic: Frystatska 184
733 01 Karviná, Czech Republic
Toll-Free: 0800-1-66342 TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone] e-mail: [email protected]
France: Managed by the United Kingdom Office
Toll-Free: 0800 466 342 TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone] e-mail: [email protected]
Germany/Austria: Daimlerstrasse 26
D-75392 Deckenpfronn, Germany
Toll-Free: 0 800 6397678 TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone] e-mail: [email protected]
United Kingdom: OMEGA Engineering Ltd.
ISO 9001 Certified One Omega Drive, River Bend Technology Centre, Northbank
Irlam, Manchester M44 5BD England
Toll-Free: 0800-488-488 TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone] e-mail: [email protected]
OMEGAnet®Online Service Internet e-mail
omega.com [email protected]
It is the policy of OMEGA Engineering, Inc. to comply with all worldwide safety and EMC/EMI
regulations that apply. OMEGA is constantly pursuing certification of its products to the European New
Approach Directives. OMEGA will add the CE mark to every appropriate device upon certification.
The information contained in this document is believed to be correct, but OMEGA accepts no liability for any
errors it contains, and reserves the right to alter specifications without notice.
WARNING: These products are not designed for use in, and should not be used for, human applications.

The WT-3100 is a unique open loop wind tunnel for thermal characterization of components,
boards and heat sinks. The unit is made of Aluminum, stainless steel and Plexi-glassTM and
produces flows up to 2000 ft/min (10 m/s) with the appropriate fans. Its unique polynomial shape
nozzle creates uniform flow in the test section. The general characteristics of the WT-3100 are
shown in the table below.
ITEM
SPECIFICATION
EXPLANATION
Length
71" (180cm)
Width
18" (45.7 cm)
Weight
130 lbs. (60 Kg.)
Flow range
Up to 2000 ft/min (10 m/s)
Can be changed to higher
speeds with selection of the
appropriate fans.
Wall-to-wall
spacing
3.00” (7.6 cm)
Can be custom designed for a
specific application
The WT-3100 test section can be accessed from the front door for mounting of the boards. A
unique internal rail guides provide mechanisms for installation of test specimen of different sizes
(e.g., PCB, heat sink). Installation of different fan trays can be provided with the system to
accommodate a broad range of velocities that maybe required for different testing applications.
The fan trays are equipped with 24 volt-DC fans, which are individually controlled to generate
the flow inside the WT-3100. Instrument ports are provided throughout the test section (on the
front and side-walls) for placement of temperature, velocity and pressure sensors. The electric
control box is provided to turn the fans on/off for the purpose of controlling the airflow inside the
tunnel. Sensors to measure the flow parameters are also supplied by Omega as optional
accessories. A wind tunnel controller can also be supplied by Omega for controlling the flow
automatically.
SYSTEM UTILITY

The WT-3100 can be used for the following applications:
Heat Sink Testing- Characterize a variety of heat sink sizes for natural and forced
convection cooling.
Heat Sink Comparison- Test two heat sinks side by side and compare their thermal
performance in the same environment.
Component Testing- Test vehicle for component characterization.
PCB Testing- Test actual or simulated PCBs for thermal and flow distribution.
Flow Visualization- Observe flow distribution when a PCB or test object is placed in the
tunnel by smoke or buoyant bubbles through the all Plexi-glass™ test section.
Variable Speed- Change the flow rate by controlling the fan RPM.
Flow Direction- Test the effect of flow direction (fan failure simulation) by controlling the
fans (either variable RPM or on/off).
Quick Access- Quickly change the test specimen through the side panel.
Sensor Port- Measure pressure, velocity and temperature through the ports at the entrance
and exhaust of the test section.
Data Center-View data and monitor events at the data center (optional accessory)
The part numbers identified in Figure 1 show the system components of the WT-3100.
These part numbers are described below:
1. Test Section
2. Instrument ports
3. Fan tray
4. Diffuser section
5. Fan box (on/off)
6. Nozzle section
7. Controller
8. Fan connector
9. Test door
10. Stands
11. Honeycomb
12. Screens
SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Figure 1: The WT-3100 System Components

General Testing:
1. Release the clamps on front door to have access to the test section.
2. Mount your specimen (e.g., component, PCB or heat sink) in the test section.
3. Clamp the door back on the WT-3100.
4. Place flow measurement instrument in the instrument port.
5. Connect the fan cable to the controller box (5).
6. Connect the fan controller box (5) to a DC power supply or wind tunnel controller.
Important Note: Voltage to the fans cannot exceed 26 Volts-DC.
7. Adjust voltage until desired flow rate is attained.
Component and Heat Sink Testing:
1. Release the clamps on front door to have access to the test section.
2. Mount your component(s) in the test section.
3. Clamp the door back on the WT-3100.
4. Connect the fans to a variable DC power supply. Voltage to the fans cannot exceed 26
Volts-DC. Adjust voltage until desired flow level is attained.
5. Insert the velocity and temperature probes into the instrument ports provisioned in
upstream of the test section.
6. Turn on the power supplies and start the experiment.
Note: If the wind tunnel is provided with a heat slug, please apply a coating of thermal grease to
the cylindrical heater and place it inside the hole in the Delrin housing behind the test plate.
Measure the resistance of the heater with a Multimeter. Connect the the heater to an external
power supply and adjust the voltage for the desired power dissipation. Please make sure that
the temperature of the heater does not become excessive, otherwise it will damage the Delrin
hosing. Depending on the heat sink that is mounted on the slug, always start with a low Watt to
get a feeling for the temperature.
SYSTEM OPERATION

Measurement method- TVS-1100 (a hot wire anemometer) system was used to map out the
velocity profile at the inlet of the test section. The velocity was measured at 36 points in one
quadrant of the test section for two different velocity levels, 0.75 m/s and 4 m/s (150 and 800
ft/min, respectively).
VELOCITYPROFILE
WT-3100 test section, top view
Velocity measurement quadrant
Velocity Distribution for one quadrant of
the WT-3100 Wind Tunnel Cross Section
at 150 ft/min
Velocity Distribution for one quadrant of
the WT-3100 Wind Tunnel Cross Section
at 800 ft/min

X (mm)
Y(mm)
Velocity –
nominal velocity,
150 (ft/min)
Velocity –
nominal velocity,
800 (ft/min)
10
10
138
770
10
20
154
788
10
30
153
775
10
40
153
772
20
10
153
783
20
20
157
800
20
30
155
790
20
40
158
790
30
10
153
776
30
20
158
775
30
30
155
771
30
40
151
773
40
10
153
796
40
20
153
773
40
30
152
775
40
40
158
771
60
10
154
785
60
20
152
775
60
30
153
775
60
40
152
776
90
10
154
784
90
20
153
768
90
30
154
766
90
40
155
766
120
10
155
780
120
20
153
774
120
30
155
772
120
40
153
769
150
10
154
781
150
20
154
770
150
30
153
769
150
40
154
767
202
10
154
781
202
20
154
770
202
30
153
769
202
40
154
767
Velocity distribution at the inlet of the test section for
WT-3100 Wind Tunnel

WARRANTY/DISCLAIMER
OMEGA ENGINEERING, INC. warrants this unit to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a
period of 13 months from date of purchase. OMEGA’s WARRANTY adds an additional one (1) month
grace period to the normal one (1) year product warranty to cover handling and shipping time. This
ensures that OMEGA’s customers receive maximum coverage on each product.
If the unit malfunctions, it must be returned to the factory for evaluation. OMEGA’s Customer Service
Department will issue an Authorized Return (AR) number immediately upon phone or written request.
Upon examination by OMEGA, if the unit is found to be defective, it will be repaired or replaced at no
charge. OMEGA’s WARRANTY does not apply to defects resulting from any action of the purchaser,
including but not limited to mishandling, improper interfacing, operation outside of design limits,
improper repair, or unauthorized modification. This WARRANTY is VOID if the unit shows evidence of
having been tampered with or shows evidence of having been damaged as a result of excessive corrosion;
or current, heat, moisture or vibration; improper specification; misapplication; misuse or other operating
conditions outside of OMEGA’s control. Components in which wear is not warranted, include but are not
limited to contact points, fuses, and triacs.
OMEGA is pleased to offer suggestions on the use of its various products. However,
OMEGA neither assumes responsibility for any omissions or errors nor assumes liability for any
damages that result from the use of its products in accordance with information provided by
OMEGA, either verbal or written. OMEGA warrants only that the parts manufactured by the
company will be as specified and free of defects. OMEGA MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR
REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, EXCEPT THAT OF
TITLE, AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED. LIMITATION OF
LIABILITY: The remedies of purchaser set forth herein are exclusive, and the total liability of
OMEGA with respect to this order, whether based on contract, warranty, negligence,
indemnification, strict liability or otherwise, shall not exceed the purchase price of the
component upon which liability is based. In no event shall OMEGA be liable for
consequential, incidental or special damages.
CONDITIONS: Equipment sold by OMEGA is not intended to be used, nor shall it be used: (1) as a “Basic
Component” under 10 CFR 21 (NRC), used in or with any nuclear installation or activity; or (2) in medical
applications or used on humans. Should any Product(s) be used in or with any nuclear installation or
activity, medical application, used on humans, or misused in any way, OMEGA assumes no responsibility
as set forth in our basic WARRANTY/DISCLAIMER language, and, additionally, purchaser will indemnify
OMEGA and hold OMEGA harmless from any liability or damage whatsoever arising out of the use of the
Product(s) in such a manner.
RETURN REQUESTS/INQUIRIES
Direct all warranty and repair requests/inquiries to the OMEGA Customer Service Department. BEFORE
RETURNING ANY PRODUCT(S) TO OMEGA, PURCHASER MUST OBTAIN AN AUTHORIZED RETURN
(AR) NUMBER FROM OMEGA’S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT (IN ORDER TO AVOID
PROCESSING DELAYS). The assigned AR number should then be marked on the outside of the return
package and on any correspondence.
The purchaser is responsible for shipping charges, freight, insurance and proper packaging to prevent
breakage in transit.
FOR WARRANTY RETURNS, please have the
following information available BEFORE
contacting OMEGA:
1. Purchase Order number under which the product
was PURCHASED,
2. Model and serial number of the product under
warranty, and
3. Repair instructions and/or specific problems
relative to the product.
FOR NON-WARRANTY REPAIRS, consult OMEGA
for current repair charges. Have the following
information available BEFORE contacting OMEGA:
1. Purchase Order number to cover the COST
of the repair,
2. Model and serial number of the product, and
3. Repair instructions and/or specific problems
relative to the product.
OMEGA’s policy is to make running changes, not model changes, whenever an improvement is possible. This affords
our customers the latest in technology and engineering.
OMEGA is a registered trademark of OMEGA ENGINEERING, INC.
© Copyright 2009 OMEGA ENGINEERING, INC. All rights reserved. This document may not be copied, photocopied,
reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form, in whole or in part, without the
prior written consent of OMEGA ENGINEERING, INC.

M-5337/0913
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