A New Look At Wind Tunnel Flow Quality For Transonic Flows

The implementation of several transonic hot wire anemometry techniques for obtaining fluctuating data related to wind tunnel flow quality has been evaluated. An overview of the theoretical considerations, calibration techniques, and related assumptions are discussed for the data presented from the LaRC 8′ Transonic Pressure Tunnel. The impact of incorrect assumptions related to hot wire sensitivities are highlighted. Velocity, density, total temperature, and mass flow results from three element, two element, and single element probes are presented in rms and spectral formats. Based on these comparisons, great caution should be used when relying on flow quality information obtained utilizing hot wire techniques other than the three element technique.