Electronic Transducers in Wind Tunnels

This course covers the fundamental aspects of electronic transducers and their application in wind tunnel experiments. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the three main categories of electronic instruments used in wind tunnel testing: transducers, signal conditioners, and data acquisition systems. For instance, the course explains how a variable resistance transducer, such as a strain gauge, is used in wind tunnel experiments. It also delves into the application of Wheatstone bridge circuits in force and moment measurements, the positioning of strain gauges for effective force and moment measurement, and the use of pressure sensors and data acquisition systems. The course concludes with a detailed discussion on measurement error and uncertainty, particularly in the context of wind tunnel experiments, using an illustrative example related to pressure distribution measurement on an airfoil.