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Perceptive communicating capsules for fluid flow measurement and visualisation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2015

Robert Logan Stewart ,
Ilija Denis Šutalo  and
Petar Liovic
Robert Logan Stewart*
Affiliation:
Fluid Dynamics Group, Manufacturing Flagship, CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Highett, VIC, 3190, Australia
Ilija Denis Šutalo
Affiliation:
Fluid Dynamics Group, Manufacturing Flagship, CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Highett, VIC, 3190, Australia
Petar Liovic
Affiliation:
Mineral Resources Flagship, CSIRO, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: RLStewart@ieee.org
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Summary

A 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.

Type
Articles
Information
Robotica , Volume 35 , Issue 1 , January 2017 , pp. 143 - 165
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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