Fast Response Heat Flux Sensors and Efficient Data Reduction Methodology for Hypersonic Wind Tunnels

Accurate knowledge of heat flux is critical in assessing the performance and survivability of hypersonic aerodynamic systems. Under these flow regimes extreme pressures, temperatures, and vibrations make it difficult to quantify even the most basic aerothermodynamic properties. Ahmic Aerospace and Virginia Tech propose an innovative new approach to develop robust heat flux sensors and a data reduction methodology to obtain measurements on test articles in blowdown and continuous hypersonic wind tunnels. In Phase I, two heat flux sensor designs will be pursued: an indirect-inference type and a direct-measurement Schmidt-Boelter gage. The approach is focused on the successful implementation of the data reduction methodology/algorithm and advanced transducer technology. The algorithm will efficiency determine temporally and spatially resolved surface temperature and heat flux while accounting for multidimensional heat conduction effects. The transducers will enable a durable, high-frequency, high-temperature, and potentially wireless solution in a very small package. The sensor design will be supported through analytical and numerical methods. The prototypes will be calibrated to NIST guidelines and validated in a small scale hypersonic facility.