The Effect of Barrel Type and Length on the Force and Precision of an Air Vortex
This experiment was meant to test the force and precision of a vortex based on two separate differences in the barrel. These factors were the barrel type (closing cone, straight barrel, and opening cone) and barrel length (2, 3, and 4 inches). A 10 newton force sensor was attached to a target and was shot by the vortex propulsion unit to measure the force. Videos of the trials were also recorded and uploaded to a computer to analyze the precision of the vortices. The variance of where each vortex impacted the target was processed in the Logger Pro software and then recorded. The trial order for each DOE was randomized using the randomize function on a TI Nspire calculator in order to minimize potential uncontrollable biases. Though the experimenters originally hypothesized the long closing barrel trial would yield the most force and be the most precise. However the short closing barrel trial ended up yielding the greatest force and there were no significant factors which affected the precision of the vortex propulsion unit. With this information, a more forceful air vortex can be created with a wide range of uses from haptic feedback in virtual reality to diffusing hail storms.
Research Conducted By:
Tom McCloskey
Cousino High School
Nathan Williams
Cousino High School
Warren Consolidated Schools