NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

MAE 306: THERMO-FLUIDS LABORATORY

STUDENT HANDOUT

EXPERIMENT 2:
AIRSPEED MEASUREMENT
MAE 306 Experiment 2:Airspeed Measurement

Contents
1. Overview ................................................................................................................................. 2
1.1 Objective .......................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Tasks................................................................................................................................. 2
2. Background .............................................................................................................................. 2
2.1 Bernoulli’s Equation ........................................................................................................ 2
2.2 Velocity and Mass Flow Rate Measurement via Pitot-Static Probes ............................... 2
2.3 Velocity and Mass Flow Rate Measurement via the Venturi Effect ................................ 4
2.4 myRIO Interface for Pressure Transducers ...................................................................... 5
2.5 Transducer Calibration ..................................................................................................... 6
3. Experimental procedure Experimental Procedure ................................................................... 6
3.1 Apparatus List .................................................................................................................. 6
3.2 Construct LabVIEW VI ................................................................................................... 7
3.3 Assemble and Connect Hardware .................................................................................. 14
3.4 Measure Velocity Using Venturi Effect ......................................................................... 16
3.5 Measure Velocity Using Pitot Tube ............................................................................... 17
4. Report Requirements ............................................................................................................. 18
4.1 Format ............................................................................................................................ 18
4.2 Deliverables .................................................................................................................... 18
5. References ............................................................................................................................. 18

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MAE 306 Experiment 2:Airspeed Measurement

1. Overview
1.1 Objective
Students will learn about methods of measuring the velocity of air using two different
methods:

A. Pitot-static probes
B. Venturi effect

These two methods will be compared for suitability for applications and quality of
measurements. Students will be introduced to uncertainty in experiments due to digitization
and calibration errors.

1.2 Tasks
Students will use minature wind tunnels to perform this experiment. Since both methods
involve measuring differential pressures, groups will start with constructing a LabVIEW
virtual instrument (VI) to interface with a pressure transducer via myRIO hardware. Then
students will operate the wind tunnels to collect data.

2. Background
2.1 Bernoulli’s Equation
Bernoulli’s equation is:
1 1
𝑃1 + 2 𝜌𝑉12 + 𝛾𝑧1 = 𝑃2 + 2 𝜌𝑉22 + 𝛾𝑧2 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 (2.1.1)

Where 𝑃𝑥 is static pressure at 𝑥, 𝜌 is density of the fluid, 𝑉𝑥 is velocity at 𝑥, 𝛾 is specific

gravity of the fluid, and 𝑧𝑥 is height of fluid at 𝑥. This equation is applicable along a
streamline, and is subject to the following assumptions:

 Incompressible flow
 Inviscid flow
 Steady flow

All of these assumptions must be satisfied for proper application of Bernoulli’s equation.

2.2 Velocity and Mass Flow Rate Measurement via Pitot-Static Probes
A Pitot-static tube is an instrument for measuring air speed at a point. Figure 2.2.1 shows
the total and static ports of the device. It was invented by the French engineer Henri Pitot
in early 18th century.

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Location 1 Location # 2

Figure 2.2.1: Pitot, Static, and Pitot-Static Probes for Air Speed Measurement
(Source: http://www.daviddarling.info/images/pitot_tube.jpg)

In this experiment, the working fluid is air, and the flow is horizontal, thus the potential
energy terms can be ignored without loss of accuracy. Furthermore, the velocity at Location
1 (freestream) is zero. Thus, the simplified Bernouli’s equation is:

1
𝑃1 = 𝑃2 + 2 𝜌𝑉22 (2.2.1)
1
𝑃1 − 𝑃2 = Δ𝑃 = 2 𝜌𝑉22

The pressure difference 𝑃1 − 𝑃2 can be measured using a pressure transducer. Then, since
the density of air is known, the velocity can be calculated as:

2×Δ𝑃
𝑉2 = √ (2.2.2)
𝜌

The velocities can be averaged to compute the mean flow velocity to approximate mass
flow rate.

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2.3 Velocity and Mass Flow Rate Measurement via the Venturi Effect
The Venturi effect is change of pressure that result from a reduction of pipe cross-section.
This change in pressure can be used to measure the flow velocity in a pipe. The Venturi
effect is named after the Italian physicist Giovanni Venturi.

Figure 2.3.1: Venturi Effect Flow Measuring

(Source: Wikipedia.com)

Conservation of mass requires that

𝑚̇ = 𝜌1 𝐴1 𝑉1,𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝜌2 𝐴2 𝑉2,𝑎𝑣𝑔 (2.3.1)

Where 𝑚̇ is mass flow rate (kg/s), 𝜌𝑥 is density at 𝑥 (kg/m3) , 𝐴𝑥 is the cross-sectional area
at 𝑥, and 𝑉𝑥,𝑎𝑣𝑔 is the average velocity at 𝑥. By assuming constant density, an intermediate
result can be derived:
𝐴 𝐴
𝑉1,𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝐴2 𝑉2,𝑎𝑣𝑔 or 𝑉2,𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝐴1 𝑉1,𝑎𝑣𝑔 (2.3.2)
1 2

Next, Bernoulli’s equation can be rearranged for the Venturi tube as:
1 2 2
𝑃1 − 𝑃2 = 2 𝜌(𝑉2,𝑎𝑣𝑔 − 𝑉1,𝑎𝑣𝑔 ) (2.3.3)

The pressure difference 𝑃1 − 𝑃2 can be measured using a pressure transducer. The area
relations can be substituted to derive an expression for velocity:

2×Δ𝑃
𝑉2,𝑎𝑣𝑔 = √ 𝐴 2
(2.3.4)
𝜌(1−( 2 ) )
𝐴1

This velocity can be used to calculate mass flow rate using a conservation mass
relationship.

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MAE 306 Experiment 2:Airspeed Measurement

2.4 myRIO Interface for Pressure Transducers

A pressure transducer is an analog sensor that produces an electrical signal i.e., voltage or
current, in response to a pressure input. Pressures transducers can either have a resistive or
capacitive sensing elements. Resistive pressure transducers typically output pressure-
dependent voltages, while capacitive transducers typically output currents. In this lab, a
resistive pressure transducer will be used. Pressure transducers can also be classified as
absolute or differential. Absolute pressure transducers are analogous to the barometers used
to measure atmospheric pressure. Differential pressure transducers measure relative
pressure (with respect to a reference, like normal atmospheric pressure - so called gage-
pressure). In this lab, a differential pressure transducer will be used.

The analog output of the pressure transducer can be digitized using analog-to-digital
conversion, a key feature of the myRIO. Analog-to-digital converters have finite
resolution, typically expressed in bits. All analog input channels on the myRIO have 12-
bit resolution, meaning they can resolve 212 or 4,096 distinct voltage levels. The input
voltage range is another important aspect of analog-to-digital conversion. The analog input
channels on the myRIO’s MXP side can accept voltages between 0 to 5 volts, whereas the
analog input channels on the MSP side can accept -10 to +10 volts (i.e., a range of 20 volts).
As a result, the voltages acquired by MXP channels have a resolution of 0.0012 V (5/212
V), while voltages acquired by MSP channels have a resolution of 0.0049 V (20/212 V).

Sensor manufacturers provide relationships to convert the electrical output of each sensor
to the physical quantity being measured. This relationship is known as the transducer’s
sensitivity. Table 1 provides the measurement and output ranges, together with sensitivity,
for the pressure transducer used in this lab. The manufacturer also provides other
specifications such as linearity, hysteresis, and repeatability.

Table 1: Pressure Transducer Specifications

Pressure Range -2 to 2 kPa
Analog Output 0.5 to 4.5 V
Sensitivity 0.001 V/Pa

This transducer is better suited to the smaller voltage range and higher resolution of the
MXP analog-in channels, thus MXP input channels will be used for this lab. Using the
myRIO MXP measurement resolution and pressure transducer specifications, the
uncertainty of velocity measurements can be calculated. Table 1 indicates that the
transducer outputs 1.0 V per 1000 Pa of differential pressure. Since 0.0012 V is the
myRIO’s measurement resolution, this translates to pressure measurement resolution of
1.2 Pa. If we assume the density of air to be 1.2 kg/m3, the corresponding velocity
resolution using Eq. 2.2.2 is 1.414 m/s. Fortunately, as the relationship between differential
pressure and velocity is non-linear, resolution improves at higher velocities. Figure 2.4.1
shows how the measurement resolution changes with velocity:

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Figure 2.4.1: Resolution of velocity measurement as a function of velocity

The velocity resolution sharply improves as the flow velocity increases. This increase in
resolution improves the quality of experimental data and help alleviate the effects of
noise from the analog-to-digital converter. A similar analysis can be conducted for
velocity measurement with Venturi effect.

2.5 Transducer Calibration

The sensitivity of a transducer might differ slightly from the manufacturer specifications
for a variety of reasons. Common examples include manufacturing errors, aging of sensors,
previous history of overloading etc. As a result, sensors have to be calibrated periodically.

Simple sensors such as pressure transducers and load cells (force measurement) can be
calibrated using two different methods. The output of a load cell output can be measured
while applying known weights. This method can be applied to the full range of force for
which the sensor is rated. While this approach can be difficult to implement for pressure
transducers, they can be calibrated using manometers. Water and oil manometers measure
pressure differences without need for calibration; thus pressure transducers can be
calibrated by comparing sensor output voltages to manometer readings of pressure.

3. Experimental procedure Experimental Procedure

3.1 Apparatus List
3.1.1 Assemble the following items:

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1. myRIO,
2. Desktop wind tunnel,
3. Pitot tube,
4. Tygon tubing,
5. Jumper wires,
6. Pressure transducer,
7. Manometer, and
8. Y-Barbed fitting.

3.2 Construct LabVIEW VI

3.2.1 Connect myRIO to PC workstation and power up

Use the USB cable to connect myRIO to the workstation. Connect power to myRIO. Blue
LED will illuminate when myRIO is on.

3.2.2 Create new LabVIEW myRIO project (See Figures 3.2.1a and 3.2.1b)

(a)

(b)
Figure 3.2.1: Create new LabVIEW myRIO Project

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Refresh until myRIO is available (may take a few attempts).

Select project name
Select project directory
Configure project parameters as shown in Figure 3.2.2.

Figure 3.2.2: myRIO Project Parameters

3.2.3 Check myRIO connection

In the project explorer window, right click on “myRIO-1900 (172.22.11.2)” and select
“Connect” (See Figure 3.2.3).

Figure 3.2.3: myRIO Connection

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If the connection is successful, the dark green circle on “myRIO-1900 (172.22.11.2)” will
turn bright green.

3.2.4 Create blank “Virtual Instrument” (VI)

Right click on “myRIO-1900 (172.22.11.2)” > New > VI (See Figure 3.2.4)

Figure 3.2.4: Create New VI

Two windows should open: the Front Panel and the Block Diagram.

3.2.5 Save VI

File>Saveas

Ideally, the virtual instrument should be saved in the project folder specified while
creating the LabVIEW project.

3.2.6 Acquire analog signal

Select the Block Diagram window and click on white space. A drop-down menu will
appear.

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Figure 3.2.5: Acquire analog signal with myRIO Express VI

“Analog Input” block can be found at

Right Click> myRIO>Default>Analog In

If a dialog box does not appear, double click on the block to configure. Configure the
block as shown in Figure 3.2.6:

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Figure 3.2.6: Configure Analog Input

Providing the channel name help keep track of signals when using multiple devices.

Click “Ok” to complete setup.

3.2.7 Obtain blocks for constructing the VI

Subtract
Right Click>Mathematics>Numeric>Subtract

Once this block is available on the block diagram arrange them as shown in Fig 3.2.7:

Figure 3.2.7: Data collect blocks

3.2.8 Create a numeric control to tare incoming reading.

Connect the analog Input to the upper connect of the subtract block.
Right click on the second input of the subtract block > Create > Control as shown in Fig.
3.2.8:

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Figure 3.2.8: Create Tare Input

Rename the control from “y” to “Tare Input”.

3.2.10 Create a for loop with control

Right Click>Structures>For Loop

Draw a box around all the blocks. Right click on the connection to the red dot on the lower-
right corner and create a control, this control will be the number of points to average. The
final VI is shown in Fig. 3.2.11:

Figure 3.2.10: Averaging loop

The number of points should be between 500-10,000.

3.2.11 Add in the mean.vi block by pressing Ctrl+space and typing in mean.vi.

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Figure 3.2.11: Mean.vi

3.2.12 Connect the data to the mean block

Figure 3.2.12: Data collection loop

Once the data has been subtracted from the tare value, it is collected into an array and the
data in that array will be averaged over the number of points specified in the for loop
control. (BE SURE TO NOTE THIS NUMBER IN YOUR REPORT!)

3.2.13 Create a display for the average voltage

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Figure 3.2.13: Insert the display

Right click the numeric output the mean.vi block (the orange terminal on the right side of
the block) > Create >Indicator and rename the indicator as “Voltage Output”

3.2.14 Create a while loop

Figure 3.2.13: While Loop

In order to keep the data collection from stopping after one iteration, we will add a while
loop around the entire data collection portion of the VI, and include a stop condition to
end the loop.

The final vi should look like Figure 3.2.13

Select the Front Panel window and arrange the blocks in an orderly fashion.
3.3 Assemble and Connect Hardware
3.3.1 Connect ground to pressure transducer from myRIO

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Using a jumper wire, connect the ground pin on the pressure transducer (marked GND) to
Pin 6 on MXP-A bus on the myRIO.

3.3.2 Connect power to pressure transducer from myRIO

Using a jumper wire, connect power pin on the pressure transducer (marked +5V) to Pin 1
on MXP-A bus on the myRIO.

3.3.3 Connect pressure transducer analog output to ADC on myRIO

Using a jumper wire, connect the analog output pin on the pressure transducer (marked
ANALOG) to pin 3 on MXP-A bus on the myRIO.

3.3.4 Connect pressure transducer and manometer in parallel for pressure measurement

Using tygon tubing, connect one pressure terminal of the pressure transducer to the y-
barbed fitting. Using tygon tubing, connect one pressure terminal of the desk manometer
to the y-barbed fitting.

Repeat for the second pressure terminal.

3.3.5 Compare connections with Fig. 3.3.1:

H L

Manometer

Y-Barbed
Fitting

Pressure
Transducer

{
3 ANALOG Tygon Tubing
MXP-A Jumper Wire
1 +5V
myRIO
6 GND

Figure 3.3.1: myRIO-Pressure Transducer-Manometer Connection Diagram

3.3.6 Prepare manometer for measuring differential pressures

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Set the manometer on flat table space and use sheets of papers to level the manometer base.
Center the bubble as much as possible.

Manipulate the zero set knob on the manometer to move water column to zero.

Note the specific gravity of the gage fluid. Red gage fluid has specific gravity of 0.826.

3.4 Measure Velocity Using Venturi Effect

3.4.1 Connect venturi pressure ports to pressure measuring apparatus

Using tygon tubing, connect the ports on the diffuser cone to the remaining port of the Y-
barbed fittings. The pressure transducer is reversible – the high pressure and low pressure
terminals can be switched but the same is not true for the manometer. Ensure that the
pressure port from the smaller cross-section is connected to the “High” port on the
manometer while the pressure port from the larger cross-section is connected to the “Low”
port on the manometer.

3.4.2 Execute virtual instrument

Execute the virtual instrument such that it runs continually.

3.4.3 Tare pressure transducer

Once the virtual instrument is running, the voltage measurement will show on the Front
Panel of window. There will be some noise in the data but it will not be near zero. Note the
average data point. This is the reading from the sensor without any excitation i.e., zero
pressure difference is applied.

3.4.4 Run wind tunnel to collect data

Using the slider on the handle grip, turn on the wind tunnel. Set the slider to the lowest
power setting. Record sensor data from the VI and the manometer.

3.4.5 Complete data collection

Increase power to the wind tunnel and record data. Between the lowest power setting and
the highest power setting, collect data 10 times (including the lowest and highest power
settings). Remember to collect data from the VI and the manometer. Also, collect data
while increasing power and while decreasing power. Turn off the wind tunnel.

3.4.6 Check instruments for potential errors

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Once the wind tunnel is off, compare the tare value of the pressure transducer voltage to
the one noted prior to the experiment. If the value is significantly different, refer to the TA
for further instructions. Similarly, check if the manometer is reading zero as it was set prior
to the experiment.

3.5 Measure Velocity Using Pitot-Static Tube

3.5.1 Connect Pitot tube to pressure measuring apparatus

Using tygon tubing, connect the Pitot tube to the Y-barbed fitting. The pressure transducer
is reversible – the high pressure and low pressure terminals can be switched but the same
is not true for the manometer. The pressure port straight behind the pitot tube is the total
port and should be connected to the port marked “High” on the manometer. The bent port
on the pitot tube is the static port and should be connected to the port marked “Low” on
the manometer.

3.5.2 Attach Pitot tube hold on the open section of the wind tunnel

Using wing nuts, clamp the pitot tube holder along the span on the wind tunnel. Ensure that
the holder is level and precisely in the center of the test-section.

3.5.3 Execute virtual instrument

Execute the virtual instrument such that it runs continually.

3.5.4 Tare pressure transducer

Once the virtual instrument is running, the voltage measurement will show on the Front
Panel of window. There will be some noise in the data but it will not be near zero. Note the
average data point. This is the reading from the sensor without any excitation i.e., zero
pressure difference is applied.

3.5.5 Run wind tunnel to collect data

Using the slider on the handle grip, turn on the wind tunnel. Set the slider to the lowest
power setting. Record sensor data from the VI and the manometer for each hole in the pitot
tube holder along the span.

3.5.6 Repeat step 3.5.5 with the wind tunnel running at maximum power.

3.5.7 Turn wind tunnel off

3.5.8 Check instruments for potential errors

Once the wind tunnel is off, compare the tare value of the pressure transducer voltage to
the one noted prior to the experiment. If the value is significantly different, refer to the TA

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for further instructions. Similarly, check if the manometer is reading zero as it was set prior
to the experiment.

4 Report Requirements
4.1 Format
Write your Laboratory Report in the standard format – ask TA for further details.

4.2 Deliverables

4.2.1 Determine calibration factor for the pressure transducer and compare with specifications
provided by the manufacturer. Provide percent error and equation used for calculating
percent error. Comment on other sensor attributes such as hysteresis, linearity, and
repeatability.

4.2.2 Process the collected data to calculate the mass flow rate through the wind tunnel. Compare
the mass flow rates calculated using the two different methods and compare the mass flow
rate with that provided by the manufacturer of the blower. Provide percent error and
equation used for calculating percent error.

4.2.3 Provide a discussion of suitability of each flow measurement method to different

applications.

5 References
Darling, D. (2016, July 25). Pitot-Static Tube Illustration. Retrieved from David Darling:
http://www.daviddarling.info/images/pitot_tube.jpg
Wikipedia.com. (2016, July 25). Venturi Effect. Retrieved from Wikipedia.com:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venturi_effect

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