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Moving Ground Plane

ACE's Moving Ground Plane - Unique in the World

ACE has enhanced its research and development capability by adding a seven-metre single belt Moving Ground Plane (MGP). ACE’s MGP brings new opportunities for testing to our existing clients and - for potential new clients - the opportunity to test in a world class facility with a team that is dedicated to providing solutions to your testing needs. 

The MGP will give both motorsports and original equipment manufacturers the tools they need to:

  • conduct research in a high-tech environment
  • help companies and researchers create new energy-efficient products
  • develop new technologies in areas such as active aero
  • maximize energy efficiency
  • reduce carbon emissions.

ACE’s MGP has a unique feature - a 'Plug-and-Play' swap between a dynamometer and the MGP, making ACE truly a “CAWT” – a Climatic Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel. Ours is the only wind tunnel in the world to share the same air flow for both full powertrain and thermal development on a dyno and world class aerodynamic force measurement using a MGP.

 

 White Toyota RAV4 on the Moving Ground Plane (MGP) in the Climatic Wind Tunnel.       A white Toyota RAV4 on the Moving Ground Plane (MGP) in the Climatic Wind Tunnel (CWT).      Moving ground plane.

Unique "Plug and Play" system makes ACE a CAWT – Climatic Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel

Specifications of the Moving Ground Plane

Specifications of the Moving Ground Plane

Wind Speeds

  • Up to 130 mph, 210 km/h or 58.3 m/s
  • Wind on yaw capability of +- 30o
  • 13m2 nozzle (4.5m x 2.889m)
  • Secondary Collector added for enhanced axial static pressure gradient and reduced pulsation at high wind speeds
  • Vehicle laser alignment

Belt Length

  • Belt is 2.3m wide and 7m long
  • Track Width   46.4” – 66.8” (1178.56mm - 1696.72mm)
  • Wheel Base   95.8” – 126.3” (2433.32mm - 3208.02mm)

Temperature

Temperature and humidity controlled airstream to maintain ambient testing conditions for increased sensor stability.

Roll-in Ready

For planning and lead time, it is expected that vehicles be in “Roll-In-Ready” condition. Vehicles should be available the day before the testing.

ACE uses a single belt wheel hub vehicle force measurement and restraint system. It is critical that ACE have enough lead time to ensure that wheel hub adapters are fabricated and ready in advance of the test property showing up. As well, depending on the vehicle and complexity, ACE will have a garage bay available to prepare the vehicle for testing.

Two Options to prepare for testing:

Level 1 Static Ride Height  Dedicated Garage Access 1 Day Before Test
Level 2 Dynamic Ride Height  2 Days Dedicated Garage Access

If the test vehicle is not Roll-In-Ready, more lead time will be required and there may be preparation charges.

ACE Enhancement Project

The enhancement project features three main areas that have been upgraded to support the installation of the Moving Ground Plane (MGP). The project involves enhancements to the wind tunnel, airflow quality, acoustics, and the addition of advanced aerodynamic force measurement devices (MGP, drag links and wheel hubs, force measurement systems), and some building modifications and enhancements.

Honeycomb
honeycomb MGP

Honeycomb

Honeycomb

The Climatic Wind Tunnel has provisions for aerodynamic flow improvements. Among these is a honeycomb flow straightener, Moving Ground Plane, additional boundary layer removal, nozzle exit treatment and collector. The honeycomb flow straightener has been installed in the settling chamber, downstream of the heat exchanger and upstream of the flow conditioning screens. The honeycomb addresses angularity and uniformity, and functions to remove lateral and vertical flow velocities. It is also very effective for dampening the crossflow components of turbulence.
Secondary Boundary Layer System with Reinjection
boundaries

Secondary Boundary Layer System with Reinjection

Secondary Boundary Layer System with Reinjection

Accurate ground plane simulation requires minimization of the boundary layer. This is accomplished through two means. The first is to remove the boundary layer developed within the wind tunnel contraction and along the test section floor. The second is to implement a Moving Ground Plane. These techniques are complimentary. The improved boundary layer/ground plane simulation is critical for under-body flow, including drag reduction and cooling airflow. The Climatic Wind Tunnel has been engineered to focus on under-body flow optimization for drag, aero-acoustic noise generation and heat rejection.
Primary Collector
mgp collector

Primary Collector

Primary Collector

The nozzle exit angle and collector adjustability work together to reduce the axial static pressure gradient (ASPG). This phenomenon is important for producing accurate drag on a vehicle as well as flow related to wake structures, which include cooling flow to the rear brakes and under-body. Users of aerodynamic wind tunnels require minimal ASPG to improve fidelity between wind tunnel and on-road flow conditions. The collector placed at the downstream end of the test section acts to control the axial static pressure gradient in the rear portion of the jet. Typically, the diffusion of the collector is adjustable, and this produces an effect significantly upstream of the collector.

Acoustic Panels
banner photos

Acoustic Panels

Acoustic Panels 

The Climatic Wind Tunnel was designed from inception with acoustic performance in mind and has always contained significant regions of noise attenuation within the airline circuit. These include acoustically treated transitions and annular silencers upstream and downstream of the main fan. Three of the four sets of turning vanes are also acoustically treated. These treatments result in significant attenuation of the mid and high-frequency fan-generated noise. The recently installed acoustic panels have reduced the background noise levels in the test section plenum. The acoustic panels cover the test section side walls, ceiling, rear wall and portions of the front wall and nozzle structure.

Frequently asked questions