Development and Evaluation of the Time­resolved Heat and Temperature Array

The development and evaluation of a differential style heat flux gauge is presented. The sensor is constructed from spot-welded foils of copper and constantan on either side of a thin Kapton® polyimide film and is capable of measuring the heat flux and surface temperature at ten locations simultaneously. Analytical modeling was performed to estimate the sensor’s sensitivity and time response. Calibrations were performed in conduction, convection, and radiation yielding an average heat flux sensitivity of 210 μV/(W/cm). Time response measurements were also performed which gave an average first-order time response of 169 milliseconds. The capabilities of the sensor are demonstrated by showing its use in on-going convection research.