Characterizing flows with an instrumented particle measuring Lagrangian accelerations

We present in this article a novel Lagrangian measurement technique: an instrumented particle which continuously transmits the force/acceleration acting on it as it is advected in a flow. We develop signal processing methods to extract information on the flow from the acceleration signal transmitted by the particle. Notably, we are able to characterize the force acting on the particle and to identify the presence of a permanent large-scale vortex structure. Our technique provides a fast, robust and efficient tool to characterize flows, and it is particularly suited to obtain Lagrangian statistics along long trajectories or in cases where optical measurement techniques are not or hardly applicable.Comment: submitted to New Journal of Physic

Lagrangian temperature, velocity and local heat flux measurement in Rayleigh-Benard convection

We have developed a small, neutrally buoyant, wireless temperature sensor. Using a camera for optical tracking, we obtain simultaneous measurements of position and temperature of the sensor as it is carried along by the flow in Rayleigh-B\'enard convection, at $Ra \sim 10^{10}$. We report on statistics of temperature, velocity, and heat transport in turbulent thermal convection. The motion of the sensor particle exhibits dynamics close to that of Lagrangian tracers in hydrodynamic turbulence. We also quantify heat transport in plumes, revealing self-similarity and extreme variations from plume to plume.Comment: 4 page

Mesure de l'accélération Lagrangienne à l'aide de particules instrumentées

International audienceAccessing and characterizing a flow imposes a number of constraints on the employed measurement techniques; in particular, optical methods require transparent fluids and windows in the vessel. Whereas one can adapt the apparatus, fluid and methods in the laboratory to these constraints, this is hardly possible for industrial mixers. In this paper, we present a novel measurement technique which is suitable for opaque or granular flows: consider an instrumented particle, which continuously transmits the force/acceleration acting on it as it is advected in a flow. Its density is adjustable for a wide range of fluids and because of its small size and its wireless data transmission, the system can be used both in industrial and in scientific mixers, allowing for a better understanding of the flow within. We demonstrate the capabilities and precision of the particle by comparing its transmitted acceleration to alternative measurements, in particular in the case of a turbulent von Kármán flow. Our technique proves to be an efficient and fast tool to characterize flows

Forces encountered by a sphere during impact into sand

\u3cp\u3eWe describe direct measurements of the acceleration of an object impacting on a loosely packed granular bed under various pressures, using an instrumented sphere. The sphere acts as a noninvasive probe that measures and continuously transmits the acceleration as it penetrates into the sand, using a radio signal. The time-resolved acceleration of the sphere reveals the detailed dynamics during the impact that cannot be resolved from the position information alone. Because of the unobstructed penetration, we see a downward acceleration of the sphere at the moment the air cavity collapses. The compressibility of the sand bed is observed through the oscillatory behavior of the acceleration curve for various ambient pressures; it shows the influence of interstitial air on the compaction of the sand as a function of time.\u3c/p\u3