The accuracy of turbulent velocity component measurements by multi-sensor hot-wire probes: a new approach to an old problem

The measurement accuracy of different hot-wire probes possessing between two and 12 sensors is analyzed. Experimental data were sampled in a round free jet and in a zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer by a 12-sensor hot-wire probe. Testing of the various hot-wire configurations is enabled by selectively considering different combinations of the 12 available anemometer output voltages. The influence on the measurement accuracy of neglecting the velocity gradients as well as neglecting one velocity component is analyzed. Two approaches were applied. One is based on expressions that relate the instantaneous velocity components and velocity gradients, and the other is based on a simple least-squares regression method. It is found that neglecting the instantaneous fluctuations of the velocity gradients for the measurement of the cross-stream velocity component, V, has a crucial influence and results in large errors. It is also shown that this influence is less significant or even negligible for the measurement accuracy of the other two velocity components, U and W.