S0505-2-1 Detection of Transition and Separation of Boundary Layer on Aerofoil by Temperature Measurement

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to detect flow transition and separation on aerofoil by surface temperature measurement using an infrared camera. NACA631-012 laminar aerofoil used as test pieces, was pre-heated by a hair-drier. Then a infrared camera took thermal images of surface temperature distribution on the aerofoil. The surface temperature distribution shows the separation and the reattachment point on aerofoil. Transition from laminar to turbulent flow was visualized by infrared thermal image. These results show that the surface temperature measurement by infrared camera was effective in detection of flow transition and separation.