Session: 04-11-01 Posters

Paper Number: 184429

184429 - Development of Multi-Channel Pressure Measurement System for Airfoil Pressure Distribution 

Abstract: 

The measurement of pressure distributions around the surface or an airfoil during experimental testing is important for identifying how flow is interacting with the airfoil.  The pressure distribution can give insight into lift and drag forces as well as the strength of the adverse pressure gradient and flow separation.  While a manometer bank can be used to determine the pressure distribution from ports installed at the surface of an airfoil, its use can require manual measurement of liquid column heights.  Additionally, the measurement range will potentially be limited by the height of the columns for large magnitude pressures and run into high relative experimental uncertainties for low magnitude pressures.  This project details the development and testing of a 16-channel pressure measurement system that allows for pressure sensors to be swapped in and out based on the predicted pressure measurement at a given location on the airfoil during experiments.  This project details how XFLR software was used to predict these pressures during the design stage of development in order to drive sensor selection.  Additionally, a custom printed circuit board was made which allows for interchangeability of daughter boards specifically designed to accommodate a range of pressure sensors.  This methodology resulted in a measurement system tailored to a NACA 4412 airfoil which was then tested in a wind tunnel.  Care was taken in sensor selection to minimize measurement uncertainty while balancing affordability.  The system used for this study lends itself to modularity that could be easily implemented for other airfoils and Reynolds numbers which would produce different pressures.

Presenting Author: Monica Robles University of Minnesota

Presenting Author Biography: 

Authors:

Monica Robles University of Minnesota
Thomas Shepard University of St. Thomas