WHEN AERODYNAMICS GOES DIGITAL
Testing drones is challenging as outdoor conditions are not controllable nor repeatable. This is why we invented a real wind and weather indoor simulator for testing flying vehicles in various controllable atmospheric conditions. The core technology is the windshaper – a fan-array wind generator, which enables an unprecedented degree of control on the air-flow.
Can’t wait to know more? Feel free to ask us any question.
Wind
WindShape core-technology (patented) is the fan-array wind generator – commonly called windshaper. It consists in a wall made of a large number of small but powerful fans that can all be controlled independently. By analogy with a TV screen, where more pixels yield a better image, windshapers are composed of several hundreds, even thousands of wind-pixels (fans), which enable the finest control over the airstream.
and weather
Over the years, WindShape developed an expertise on reproducing any weather condition inside the lab. We commercialize custom solutions that makes it possible to combine different weather conditions, such as rain, snow, extreme temperatures, fog, or even icing, with a variety of wind profiles generated with the windshaper.
Modular and Scalable
Our wind modules are composed of nine wind-pixels and can be arranged in an infinite variety of windshaper configurations.
Directional
Reproducing dynamic flight maneuvers requires the ability to generate directional apparent wind.
Controllable and Accurate
WindShape wind pixels provide a degree of control that was never achieved before. Combined with our software suite, it enables the generation an infinite variety of wind profiles.
Free-Flight Testing
Gathering representative test data is made possible by integrating motion capture to the test environment. It’s simple, performant and non-intrusive.
Wind module
Our windshapers are composed of multiple fan modules, each of which comprises 9 wind pixels (pair of counter rotating fans). The fan module also include a 1100W AC/DC power unit and a control interface that communicates with the windshaper’s main computer.
| Dimensions | (mm) | 240 x 240 |
| Pixel size | (mm) | 80 |
| Pixel per module | (-) | 9 |
| Max power | (kW) | 1.1 |
| Wind speed | (m/s) | 16 |
Examples of windshaper configurations
| Windshaper size | (m) | 1.5 x 0.75 |
| Number of modules | (-) | 18 |
| Number of wind pixels | (-) | 162 |
| Wind speed range | (m/s) | 2 - 16 |
| Turbulence intensity range | (%) | 1 - 20 |
| Max power | (kW) | 19.8 |
| Test section volume WxHxD | (m) | 1.5 x 0.75 x 3 |
| Options | (-) | Flow straightener |
| Windshaper size | (m) | 2 x 1.75 |
| Number of modules | (-) | 56 |
| Number of wind pixels | (-) | 504 |
| Wind speed range | (m/s) | 2 - 16 |
| Turbulence intensity range | (%) | 1 - 20 |
| Max power | (kW) | 64 |
| Test section volume WxHxD | (m) | 2 x 1.75 x 5 |
| Options | (-) | Flow straightener |
| Windshaper size | (m) | 3 x 2 |
| Number of modules | (-) | 96 |
| Number of wind pixels | (-) | 864 |
| Wind speed range | (m/s) | 2 - 16 |
| Turbulence intensity range | (%) | 1 - 20 |
| Max power | (kW) | 110 |
| Test section volume WxHxD | (m) | 3 x 2 x 6 |
| Options | (-) | Flow straightener, tiliting mechanism, side arrays |
| Windshaper size | (m) | 1.5 x 0.75 |
| Number of modules | (-) | 18 |
| Number of wind pixels | (-) | 162 |
| Wind speed range | (m/s) | 2 - 50 |
| Turbulence intensity range | (%) | 0.5 - 20 |
| Max power | (kW) | 16.8 |
| Test section volume WxHxD | (m) | 0.45 x 0.45 x 0.8 |
| Options | (-) | Flow straightener, wind tunnel |
| Windshaper size | (m) | 1.5 x 0.75 |
| Number of modules | (-) | 18 |
| Number of wind pixels | (-) | 162 |
| Wind speed range | (m/s) | 2 - 16 |
| Turbulence intensity range | (%) | 1 - 20 |
| Max power | (kW) | 16.8 |
| Test section volume WxHxD | (m) | 1.5 x 0.75 x 3 |
| Options | (-) | rain injectors, snow sieving machine, ... |
WindControl Software
Intuitive Graphical Interface
Take full control over the windshaper in just a few clicks with our web application. No software installation is needed – simply connect any computer (OS-independent) to the windshaper network, navigate with your favorite web browser to the windshaper address and you’re ready to work. It’s as simple as it seems!
Python API
Benefit from the full potential of every wind pixel by controlling the windshaper through the powerful Python 3 API – an object oriented intuitive and performant code that controls WindShape equipment and manage test data efficiently. Implement your own time variable wind functions in just a few lines; define your wind speed regulation loop using your own flow sensors; and so much more…
