Static and dynamic calibrations of constant-temperature hot-wire systems

Abstract

The conventional hot-wire static calibration procedure for the measurement of absolute turbulence intensities with constant-temperature hot-wire anemometers is investigated and serious errors are found. An alternative calibration procedure is developed which involves shaking the wire at low frequencies in a uniform flow. A series of tests indicate that this dynamic calibration method is more accurate and consistent than the conventional procedure. A method for verifying various calibration procedures is demonstrated. This method involves the measurement of velocity perturbations in a series of Karman vortex streets. The velocity perturbation amplitude is held fixed, but the frequency varies from one vortex street to another. This method also acts as a direct check of the hot-wire system frequency response.