Laser Doppler velocimetry application in the Langley 0.3-meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel

The problems and the potential use of a nonintrusive flow velocity measuring technique in the Langley 0.3 meter transonic cryogenic tunnel (TCT) were investigated. A laser velocimeter (LV) was used. It was concluded that free-stream velocity measurements can be successfully made in the Langley 0.3-m TCT using a low-power (15-mW) LV system. The measured and calculated mean velocities typically agreed within one percent. The overall normalized standard deviation was less than one percent. Tunnel vibration and temperature had no detrimental effects on the optical system. It is recommended that the LV work should be further investigated for future use in the Langley 0.3-m TCT.