Fiber-optic integrated aerodynamic three-hole vector probe for high-velocity flow field measurement

Area of Science:

• Aerodynamics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Optical Sensing

Background:

• Traditional pressure probes face limitations in high-velocity flow measurement.
• Integrating fiber-optic sensors offers potential for enhanced accuracy and reliability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate an integrated aerodynamic three-hole pressure probe (THP) with fiber-optic sensors.
• To enable accurate high-velocity flow field vector measurement.
• To provide a tool for turbomachinery experimental investigation.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a fiber-optic tip sensor array into a three-hole pressure probe.
• Utilizing multichannel white light interferometry (WLI) for fast data acquisition.
• Wind tunnel calibration and testing in a subsonic free-jet environment.

Main Results:

• Successful demonstration of the fiber-optic THP in wind tunnel tests.
• Derivation of velocity vectors within a yaw range of ±15° at Mach 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8.
• Analysis of flow characteristics with mitigated pneumatic pressure loss.

Conclusions:

• The developed fiber-optic THP is a viable candidate for advanced fluid mechanics research.
• The probe offers reliable and accurate flow vector measurements in high-velocity regimes.
• This technology has significant potential for turbomachinery experimental investigations.