Ecosystem

Industry 4.0

Despite relatively simple framework wind tunnel is yet a multicomponent digital ecosystem, therefore just as much of a subject for technical progress. From the very beginning Tunnel Tech approach was guided by the principles of Industry 4.0:

  • Interoperability
  • Interoperability
  • Decentralisation
  • Real-time capability
  • Service orientation
  • Modularity

In other words Tunnel Tech machines and every component in them are aware of their own condition and every other system within the network. Such approach unprecedented in indoor skydiving industry required every wind tunnel module to be designed from scratch and equipped with relevant sensors, logic controllers and network connection ultimately creating an intelligent automated ecosystem, in which the wind tunnel itself is responsible for self-diagnostics and troubleshooting, anticipating 99% of possible malfunctions, alerting support team of any sensory deviations and in most cases getting serviced remotely or with help of locally available low-level technical personnel.

What it actually means for our customer is:

  • Minimum required maintenance
  • Much longer lifespan of the equipment
  • Virtually no down-time for business
  • Significantly reduced post-warranty service costs

Tunnel Control

Tunnel Tech control system is the main touchpoint of a wind tunnel equipment and an operator. Distributed within a network of control surfaces, servers and logic controllers system essentially regulates wind tunnel motors and therefore the air-speed within the flight chamber. The system is fully integrated with TT Booking & Media System, also it aggregates and governs other tunnel equipment providing control over:

  • Ventilation
  • Active cooling
  • Telemetry sensors
  • Automations (doors, pressure valves etc.)
  • Lighting

Decentralised architecture supports any number of control surfaces to be connected in the system, including wireless tablets or another device running popular OS as well as Tunnel Tech custom-built peripherals tailored to wind tunnel application.

Control system is modular, scalable and universal therefore may be deployed in any wind tunnel. Currently 2 non-TT facilities originally built by world-famous brands have had their damaged equipment replaced, functionality restored beyond original and all advanced TT features implemented in full.

Peripherals & Automation

Professional equipment requires professional components even though a basic functionality could be achieved with a generic solution. Following this motto we created not only core system components but also front-end devices tailored to indoor skydiving. Designing this gear we aimed it to be:

  • Specific
  • Functional
  • And looking sharp of course

Inspired by Isaac Asimov and other futurists of XXth century Tunnel Tech engineers have always strived to replace humans with friendly robots. While the rest of us actually do appreciate warm human touch, we all agreed to automate wind-tunnels as much as possible so humans may spend more time having fun, while business benefits from optimised personnel expenses… so this is pretty much, what our automations do – provide humans more time for fun…

Lighting System

TT LED lighting system is a perfect example of TT engineering approach – solving a typical industry problem of wind tunnels rather boring appearance, our electronic department accidentally created the worlds most compact 100W LED RGB projectors, delivering eye popping 150.000 lumens in a vast variety of 16 million colours. In-house developed presentation and session layer protocols based RS-422 allowed for numerous advantages and individual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and LoRa connectivity in near future.

  • Integrated safety systems for risk-free use in FRP air ducts
  • 1-5kHz refresh rate to remove flickering even in slow motion video recordings
  • Full integration with TT control system and surfaces
  • DMX compatibility to connect with other professional lighting gear
  • 12bit colour at 60Hz update rate
  • Optics precisely controlling direction and spill of light
  • Water cooling to remove heat emissions
or find out about Booking System
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