The relevance of pressure-sensitive paint to aerodynamic research.
Aerodynamic tests are designed to give information about the performance of a model when subjected to an airflow. The introduction of pressure sensitive paint provides a new method for obtaining the pressure distribution on the surface of wind-tunnel models. A paint, the luminescence of which is dependent on air pressure, is applied to the surface of the model and the pressure distribution is obtained from the image produced. This paper gives an explanation of this technique, a résumé of possible applications and some results from research performed at DRA Bedford.
Aerodynamics and Propulsion Department, Defence Research Agency, Bedlord, England.
J W
JW
Holmes