THE MAPPING OF SUPERSONIC FLOW AND CALIBRATION OF A FOUR ELEMENT HOT-FILM PROBE
Open Access
- Author:
- Patel, Ujas
- Graduate Program:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- None
- Committee Members:
- Dennis K Mclaughlin, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
- Keywords:
- Pitot measurements
supersonic flow
hot-films - Abstract:
- The major goal of this study was to perform preliminary velocity and flow angulation calibration of a new four element hot-film probe designed by Tao Systems. In order to perform these calibrations over a range of Mach numbers (subsonic and supersonic) the calibration flow fields needed to be established and quantified. Thus a secondary objective, to be undertaken in advance of the hot-film calibration was to map given flow fields with Pitot pressure and static pressure probe measurements. These measurements were undertaken in the jets emanating from converging diverging nozzles of design Mach number Md = 1.5 and 1.65. Additionally, a predominance of the measurements were performed in a purely converging nozzle referred to as Md = 1.0, the exit Mach number for all nozzle pressure ratios exceeding 2.1. These nozzles were also operated over a variety of pressure ratios, including those corresponding to flow average Mach numbers of Mj = 1.5, 1.65 and 1.75. Pitot probe measurements were made for the following jet nozzle and flow conditions: Md of 1.0, Mj of 1.5; Md of 1.5, Mj of 1.5; Md of 1.65, Mj of 1.65; Md of 1.65, Mj of 1.75. Profiles of Pitot pressure and upstream stagnation pressure probes form the basis for evaluating Mach number and mass velocity at various downstream locations. Experimental contour plots are produced for further analysis. These profiles and contour plots form the basis for comparison with the four element hotfilm probe. The four element hot-film probe was run at an overheat of 25% and 50% and through the same range of downstream locations as the Pitot probe to allow direct comparison. Angulation sensitivity measurements were also performed using the four element hot-film probe in a fully expanded jet. Preliminary calibration of the four element hot-film probe demonstrated issues with sensor alignment relative to each other or probe alignment with the flow,