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Modelling, calibration, and error analysis of seven-hole pressure probes

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Abstract

This report describes the calibration of a non-nulling, conical, seven-hole pressure probe over a large range of flow onset angles. The calibration procedure is based on the use of differential pressures to determine the three components of velocity. The method allows determination of the flow angle and velocity magnitude to within an average error of 1.0° and 1.0% respectively. Greater accuracy can be achieved by using high quality pressure transducers. Also included is an examination of the factors which limit the use of the probe, a description of the measurement chain, an error analysis, and a typical experimental result. In addition, a new general analytical model of pressure probe behavior is described and the validity of the model is demonstrated by comparing it with experimentally measured calibration data for a three-hole yaw meter and a sevenhole probe.

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Abbreviations

A n :

least-squares curve-fit coefficients

C p :

pressure coefficient, \(C_p = \left( {P - P_\infty } \right)/\left( {1/2\varrho U_\infty ^2 } \right)\)

\(C_{p....} \) :

multihole probe pressure coefficients

c :

A-D counts

e :

a measurement-system dependent quantity

F :

equation of probe surface

h :

manometer height

P :

pressure

r, θ, z. :

probe-cylindrical coordinate directions

R :

distance to probe surface in r-direction, or a result of a measurement

u, v, w :

velocity components in x, y, z-directions

U :

freestream velocity

x, y, z :

right-hand Cartesian coordinate directions

α:

multihole probe angle of attack

β:

sideslip angle for multihole probe

γ:

cocked-probe stem angle

ζ:

angle between x-axis and freestream flow direction

η:

circumferential pressure tap location

θ:

pitch angle for multihole probe

ν:

air kinematic viscosity

ξ:

transformed circumferential coordinate

ρ:

air density

Φ:

velocity potential

χ:

angle of rotation

ψ:

yaw angle for multihole probe

d :

probe or cylinder diameter

m :

manometer

n :

pressure probe hole or sector number

ref:

reference value

z :

zero applied pressure difference

total:

freestream total pressure

static:

freestream static pressure

∞:

refers to freestream conditions

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 94035, Moffett Field, California, USA

    G. G. Zilliac

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  1. G. G. Zilliac
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Zilliac, G.G. Modelling, calibration, and error analysis of seven-hole pressure probes. Experiments in Fluids 14, 104–120 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00196994

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00196994

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