Abstract
Pressure sensitive paint (PSP) is a very powerful measurement method to visualize pressure distribution on solid surfaces in experimental fluid dynamics. Since PSP is a noncontact method using emission of luminescent molecules, it is advantageous to apply the technique to rotating solid surfaces, e.g. rotor blades of turbomachinery. However, application of PSP to turbofans with small pressure rise, e.g. propeller fans, has never been reported, because of low pressure sensitivity of PSP for measurement in low gauge pressure conditions. In this research we show the method for applying PSP for measurement of pressure distribution on suction surface of a propeller fan using a priori calibration, and validate the sensitivity of PSP for pressure to discuss the feasibility of PSP for the application for propeller fan. Moreover, the sources of errors caused in measurement of pressure distribution on blade surface using PSP are examined.
