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ABSTRACT
We have studied the phenomena on which the Dyson Air-Multiplier (hereafter fan) is based. In
this study, we have identified that the primary component that allows the fan to work is the unique
design of its airfoil. We discuss our experimental design and results of a near-surface analysis of a
two-dimensional cross section of the airfoil. Fiberglass was used to mold the airfoil within a foam exoskeleton. A null displacement manometer was used to measure the airflow velocities at the boundary
layer and a high-speed camera was used to observe the flow.
Subject headings: Dyson Air Multiplier, Wind Tunnel, Venturi Effect, Coanda Effect, Fiberglass Molding, Null Displacement Manometer, Anemometry
1. INTRODUCTION
Rochester, NY 14627
2
Rochester, NY 14627
Fig. 3. A cross sectional view of the Dyson Air-Multipliers airfoil with the theoretical streamlines superposed outside the airfoil.
(7)
2. THEORY
Dyson Airfoil
and bending away from the outlet (5). This effect of en-
at approximately 1.5.
tiplication.
airfoil.
and the Coanda surface and the top section of the airfoil
its ring, air flows across one side of the airfoil, the Coanda
4
ments for the top and bottom pieces as seen in Figure
4 and then attached to wood cross sections that kept
the airfoils shape. Attaching parts together was done
with Plastic Fusion Epoxy Adhesive made by the Super
Glue Corporation. A piece of wood 1.3 mm in thickness
was used to space the gap between the airfoils during
setting. The airfoil was then capped with two wooden
boards and attached with epoxy to seal its sides. Holes
were then drilled in both sides of the airfoil to allow for
the air to enter through nozzles. The finished product
can be seen in the experimental setup in Figure 7.
Fig. 7. An angled view of the airfoil in setup during experimental tests in which it was used upside down. The manometers
capillary tube can be seen above the airfoil.
wax paper and cling wrap. The use of wax paper and
do so farther downstream.
tion on the left side of Figure 4. The two parts were built
with the same foam exoskeleton, and both parts were cut
Dyson Airfoil
null displacement manometer was set up with a micrometer at the base of the funnel that could be adjusted to
raise or lower the water level in the tube. A telescope
was anchored to the same stand as the tube end of the
manometer as shown in Figure 8. The end of the objective lens of the telescope was placed 15 cm from the
marking on the null displacement manometer.
The funnel containing water was embedded in the
hemisphere of a baseball, and its height controlled by
a micrometer. A baseball was drilled so that it had a
hole through its center and was then cut in half. It
was used to minimize inadvertent tilting that might arise
from raising and lowering the funnel. The height of this
Fig. 9. The capillary tube slightly raised above the upside down
airfoil. Penicil marks along the wood and the airfoil mark every
1.27 cm (0.5), the mark farthest to the right indicates the lowest
point on the airfoil. The slit can be seen on the right side of the
image.
era and fine dust. The airfoil was set up right side up
and dust was dropped down from behind the airfoil. The
The manometer was first used at an angle of zero degrees with respect to the horizontal axis. Measurements
4. RESULTS
axis. The first data set yielded Figure 10, while the sec-
ond data set yielded Figure 11. These figures show the
fect. This effect causes the fluid, in this case air, to bend
6
reaches a more even flow. Potentially there could be a
laminar flow below or past the last data points.
The boundary layer is outlined here by the decrease
in velocity against the airfoil from the point of the maximum velocity. In the first two velocity profiles the boundary layer was unobserved, because it was too small to be
observed with the size of our capillary tube. The velocity profile that is 2.54 cm (1) from the apex, at approximately 8 cm on the x-axis in Figure 10, the first
appearance of the boundary layer is evident. The no-slip
Fig. 10. Velocity profiles along with error bars taken along the
x-axis of the airfoil every 1.27 cm (0.5). The manometer was used
at an angle flat to the x-axis.
Fig. 11. Velocity profiles along with error bars taken along the
x-axis of the airfoil every 1.27 cm (0.5). The manometer was used
at an angle of 45 to the x-axis.
horizontal and vertical directions. The sum of these vectors is presented in Figure 12. The dashed vertical lines
represent the locations along which velocity data was collected with the manometer probe. The solid lines emanating from these vertical lines are the velocity vectors
calculated at those locations. No errors are presented for
this data since this would obscure details and dominate
features.
We observe a radical departure in our velocity vectors
from the streamlines presented in Figure 3. The stream-
Fig. 12. Velocity vectors for each profile on the airfoil that can
be seen in Figure 10 and Figure 11.
Dyson Airfoil
Speed Inducement.png
high resolution and as a result had a good deal of error as compared to our therotical resolution. In the area
behind the airfoil the manometer was unable to register
any readings, since the velocities were below the resolution of the manometer. Sometimes it would fail to keep
a consistent zero in between trials. Possible error in the
manometer was contributed to moisture in the thin tubing. A better instrument for measuring velocity would
have improved our data.
The images acquired from the high-speed camera are
unquantifiable since there were no measurements taken.
The figures associated with the high-speed camera only
illustrate the flow around the airfoil for the purpose of
better understanding how the air moves through this
area. Further studies could find a way to develop nu-
Fig. 13. The figure shows a series of frames taken from the
high-speed camera to illustrate inducement. The images have an
unnatural contrast that is best for viewing the dust.
of dust fall down past but small particles get pulled into
by the airfoil.
era. Despite the fact that the dust dispersed greatly after
entering the region of flow, some of the dust was still propelled nearly two meters downstream from the airfoil.
5. CONCLUSION
6. EQUIPMENT EXPENSES
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TABLE 1
Equipment Purchased
Product
Vendor
Model No.
Quantity
Cost ($)
6 oz S-type Fiberglass
US Composities
C0627S
2 yards x 27 width
14.50
US Composities
635412
1 Kit
34.50
McMaster-Carr
5047K12
1.10
Furthermore we
sity of Rochester.
reviewing our paper and all our past peers and colleauges who have reviewed and constructively criticized
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS