Design and simulation of a conformal optical window pair by the quasi-quantitative Schlieren measurement in a cylindrical isolator

Abstract

To realize the quasi-quantitative Schlieren measurement of the shock train structure across the cylindrical isolator in the supersonic flow field, based on the theory of Schlieren measurement and light transmission, we propose the design scheme of conformal windows and discuss the machining feasibility with the window’s parameters. The relationship between the Schlieren imaging effect, the deflection of parallel light in the Schlieren apparatus, and the conformal optical window aberrations was researched, putting forward the optical simulation model of the conformal optical windows and the quasi-quantitative Schlieren measurement. Moreover, considering the actual wind tunnel test conditions, under the speed of Mach 2 at the isolator’s inlet, the distortion brought by conformal optical windows in the Schlieren observation region was simulated by the computational fluid dynamics method. Finally, the image correction algorithm for the distorted picture caused by the conformal windows was presented, and the quasi-quantitative Schlieren measurement through the conformal optical window pair was conducted for the experimental verification. The results reveal the quasi-quantitative Schlieren measurement effect across the high-precision conformal optical window pair of the cylindrical isolator, providing guidance on maintaining the balance between the manufacturing feasibility and the observation performance of conformal windows.