Application Status and Prospect of the Technology for the Moving Belt Floor in Wind Tunnel

doi:10.3901/JME.2025.18.313

Abstract

Abstract: The ground simulation technology can truly simulate the flow field characteristics at the near-earth positions by eliminating the boundary layer of the wind tunnel floor. It can ensure the accuracy of the test, and further promote the improvement of products' stability, safety and fuel economy. It is the key technology for the research and development of aircraft and vehicles. However, it is difficult for the traditional fixed floor simulation method to eliminate the boundary layer, and the simulation performance is not satisfactory. The moving belt floor technology is an advanced ground simulation technology, and can simulate the relative motion between the object and the ground, and greatly reduce the displacement thickness of the boundary layer. Therefore, the systematic review of the moving belt floor technology is helpful to improve the comprehensive capability of ground effect research, which can establish a solid foundation for the technological innovation in aviation industry, automobile industry and other fields. The significance of ground effect research is analyzed, and the advantages and disadvantages of different boundary layer elimination methods are summarized. The development course of wind tunnel's moving belt floors is expounded, and the technical characteristics of different moving belt floors are discussed from the perspective of belt structure. The technical difficulties and bottlenecks currently faced by the research and development of moving belt floor are identified. In addition, the key technical problems in the development of the moving belt floor technology are discussed from four aspects: wind tunnel balance, tension correction technology, air flotation technology and rectification technology. Finally, the future development trends of the moving belt floor technology are predicted. The study can provide reference for domestic scholars to carry out research on the moving belt floor technology, and is expected to promote the development and application of more functional and more powerful moving belt floor devices.

Key words: moving belt floor, wind tunnel test, ground simulation, ground effect, boundary layer

CLC Number:

V211
U467

ZHOU Dekai, PAN Ao, LIU Junmin, LI Pengchun, SHAO Tianshuang, CUI Lidong, LI Longqiu. Application Status and Prospect of the Technology for the Moving Belt Floor in Wind Tunnel[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2025, 61(18): 313-329.

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