Image based measurement techniques for aerodynamics

Abstract

The presentation will briefly present the state-of-the-art of image based measurement techniques for aerodynamic research in industrial wind tunnels, report on co-operation on fundamentals of such measurement techniques with academic partners in Russia and describe some observations made during these co-operations. DLR utilizes image based measurement techniques as mobile systems for use in industrial wind tunnels. The techniques of main interest are Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) for investigation of unsteady flow fields, Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) for determination of pressure on the complete surface of a wind tunnel model, model deformation measurement techniques, in order to know the exact location and shape of a model under wind load, and Background Oriented Schlieren (BOS) for quantitative investigation of density objects. Some of these techniques such as PSP have been first developed in Russia or are under current development (e.g. BOS) at Russian universities. DLR’s interest rather being directed to the adaptation of advanced measurement techniques for industrial wind tunnels and applying them for industrial projects co-operation with academic partners in Russia rather working on the fundamental aspects of such techniques has been established during the past few years. In detail the Department of Experimental Methods of the Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology has co-ordinated an INTAS project, will host two INTAS Young Scientists, co-operates in a DLR-funded project on assessment of velocity measurement techniques as developed by Russian partners and will co-ordinate a STREP including a Russian university partner. During the initial phase of DLR’s PSP development also some co-operation with Russian researchers took place. Taking into account observations made during these different co-operation projects, some ideas concerning future co-operation on the development of measurement techniques in a bottom-up approach will be presented for discussion.