24-10-2012, 01:59 PM
Stereo Imaging Velocimetry Technique Using Standard Off-the-Shelf CCD Cameras
ABSTRACT
Stereo imaging velocimetry is a fluid physics technique for measuring three-dimensional (3D) velocities at a plurality of
points. This technique provides full-field 3D analysis of any optically clear fluid or gas experiment seeded with tracer particles.
Unlike current 3D particle imaging velocimetry systems that rely primarily on laser-based systems, stereo imaging velocimetry
uses standard off-the-shelf charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras to provide accurate and reproducible 3D velocity profiles
for experiments that require 3D analysis. Using two cameras aligned orthogonally, we present a closed mathematical solution
resulting in an accurate 3D approximation of the observation volume. The stereo imaging velocimetry technique is divided
into four phases: 3D camera calibration, particle overlap decomposition, particle tracking, and stereo matching. Each phase
is explained in detail. In addition to being utilized for space shuttle experiments, stereo imaging velocimetry has been applied
to the fields of fluid physics, bioscience, and colloidal microscopy.
ABSTRACT
Stereo imaging velocimetry is a fluid physics technique for measuring three-dimensional (3D) velocities at a plurality of
points. This technique provides full-field 3D analysis of any optically clear fluid or gas experiment seeded with tracer particles.
Unlike current 3D particle imaging velocimetry systems that rely primarily on laser-based systems, stereo imaging velocimetry
uses standard off-the-shelf charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras to provide accurate and reproducible 3D velocity profiles
for experiments that require 3D analysis. Using two cameras aligned orthogonally, we present a closed mathematical solution
resulting in an accurate 3D approximation of the observation volume. The stereo imaging velocimetry technique is divided
into four phases: 3D camera calibration, particle overlap decomposition, particle tracking, and stereo matching. Each phase
is explained in detail. In addition to being utilized for space shuttle experiments, stereo imaging velocimetry has been applied
to the fields of fluid physics, bioscience, and colloidal microscopy.