Application 505

Supersonic Tunnel Pressure

Application Summary

Supersonic Wind Tunnels enable the observation of high-speed aerodynamics in a laboratory setting. As air moves through the tunnel, it is accelerated by a nozzle to supersonic velocities. The air moves over the specimen in the test section, generating shock waves as the air slows down to transonic speeds. All of this happens in a matter of microseconds and requires high-speed sensors to log pressure in the tunnel's throat and at various points along the model. To accomplish this, miniature flush mount pressure sensors are embedded throughout the wind tunnel.

Products in Use

Five PFT510 Flush Mount Diaphragm Pressure Sensors paired with Instrumentation (IAA Series or USB220)

How it Works

PFT510 pressure sensors are installed at critical points in the wind tunnel. In this example, sensors are mounted in the pressure tank, throat, and in three locations on the test section.
As the tunnel runs, the pressure sensors capture data at key points in the tunnel.
The sensors’ high natural frequency (6 kHz – 100 kHz) allows them to respond to rapidly changing environmental characteristics.
The output from the sensors is then captured with the USB220 High-Resolution USB Solution and logged on a PC running SENSIT.
With the live stream of data, SENSIT’s math channel feature can calculate and display the pressure differential or pressure ratio between two sensors.
Our USB solutions can be integrated with compatible temperature sensors allowing for graphing of pressure versus temperature in SENSIT.
Alternatively, the sensor's output can be amplified with the IAA Series Analog Amplifiers and captured by a 3rd party DAQ. High bandwidth (50 kHz), ultra low noise, differential amplifiers, such the IAA300, can be used to keep up with these high-speed sensors.