Systems exploit a breakthrough in laser technology and are particularly useful for liquid flow studies such as blood flows, turbulence, two phase flows, supercritical fluids, and sprays
Oxford Lasers announces the launch of its new VisiVector E range of particle image velocimetry (PIV) systems.
A breakthrough in laser technology applied to PIV has enabled the company to dramatically reduce the cost of its systems by more than a factor of two when compared to systems using conventional lasers.
Oxford Lasers says it now offers the most cost effective tool for PIV on the market - low cost, small size, reliable operation and low power consumption make it an attractive and affordable choice for small companies or researchers who are looking for an economical solution.
The new laser technology, with integral light sheet optics, has recently been integrated into a range of systems to suit most applications where seeding particles in the range of 50 to 100 microns diameter can be used.
The VisiVector E series systems are particularly useful for liquid flow studies, eg, blood flows, turbulence, two phase flows, supercritical fluids, sprays, etc.
For air flow studies, Oxford Lasers supplies seeding generators that allow the introduction of low density, hollow, micro-spheres into the air stream - ideal for gas phase studies.
Previously high speed PIV systems have been too expensive for general use.
Oxford Lasers says its new range, with frame rates of 12 to 5000 per second, brings high speed PIV within the budget of most research groups, enabling them to study transient or non-reproducible events for the first time.
Once captured, the images are processed using VidPIV (Oxford Lasers's particle image velocimetry software) to give time resolved flow velocities.
This specially developed software allows the user to build up an analysis tree by choosing combinations of nodes.
Different analysis techniques can be used on the same images, in the same project.
The whole analysis (raw data and results) is stored in a single file so that there is no danger of an image file being separated from its results.
Optional extras include seeding particles, seeding generators, Scheimpflug mounts, range of lenses, laser line filters, and sizing and patternation software.
VisiVector E systems have many applications including turbulence studies, blood flows, bubble flows, two phase flows (eg, fluid round bubbles), spray characterisation (including drop size and pattern), vortex shedding, flow visualisation and particle tracking.
Oxford Lasers offers what it says is an unparalleled choice of particle image velocimetry systems.
The existing VisiVector range includes standard 2D/planar; stereo/3D; high speed/time-resolved; and micro PIV.
