Transonic Buffeting Investigation using Unsteady Pressure-Sensitive Paint in a Large Wind Tunnel

Abstract

Unsteady Pressure-Sensitive-Paint (PSP) measurements were conducted in a large wind tunnel used for industrial tests. For that purpose, Anodized-Aluminum PSP (AA-PSP) was used to investigate transonic buffeting effects on a civil aircraft. An aluminum alloy insert was manufactured and fitted in the model wing and prepared with AA-PSP coating. Images were acquired using a high frame rate camera up to 1000Hz. Fast data processing for image alignment and frequency analysis is performed using an in-house software which uses a graphic processor unit (GPU). The software processes images at rate of 30i/s which allows delivering the final results within a few minutes. Comparison with Kulite transducer measurements is provided, which is fairly good. A complex pressure pattern at low incidence has been revealed and is requiring further investig ation.