A Transducer for Controlling Simulated Aerodynamic Heating

Abstract

Abstract : Each phase of the development of a net thermal radiation transducer, and a technical summary of the net radiation concept and its usefulness to structural testing technology are covered. The transducer has two thin metal disks which receive radiant thermal energy from two opposing sources. Each disk is thermally isolated from the other and welded at its periphery to a water cooled heat sink. When radiant flux impinges on the surface of each disk, heat is conducted radially toward the heat sink. The resulting difference of temperature between each disk center and periphery is proportional to the absorbed radiant thermal flux. Two thermocouples monitor the temperatures at the center of each disk so that the difference in their signals is proportional to the net thermal flux impinging on the disks. It was demonstrated by evaluation tests that the net value of the thermal flux impinging on the disk is proportional to the simulated aerodynamic heating of a test structure when the transducer is positioned between a radiating structure and a radiating heat source.