Abstract
This study aims to establish fundamental steps for developing an optimal methodology to enhance experimental probe calibration. Multi-hole pressure probes have been extensively used to study the airflow around airfoils, wings, and other surfaces in the field of fluid dynamics. Five-hole probes are broadly used in wind tunnel testing and aerodynamic survey to collect data on velocity, pressure distribution, and flow characteristics. These measurements help in understanding the aerodynamic performance of aircrafts, planes, and aerospace vehicles to improve efficiency and lower environmental costs, however, the calibration process for these probes conventionally demands considerable effort, time, and cost. The purpose of this study is to leverage advanced instrumentation and measurement techniques to ensure optimal calibration of probes, thereby minimizing data uncertainty and maximizing accuracy. The automated calibration facility for data acquisition ensures 0.2 - 0.9 repeatability coefficients. A computational study suggested an optimal stand-off distance from a calibration jet nozzle to read accurate measurements by investigating the flow field around the probe surface and nozzle. To shorten calibration time, experiments for finding an optimized measurement incremental step were implemented and examined by comparing the uncertainty. Experimental calibration maps were generated using nondimensional pressure coefficients to describe flow characteristics within predetermined flow conditions. The experimental calibration map was assessed by quantitative comparison, and compared to a high-resolution numerical calibration map. This methodology is expected to facilitate exploration of numerical and experimental calibrations in subsonic flow regimes by obtaining great insight into advanced calibration from the present study.
