Methodology
The Pininfarina Wind Tunnel represents a state-of-the-art strategic tool for automotive OEMs to achieve high-level standards in vehicle performance, energy consumptions and overall comfort through aerodynamic and aeroacoustics testing and validation.
Our Services
- AERODYNAMIC TESTS
- AEROACOUSTIC TESTS
AERODYNAMIC TESTS
The Pininfarina Wind Tunnel supports the realization of aerodynamic vehicles sculpted by the wind. The Ground Effect Simulation System reproduces the real vehicle motion conditions, while the Turbulence Generation System, creates different conditions of controlled turbulence flow, as ambient wind, first phase and overtaking, and wind gust.
Ground Effect Simulation System
Through four rollers and three mats, one central and two placed in front of the front wheels (T-belt), the GESS system (Ground Effect Simulation System) allows the wheels of the car and the ground to move at the same wind speed. This system was developed to make the tunnel test conditions as faithful as possible to the road conditions, above all in order to be able to analyse the flows below the car, which in the case of soil and fixed wheels would be qualitatively different from the real ones.
Turbulence Generation System
Through a computerized system, it is possible to control the movement of five pairs of wings placed inside the nozzle to obtain different turbulence conditions in the test chamber. The TGS (Turbulence Generation System) allows simulating different atmospheric turbulence intensities by reproducing the Von Karman spectrum over the entire frequency range. It is also possible to simulate side wind gusts, driving conditions in the wake of another vehicle and overtaking.
The maximum wind speed, 250 kph
The moving ground (T-Belt) / Wheels drive system 250kph
Turbulence flow in laminar condition < 0.74%
3D PIV
AEROACOUSTIC TESTS
Aeroacoustics tests are becoming a fundamental element to guarantee the maximum driving comfort, particularly for Hybrid and Battery Electrical vehicles. The Wind Tunnel is equipped with three external microphones array’s (Ceiling, Side and Front) and internal Sphera array with many cameras capable of measuring both internal and external noises, helping to identify the source of noise and consequent definition of countermeasures. Noise Vision and Beam Forming support results visualization. In addition, the structure is also equipped with four acoustic dummies for internal acoustic comfort evaluation.
Applications
Automotive
The Pininfarina wind tunnel is a cutting-edge strategic tool for automotive OEMs, enabling them to achieve high-level standards in vehicle performance, energy consumption, and overall comfort through aerodynamic and aeroacoustic testing and validation. The center primarily operates on full-scale passenger vehicles in the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic sectors.
Nautical
The Pininfarina wind tunnel represents a cutting-edge strategic tool not only for the automotive sector but also for other applications requiring aerodynamic and aeroacoustic validation to achieve high-level standards in terms of performance, energy consumption, and overall comfort. In the maritime sector, examples of these applications include aerodynamic testing of foil-equipped boats and validation of flows over boat superstructures.
Architecture
In architecture the Pininfarina Wind Tunnel studies the response of wind exposure affecting buildings and infrastructures through scale models. Distinctive shapes or features and excessive vibration may result from unexpected wind pressure jeopardizing structural reliability or creating noise sources. Therefore, the Pininfarina Wind Tunnel runs aerodynamic and aeroacoustics tests to identify and solve potential pain points, guaranteeing maximum levels of structural performance and noise comfort.