Advanced data processing methods for detecting unsteady boundary layer transition in periodic aerodynamic processes by means of infrared thermography measurements are presented. The thermal radiation emitted from the heated suction surface of a pitching airfoil model in subsonic flow is measured with an infrared camera. The unsteady boundary layer transition location is detected by analyzing the difference in the infrared radiation signal over short periods of time with differential infrared thermography (DIT). The DIT method is optimized and automated in the present study, which facilitates the extension of the part of the motion period where valid DIT transition measurements are produced. Additionally, a new infrared thermography data processing method is introduced in this study. The extraction of the extrema of the measured radiation signal at fixed locations on the model surface yields instants of the motion period that relate to the occurrence of boundary layer transition. The local infrared thermography (LIT) approach can be extended to measuring the two-dimensional unsteady boundary layer transition front.@en

A new approach to measuring unsteady boundary layer transition in periodic processes with infrared thermography is introduced. The radiation from the heated suction surface of a pitching airfoil model is measured with an infrared camera. The extraction of the extrema of the measured radiation signal at fixed model locations yields instants of the motion phase that correlate with the occurrence of boundary layer transition. The analysis of the extrema of the signal’s gradient produces results that are equivalent to the results acquired by optimized differential infrared thermography, and it provides insight into the origins of the systematic error of that technique. It is demonstrated that the local infrared thermography approach can be readily extended to measuring two-dimensional boundary layer transition fronts.@en

Abstract: Differential infrared thermography (DIT) is a method of analyzing infrared images to measure the unsteady motion of the laminar–turbulent transition of a boundary layer. It uses the subtraction of two infrared images taken with a short-time delay. DIT is a new technique which already demonstrated its validity in applications related to the unsteady aerodynamics of helicopter rotors in forward flight. The current study investigates a pitch-oscillating airfoil and proposes several optimizations of the original concept. These include the extension of DIT to steady test cases, a temperature compensation for long-term measurements, and a discussion of the proper infrared image separation distance. The current results also provide a deeper insight into the working principles of the technique. The results compare well to reference data acquired by unsteady pressure transducers, but at least for the current setup DIT results in an additional measurement-related lag for relevant pitching frequencies. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

@en

Differential infrared thermography (DIT) is a method of analyzing infrared images to measure the unsteady motion of the laminar–turbulent transition of a boundary layer. It uses the subtraction of two infrared images taken with a short time delay. DIT is a new technique which already demonstrated its validity in applications related to the unsteady aerodynamics of helicopter rotors in forward 2ight. The current study investigates a pitch–oscillating airfoil and proposes several optimizations of the original concept. These include the extension of DIT to steady test cases, a temperature compensation for long–term measurements, and a discussion of the proper infrared image separation distance. The current results also provide a deeper insight into the working principles of the technique. The results compare well to reference data acquired by unsteady pressure transducers, but at least for the current setup DIT results in an additional measurement–related lag for relevant pitching frequencies.@en