Publication on ProCap measurements on aerodynamics of hovering drones
Wake Characteristics of a Free-Flying Quadrotor Hovering in Uniform and Shear Inflows
The wake of a free-flying small quadrotor (DJI NEO) was measured under still air, uniform inflow, and vertical- and horizontal-shear inflow at the exit of an open-circuit wind tunnel. Sensor Tracking Velocimetry (STV) using the ProCap system combined a multi-hole probe with optical tracking to reconstruct three-component, time-averaged velocity fi elds and the mean pressure fi eld on multiple planes downstream and below the vehicle. In still air, four rotor jets merge into a combined downwash; a control-volume momentum balance yielded a mean thrust within 0.76% of the vehicle weight, supporting the accuracy of the reconstructed fi elds. In uniform inflow (U ∞ = 4.3ms −1 ), the wake is convected downstream and exhibits a pronounced counter-rotating vortex pair typical of a jet in crossflow. Under shear inflow, the wake becomes strongly asymmetric, with clear deflection and distortion of the dominant coherent structures. These results quantify the sensitivity of multirotor wakes to nonuniform inflow and demonstrate the potential of ProCap for rapid volumetric wake surveys.
Publication on ProCap measurement strategy
Real-time Sensor Tracking Velocimetry (STV): Opportunities and challenges
with a human in the loop (HITL)
A comparison of Sensor Tracking Velocimetry (STV) with a Human in the Loop (HITL) with stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (stereo PIV) data for a generic wind tunnel setup is presented. In STV, the human in the loop plays a central role in improving measurement efficiency while ensuring data quality. Two main measurement strategies for STV-HITL are assessed: a volumetric strategy for capturing global flow topology and a planar strategy for detailed analysis of specific planes. The impact of observing data quality measures at the time of the measurement and the spatial resolution of the fl ow fi eld reconstruction are discussed. The results emphasize that both an adapted measurement strategy and real-time quality feedback tools are crucial for concentrating measurement points in relevant areas and thus obtaining an accurate result. The selected resolution has a high impact on measurement time. In thin shear layers and near surfaces the accuracy is reduced by the method’s limit in spatial resolution. With measurement strategy and parameters carefully tailored to the specific requirements of the measurement task, the STV-HITL method can provide high-quality data in significantly less time compared to conventional methods like stereo PIV.
ProCap Version 3.2 now available
New visualization: Project measurement data on model surfaces
Introducing the new, interactive user interface
- Surface flow maps
The new projection feature maps measured data (e.g.
velocity or static pressure) onto the model surface in
real time and greatly enhances analysis capabilities.
(Professional only)
- Fast, intuitive interactive setup
All new interactive user interface with immediate
preview and reversible changes for fast and intuitive
setups. Developed based on customer feedback!
(Compact and Professional)
- Improved visualization
Improved data analysis and visuals with adjustable
transparency of isosurfaces (Professional only) and
model geometries.
(Compact and Professional)
As a user with active maintenance download the new version 3.2!
Download the flyer here
ProCap with VR Headset
Procap with VR headset serves as virtual screen to assist ProCap measurements in the RJ Mitchell Wind Tunnel at the University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is testing out a VR headset as a ‘head-up display’ in the tunnel while using the streamwise ProCap system. It saves having to have a laptop in the tunnel or messing around with monitors in the window etc. when manually acquiring data with the system.
Read more
ProCap professional available at the Human-Flow Interactions Wind Tunnel, University of Manchester
A ProCap Professional system is the most recent addition to the already impressive test and measurement capabilities in the Human-Flow Interactions Wind Tunnel at the University of Manchester.
Read more
1st ProCap user meeting 5.-7. November 2024
hosted by the University of Coburg, Germany
It was a very successful first edition of a ProCap user meeting, great to see how a user community develops. Many thanks to Prof. Epple, his team and the University of Coburg for hosting the event and a fantastic organization. We had many interesting discussions and gathered most valuable feedback that will (or already has) implemented in the new versions. See you in 2026!
Visalization of 3D-Airflows with Ultrasonic Sensor-Tracking-Velocimetry
Case study in a highly-automized clean-room ISO 7 production facility for pharmaceutical plastic articles.
Together with Exyte Group and GEMÜ Switzerland.
Read more (in German)
