MARIN’s new FlowPike makes ship-scale flow measurements possible
Conference/JournalMARIN Report 131
Date7 apr. 2021
Reading time3 minutes
With the growing availability of computing power, the means of resolving flow field details is also increasing. Although a simulation of ship-scale flows can be readily available, it is key to validate the approach and modelling actually captures all the relevant physics. In-depth knowledge on ship-scale flows is still rather limited, partly due to challenges in performing detailed flow measurements in operational conditions.
Contact
Gijs Struijk
Project Manager | On Board Specialists
The FlowPike as configured to measure propeller inflow
A LARGE AREA TO BE SCANNED
After numerous iterations, tests in basins and seawater, engineering and manufacturing, we have arrived at a unique measurement device: the FlowPike. Using a stereoscopic PIV setup with two cameras, the
setup is able to measure all three velocity components inside a two-dimensional plane (2D3C). With reliability in mind, all optical components are rigidly fixed in an underwater torpedo-shaped housing. The housing is able to rotate about its longitudinal axis, allowing a large area to be scanned.
setup is able to measure all three velocity components inside a two-dimensional plane (2D3C). With reliability in mind, all optical components are rigidly fixed in an underwater torpedo-shaped housing. The housing is able to rotate about its longitudinal axis, allowing a large area to be scanned.
Stereo PIV measurements
Proof of concept investigations included PIV tests in seawater, using the naturally present particles for tracing the flow, and comprehensive setups to validate the functioning of the technique at a larger scale (larger stand-off distances and wider fields of view).