Nonintrusive Measurement of Model Attitude and Deformation Under Aerodynamic Loads

SPEC proposes to provide a non-scanning, non-contract instrument which will provide highly accurate absolute range measurements to a number of points on a wind tunnel model. These points will be defined by small reflective patches painted on the model surface. The instrument will direct a laser beam onto each of these points with the beam diameter adjusted to cover any expected variations in location of the reflective spot. The instrument will simultaneously measure the range of each of the strategically placed points and thereby determine the instantaneous pitch, roll, yaw and deformation of the model under test. The instrument set will be controlled from a central PC and, coupled with appropriate processing software, will provide a sensitive and versatile system for the determination of instantaneous model attitude and deformation. The time series of the data(.100Hz) will further provide a measure of model vibrations which can be correlated with wind tunnel parameters fed to the control PC.