Determination of Static Presssure on an Airfoil

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the static pressure on an airfoil using Kulite sensor data in the context of incompressible flow. Participants are exploring how to derive the coefficient of pressure from available measurements, specifically focusing on the relationship between total and static pressures at various sensor locations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to determine surface static pressure using total pressure measurements from Kulite sensors placed along an airfoil.
  • Another participant questions the mounting of the Kulite sensors, asking how they are oriented to measure total pressure.
  • A participant suggests that if the sensors are mounted flush with the airfoil surface, they would measure static pressure, while facing the airflow would yield total pressure.
  • There is uncertainty about whether the Kulite sensors are measuring dynamic pressure, with a participant referencing the definition of dynamic pressure as 0.5*rho*v^2.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of sensor orientation and mounting, noting that the term "Kulite" encompasses various sensor types that can measure different pressures depending on their configuration.
  • Another participant mentions having seen Kulite sensors mounted for static pressure measurement and refers to specific models that can measure both static and dynamic pressures.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mounting and measurement capabilities of Kulite sensors, leading to uncertainty about whether the sensors are measuring static, total, or dynamic pressure. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific measurements being taken.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations related to the assumptions about sensor mounting and the definitions of pressure types, which are not fully clarified in the discussion.

kepler456
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
I'm working with data across an airfoil and need some help.

We've got Kulite sensor data along 3 chord lengths of a certain NACA airfoil. The case is of an incompressible flow.

I need to determine the coefficient of pressure at these sensor locations using total pressure measured and I, therefore, require the static pressure.

What we have:

Free stream static pressure
Free stream total pressure
Surface total pressure

What I need:
Surface static pressure

Is this possible in any way? Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Wait, how do you have these Kulites mounted that they are measuring total pressure?
 
They aren't? I'm just getting my hands into aerodynamics as I want to work on airfoil design and I got an internship working on this stuff. The thing is I read a few papers where they say the kulite sensors produced total pressure. I know for sure it's not static pressure as then there would have to be small holes on the airfoil to place the sensors inside? (or am I wrong).

Do you think the Kulite sensors are measuring dynamic pressure which is 0.5*rho*v^2?
 
How do you mount the sensors?
If they are mounted inside the airfoil, with the face flush with the surface of the airfoil so they do not disturb the flow, then they will read the static pressure against that surface.
If you mount them facing the airflow they will read static + dynamic pressure.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: FactChecker
kepler456 said:
They aren't? I'm just getting my hands into aerodynamics as I want to work on airfoil design and I got an internship working on this stuff. The thing is I read a few papers where they say the kulite sensors produced total pressure. I know for sure it's not static pressure as then there would have to be small holes on the airfoil to place the sensors inside? (or am I wrong).

Do you think the Kulite sensors are measuring dynamic pressure which is 0.5*rho*v^2?

You can't directly measure dynamic pressure. That's the whole purpose of a Pitot-static tube. The important question is the one that @Baluncore asked. How are your probes mounted and oriented? That determines what they measure. Just calling them Kulites doesn't tell us much because Kulite, a brand name, makes hundreds of different sensor types that can be mounted many different ways and measure any sort of pressure.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: FactChecker
kepler456 said:
They aren't? I'm just getting my hands into aerodynamics as I want to work on airfoil design and I got an internship working on this stuff. The thing is I read a few papers where they say the kulite sensors produced total pressure. I know for sure it's not static pressure as then there would have to be small holes on the airfoil to place the sensors inside? (or am I wrong).

Do you think the Kulite sensors are measuring dynamic pressure which is 0.5*rho*v^2?

I have seen Kulites mounted on the backside where the skin has been machined to allow for static pressure measurement. I took a look at the Kulite website and they list static and dynamic pressure measurement for the models LQ-062, etc... (FlightTest.pdf)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
12K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
11K
  • · Replies 55 ·
2
Replies
55
Views
21K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 124 ·
5
Replies
124
Views
15K