Wind tunnel balance calibrator

摘要

A check calibration device for a sting-held strain-gauge wind tunnel balance to permit pre-test or inter-test checking of the calibration of the balance in a short time is provided. The device comprises a housing adapted to be secured rigidly to the sting. A plurality of actuators are secured to the housing. Each actuator is positioned to act to generate a force in a predetermined direction at a predetermined location on the body of the balance when the balance and housing are in position secured to the sting. The device further comprises means to vary the load force applied by each actuator. Means are also provided to determine the load force applied by each actuator at a particular point in time and to measure the behavior of the balance in response to that load force at that point in time. Such a device provides a relatively fast means to confirm the accuracy of the constants in the equations chosen to represent the actual behavior of the balance, thereby avoiding the necessity of having to recalibrate the balance unless such constants are shown to be inaccurate for the balance.