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Flow Visualization (Hele-Shaw) Apparatus (SMT-FM-12)

This apparatus is used to visualize two-dimensional potential flow fields around an unlimited variety of model shapes, including drag bodies and changes in cross-section. It allows for the study of various source and sink arrangements, providing a clear method to observe and analyze streamline patterns for fundamental flow phenomena.

Its design features a glass plate through which streamlines are clearly observed. Four water connections in the bottom plate act as sources or sinks, and their flow can be individually controlled by valves. A colored contrast medium, typically ink, is injected into the flow to make the streamlines visible. The included rubber plate allows users to create custom models, which are then placed on the glass surface to study flow around or through them.

The primary application is in educational fluid mechanics labs for demonstrating potential flow theory and flow visualization techniques. The key benefit is providing an intuitive, hands-on understanding of complex flow patterns, such as those around aerodynamic shapes or through contractions, enabling students to directly observe the effects of model geometry on streamline behavior.

Visually effective demonstration of a wide variety of
flow patterns around different shapes
• Apparatus use Water as flowing medium and ink as
contrast medium
• The upper glass plate, hinged for interchanging
models
• Bottom plate with water connections for generating
sources/sinks
• Sources/sinks can be combined as required
• Different drag bodies and changes in cross-section
included
• Rubber plate for creating your own models included
• Flow velocity, water supply and water drain in
sources/sinks as well as dosage of the contrast
medium can be adjusted by using valves
• Flow rate determined by SMT-FM-100 base module.
• Water supply using SMT-FM-100 base module.