Vertical wind tunnel training device

Abstract

The present invention is a vertical wind tunnel amusement device. The device comprises a flight chamber wherein a user may experience a freefall through the atmosphere from the safety of an enclosed flight chamber. Airflow sufficient to fully support a user within the flight chamber is induced by a plurality of fans connected above the flight chamber through a duct. A staging area having openings to the flight chamber is adjacent to the flight chamber. A user may enter or retreat from the flight chamber at will through the staging area openings without significantly adjusting the airflow velocity in the flight chamber. A control room is adjacent to the fight chamber whereby an operator may observe a user or users within the flight chamber and thereby safely control the operation of the fans. A projection room is also adjacent to the flight chamber whereby a video of a skydiving experience may be displayed to a user within the flight chamber. A telemetry backpack may be worn by a user or users in the flight chamber so the user can interact with or choose the scenes being projected on the flight chamber. In alternate embodiment, return air ducts are used to return air from each fan to the wind tunnel inlet. Dampers are included on each return air duct thereby allowing the temperature of the airflow in the wind tunnel to be adjusted for user comfort.

1. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow; 
 a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber; 
 said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; and 
 a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; 
 an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and 
 an upper section comprising perforations above said opening and between said staging area and said chamber whereby said staging area further aerodynamically communicates with said chamber. 
 
     
     
       2. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 1 , wherein said duct has a diverging taper from said chamber to said fan thereby reducing an airflow velocity to a level incapable of supporting a user. 
     
     
       3. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 2  further comprising an inlet contraction connected to said chamber at a bottom end opposite said fan. 
     
     
       4. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of fans mounted on top of the chamber for inducing an airflow upwards through the chamber. 
     
     
       5. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 4  further comprising:
 a return air duct having a first end connected to an outlet of said fan; 
 a plenum aerodynamically communicating with said inlet contraction; and 
 a second end of said return air duct connected to said plenum. 
 
     
     
       6. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 5 , wherein said return air duct further comprises:
 an inlet damper in said second end; and 
 an outlet damper in said first end. 
 
     
     
       7. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 6 , wherein said return air duct further comprises:
 a cross-sectional area which gradually increases from said first end to said second end. 
 
     
     
       8. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of return air ducts, each aerodynamically communicating with a fan and said plenum. 
     
     
       9. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 7  further comprising:
 a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of an airflow in said chamber; 
 a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature external to said chamber; and 
 a display for presenting each of said temperatures to a user. 
 
     
     
       10. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 9  further comprising a flow straightener cooperating with said inlet contraction. 
     
     
       11. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 3  further comprising an anti-vortex device aerodynamically cooperating with said inlet contraction. 
     
     
       12. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow; 
 a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber area; 
 said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; 
 a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; 
 wherein said chamber further comprises a floor mesh, said floor mesh comprising: 
 a plurality of metal cables, each having a fitting at one end and an adjustable a second fitting at the other end; 
 each of said metal cables strung between structural members in a mesh fashion with each fitting in metal cable connected to an opposing structural member; 
 a metal spring about adjacent to said adjustable second fitting on each cable, said spring contained between a fastener and a structural member whereby each of said cables is preloaded; and 
 said floor mesh located at a lower end of said chamber. 
 
     
     
       13. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 12 , wherein said chamber further comprises windows. 
     
     
       14. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 13 , wherein said staging area further comprises windows for viewing said chamber. 
     
     
       15. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 14 , wherein said staging area further comprises windows whereby an observer may view said staging area and said chamber. 
     
     
       16. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 15  further comprising a control room adjacent to said chamber. 
     
     
       17. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow; 
 a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber; 
 said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; 
 a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and 
 a projection room adjacent to said chamber whereby scenes are projected on a chamber outside surface for viewing by a user and a diffuser connected to a discharge of said fan thereby reducing exit noise. 
 
     
     
       18. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow, said chamber having a width and said airflow being substantially constant across the width of the chamber; 
 aat least one fan mounted above the chamber whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber; 
 said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; and 
 a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; 
 an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and 
 wherein said duct has a diverging taper from said chamber to said fan thereby reducing an airflow velocity to a level incapable of supporting a user in that section. 
 
     
     
       19. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow, said chamber having a width and said airflow being substantially constant across the width of the chamber; 
 aat least one fan mounted above the chamber whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber; 
 said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; and 
 a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber; 
 an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and 
 an inlet contraction connected to said chamber at a bottom end opposite said fan. 
 
     
     
       20. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow; 
 a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber; 
 said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; and 
 a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber; 
 an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and 
 a plurality of fans mounted on top of the chamber for inducing an airflow upwards through the chamber. 
 
     
     
       21. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow; 
 a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber; 
 said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; 
 a staging area forming an outer chamber area adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; 
 said chamber further comprises a floor mesh, said floor mesh comprising: 
 a plurality of cables, each having a fitting at one end and an adjustable fitting at the other end; 
 each of said cables strung between structural members in a mesh fashion with each fitting in an opposing structural member; 
 a spring about said adjustable fitting on each cable, said spring contained between a fastener and a structural member whereby each of said cables is preloaded; and said floor mesh located at a lower end of said chamber. 
 
     
     
       22. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 21  further comprising a diffuser connected to a discharge of said fan thereby reducing exit noise. 
     
     
       23. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 22  further comprising an anti-vortex device aerodynamically cooperating with said inlet contraction. 
     
     
       24. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow;   a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;   said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; and   a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber;   an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and   said chamber further comprises windows.   
     
     
       25. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 24 , wherein said staging area further comprises windows for viewing said chamber. 
     
     
       26. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 25 , wherein said staging area further comprises windows whereby an observer may view said staging area and said chamber. 
     
     
       27. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow;   a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;   said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct;   a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and   a flow straightener cooperating with an inlet contraction.   
     
     
       28. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow; 
 a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber; 
 said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct; 
 a staging area forming an outer chamber area adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; 
 a return air duct having a first end connected to an outlet of said fan; 
 a plenum aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and 
 a second end of said return air duct connected to said plenum. 
 
     
     
       29. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 28  wherein said staging area further comprises;
 an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber. 
 
     
     
       30. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 29  further comprising an inlet contraction connected to said chamber at a bottom end opposite said fan and said plenum. 
     
     
       31. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 30  further comprising a plurality of fans mounted on top of the chamber for inducing an airflow through the chamber. 
     
     
       32. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 31  further comprising;
 an upper section comprising perforations above said opening and between said staging area and said chamber whereby said staging area further aerodynamically communicates with said chamber. 
 
     
     
       33. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 32  further comprising an anti-vortex device aerodynamically cooperating with said inlet contraction. 
     
     
       34. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 33  further comprising a flow straightener cooperating with said inlet contraction. 
     
     
       35. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 34 , wherein said return air duct further comprises:
 an inlet damper in said second end; 
 an outlet damper in said first end; and 
 a cross-sectional area which gradually increases from said first end to said second end. 
 
     
     
       36. The vertical wind tunnel amusement device as in  claim 35  further comprising a plurality of return air ducts, each aerodynamically communicating with a fan and said plenum. 
     
     
       37. A vertical wind tunnel device comprising:
 an inlet contraction;   a flight chamber above the inlet contraction;   said flight chamber having a constant cross section along its length;   a diffuser above the flight chamber;   said diffuser having a widening cross section upward along its length;   a transition duct above the diffuser;   a plurality of fan inlet ducts above the transition duct;   a fan mounted above each fan inlet duct; and   wherein a maximum air flow occurs in the flight chamber.   
     
     
       38. The apparatus of claim 37, a cross section of the flight chamber is equal to of less than a smallest cross section of the inlet contraction. 
     
     
       39. A vertical wind tunnel device comprising:
 an inlet contraction at a base of the wind tunnel;   a flight chamber above the inlet contraction;   a plurality of fan inlet ducts above the flight chamber;   a fan mounted above each fan inlet duct;   a staging area adjacent the flight chamber;   said staging area in fluid communication with the flight chamber;   an observation area outside the staging area;   a door between the staging area and the observation area; and   said door having a fail safe design with a pressure from the staging area less than an ambient pressure, thereby preventing the door from opening outward when the wind tunnel is in operation.   
     
     
       40. A vertical wind tunnel device comprising:
 a base having a plenum;   a flight chamber above the plenum;   a diffuser above the flight chamber;   a plurality of fans mounted above the diffuser;   said fans creating a vertical air flow in the flight chamber;   a return air inlet mechanism in a return air duct; and   wherein a temperature in the flight chamber can be lowered by opening the ambient air inlet mechanism.   
     
     
       41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the ambient air inlet mechanism further comprises an inlet and an outlet damper. 
     
     
       42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the inlet damper has an operator controller. 
     
     
       43. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow, said chamber having a width and said airflow being substantially constant across the width of the chamber;   a fan mounted above the chamber whereby an airflow is induced in said chamber;   said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct;   a staging area forming an outer area adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber;   a return air duct having a first end connected to an outlet of said fan;   a plenum aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and   a second end of said return air duct connected to said plenum.   
     
     
       44. A vertical wind tunnel amusement device comprising:
 a chamber for containing an airflow;   a fan whereby an airflow is induced in said area;   said fan communicating with said chamber by a duct;   a staging area forming an outer chamber adjacent to said chamber, said staging area aerodynamically communicating with said chamber;   an opening aerodynamically communicating with said chamber; and   a wall section comprising perforations between said staging area and said chamber, said wall section located near said opening.