Flowfield Tool For Enhanced Modeling of Unsteady Aerodyanmics in Aircraft Simulation

"It is proposed to setup a full volume 3D particle tracking velocimetry system and expand on an existing particle tracking code to obtain quantitative flow visualization of the entire flow field around an airplane model in a low speed water tunnel. Theoff-body flowfield data will be used to describe and model the unsteady velocity field by a finite number of elementary Rankine-vortices, which will also demonstrate vortex breakdown. It is postulated that surface pressures on the model can be derivedwith sufficient accuracy from the energy equation by estimating the vortex-induced pressures on the model surface. Simultaneous measurements of the global forces and moments using a classical sting balance coupled with the quantitative flow visualizationwill be used to create a physically representative nonlinear aerodynamic model. The ultimate goal of this program is to provide a time accurate math model for the high fidelity simulation of aircraft. It is anticipated that the model will be real timecapable upon sufficient optimization of the vortex model. The proposed invention has considerable commercial sales potential in the fluid mechanics research community and also for industrial aerodynamic design. The combination of real time quantitativeflow visualization and integral aerodynamic force and moment measurements is unique and will stir interest in the product in sales and in service. This measurement tool will help to optimize pre