Project Title:
Flight Instrumentation for Simultaneous Detection of Flow Separation and Transition
03.05-7093
NAS2-13023
Flight Instrumentation for Simultaneous
Detection of Flow Separation and Transition
Analytical Services & Materials, Inc.
107 Research Drive
Hampton, VA 23666
Siva M. Mangalam
(804-865-7093)
Abstract:
A portable data acquisition and instrumentation system (DAISy), developed by the
company for use in wind-tunnel tests, accurately identifies and demarcates regions
of flow separation and reattachment and the leading-edge stagnation point. Simultaneously,
it also determines laminar-to-turbulent transition and the spectral content of the
most amplified disturbances in the boundary layer. This project will apply this powerful
technique in a simple, portable, effective, real-time, in-flight, flow-diagnostic
tool. A sailplane will be used during Phase I of the project for the in-flight detection
of the surface boundary-layer characteristics. Multi-element, non-intrusive, hot-film
sensors will be installed on the wing. A light-weight, compact instrumentation package
consisting of a bank of constant temperature anemometers, signal conditioners, and
a microcomputer-based data acquisition system similar to DAISy will be used. The
instrumentation system and the associated software package will be designed as a
general purpose diagnostics tool for a variety of flight-test applications. High-speed
applications would occur during Phase II using a suitable aircraft.
Potential Commercial Application:
Potential Commercial Applications: The product would be an instrumentation system
for flight-test applications.