A pulsed LED system for schlieren flow visualisation

Buttsworth, David R. and Ahfock, Tony L. (2003) A pulsed LED system for schlieren flow visualisation. Technical Report. University of Southern Queensland, Faculty of Engineering and Surveying , Toowoomba, Australia. [Report]

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Abstract

Schlieren flow visualisation can be performed using light emitting diodes (LEDs) operated with a strong pulse of current (typically a few amps can be passed through the LED for a number of microseconds). Commercial systems are available to produce such pulses, but they are prohibitively expensive. This report provides details of a low cost pulsed current circuit which can be used to drive LEDs in flow visualisation systems. The aim of this work is to improve the accessibility of schlieren and shadowgraph flow visualisation in laboratories with significant financial constraints. The LED drive circuit provides a 12 A (maximum) current pulse with a selectable duration of between about 1.5 and 38 microseconds. The optical performance of two LEDs operated with the high current pulses produced by this circuit is also discussed. A sample of the visualisation results obtained with a hot air jet is also presented to demonstrate the success of the schlieren system.

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Item Type:	Report (Technical Report)
Refereed:	No
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	USQ publication.
Depositing User:	epEditor USQ
Faculty / Department / School:	Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - No Department
Date Deposited:	11 Oct 2007 00:16
Last Modified:	02 Jul 2013 22:30
Uncontrolled Keywords:	schlieren flow visualisation, low cost pulsed current circuit, light emitting diodes, pulsed LED system
Fields of Research :	09 Engineering > 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering > 090601 Circuits and Systems
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/172

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