Toward an Integrated Optical Data System for Wind Tunnel Testing
Abstract
The question is addressed how registration markers in luminescent paint images can be used to determine model position and attitude (P&A) of the test article in a wind tunnel test. The theory for such P&A determinations is developed and applied to data from a recent pressure sensitive paint test in AEDC's 16 ft transonic wind tunnel. It is shown that the camera system is capable of resolving pitch and yaw angles to within 0.005 deg rms. However, systematic differences as large as +/- 0.05 deg are found between the camera based angles and angles determined from a sting mounted balance. By analyzing the motion of the cameras relative to the tunnel walls, it is shown that the observed discrepancies may be explained by rotation of the cameras relative to the test article. In some cases, these rotations are clearly correlated to operating conditions of the tunnel. In the course of performing a sensitivity study, it is demonstrated that the mapping of 2D image data to a 3D grid can be improved by using the 2D image data to fine tune the 3D model coordinates of the registration markers, which are obtained by a digitizing measurement arm.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 14, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA370964
Entities
People
- Wim Ruyten
Organizations
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics