A new pulsed-wire probe for measuring the Reynolds stresses in the plane containing the main shear direction of a turbulent shear flow

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Abstract
The design, manufacturing procedures and results of testing a new pulsed-wire probe are presented. This probe is used for measuring Reynolds stresses in highly turbulent low speed air flows containing high mean shear gradients. Pulsed wire probes of the standard type suffer from measurement errors when the pulsed wire is oriented in or at 45 degrees to the main shear direction of such flows. This is due to the shearing of the thermal cloud giving the time of flight information which is used for measuring the instantaneous velocity. The new probe design proposed is designed in a fashion to avoid these 'gradient effects'; it is furthermore shown that aerodynamic interference effects have also been minimised. A detailed description of the manufacturing process is given.