Boundary Layer Probe, Measuring Assembly, and Method for Determining a Fluid Flow

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This invention provides a new type of boundary layer probe, along with a measuring assembly and method, for accurately determining fluid flow near a wall surface. The probe features a series of specifically arranged obstacles and pressure measurement points, enabling it to detect both the magnitude and direction of wall shear stress and local flow velocity, without needing to rotate the probe. This design enhances measurement accuracy and efficiency, especially at higher flow speeds where fluid compressibility matters.

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• Monitoring and measuring wall shear stress and flow velocity in wind tunnels or aerodynamic testing facilities
• Quality assurance in manufacturing processes involving fluid flow, such as in pipe or duct systems
• Optimization and control of turbine machinery and engines (e.g., in aerospace, automotive, or energy sectors)
• Performance and diagnostics measurements on aircraft, wind turbines, or vehicles for aerodynamic improvements
• Validation and calibration of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with real-world data

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables real-time, multi-directional measurement of near-wall flow properties without rotating the probe
• Provides accurate data even at high flow velocities and for compressible fluids
• Simplifies measurement setups, reducing complexity and maintenance compared to previous techniques that required probe rotation
• Supports validation and improvement of fluid dynamics simulations with more reliable empirical data
• Reduces the need for multiple costly and complex systems, consolidating measurements in one robust instrument

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a boundary layer probe for determining a fluid flow, comprising a measuring surface which is formed on a probe wall and with which a fluid flow to be determined is in contact during a measuring operation. The boundary layer probe also comprises an assembly of measuring obstacles that are formed in the region of the measuring surface as obstacles which disrupt the fluid flow in a flow region adjacent to the measuring surface, each of which has an elongated course extending over a respective obstacle length, and which are arranged at substantially equidistant angular distances in the circumferential direction. The boundary layer probe additionally has pressure measuring points, each of which is radially adjacent to a paired obstacle in order to detect a local pressure in the region of the measuring surface. The invention additionally relates to a measuring assembly and to a method for determining a fluid flow.