T6: The Oxford University Stalker Tunnel

Abstract

The University of Oxford has embarked on developing the UKs fastest wind tunnel, T6, in collaboration with the University of Queensland (Australia) using technology pioneered by the late Professor Ray Stalker. The T6 facility couples the ex-Australian National University T3 free piston driver to the barrels, nozzles and test section of the Oxford gun tunnel. The facility can operate in three different modes; as a shock tube, a reflected shock tunnel or as an expansion tunnel. The T6 facility will be unique to Europe allowing for hypervelocity ground testing not possible in any current EU facilities, whilst having the flexibility to conduct tests across a large range of speeds and binary scaling products (ρL) of interest.

A piston braking model for the L1d CFD code

“…• T6 Stalker Tunnel, England [15] • HET, USA [16] • HEG, Germany [17] • HELM, Germany [18] • IISc Chemical Kinetics Shock Tube, India [19] Mundt et al reported on the results of using the L1d code to model the T-ADFA, T3…”

“…(decommissioned for use in T6 [15]), T4, and HEG facilities in [5]. Across the four facilities, the L1d code was found to predict the shock speeds and gas pressures quite well.…”

“…In addition, it appears that the T6 free-piston uses brakes. The T6 tunnel is capable of multi-modal operation and can function as either a reflected shock tunnel, an expansion tunnel, or a shock tube [15]. Each is capable of different airstream velocities and test durations [15].…”

“…The T6 Stalker tunnel at the University of Oxford is a relatively new facility that was commissioned in 2015 [15]. It was built using the piston driver from the T3 reflected shock tunnel from ANU, and the tubes, nozzle, and test section of the Oxford gun tunnel from the University of Oxford [15].…”

“…It was built using the piston driver from the T3 reflected shock tunnel from ANU, and the tubes, nozzle, and test section of the Oxford gun tunnel from the University of Oxford [15]. The free-piston driver is 9.5m long, and the facility has two driven tubes, both of which are 8.65m in length, as well as a 7m long shock tube that couples to one of the driven tubes through an expansion nozzle [15]. In addition, it appears that the T6 free-piston uses brakes.…”