Ship Wake Velocity Mapping Using InstantEye MAV Navy STTR FY2013.A Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2013.A Topic No.: N13A-T015 Topic Title: Ship Wake Velocity Mapping Using InstantEye MAV Proposal No.: N13A-015-0275 Firm: Physical Sciences Inc. 20 New England Business Center Andover, Massachusetts 01810-1077 Contact: Hartmut Legner Phone: (978) 689-0003 Web Site: http://www.psicorp.com Abstract: Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and their academic partner, West Virginia University (WVU), are pleased to propose a uniquely innovative approach to measuring the three-dimensional air wake velocity field behind ship structures and towers. The velocity data is needed to support the validation of CFD models that will ultimately be used to provide sufficient safety margins for ship aircraft operations under extreme weather and sea-state conditions. PSI will employ its proven Instant Eye micro-air vehicle (MAV) in order to measure the entire 3D air wake velocity field as well as specific air wake flow features, such as downwash behind the stern and concentrated vortical regions stemming from the flow past the blunt-ship structures. The proposed approach will integrate a five-hole pitot probe with appropriate pressure transducers onto the Instant Eye MAV and use it to map the velocity field. Phase I measurements will be conducted behind a moving truck, a stationary truck in a large wind tunnel with existing experimental data and CFD and behind an operational Navy ship. These three measurement campaigns will establish the feasibility of the Instant Eye integrated measurement system and pave the way for the prototype development in Phase II. Benefits: The velocity-probe integrated Instant Eye measurement system will provide a unique capability to acquire air wake velocity data behind U.S. Navy vessels that will be employed to validate CFD models of ship wake flows and ultimately provide safety guidance for ship aircraft operations under extreme environmental conditions. In addition to the U.S. Navy, world-wide Naval operations would utilize this new measurement capability. Commercial applications encompass infrastructure concern regarding extreme environmental wind conditions behind building wakes in cities, bridge and tower instabilities due to high winds, characterization of individual wind turbines as well as entire wind-farms, evaluation of high-speed transportation systems and their wakes. The commercial utility of the measurement system is very broad and potentially very large due to the diverse applications noted above. Return