Ultrasonic flowmeters in determination of correlation functions of velocity and ultrasound wave fluctuations in grid-generated turbulence

T. A. Andreeva, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
William W. Durgin, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Article comments

AIAA 2003-3149. Reprinted with permission from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. Publisher website: http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=2

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author William W. Durgin was affiliated with Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Currently, January 2008, he is Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the experimental investigation of the statistical characteristics of the grid-generated turbulence produced in a wind tunnel. Ultrasonic time-of-flight method using dual transducers is utilized to develop a methodology for determination of the correlation functions of turbulent velocity and sound speed fluctuations. The ultrasonic flowmeter equation is considered in the form that includes effects of turbulent velocity and sound speed fluctuations. The influence of temperature inhomogeneities on ultrasonic wave propagation is investigated using a set of experiments with a heated grid. Utilization of high-speed digital data acquisition cards and LabView software for the experiments allows collecting a significant amount of statistical data.