On the applicability of LDV profile-sensors for periodic open wet clutch flow scenarios

Abstract

Abstract The present experimental study revolves around the applicability of a Bragg-shifted laser Doppler velocimetry profile sensor (LDV-PS) in use for open wet clutch flow scenarios, where sub-millimeter gap height and textured surfaces are present. It is shown that the LDV-PS is capable to determine angular-resolved 1D3C velocity information, with all complex flow structures, depicted properly that are present in a radial groove. For the flow measurements the sensor is tilted to $$\pm 30^{\circ }$$ ± 30 ∘ compared to the axial orientation to enable the opportunity to reconstruct angular-resolved 1D3C velocity fields from two consecutively conducted runs. This facilitates measurement results with high axial and angular resolution for the complete open clutch flow and proves for the first time, that a profile sensor is capable to extract 3C information with the mentioned method. The results show that all characteristic flow structures occurring in the investigated sub-millimeter rotor-stator gap flow can be recorded properly. This insight renders the LDV-PS a promising and straight-forward applicable means to support industry-relevant research so as to uncover formerly hidden flow features and thus contribute to advanced development approaches for the respectively considered applications. Graphical abstract