SBIR-STTR Award

Oxygen sensitive luminescent coatings have been used for simultaneous 2 dimensional pressure measurements on aerodynamic bodies in wind tunnels. The use of these Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) systems has enabled visualization of previously unseen flow phenomena. Current PSP measurements are limited by temporal resolutions on the order of seconds. The design of a PSP system capable of making pressure measurements with 1 millisecond temporal resolution is proposed. The Phase I research effort will identify the pertinent issues with regards to illumination and detection methods, auxiliary hardware and PSP chemistries. Suitable components for a PSP system capable of making millisecond resolved pressure measurements will be identified. These components will be tested to determine the feasibility of their implementation in wind-tunnel environment.

Keywords:
Pressure Measurement Unsteady Flow Nonintrusive Oxygen Pressure Sensitive Paint Wind Tunnel

Under the Phase II work, effort PhotoSense proposes to develop, test and deliver instrumentation for rapid imaging of unsteady pressure fields using fast-responding PSP. The instrumentation, which will be installed in the SARL facility, will be adaptable for use with most of the existing PSP formulations. At the end of the Phase II effort, it is expected that the imaging technology will be developed to a point that it can be adapted for use in a typical wind tunnel facility. Furthermore, a related technology of PSP, a fiberoptic oxygen analyzer, will be developed for use in the Aero Propulsion and Power Directorate fuels research laboratory of Wright-Patterson AFB.

Keywords:
Pressure Measurement Unsteady Flow Nonintrusive Oxygen Pressure Sensitive Paint Wind Tunnel