The lab is well equipped with sophisticated instruments and facilities to conduct state-of-the-art experiments. The primary methods of flow diagnostics that we employ are Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) for flow visualizations, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) for velocity field measurements, Force/Torque transducers for forces and torques measurements, shadow imaging. For post-processing and data visualization, we rely on software, namely, Matlab, Paraview, Python, Tecplot, etc. We perform Numerical Simulations largely using opensource software like OpenFOAM and LUMA.

Dual Pulse Litron Laser

This laser works as monochromatic source of illumination for moderately high-speed PIV both in water as well as air. Coupled with PIV camera through a micropulse synchronizer, both can be triggered synchronously which is necessary for PIV.

Articulated Guide Arm and Light Sheet Optics

This instrument takes the laser beam from the laser-head to the desired location, but in closed pipes (to avoid eye exposure to high intensity laser light). At the exit point, the Light Sheet Optics arrangement converts the beam into a thin laser sheet to illuminate the flow in desired plane.

Continuous DPSS Laser

This Diode-Pumped Solid-State (DPSS) laser provides a continuous beam of monochromatic light at 532 nm wavelength which is converted into a sheet that is useful for Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) technique. Using PLIF, we visualize the flow with fluorescence dyes and particles. This laser is equipped with electronic chopper arrangement, using which we can generate laser pulses useful in preforming PIV.

CCD PIV Imperx Camera

This camera has a capability of capturing two successive images with a very short separation in time (~ few nanoseconds) which is needed for velocity filed measurements using PIV. We couple this camera with dual-pulse or continuous laser using synchronizer to control simultaneous triggering of both.

Compact High-Speed Photron Camera System

This is the state-of-the-art camera which can do high-speed imaging necessary for the analysis of moderately high-speed flows. The framing rate is 2,000 Frames Per Second (FPS) at full resolution, which can go up to 1,60,000 FPS at reduced resolution. We use this mainly for flow visualizations and acquiring the deformation profiles of flexible surfaces to extract the kinematic information.

Sony DSLR Camera

We use this high-end DSLR camera with video recording capability for flow visualizations using dyes and particles, and also to preform high-speed shadow imaging.

Camera Lens – Tokina

We use this lens with Imprex camera and Photron high speed camera.

Synchronizer

This equipment plays the crucial role of synchronizing the laser and camera for simultaneous triggering of both. It’s 0 to 5 volt TTL pulse output can also be used to control triggering of other instruments as well, for example, a servo motor.

Six-Axis Force/Torque Sensor System

We have the world class 6 axis Force and Torque sensor from the ATI Industrial Automation. The model is mini-40 F/T transducer. We use this to measure the forces and torques acting on a body in and about the three directions respectively. This has IP68 protection that facilitates its use for submerged applications.

Digital AC Servo Motor and Controller

This high precision motion control system consisting of a Nydec Sankyo digital AC servo motor coupled with the world-class GALIL motion controller works in closed-loop control to provide the commanded motion with great accuracy. We use this system to provide sinusoidal oscillatory motion to the solid bodies like airfoils, cylinders, etc.

Scientific Function Generator

This versatile 10 MHz function generator can provide various types of waveform signals, for example, sine, square, triangle, ramp pulse, TTL & DC. It can be used to provide the desired signals for measurement and trigger applications.

Optical Table

We have the Optical Table from HOLMARC. The honeycomb tabletop dimensions are 1800 mm (L) x 1200 mm (W) x 200 mm (H). It is a Passive Support - Manual Pressure & Level Controlled vibration isolation system. It significantly reduces the vertical and horizontal vibrations throughout the critical 3 to 50 Hz frequency range transmitted to an optical table setup in a noisy environment. We use this table to mount the laser and also to conduct table-top experiments which require perfect levelling and vibration isolation.

Water Tank

We have built a water tank from glass walls. We use this tank to perform experiments which require quiescent medium (water). The tank dimensions are: 1500 mm (L) x 890 mm (W) x 750 mm (H). The tank is sufficiently big such that the flow remains free from the boundary wall effects. Its water holding capacity is about 1,000 Litres.

Soap Film Tunnel

We have designed and built a soap film tunnel. We use this tunnel to perform experiments requiring two-dimensional flow conditions. The test section is: 1000 mm (L) x 100 mm (W).

Workstations

We have three reasonably high-end workstations (from Lenovo, HP, Dell) which we utilize for post-processing and visualization of the experimental as well as simulation data. We also use these workstations to preform computational fluid dynamical simulations.

PIV Software

We have MircoVec PIV/PTV software which performs the online image acquisition as well as PIV/PTV post-processing (Model: SM-MICROVEC 3 – 2D2C PIV/PTV Software Package with GPU).

Simulation, Data Processing, Visualization Softwares

We conduct Numerical Simulations of fluid flows and data visualization using following softwares.