Patent ID: 8638358
Filing Date: 2014-01-28
Classification: G01N,G01P

Abstract:
1. A method for performing three-dimensional defocusing particle image velocimetry comprising: providing a test section comprising a transparent fluid having a substantially non-reflecting particle suspended therein; providing a white light source disposed on one side of the test section; providing a lens disposed on a side of the test section opposite the white light source, the lens including an opaque mask defining at least three apertures such that light from the white light source travels through the lens; providing at least three color filters corresponding to the at least three apertures, each filter covering one aperture and each filter having a different color; providing an image detecting element adapted to detect color images, the image detecting element receiving light transmitted through the lens, and arranged such that light from the white light source travels through the test section, then through the lens and color filters to generate at the image detecting element a set of color images corresponding to the suspended particle, each of the color images in the set being generated from light that travels through the filters not blocked by the suspended particle, thereby producing a color image that is of a color different from the color of any of the filters; obtaining a first set of color images from the image detecting element at a first time and determining a first three-dimensional position of the particle based on the first set of color images; obtaining a second set of color images from the image detecting element at a second time and determining a second three-dimensional position of the particle based on the second set of color images; and calculating the velocity of the particle using the first and second sets of color images.