Pressure sensitive paint systems for pressure distribution measurements in wind tunnels and turbomachines

Abstract

We have used the pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) intensity and lifetime methods for basic research and PSP measurements in wind tunnels and turbomachines, to investigate and understand the qualitative and quantitative aerodynamic measurements mainly in transonic flow. We performed a number of investigations in different speed ranges from transonic to low-speed flow and compared them with conventional techniques like pressure taps and light sheets. The influence of errors was checked and a comparison with numerical methods performed. Various models were investigated, from the basic configuration of a double-delta-wing up to a complex Airbus A340 half model and oscillating turbine blades. Finally, two excellent PSP systems are now available to perform precise measurements and support the theory using these techniques.