Potential flow
Visualisation of streamlines in a Hele-Shaw cell, ink as contrast medium
Features
- two-dimensional, inviscid potential flow
- visualisation of streamlines
- flow around different models: drag bodies and changes in cross-section
- modelling the flow around bodies by overlaying the parallel flow and sources and / or sinks
- sources and sinks, individually or in combination
Learning objectives/experiments
- visualisation of streamlines in
-- flow around drag bodies: cylinder, guide vane profile, square, rectangle
-- flow through models: nozzle contour, sudden contraction or enlargement
-- flow separation, flow with 90° deflection
- modelling the flow around bodies by overlaying parallel flow and sources and/or sinks
-- formation of Rankine half-bodies
-- demonstration of a dipole
- analogy between potential flow and other physical systems which are described by the Laplace equation
Specification
[1] demonstration of potential flow in a HeleShaw cell for visualising streamlines
[2] flow around supplied models: cylinder, square, rectangle, guide vane profile, various models for changes in cross-section
[3] modelling the flow around contours without models by overlaying parallel flow with sources or sinks
[4] water as flowing medium and ink as contrast medium
[5] Hele-Shaw cell made of two glass plates arranged in parallel with narrow gap
[6] upper glass plate, hinged for swapping models
[7] bottom glass plate with cross-shaped water connections for generating sources/sinks, can be combined as required
[8] grid in the bottom glass panel for optimal observation of the streamlines
[9] flow velocity, water inlet and water outlet in sources/sinks as well as dosage of the contrast medium can be adjusted by using valves
Technical data
2 glass plates, LxW: 910x585mm
- distance between the plates: 5mm
- bottom glass plate with eight water connections for sources/sinks Models
- 6 drag bodies
- 2 changes in cross-section
- material: rubber
- thickness: 5mm
Injection of the contrast medium (ink)
- 19 nozzles
Tank for contrast medium: 200mL
LxWxH: 1350x700x1380mm
Weight: approx. 119kg