Formulation and demonstrations of three-dimensional background-oriented schlieren using a mirror for near-wall density measurements, TrackAER: real-time event-based quantitative flow visualization

Abstract

Formulation and demonstrations of three-dimensional background-oriented schlieren using a mirror for near-wall density measurements Three-dimensional background-oriented schlieren (3D-BOS) is an effective method for reconstructing 3D density fields from optically measured data, but it has limitations in measuring near-wall regions, where most of the light paths are blocked. This paper proposes a new extension, 3D-BOS using Mirror, which uses a wall as a mirror to provide sufficient light paths. In this paper, first, the conventional formulations are modified for the proposed method to handle the mirror reflections of the light paths. Subsequently, the proposed method is validated using artificially generated model data of an ideal axisymmetric distribution. The proposed method can reconstruct the distribution as accurately as the conventional method for all the number of cameras examined. Finally, the proposed method is experimentally demonstrated using a candle plume. The proposed method can capture cylindrical low-density regions near the wall surface. TrackAER: real-time event-based quantitative flow visualization We present a novel event-based quantitative flow visualization system, TrackAER, capable of continuously reconstructing, rendering and recording particle tracks in large test volumes without limitations on the measurement duration. Multiple event-based cameras are synchronized and calibrated to produce independent and asynchronous, yet temporally co-registered data streams of flow tracer positions. Subsequently, these data streams are merged into time-resolved three-dimensional particle tracks using photogrammetric techniques. Due to the operating principle of event cameras, the flow scenery is reduced to moving objects only, which effectively compresses the data stream at the camera source. In combination with an efficient data processing pipeline, the measurement system operates in real-time, reconstructing and rendering the investigated flow field without noticeable time lag. The data processing approach follows a “per-event” paradigm and enables the immediate observation and analysis of both, transient and long duration flow features. Specific issues resulting from event-based, frame-free processing are discussed as well as the advantages and limitations of event cameras. Exemplary results are provided to demonstrate the utility of the TrackAER system where Lagrangian particle track information is displayed in a virtual scene together with extracted quantitative information such as local flow velocities.