Perceptive communicating capsules for fluid flow measurement and visualisation

Abstract

SUMMARYA new approach to flow measurement and visualisation in fluid dynamics based on a group of perceptive communicating capsules has been developed. Experiments were carried out with fluid-mobilised and stationary capsules deployed in a fluid flow test rig (raceway pond). Each capsule contains a microcontroller, battery, infra-red and visible LEDs and other electronics. Using optical communications, capsules can record encounters with one another. From the resulting interaction patterns, fluid flow speed and path-frequency measurements were obtained. Additionally, the capsules have shown the capacity for distributed sensing, and their streaklines provide a valuable means of external visualisation.

Visualization of the trapping of inertial particles in a laminar mixing tank

“…The capsules have a diameter of approximately 28 mm. A detailed description of the capsules is given by Stewart et al, 2015a. In this study, the streamline flow visualization functionality of the capsules was used.…”

“…Each image provides two unique views, so that the image coordinates of the capsule are found through image processing using a (red) color filter and blob detection (Stewart et al, 2015a). The image coordinates are then triangulated to find the capsule's 3D position.…”