Key characteristics
3D4FLOATEOLE is a 3DOF motion system is designed to move a wind turbine model along two translation directions and one rotation angle, independently and simultaneously. It is controlled by sending instructions as time series of positions and feedback synchronised with the wind tunnel equipment on the exact positions achieved is provided with an accuracy of less than 0.1 mm in displacement and 0.1° in angular. The device can move a model weighing approximately 1000 g.
Equipment
The translations are achieved using linear motors, the rotation is achieved by a brushless rotational element. All elements used are made by AFAG and can be used modularly. A control unit guides each DoF with a temporal resolution of 1ms. The motion system is controlled by Motion Perfect v5.0.3 software. The control modules are TRIO FLEX6 units, one for each axis. The axis can be controlled separately, as pairs or all three together. The table below shows the most relevant technical data regarding each AFAG module. The total weight of the motion system is approximately 25kg.
| DoF/Name | Max. Stroke Distance | Max. Velocity |
| Dx / PDL40-01170-D27 | 170 mm | 3 m/s |
| Dy / ES30-100-SL | 100 mm | 3.2 m/s |
| Ry / RE-75 | 360 ° | 1200 °/s |
Services
This system, optimised for the operating conditions and dimensions of the LHEEA’s atmospheric wind tunnel, makes it possible to impose on a structure movements similar to flotation movements with a reduction scale of the order of 500th. The acquisition of a first identical device within the framework of the FLOATEOLE project also makes it possible to control two displacement systems simultaneously.
Example of MRE applications
It is particularly well suited to the study of the interaction between the floating wind turbine and its atmospheric environment, characterised by the development of a wake downstream of the wind turbine.
