W-5B Facility Description
The W-5B test rig is used to experimentally investigate the unsteady aerodynamics of advanced fan configurations over a wide range of incidence angles. The data obtained are used to evaluate existing unsteady aerodynamic prediction schemes and provide direction for advanced modeling efforts. The facility includes a linear cascade of nine airfoils with simultaneous torsional blade oscillation through 1.2 degrees amplitude at adjustable interblade phase angles, adjustable inlets, tailboards, a boundary layer bleed, and a conditioner inlet. Air enters from an atmospheric roof vent, passes through the research package that has a large schlieren window, and exits into the central altitude exhaust system. The rig has the capabilities of adjusting the geometry of the cascade (inlet and tailboard angles), and boundary layer flows for obtaining periodic flow in the cascade.

W-5B Special Features
Schlieren photography and video are used to record the stall flutter of fan and compressor cascade hardware. W-5B has a 128-analog-channel ESCORT-D system, a 160-channel ESP pressure measurement system, a 3-axis actuator system, a 40-channel strain gauge signal conditioner, a 21-channel VHS format FM tape recorder, a 48-channel thermocouple reference block and a 6-channel frequency/dc converter.