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Ligrani, P. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Ligrani, P. M..

Surface heat transfer and flow properties of vortex arrays induced artificially and from centrifugal instabilities

The paper presents and compares fluid-flow and heat transfer properties from artificially induced vortices in a flat-plate turbulent boundary layer and naturally occurring vortices due to centrifugal instabilities in a curved-channel laminar flow. Pairs and arrays of vortices are artificially induced by placing half-delta wings on the plate surface. With both arrays and pairs of vortices, streamwise velocities and total pressures are high, and surface heat transfer is locally augmented in vortex downwash regions. In contrast to vortices in the arrays vortices in the pairs tend to move in the streamwise direction with significant divergence (when the common flow between pair is toward the wall) or convergence (when the common flow between pair is away from the wall). The vortices in the arrays cause maximum peak-to-peak heat transfer variations of up to 12 percent of local spanwise-averaged values for initial vortex spacings between 1 to 2.5 generator heights.

Subramanian, C. S.↗

Features of wavy vortices in a curved channel from experimental and numerical studies

Results are reported from an experimental study obtaining evidence of time-dependent, wavy vortex motions associated with undulating and twisting Dean vortices in a curved channel with 40-to-1 aspect ratio, and mild curvature (radius ratio = 0.979). The results are compared with direct numerical simulations of time-dependent 3D Navier-Stokes equations using boundary conditions in the spanwise and streamwise directions. When viewed in cross section, experimental visualizations of undulating and twisting vortex flows show rocking motion and changes in the direction of the flow between vortices that are like those observed in the simulations. Experimental spectra show that undulating vortices are replaced by the higher-frequency, shorter streamwise wavelength twisting vortices at higher Reynolds numbers. When undulating vortices are present, experimental power spectra and visualizations give frequencies that are somewhat lower than the most unstable frequencies predicted by linear stability analysis.

Ligrani, P. M.↗

Subminiature Hot-Wire Probes

Class of improved subminiature hot-wire flow-measuring probes developed. Smaller sizes yield improved resolution in measurements of practical aerodynamic flows. Probe made in one-wire, two-perpendicular-wire, and three-perpendicular-wire version for measurement of one, two, or all three components of flow. Oriented and positioned on micromanipulator stage and viewed under microscope during fabrication. Tested by taking measurements in constant-pressure turbulent boundary layer. New probes give improved measurements of turbulence quantities near surfaces and anisotropies of flows strongly influence relative errors caused by phenomena related to spatial resolution.

Westphal, R. V.↗

Spatial resolution and downwash velocity corrections for multiple-hole pressure probes in complex flows

Correction schemes for finite spatial resolution and induced downwash velocity are presented which have application to the measurement of complex three-dimensional flow fields using five-hole angle-type pressure probes. In the study, induced downwash velocity is assumed to be proportional to the transverse gradients of streamwise velocity. The present correction schemes are validated by application to flows including vortices embedded within turbulent boundary layers and flows in a curved channel with 1.27-cm width, a 40-to-1 aspect ratio, and 59.7 cm of convex surface curvature.

Ligrani, P. M.↗

Fabrication and testing of subminiature multi-sensor hot-wire probes

A method for the fabrication of hot-wire sensors measuring 0.6 micron in diameter and 200 microns in length is described. This method allows accurate control of sensing-element orientation, thus making it possible to produce multisensor probes. Test results obtained with a miniature sensor fabricated by this method, for the outer region of a turbulent boundary layer developing in a zero presure gradient were compared to measurements from a conventional-sized probe made in the same flow, demonstrating that, because of their improved spatial resolution, subminiature sensors can provide more accurate measurements in boundary layers than do the conventional probes.

Ligrani, P. M.↗