Examining the Effect of Flow Reversal on Seven-Hole Probe Measurements

Multihole pressure probes are frequently used to gather flow data, sometimes in highly three-dimensional flow. If the flow is reversed, no method currently exists for determining whether the multihole probe is facing the right direction for data acquisition, and that the flow is as such. A seven-hole probe is rotated in yaw by 360 deg, and rules are formulated to determine if a seven-hole probe is in a reversed flow. The current study allows seven-hole probes to be used for gathering data in steady reversed flows and gives an indication whether a pressure probe is insufficient for the measurement instrument, as in the case of highly recirculating unsteady turbulent flows. An application of the technique thus developed is also given.