Recent developments in high heat-flux measurement techniques at the AEDC

Recent developments in the techniques of measuring very high heat-transfer rates are described. These advances include thermal analyses applied to transducer concepts used to make these measurements, improved heat-flux sensor fabrication techniques, experimental methods of determining time responses of sensors, performing absolute calibrations at heat-flux levels above 2000 Btu/sq ft-sec, and novel methods of run-to-run characterizations of the indicated heat-flux levels from the transducers. Results of extensive thermal analyses of the null-point calorimeter concept with application to measurements in arc-heated aerothermal test environments are graphically illustrated. Results of experimental time-response checks and absolute calibrations of null-point calorimeters at different heat-flux levels are shown.