The General Motors Wind Tunnel, In Pictures

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Seyth Miersma on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 14:52
Filed Under: Design & Auto Shows
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When most of us read about wind tunnels, we most probably consider them in the most technical and mundane ways. Though the huge chambers often provide the data to back up sexy, wind-cheating auto forms, the structures themselves are rarely the focus of much attention.

Thanks then is due to the ever curious editors at Wired, who recently explored the General Motors wind tunnel in Warren, Michigan, and found it to be fascinating, starkly beautiful, and full of surprises. The 4500 horsepower DC electric motor that turns the fan may be the heart of the facility, but the Sitka spruce fan blades are far more stunning to look at, for instance. Have a look at a few of the photographs above or click through the link below to explore the full gallery.

+ Wired: Inside GM's Massive Wind Tunnel

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VII

WOw...spruce? Wonder what the benefit is...they're quite beautiful.

<a href="http://www.myspace.com/thedarkwind">- VII [The Dark Wind]</a>

Mon, 10/20/2008 - 23:20
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Seyth Miersma

We're told the benefit is the combination of high strength and low weight. I love it when wood can be used in high tech applications like that.

Seyth Miersma
Senior Editor
Winding Road // NextAutos

Tue, 10/21/2008 - 09:59
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VII

Guess I can't use that code :)

Mon, 10/20/2008 - 23:21
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Mon, 01/04/2010 - 13:22
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Frank Meinert

Sitka spruce was used as a structural material for aircraft for many years, due to its combination of high strength, relatively light weight, and (most important for this application) virtual immunity to fatigue. Laminated wood propellers were used for most early aircraft, until metallurgy technology caught up. It's still a viable choice for wind tunnels -- nature's own carbon fiber composite.

BTW, each of the blades weighs more than a ton, and although the maximum fan speed is "only" 270 rpm, the blade tip speed is over 400 mph.

Frank Meinert
GM Aerodynamics Lab

Fri, 11/07/2008 - 15:36
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