Pressure Patches Eliminate Drilling in Aerodynamic Testing

It has long been accepted that to achieve excellent aerodynamic pressure data, tappings are created in the test article where the air pressure data can be captured via scanners.
Scanivalve Corporation have developed a solution which allows these vital measurements to be captured without the need for drilling holes in pre-existing test articles.

The pressure patch consists of a stainless-steel tube which exits from the chamber of a very low profile aluminium body which is fixed to the test article with appropriate adhesive. Due to their small footprint, less than 20mm wide and the tube around 47mm long, the pressure patches have minimal aerodynamic influence.

The National Centre of Motorsport Engineering recently utilised pressure patches when testing the Ensign, a former F1 car. The patches enabled data to be collected without the need to drill bodywork of the historic car.
Dr Mark Busfield, Director of NCME said, “The pressure patches were invaluable to the testing process, preventing any damage to the Ensign and they gave students a brilliant insight into its aerodynamic structure.”

To see the work of the National Centre for Motorsport Engineering visit: www.bolton.ac.uk
For more information on pressure patches click here