Visualization of Aerodynamic Effects Using Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP)

A two-dimensional and non-intrusive operating optical pressure measurement system PSP (Pressure Sensitive Paint) is described. The PSP technique can be used to realize absolute pressure measurements on a surface of a model and in addition to evaluate quantitative aerodynamic flow phenomena. The PSP system was tested in the Transonic Windtunnel of the German Aerospace Center in Göttingen (TWG) under real flow conditions. Instantaneous pressure distributions are recorded in almost real time on a three-dimensional double-delta wing model so that the recognition and analysis of the vortex dynamics on the model surface is possible. Even the vortex breakdown process as well as the fine structured Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities and secondary vortex structures can be detected by this measurement techniqu