Research on Applicability of Hot-Bulb Anemometer under Low Pressure

¹ Beijing Institute of Spacecraft Environment Engineering, Beijing 100094, China
² Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China

^a Corresponding author: lxy_422@msn.com

Abstract

In Mars and other deep space exploration missions, the planetary atmosphere makes the difference in heat transfer characteristics on the planetary surface and on-orbit environment. In order to achieve the purposes of thermal model correction and spacecraft verification in extreme environment, Mars rover needs to be tested in a simulated Mars environment including low pressure, solar heat flux, wind speed and background temperature. Thus, wind speed should be measured at multiple points in the Mars rover thermal test. In a general Mars rover thermal balance test, the requirement for wind speed control and measurement is 0-15m/s under 700Pa pressure. The current anemometer for industrial use is mainly based on the dynamic pressure, heat or ultrasound. They have a small signal and need to be recalibrated at low pressures. In this paper, a constant heat flux hot-bulb anemometer model has been built using dimensionless number analysis method, with which the anemometer response under low pressure has been calculated. A series of calibration test has been employed to verify the model in space environment chamber. The two methods above reached a similar result, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the analysis.