NASA Ames Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel: Infrared Flow Visualization

Abstract

Infra-red thermography can visualize surface flow features including boundary layer transition, shock impingement, streamwise vortex impingement, flow separation, and buffet. The Infra-red thermography system at the NASA ARC Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel allows for continuous monitoring of wind tunnel models with up to four cameras simultaneously. For best results the models should be covered with a high emissivity coating, and the images processed to enhance contrast. However image processing algorithms allow some flow information to be recovered even from uncoated models.