Optical technique to study the impact of heavy rain on aircraft performance
Abstract
A laser based technique was investigated and shown to have the potential to obtain measurements of the size and velocity of water droplets used in a wind tunnel to simulate rain. A theoretical model was developed which included some simple effects due to droplet nonsphericity. Parametric studies included the variation of collection distance (up to 4 m), angle of collection, effect of beam interference by the spray, and droplet shape. Accurate measurements were obtained under extremely high liquid water content and spray interference. The technique finds applications in the characterization of two phase flows where the size and velocity of particles are needed.
- Publication:
-
Final Report Spectron Development Labs
- Pub Date:
- October 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985sdli.reptR....H
- Keywords:
-
- Aircraft Performance;
- Drop Size;
- Laser Doppler Velocimeters;
- Rain Impact Damage;
- Two Phase Flow;
- Laser Applications;
- Raindrops;
- Size Determination;
- Spray Characteristics;
- Wind Tunnel Tests;
- Instrumentation and Photography