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Full three-dimensional measurements of the cross-flow separation region of a 6:1 prolate spheroid

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Abstract

The flow in the cross-flow separation region of a 1.37 m long, 6:1 prolate spheroid at 10° angle of attack was investigated with a novel 3-D fiber-optic Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV). The probe was used to measure three simultaneous, orthogonal velocity components from within the model. The design and operation of this LDV probe is described and velocity, Reynolds stress, and velocity triple-product measurements are presented from the inner boundary layer through the boundary-layer edge.

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Abbreviations

L :

Length of model, 1.37 m

r :

Radial coordinate, from model surface

Re :

Reynolds number

U :

Identical toU fs

U e :

Total velocity at the edge of the boundary layer

U b :

Axial velocity component ( + downstream)

U fs :

Velocity component in the plane tangent to the model surface, parallel to the edge velocity

V :

Identical toV fs

V b :

Velocity component perpendicular to the model surface (+outward)

V fs :

Identical toVV b

V ∞ :

Wind tunnel freestream velocity

W :

Identical toW fs

W b :

Circumferential velocity component ( + in windward direction)

W fs :

Velocity component in the plane tangent to the model surface, perpendicular to the edge velocity

x :

Axial coordinate, from nose of model

β :

Flow angle, arctan (W b/U b)

θ :

Boundary layer streamwise momentum thickness

φ :

Circumferential coordinate, from windward side

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 24061, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

    C. J. Chesnakas & R. L. Simpson

Authors
  1. C. J. Chesnakas
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  2. R. L. Simpson
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Additional information

Development of the 6:1 prolate spheroid model was funded by the Office of Naval Research, Mr. James A. Fein, program manager. Development of miniature, 3-D, fiber-optic, boundary layer probe and research into the flow around this body was sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Mr. Gary W. Jones, program manager.The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of these agencies.

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Chesnakas, C.J., Simpson, R.L. Full three-dimensional measurements of the cross-flow separation region of a 6:1 prolate spheroid. Experiments in Fluids 17, 68–74 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02412805

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02412805

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