Non intrusive flow diagnostic applications in high-enthalpy flow facilities

Abstract

The development of non-intrusive flow diagnostic instrumentation at AEDC is directed toward applications in high-enthalpy test facilities, especially in the arc- and shock-heated wind tunnels used for hypersonic research, test, and evaluation. The primary requirement is to characterize and calibrate the facility freestream flows that result from the nozzle expansion of high-temperature gases produced by highly-energetic air-heating methods. Also required is the characterization of local test article flowfields. Laser fluorescence diagnostics have been developed and demonstrated in the H2 Arc Heater and the Impulse Shock Tunnel. Many of the complexities and risks of applying diagnostics in high-temperature gas flows and in full-scale ground test facilities have been mitigated through laboratory testing prior to facility demonstration. Laboratory and facility measurements are compared to theoretical predictions to verify the process used in integrating measurements and analysis.