US007 15674.

4B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7,156,744 B2

Metni et al. (45) Date of Patent: Jan. 2, 2007

(54) RECIRCULATING VERTICAL WIND 5,046,358 A 9, 1991 Wulf et al.

TUNNEL SKYDIVING SIMULATOR 5,209,702 A 5/1993 Arenas
5,417,615 A 5, 1995 Beard
(75) Inventors: N. Alan Metni, Orlando, FL (US); 5,452,609 A 9, 1995 Bouis
William J. Kitchen, Orlando, FL (US); 5,593,352 A 1/1997 Methfessel et al.
Kenneth Mort, Morgan Hill, CA (US); 5,597,358 A * 1/1997 Marcu ......................... 472,50
Charles Eastlake, Port Orange, FL 5,655,909 A 8, 1997 Kitchen et al.
(US); Michael Palmer, Poquoson, VA 5,753,811 A 5/1998 Consolini
(US) 5.964,666
- w A * 10, 1999 UCilla ... .. . ... ... .. ... .. . ... 472,50

(73) Assignee: Skyventure, LLC, Austin, TX (US) (Continued)

(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 CA 1 210959 9, 1986
U.S.C. 154(b) by 54 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 10/909,088 (Continued)
(22) Filed: Jul. 30, 2004 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Metni, Alan, "Recirculating Vertical Wind Tunnel Training Device”
(65) Prior Publication Data This is an unfiled patent specification.
US 2006/OO25227 A1 Feb. 2, 2006 (Continued)
51) Int. C.
(51) Primaryy Examiner Kien Nguven
glly
A63G 3L/2 (2006.01) (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Rick Martin; Patent Law
(52) U.S. Cl. ........................... 472/50; 472/68; 472/137 Offices of RickMartin, PC
(58) Field of Classification Search ............ 472/59–61,
472/49.50,137.68: 434/247. 73/147 (7) ABSTRACT
See application file for complete search history.
A vertical wind tunnel flight simulator comprises a flight
(56) References Cited chamber wherein a flier may experience a freefall simula
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS tion. Airflow to support the flier is induced by fans con
nected above the flight chamber through a duct. A staging
2,486,287 A 10, 1949 Jackson area having openings to the flight chamber is adjacent to the
2,560,634 A 7/1951 Colley flight chamber. One or two return air ducts are used to return
2,788,020 A 4, 1957 Davie, Jr. air from the fans outlet to the fans inlet. Opposed louvers are
2,799,161 A 7, 1957 Greene et al. included on at least one duct segment thereby regulating the
2.933,922 A 4, 1960 Davis temperature via forcing ambient air into the simulator. The
3,484.953 A 12/1969 Norheim, Jr. use of many duct segments having diverging walls adds
4,308,748 A 1, 1982 Jacocks
4.457,509 A 7, 1984 St. Germain commercial value to the system by lowering the height.
4.487,410 A 12/1984 Sassak Mounting components on the roof and behind walls creates
4,545,574 A 10, 1985 Sassak a spectacular pedestrian viewing scene of people in flight.
4,578,037 A 3/1986 Macangus et al.
4,700,565 A 10, 1987 Albuschkat 34 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
 US 7,156,744 B2
Page 2

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS “The Vertical Spinning Tunnel at the National Aeronautical Estab
lishment, Bedford’, A.E. Clarke and R.L. Maltby, pp. 421-440.
6,083,110 A 7/2000 Kitchen et al.
6,315,672 B1 * 1 1/2001 Gillot et al. .................. 472,50 Glen L. Martin Wind Tunnel, University of Maryland, College Park,
2004/O115593 A1 6, 2004 Haltestad Maryland 20742, "Solving Problems Throught Advanced Technol
ogy'. 7 pages.
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS Calspan Corporation, Buffalo, New York, 14221. “8-Foot Transonic
FR 265962O 9, 1991 Wind Tunnel”, Calspan Report No. WTO-300, Revised Oct. 1971
FR 284.3940 3, 2004 pp. 1-67.
WO PCT/GB82.00298 10, 1982 Nasa Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, CA 94035, Guide for
Planning Investigations in the Ames 40-by 80 ft. Wind Tunnel
OTHER PUBLICATIONS Operated by the Low Speed Wind Tunnel Investigations Branch
DD Form 1391c Army, FY 1985 Military Construction Project Data, (FHW). Revised Mar. 1984, pp. 1-52 and Appendix A. Jun. 1982,
dated Dec. 12, 1984, Ft. Bragg, NC, Titled: Unspecified Minor revised Jan. 1984, pp. 1-42; and Appendix B, revised Feb. 1984, pp.
1-5.
Construction Free Fall Simulation Facility, Project No. T897.
Agard Memorandum, Papers Presented at the Sixth Meeting of the PCT Invitation to Pay Additional Fees (in correspondingPCT Appli
Wind Tunnel and Model Testing Panel, Paris France, Nov. 6, 1954, cation) 5 pages.
“Design and Operating Techniques of Vertical Spin Tunnels'. A.I. International search report and Written Opinion for corresponding
Neilhouse, pp. 399-420. PCT application.
Agard Memorandum, Papers Presented at the Sixth Meeting of the
Wind Tunnel and Model Testing Panel, Paris France, Nov. 6, 1954, * cited by examiner
U.S. Patent Jan. 2, 2007 Sheet 1 of 16 US 7,156,744 B2
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U.S. Patent Jan. 2, 2007 Sheet 3 of 16
U.S. Patent Jan. 2, 2007 Sheet 4 of 16 US 7,156,744 B2

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U.S. Patent Jan. 2, 2007 Sheet 9 of 16 US 7,156,744 B2

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U.S. Patent Jan. 2, 2007 Sheet 16 of 16 US 7,156,744 B2
 US 7,156,744 B2
1. 2
RECIRCULATING VERTICAL WIND For this reason, the most advanced vertical wind tunnels are
TUNNEL SKYDIVING SIMULATOR designed such that the air column extends completely from
one wall of the flight chamber to the other. This is not
CROSS REFERENCE PATENTS necessary in horizontal wind tunnels.
Vertical wind tunnels used for freefall simulation often
U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,110 is incorporated herein by refer have to operate in noise sensitive environments such as
CCC.
amusement parks and shopping malls. Horizontal testing
FIELD OF THE INVENTION tunnels can be located away from the crowds where they are
10 free to make as much noise as is necessary.
The present invention relates to the field of vertical wind As amusement devices, freefall simulators must compete
tunnels, more particularly, to temperature controlled return with other amusements on the basis of price and can often
flow vertical wind tunnels used as skydiving simulators and be operated on a near continual basis. These two factors
amusement devices. make energy efficiency critical to Successful commercial
15 operation of a freefall simulator. Energy efficiency is much
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION less important for horizontal testing tunnels in which one
often takes hours or days to set up an experiment and then
Wind tunnels are well known in the art. Wind tunnels are only runs the tunnel for a few minutes to collect the
available in many types and styles depending upon the needs necessary data.
of the user. These include subsonic wind tunnels with and 20 Height is a major constraint of freefall simulators which
without return flow, transonic wind tunnels with and without stand upright and often must be sited in high-density enter
return flow, vertical subsonic wind tunnels with and without tainment venues that have severe height limitations. This is
return flow, SuperSonic and hyperSonic wind tunnels with not true of horizontal testing tunnels which sit on their side
and without return flow, and compressible flow wind tun and can be successfully located far away from any crowds.
nels. 25
The majority of the wind tunnels are used for research and Finally no known prior art has focused on designing these
testing purposes. These include testing of conventional systems to optimize visibility to public spectators in a
aircraft, helicopters, parachutes and other aerodynamic shopping mall or other high density entertainment venue.
devices, wing Surfaces, control Surfaces, Submarines, rock To make a commercially viable vertical wind tunnel for
ets and other launch vehicles, ground vehicles, buildings and 30 skydiving simulation, one must (1) move enough air and do
other basic flow investigations. So Smoothly enough to adequately simulate freefall for one
Horizontal wind tunnels (those in which the air in the full or more persons in the flight chamber; (2) with a device that
speed section of the tunnel flow generally horizontally) are is short enough and quiet enough to be located where large
used for aerodynamic research and testing and are generally numbers of potential customers tend to be; and, (3) at power
owned by major defense oriented corporations, the Federal 35 consumption levels low enough to make the price of the
government, or educational institutions and universities. experience acceptable to the public.
Some of these have been converted or adapted for vertical The inventive challenge of satisfying these competing
operation (in which the air in the full speed section of the requirements is met by the present invention. High airspeeds
tunnel flows generally vertically) but most or all perform are required at the flight chamber to float one or more human
poorly in that role. Design constraints that apply to vertical 40 beings. However, moving air through ductwork at high
wind tunnels used for freefall simulation differ from those of speeds creates an enormous amount of Sound and heat and
horizontal testing tunnels. In a vertical wind tunnel/freefall requires a huge amount of power. Consequently, most mod
simulator, it is important that the objects in the full speed ern wind tunnels expand and slow the air just downstream of
section of the wind tunnel (in this case the human beings in the flight chamber to decrease power consumption, noise
flight) be able to move about inside that section to experi- 45 output and heat generation. Doing so can reduce power
ence or practice human body flight. In a horizontal test consumption by more than 60%, and only by doing so will
tunnel, the objects placed in the tunnel are usually static vertical wind tunnels become commercially viable as enter
objects observed or measured by others. For this reason, this tainment devices or skydiving simulators.
fastest part of a horizontal wind tunnel is called a “test However, if one expands the airflow in any section of a
section'. In a vertical wind tunnel, this same area is instead 50 wind tunnel too rapidly, the flow will “separate” and become
referred to as the “flight chamber. turbulent rather than laminar. This will make the entire
In a vertical wind tunnel, it is important that people flying system perform poorly, increasing power consumption and
inside the tunnel be allowed to rotate in and out of the flight decreasing flow quality to the point that the device will not
chamber without stopping the airflow. In contrast, there is adequately simulate true freefall. The threshold at which this
little need to move the static objects in the test section of a 55 flow separation occurs in an expanding duct is fairly well
horizontal wind tunnel during its operation. Furthermore, defined in the literature; in simple terms, the walls of such
since fliers in a vertical wind tunnel are free to move about an expansion cone cannot diverge away from one another at
inside flight chamber, it is necessary to constrain their greater than 9–12 degrees. For that reason, increasing the
movement to appropriate parts of the system. While it is length of horizontal test tunnels or the height of vertical
possible to put a safety net on both the upstream and 60 wind tunnels tends to improve efficiency. Unfortunately,
downstream ends of the flight chamber, these produce an while this is easily done for a horizontal system, doing so in
enormous amount of drag which creates noise and increases a vertical system dramatically increases the construction and
the power required to attain any given speed. In fact, Such a operation cost and reduces the number of places at which
pair of nets can consume as much as 30% to 50% of the total one can gain governmental approval to build. Consequently,
power required to operate Such a wind tunnel. It is also 65 minimizing height while maximizing the expansion and
important to prevent occupants from flying laterally outside deceleration of the airflow downstream of the flight chamber
of the air column and falling unsupported to the floor below. is the key to making a vertical wind tunnel commercially
 US 7,156,744 B2
3 4
Successful. Similarly, constraining the occupants to the safe the components downstream of the flight chamber expand
areas of the wind tunnel without increasing drag and power the air as rapidly as possible without creating flow separa
consumption is essential. tion.
The prior art wind tunnels do not offer a design that is What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and
quiet and short enough to be built in high density shopping training device optimized for height by providing an
and entertainment venues while remaining efficient enough optional flight chamber in which the air is expanded as much
to allow commercially viable operation. as possible without creating separation as it passes through
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and the flight chamber section or a flight chamber that is actually
training device having a flight chamber on the inlet side of shaped like a diffuser.
the fans for improved airflow, speed and quality, at lower 10 What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and
power consumption and higher safety for the fliers. training device optimized for height and overall size by
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and mounting the fans in conical ducts that themselves act as
training device having a sealed and pressure balanced Stag “diffusers.
ing area adjacent and connected to the flight chamber in a What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and
way that allows people to move in between the two without 15 training device that allows installation configurations which
stopping the airflow. optimize spectator viewing areas of the fliers to pedestrians
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and in a shopping mall.
training device having transparent windows allowing spec The present invention meets these needs.
tators, instructors or others outside the flight chamber to see
into it. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and
training device having a plurality of Smaller fans rather than An aspect of the present invention is to provide a vertical
a single, more expensive and difficult to maintain fan. wind tunnel amusement device having a flight chamber
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and situated on the inlet side of a plurality of fans which are in
training device having one or more return air ducts to 25 turn connected to a plurality of expanding return air ducts,
conserve heat, reduce energy consumption, reduce noise and thereby maximizing efficiency while minimizing the height
allow all-weather operation. of the amusement device.
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
training device having only one or two return ducts even vertical wind tunnel having a flight chamber on the inlet side
though it may have a greater number of fans than return 30 of the fans for improved airflow speed and quality, at lower
ducts. power consumption and higher safety for the fliers.
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
training device having fans housed in low profile casings vertical wind tunnel having a two-stage staging area adja
that allow them to be mounted as closely together as possible cent and connected to the flight chamber in a way that allows
so that more than one fan can be connected to each return air 35 people to move in between the two without stopping the
duct without the need for long transition ducts that would airflow.
increase the height or width of the entire system. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and vertical wind tunnel having transparent windows allowing
training device having a passive air exchange system that spectators, instructors or others outside the flight chamber to
ejects heated air and draws in cooler ambient air in order to 40 see into it, including in a shopping mall venue.
most efficiently control the temperature inside the wind Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
tunnel. vertical wind tunnel having a plurality of Smaller fans angled
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and in a non-parallel alignment rather than a single, more
training device having a passive air exchange system the expensive and difficult to maintain fan.
components of which form a “nozzle' or flow contaction 45 Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
that not only mechanically ejects the air from inside the wind vertical wind tunnel having one or more return air ducts to
tunnel but also creates the proper pressure gradient between conserve heat, reduce energy consumption, reduce noise and
the inside and outside of the wind tunnel and thereby allow all-weather operation.
encourages the efficient exchange of air between the wind Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
tunnel and the ambient air. 50 vertical wind tunnel having only one or two return ducts
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and even though it may have a greater number of fans than return
training device having a mesh “floor” made of specially ducts.
designed cables that produce less drag and, therefore, less Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
noise than conventional cables. vertical wind tunnel having fans housed in low profile,
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and 55 diffusing casings that allow them to be mounted as closely
training device having at least one Zero-drag electronic together as possible so that more than one fan can be
upper barrier instead of a physical net to prevent fliers from connected to each return air duct without the need for long
moving too high in the flight chamber and quickly modu transition ducts that would increase the height or width of
lating the speed of the air to bring them back down to and the entire system.
hold them at a safe level. 60 Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and vertical wind tunnel having a passive air exchange system
training device having the lowest possible total height for with adjustable inlet/outlet doors that mechanically ejects
any given efficiency in order to reduce construction costs heated air from the system and draw in coolerambient air in
and meet common governmental constraints on building order to most efficiently control the temperature inside the
height. 65 wind tunnel with minimal extra work by the fans.
What is needed is a vertical wind tunnel amusement and Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
training device optimized for height by having most or all of vertical wind tunnel in which the adjustable inlet/outlet
 US 7,156,744 B2
5 6
doors are arranged such that they also form a “nozzle' or The flight chamber can be round, oval or polygonal and
flow contraction thereby creating a favorable pressure gra can range from a bit less than 75 square feet to over 160
dient between the inside and outside of the tunnel and square feet in area. The flight chamber may accommodate up
encouraging the air exchange in order to efficiently control to six users at a time. The airflow velocity in the flight
the temperature inside the wind tunnel with minimal extra chamber can reach as high as 160+mph, which will fully
work by the fans and without the use of other more costly air Support as many as six users. In the preferred embodiment,
cooling technologies. one or more of the walls of the flight chamber include or
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a comprise flat or curved windows constructed of transparent
vertical wind tunnel in which the position of the inlet/outlet Plexiglas(R), acrylic plastic, glass or similar high strength
doors is controlled by known means in order to maintain a 10 transparent material. When present, the windows into the
comfortable temperature inside the wind tunnel. flight chamber allow an unrestricted view of the activities
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a taking place within the therein.
vertical wind tunnel having a mesh “floor made of specially Adjacent to the flight chamber is a staging area. The flight
designed cables (preferably steel) that produce less drag and, chamber has an entry opening and exit opening to the
therefore, less noise than conventional cables. 15 staging area through which a user or multiple users may
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a enter and exit the flight chamber. In certain embodiments in
vertical wind tunnel having one or more Zero-drag electronic which rotations of occupants in and out of the flight chamber
upper barriers instead of a physical net designed to prevent might be less frequent, these opening may be fitted with
fliers from moving too high in the flight chamber and doors which slide, roll or otherwise move to close one or
capable of quickly modulating the speed of the air to bring both of these openings. Users wait in the staging area for
fliers back down to and hold them at a safe level. their turn in the flight chamber. The staging area has
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a transparent windows so that an observer may view the flight
vertical wind tunnel having the lowest possible total height of any person(s) within the flight chamber without entering
for any given efficiency in order to reduce construction costs the staging area. The staging area has a single or multiple
and meet common governmental constraints on building 25 doors that open periodically to allow people to exit the entire
height. system. The staging area may also be fit with an optional
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a "piggyback or secondary staging area. This creates an
vertical wind tunnel optimized for height by having not just airlock that allows groups to rotate in and out of the staging
the primary diffuser just downstream of the flight chamber area from outside the system without requiring the airflow to
30 stop.
but also most or all of the components downstream of the The area above (downstream of) each doorway in upper
flight chamber expand the air as rapidly as possible without section of the flight chamber may include perforated panel
creating flow separation. which provides an alternate airflow path when users are
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a entering and exiting the flight chamber. In the preferred
vertical wind tunnel optimized for height by expanding the 35 embodiment, a small flow deflector will also be located
air as much as possible without creating separation as it below (upstream of) the cable floor just below each opening
passes through the flight chamber. This diffusing flight between the flight chamber and staging area to minimize the
chamber could also be thought of as a Zero-height flight amount of air moving between them and reduce the amount
chamber or Zero-length test section. of balancing necessary.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a 40 The fans and other controls can be operated from inside
vertical wind tunnel optimized for height by mounting the the staging area, inside the flight chamber or from an
fans in conical ducts that themselves act as “diffusers’. attached or remote control room. The fans are controlled to
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a achieve the optimum airflow velocity through the flight
Zero height flight chamber wherein the fliers fly in an chamber.
expanding diffuser chamber with a reduced air velocity the 45 Next above the perforated section is the primary divergent
higher they fly, thereby forming a self-catching flow in the diffuser. The primary diffuser diverges at approximately 3.5
chamber to slow the flier as he or she descends. to 5 degrees from the major axis providing a “equivalent
Other aspects of this invention will appear from the cone angle' of 7 to 10 degrees. The increasing cross
following description and appended claims, reference being sectional area reduces the velocity of the airflow from the
made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this 50 flight chamber to the fans. Above (or downstream of) the
specification wherein like reference characters designate primary diffuser is the upper plenum which may include the
corresponding parts in the several views. first set of high efficiency turning vanes. In a single return
To eliminate the risk of occupants falling out of the air system these turning vanes (or simply the plenum if no vanes
column and injuring themselves, the air column extends are used) redirect the airflow from substantially vertical to
completely from one wall of the flight chamber to the other. 55 Substantially horizontal. In a multiple return system, these
This “wall to wall' airflow also reduces drag at the edges of Vanes (or simply the plenum if no vanes are used) split the
the air column and increases efficiency of the entire system. air into to basically equal flows and turn each flow from
The airflow passes through a “cable floor into the flight substantially vertical to substantially horizontal.
chamber. The cable floor provides support for the users The airflow then passes through the inlet ducts and into
when the airflow through the flight chamber is not sufficient 60 the fans. The fan inlet duct transitions the flow from roughly
to Support them. At or near the upper (or downstream) end square or rectangular to roughly round. In the preferred
of the flight chamber, a “virtual net comprised of one or embodiment, the fan inlet ducts act as diffusers expanding
more electronic (preferably optic) sensors, monitors the the flow area as much as possible without creating flow
position of the occupant(s) within the flight chamber. In the separation. The fans are preferably high-efficiency axial flow
preferred embodiment, the control system will automatically 65 fans, although any fan adapted for use in a wind tunnel is
lower the speed if the occupant(s) fly too high in the flight acceptable. In the preferred embodiment, the fans contain a
chamber. bullet-shaped nosecone and a teardrop-shaped tailcone. In
 US 7,156,744 B2
7 8
the preferred embodiment, the fan casings act as diffusers FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an oval outlet airflow
and are sized Such that, after taking into account the area in COntractOr.
the center of the fan obscured by the nosecone, fan center FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an oval viewing area.
body and tailcone, the net flow area through the fans FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a double airlock
increases as much as possible without creating flow sepa staging area.
ration. The velocity of the airflow through the invention is FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a temperature regulator.
controlled by either changing the pitch of the fans or by FIG. 10 is a side, cutaway view of the temperature
changing the rotational speed of the fans. regulator of FIG. 9.
The airflow passes through the fans and into the exit ducts FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of deflectors on flight
which also transition from roughly round to roughly square 10 chamber entrance doors.
or rectangular. In the preferred embodiment, the exit ducts FIG. 12 is a close up view of a deflector.
are act as diffusers expanding the airflow as much as FIG. 13 is a side cutaway view of a fan and housing.
possible without creating flow separation. The airflow trav FIG. 14 is a side cutaway view of two fans and housings
els through a set of exit ducts to the second set of high mounted divergent from a centerline therebetween.
efficiency turning vanes (if used) which turn the air from 15 FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a two return simu
substantially horizontal to substantially vertical. lator.
The airflow then enters the return air ducts. In the pre FIG. 16 is a cutaway view of the FIG. 15 embodiment.
ferred embodiment, these return air ducts are also shaped as FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a V footprint two return
divergent diffusers expanding the airflow as much as pos simulator.
sible without creating flow separation. In the preferred FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a V footprint two return
embodiment, each return air duct has an air exchange simulator in a mall.
mechanism comprised of an even number of louvers located FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a multi-simulator configu
on opposing faces of the return air duct. These are situated ration in a building.
and sized so that they together create a nozzle or Sudden FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of a mall type viewing
contraction in the flow area at the point of the louvers. This 25 area for a simulator.
noZZle increases decreases the dynamic static pressure at FIG. 21 is a schematic view of a dual contractor (one
that point of the system and assists in the expulsion of heated underground and horizontal) system.
air from the wind tunnel through the exhaust louver. This FIG. 21A is a sectional view taken along lines 21A—21A
lowers the pressure in the system and assists the inlet louvers of FIG. 21.
as they draw in cooler ambient air from outside of the 30 FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of a cable floor.
system. This arrangement allows heated air in the system to FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of an anti-drag cable,
be replaced with cooler ambient air, thereby allowing a user first embodiment.
to adjust the temperature in the flight chamber for flyer FIG. 24 is a view of a second embodiment cable.
comfort without the need for expensive alternatives such as FIG. 25 is view of a third embodiment cable.
air conditioning or evaporative cooling. 35 FIG. 26 is a schematic view of a floor sensor? shutoff
At the bottom (or downstream) end of the return air system.
towers, the air again passes through a set of turning Vanes (or FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of a rounded diffuser.
simply a duct with a 90 degree turn if no vanes are used) that FIG. 28 is a schematic view of a cruise ship having a
redirects the air from a substantially vertical to a substan water-cooled simulator.
tially horizontal path. The air then enters the bottom plenum 40 Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the
which may also act as a divergent diffuser expanding the air present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
as much as possible without causing flow separation. At the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the
end or the (or downstream) end of the bottom plenum, the particular arrangements shown, since the invention is
air again passes through a set of turning Vanes (or simply a capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used
duct with a 90 degree turn if no vanes are used) that redirects 45 herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
the air from a substantially horizontal to a substantially DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
vertical path. In a multiple return system, the flows will be EMBODIMENT
re-joined at this point.
The air then passes into the inlet contractor. This trumpet 50 Referring first to FIG. 1 a single return simulator 1 is
shaped or bell-shaped device quickly reduces the flow area shown, wherein height L is preferably in the range of about
and accelerates the air to its maximum speed just ahead of 50–120 feet. Some installations may bury all components
the flight chamber. Here again aerodynamic laws govern
how quickly one can reduce this flow area without degrading below a ground level of either G or G. The flight chamber
the quality of that flow. 10 may be made entirely or partially with transparent panels.
55 If ground level is at G, then an opaque pedestal-type image
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS formed in area d which may be about seven feet high. This
embodiment in a mall creates an eye-catching, live action
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a single return human flight studio in the flight chamber 10. This design
simulator. attracts new “fliers' who pay to experience simulated sky
60 diving in flight chamber 10. Dotted line R represents a roof,
FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the FIG. 1 embodiment. wherein components above R can be roof-mounted to reduce
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the flight chamber of noise. Dotted line W represents a wall, wherein components
FIG 1. beyond the wall Waway from the flight chamber 10 could
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an oval outlet, rectangular be isolated from the flight chamber to reduce noise near the
inlet airflow contractor. 65 flight chamber 10.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an oval/polygon shaped Most prior art flight chambers provide for parallel walls in
outlet of an airflow contractor. the flight chamber so that experienced fliers can practice
 US 7,156,744 B2
9 10
maneuvers at a constant wind Velocity perhaps at around 140 Referring next to FIG. 3 the diffuser/flight chamber 10 is
miles per hour. Simulator 1 has a "zero height' flight in the shape of a polygon (octagon) as seen by the base B.
chamber along elevation 11. Elevation 11 is the line which Base B is covered by a safety net. The walls 20.21.22 etc.
joins the airflow contractor 9 to the airflow diffuser 10, diverge at an optimal aerodynamic angle in the range of
wherein the diffuser 10 has diverging walls 20.21.22, etc., about 7–12 degrees from each other. The top of the flight
and the diffuser 10 also serves as the flight chamber 10. chamber 10 is seen as a rectangle at arrow 110. All or some
Nominally the air speed at line 11 is at about 140 mph, the of the walls 20.21.22 etc. may be transparent.
maximum speed in the simulator. As the flier goes higher in Referring next to FIG. 4 an airflow contractor 400 has the
the flight chamber 10 to the top of the flight chamber 10 to preferred design of a rectangular inlet 401 and an oval outlet
junction 110, the air speed drops, perhaps to about 120 mph. 10 402. Transition walls 403 contract the airflow from the inlet
Fliers can change their drag profiles from a maximum spread 401 to the outlet 402. Preferably the heighth FIG. 2, which
eagle position to a minimum human ball position. Thus, if a is sometimes buried underground equals length d. This
flier ascends to the top of the flight chamber 10 and then combination of shape and dimensions form a cost-effective
changes his drag to a human ball shape, he will fall down balance for a relatively low height, and commercially viable
ward. The diffuser shape of the flight chamber 10 will 15 simulator 1.
provide a self-braking system due to the increasing airspeed Referring next to FIGS. 5,6,7 the term “oval outlet”
with each incremental descent down into the flight chamber airflow contractor covers any oval-like shape Such as poly
10. A safety net is provided a line 11. gon oval outlet 500 and perfectly oval outlet 600. The
The diverter 2 meets the diffuser 10 at junction 110. The oval-like shape provides for a larger viewing area 700
air is diverted from a vertical path to a horizontal path in the compared to a round outlet having the same cross-sectional
diverter 2. All the diverters 2.4.6.8 change the air direction area. Area 701 includes a staging and entry area. The flight
by about 90 degrees. chamber bottom B1 could be in a mall with expensive retail
The fan assembly 3 accelerates the air, perhaps with two space, wherein the larger viewing area 700 has considerable
side-by-side fans. The basic dynamics in a return air simu 25
commercial value.
lator involve compromises in energy efficiency, noise and Referring next to FIG. 8 a two-stage staging chamber 800
size. In the simplest design, one would attempt to keep the consists of a flight chamber bottom B2 with a flight chamber
airflow close to full speed for the entire loop through the wall 809 having windows 810 and flier entrances 806.807.
simulator. However, the height would have to rise, the noise Entrances 806.807 can be doorless or with hinged doors or
would be enormous, and the heat from friction in the 30
with sliding doors. So long as doors 801,805 are closed the
plenums would be enormous. Therefore, for more efficient fans do not have to be shut downto allow fliers to enter/leave
operation, it is necessary to slow the air down during its the flight chamber 10. Ambient pressure is shown as A.
travel through the simulator loop by enlarging the cross Doors 801,805 open from ambient A to first staging room
sectional areas of the plenum to attain commercially accept 802 and second staging room 804. Door 803 separates the
able levels of height has well as noise, and simultaneously 35
staging rooms 802.804. In operation a group of fliers could
attempt to use the least horsepower possible for the fans. enter room 804 while door 803 is closed, then door 805 is
The diverters 2.4.6.8 generally do not have diverging closed. Then the fliers would enter room 802 with doors
walls due to cost construction considerations. The fan hous 801,805 closed. Flier entrances 806,807 are used.
ing segment 300 and the fan section 3 have diverging walls. Referring next to FIGS. 9.10 the temperature regulating
The top plenum 30 has diverging walls. The Vertical return 40 system 1000 consists of a plenum 5 having an airflow F. The
plenum 5 has diverging walls. The bottom plenum 7 does not outlet 26 is located opposite the inlet 12, but slightly
have diverging walls due to tradeoffs in cost construction upstream at a distance d11 chosen by design parameters.
considerations. Bottom plenum 7 could have diverging Preferably louvers 120.260 are controllable from a control
walls. room to vary the air exchange from ambient A to the plenum
The airflow contractor 9 has converging walls functioning 45 5. Inlet air volume I must approximate outlet air volume O.
to narrow the cross-sectional plenum area, thereby acceler The decrease in internal static pressure V is formed by
ating the air to about 140 mph for flight simulation. contracting and accelerating the air at nozzle N.
The air inlet 12 brings in ambient air to cool the simulator The air exchange system used for closed-circuit wind
air. tunnels disclosed herein consist of two large louvers in each
Referring next to FIG. 2 a schematic representation of the 50 return leg of the tunnels: an exhaust louver and an intake
internal workings of the simulator 1 is shown. Airflow is louver. The exhaust and intake louvers are located and
shown by the arrows F. Diverting vanes 200, 201, 202, 203 oriented so that there is favorable interaction between them.
each change the airflow direction by 90 degrees. Two fans This location is part of what is novel about this system.
40.41 are schematically shown mounted horizontally side by The leading edge of the exhaust louver deflects into the
side in their housing 3, refer to FIG. 13 for a perspective 55 tunnel and scoops out the air from inside the tunnel. The
view, wherein right after the fans a plenum diffuser 300 intake louver is located on the opposite tunnel wall from the
expands and slows the airflow. The diffusing continues in exhaust louver. Its hinge line is designed to line up with the
top plenum 30, and then in vertical return plenum 5, and leading edge of the exhaust louver at the design setting. The
finally through the flight chamber 10. trailing edge of the intake louver is deflected into the tunnel.
A passive temperature regulation system is provided by 60 It is deflected to a greater extent than the exhaust louver to
having air inlet 12 louver 120 face downstream. Addition cause the internal airflow Velocity to increase by creating
ally the air outlet 26 has a louver 260 that faces upstream. nozzle N. This is the key. That increase in velocity causes a
By mounting the inlet 12 about opposite outlet 26, a reduc decrease in the internal static pressure (Bernoulli’s law). The
ing nozzle is formed by louvers 120, 260, thereby creating lower internal static pressure (below atmospheric) actually
a decreased Static pressure Zone V downstream from the 65 Sucks air into the inlet. As a minimum, the intake louver has
inlet 12. Therefore, ambient air is forced passively drawn the same chord or length as the exhaust louver. In some wind
into the simulator 1 without the use of an additional fan. tunnel configurations it is desirable that the intake louver
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11 12
have a greater length or chord than the exhaust louver to hidden by wall W. As noted above, the fans and related
reduce the deflection required. ductwork may be mounted on the roof.
Traditional wind tunnel air exchangers either have the Referring next to FIG. 18 another V shaped simulator
exhaust and intake in separate sections of the wind tunnel, 1800 is set in a different mall environment. The pedestrian
or if they are in the same part of the wind tunnel there is not walkway PW has expensive retail store space along area
favorable interaction between the two louvers to cause this 1805. Less expensive mall space 1899 may have storage
desired drop in the internal static pressure. Other designs areas and could house return air components 1801,1802. An
have employed a screen or Some other drag-producing outside wall WOUT locates the return air components
device downstream of the exhaust and upstream of the 1803,1804 outside as shown.
intake to achieve a drop in internal static pressure in order 10 Referring next to FIG. 19 a wall W creates an enclosed
to cause the outside air to enter the tunnel. While this works, area designated as PUBLIC. Possible configurations of
it is very inefficient. This results in unnecessary loss in total simulators 1 and 1500 are shown. Flying humans 1704 could
pressure and the attendant loss in tunnel performance. Often create an exciting indoor amusement area designated as
there is additional ducting required to control the internal PUBLIC.
static pressure which increases the construction cost. The 15 Referring next to FIG. 20 an artist’s rendering of the
present invention avoids these problems and achieves the simulator 1 of FIG. 1 is shown, wherein a mall 2000 has a
desired air exchange with the lowest power loss. pedestrian walkway PW. The term “mall herein includes a
Referring next to FIGS. 11.12 a deflector 1100 is placed high-people density entertainment venue including amuse
along the bottom edge of a flier entrance 1101,1102 in order ment parks, theatre complexes, family entertainment cen
to reduce airflow from the flight chamber into the room 802 ters, and college campuses. Ground level G. forms pedestal
and thereby minimize cavity resonance in room 802. area di so that the public looks up into the transparent flight
The deflector 1100 has an angled leading edge 1103. The chamber 10. A ticketing area 2001 could blend in with other
leading edge 1103 inclines into the flight chamber 10 in a retail store fronts. Walls W and the ground G, screen
downstream direction. The flight chamber 10 could be round components 5,6,7,8 are shown in dots.
instead of a polygon as shown. Optionally a deflector 1196 25 Referring next to FIGS. 21 and 21A, a two-stage airflow
could be mounted at the top of the door, wherein it bends contractor is shown. A first stage contractor 2111 is hori
inward into the staging area from the flight chamber. Zontal and feeds diverter 8. The second stage contractor
Referring next to FIGS. 13.14 the fans 40.41 of FIG. 2 are 2112 is vertical and feeds the flight chamber 10. The
shown in their preferred design. They are oriented slightly simulator 2110 could bury the first stage contractor 2111
away from each other relative to a centerline as shown. The 30 underground. The result is less noise and less height for the
fan planes P41. P42 are canted downstream forming acute second stage contractor 2112. This invention can provide a
angle P43. The fan cowling (fan can) 1300 has diverging lower overall height for the simulator 2110.
walls 1302 after the segment next to the blade 1301. Referring next to FIG. 22 a staging area 2200 has a flight
Nominally W1 may be 103 inches, and W2 may be 122 chamber 2202 with a bottom B consisting of a mesh net
inches. A staggering of the fans can help place the two fan 35 2201.
cans 1300 closer together such as by moving the front 149
of fan 41 to dotted line 1499. This reduces the distance Cable Floor
between the two columns of air from the fans which reduces
the length of the return plenum and the height. Blade 1301 The floor of the flight chamber is a 3/32-17-strand stainless
could be forward. 40 steel aircraft cable woven into a 2'x2' (60 cmx60 cm) grid.
Referring next to FIGS. 15.16 a dual return simulator Both ends of the cable are run through a compression spring.
1500 is shown. Functional equivalent components to the One hundred-twenty two (122) cables make up the tunnel
single return simulator 1 are given like numbers, wherein no floor.
further description is needed. The compression of the springs is adjusted to give the
In this particular embodiment, the flight chamber 1503 45 proper “bounce to the floor providing increased safety
has parallel walls rather than diverging walls in order to should a flyer become unstable and fall to the cable floor.
provide a relatively constant airflow therein. Above the
flight chamber 1503 is a diffuser 1504 which connects to a Tunnel Viewing Walls
double diverter 1505. Double diverter 1505 has two divert
ing vanes 1507,1508. Fan ductwork 1521 supports the fans 50 There are 11 large 1/4" (31 mm) acrylic panels which
40.41. Top diffusers 1520 connect to the diverters 2.4 as allow the controller, flyers and spectators in the staging/
shown. A left and a right vertical return plenum 5 each has viewing area to see the activity in the flight chamber and
a temperature regulator system 1000. flight deck.
The bottom plenums 7 each connect to a double diverter There is a large acrylic panel that allows spectators to see
1501. Double diverter 1501 has two diverting vanes 1505, 55 inside the control room. FIGS. 23.24.25 offer individual
1506. An airflow contractor 1502 accelerates the airflow into cable designs which could form mesh net 2201. Basic
the flight chamber 1503. A larger flight chamber 1503 can be aerodynamics teaches that a wing-type profile reduces drag
Supported with the four fans shown as compared to the as opposed to a blunt or flat profile. Cable 2300 has a
two-fan embodiment of FIG. 2. standard twisted element core 2301 with an external helical
Referring next to FIG. 17 a dual return simulator 1700 has 60 wrap 2302.
a flight chamber 1701 with flier 1704 therein. The air return Cable 2400 has a modified twisted element core 2401
components 1702,1703 are shown with this top plan view to with a single helical element 2402 missing.
form a V configuration (angle 1705 is an acute angle) Cable 2500 has a modified twisted core 2501 with double
extending from the flight chamber 1701. One use for this helical elements 2502 missing.
simulator 1700 is in a public pedestrian walkway PW as 65 Referring next to FIG. 26 a flight chamber 10 has a flier
shown, a viewing area VAjuts into the pedestrian walkway sensor 2600 that uses energy waves 2601 (light, radio,
PW, while the components 1702,1703 are soundproofed and sound, UV, etc.) to detect a flier moving too high into the
 US 7,156,744 B2
13 14
flight chamber 10. A controller 2602 may consist of simple 8. The simulator of claim 7, wherein the outlet louver
on/off output logic, or current modulator or the like to faces upstream inside the duct member, and the inlet louver
temporarily reduce the airflow to drop the flier lower into the faces downstream inside the duct member, thereby forming
flight chamber. An emergency ambient door 2604 could also the acceleration nozzle.
be opened by the controller 2602. A mesh net 2605 may also 9. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the fan assembly
be used to prevent fliers from traveling too high. further comprises a housing having divergent walls to
Referring next to FIG. 27 another diffuser 2700 might also decrease an airflow rate therethrough.
serve as a flight chamber. The walls 2701 could be three-inch 10. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the vertical flight
acrylic panels. The oval outlet 2702 has curved edges. chamber further comprises a staging area with multiple
Referring next to FIG. 28 a ship 2850 has a simulator 10 chamber means functioning to enable ingress and egress
2801 with a seawater cooling system 2800. A seawater inlet from the vertical flight chamber while maintaining an oper
2851 feeds a heat exchanger 2853 in the simulator via a flow able for flight airflow through the flight chamber.
controller 2852. An air temperature sensor 2854 communi 11. The simulator of claim 1, wherein each fan is mounted
cates to a temperature controller 2802 to keep the air in a non-parallel fashion to an adjacent fan and away from
temperature at a set point by controlling the flow controller 15 a centerline therebetween.
2852. 12. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the flight chamber
Although the present invention has been described with has an entry door with a deflector at its downstream bottom
reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifica edge.
tions and variations can be made and still the result will 13. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the bottom member
come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with is buried underground, thereby forming a mounting height
respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is above a ground level for the flight chamber at or above the
intended or should be inferred. Each apparatus embodiment ground level.
described herein has numerous equivalents. 14. The simulator of claim 1, wherein an inlet to the first
We claim: vertical side member has the same dimensions as a cross
1. A vertical wind tunnel skydiving simulator comprising: 25
sectional segment of the bottom member.
a recirculating airflow plenum having a generally rectan 15. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the uppermost part
gular configuration; of the top member is no more than about 50–60 feet above
a vertical flight chamber capable of floating at least one the lowest part of the bottom member.
human housed within a first vertical side member of the
generally rectangular configuration and located on an 30
16. A vertical wind tunnel skydiving simulator compris
ing:
inlet side of a fan assembly: a recirculating airflow plenum having a generally rectan
said fan assembly further comprising a plurality of fans gular configuration with a central vertical member and
mounted horizontally in a top member of the generally a first and a second vertical return air plenum;
rectangular configuration;
wherein the top member return duct, the first vertical side 35
a vertical flight chamber capable of floating at least one
member, a second vertical side member return duct of human housed within the central vertical member;
the generally rectangular configuration each have a said fan assembly further comprising a plurality of fans
divergent wall segment to expand a flow of recirculat mounted horizontally in a top member of the generally
ing air while maintaining a generally laminar airflow; rectangular configuration;
and 40 wherein the top member, the first and second vertical side
wherein an uppermost part of the top member is no more member, and the central vertical member each have a
about 50–120 feet above a lowest part of a bottom divergent wall segment to expand a flow of recirculat
member of the generally rectangular configuration. ing air while maintaining a generally laminar airflow;
and
2. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the flight chamber wherein an uppermost part of the top member is no more
further comprises a bottom having a mechanical safety net 45
and a top segment, said top segment having a human sensor, than about 50–120 feet above a lowest part of a bottom
wherein the human sensor connects to a controller which member of the generally rectangular configuration.
slows the flow of recirculating air when a human is sensed 17. The simulator of claim 16, wherein the flight chamber
flying near the top segment. further comprises a bottom having a mechanical safety net,
3. The simulator of claim 2, wherein the controller further 50 and a top segment, said top segment having a human sensor,
comprises a fan control means functioning to slow at least wherein the human sensor connects to a controller which
one fan. slows the flow of recirculating air when a human is sensed
4. The simulator of claim3, wherein the fan control means flying near the top segment.
further comprises a fan power control module to temporarily 18. The simulator of claim 17, wherein the controller
reduce a current flow to at least one fan. 55 further comprises a fan control means functioning to slow at
5. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the vertical flight least one fan.
chamber further comprises divergent walls to decrease an 19. The simulator of claim 18, wherein the fan control
airflow rate therethrough. means further comprises a fan power control module to
6. The simulator of claim 5, wherein the first vertical temporarily reduce a current flow to at least one fan.
chamber further comprises an oval horizontal cross-sec 60 20. The simulator of claim 16, wherein the vertical flight
tional shape. chamber further comprises divergent walls to decrease an
7. The simulator of claim 1 further comprising a tempera airflow rate therethrough.
ture regulator having an air inlet louver located at an 21. The simulator of claim 16 further comprising a
opposite opposing side of an air outlet louver in a duct temperature regulator having an air inlet louver located
member from an air outlet louver, wherein an acceleration 65 opposite an air outlet louver in a duct member, wherein an
nozzle is formed by the louvers, thereby creating a decreased acceleration nozzle is formed by the louvers, thereby pulling
static pressure Zone and pulling outside air into the air inlet. outside air into the air inlet louver.
 US 7,156,744 B2
15 16
22. The simulator of claim 21, wherein the outlet louver common segment of the plenum, said outlet louver
faces upstream inside the duct member, and the inlet louver having a door facing inward and upstream in the
faces upstream in the duct member, thereby forming the common segment of the plenum, said inlet louver
acceleration noZZle. facing inward and downstream in the common seg
23. The simulator of claim 16, wherein the fan assembly ment; and
further comprises a housing having divergent walls to wherein the doors form an internal narrowing of the
decrease an airflow rate therethrough. common segment of the plenum, thereby forming a
24. The simulator of claim 16, wherein the vertical flight decreased Static pressure Zone which draws air into the
chamber further comprises a staging area with multiple inlet louver.
chamber means functioning to enable ingress and egress 10 32. A flight simulator comprising:
from the vertical flight chamber while maintaining an oper a recirculating vertical wind tunnel flight chamber; at least
able for flight airflow through the flight chamber. two vertical return plenums;
25. The simulator of claim 16, wherein the flight chamber wherein two vertical return plenums form a V shape with
further comprises an oval horizontal cross-sectional shape. their connecting plenums to the flight chamber; and
26. The simulator of claim 16, wherein each fan is 15
wherein all the vertical return plenums are within an arc
mounted in a non-parallel fashion to an adjacent fan and of less than 180 degrees on one side of the flight
away from a centerline therebetween. chamber.
27. The simulator of claim 16, wherein the flight chamber 33. A flight simulator comprising:
has an entry door with a deflector at its downstream bottom a vertical wind tunnel flight chamber;
edge. a return air plenum system having at least a two-stage
28. The simulator of claim 16, wherein the bottom mem airflow contraction assembly;
ber is buried underground, thereby forming a mounting wherein a first stage contraction member is horizontally
height above a ground level for the flight chamber at or mounted along a bottom plenum; and
above the ground level. a second stage contraction member is vertically mounted
29. The simulator of claim 16, wherein an inlet to the 25
under the flight chamber.
central vertical member has the same dimensions as a
cross-sectional segment of the bottom member. 34. A public entertainment system comprising:
30. The simulator of claim 16, wherein the uppermost part a recirculating vertical wind tunnel having a human flight
of the top member is no more than about 50–60 feet above chamber which has a transparent section enabling a
the lowest part of the bottom member. 30 viewing of a flier in flight therein;
31. A vertical wind tunnel skydiving simulator compris said flight chamber mountable at or near a ground level,
ing: thereby enabling passers-by to view the flier in flight;
a recirculating airflow plenum; said flight chamber having at least two return plenum, all
a fan assembly to provide an airflow for human flight in of said return plenums contained in an arc of less than
a vertical flight chamber; 35 180 degrees on one side of the flight chamber;
a portion of said airflow plenum further comprising said flight chamber mountable proximate to a public
divergent walls to expand and slow the airflow: walkway; and
said airflow plenum further comprising a temperature wherein said vertical wind tunnel has at least one machin
regulator, ery component segregated from the public walkway.
said temperature regulator further comprising an inlet 40
louver mounted about opposite an outlet louver in a