High-Accuracy, Non-Intrusive Flow Field Measurement
Our Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) Systems provide advanced, non-intrusive measurement of fluid flow, enabling researchers and engineers to analyse velocity fields with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Using laser illumination and high-speed imaging, PIV systems track the movement of tracer particles within a fluid to calculate velocity and flow patterns without disturbing the flow itself.
Our integrated PIV solutions combine scientific high-speed cameras, lasers, synchronisation controllers and proprietary RFlow measurement software to deliver accurate 2D and 3D flow field data, including time-resolved measurements of complex and rapidly changing flows.
From conventional planar measurements to advanced volumetric analysis, Hylec Controls offers a range of PIV configurations to suit different research and testing requirements. Options include 2D2C PIV, Stereo PIV, Tomographic PIV, Time-Resolved PIV and Micro-PIV for applications ranging from fluid mechanics and aerodynamics to microfluidics and thermal sciences.
How Does a PIV System Work?
Particle Image Velocimetry uses sequential images of illuminated tracer particles to calculate fluid velocity and visualise flow behaviour.
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Seeding: Small tracer particles, typically around 1–10 μm in size, are introduced into the fluid. These particles are selected to follow the flow as accurately as possible.
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Illumination: A laser sheet illuminates the particles within the measurement area. Multiple illumination planes can be used for volumetric measurements.
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Image capture: Synchronized cameras capture images of the illuminated particles at precisely controlled time intervals.
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Image analysis: RFlow software divides the images into small interrogation regions and uses cross-correlation algorithms to determine the average particle displacement within each region.
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Velocity calculation: The measured particle displacement is divided by the known time interval to calculate velocity vectors, generating a detailed representation of the flow field.
The resulting data provides valuable insight into fluid velocity, flow patterns, turbulence and other dynamic flow characteristics.
Types of PIV Systems
We offer a range of PIV measurement systems to accommodate different measurement dimensions, flow conditions and research requirements.
2D2C PIV – Planar Flow Measurement
Measures two velocity components within a single plane using a high-speed camera and laser. Suitable for conventional flow visualisation and velocity analysis.
Stereo PIV (2D3C) – Three-Component Planar Measurement
Uses two cameras to measure all three velocity components within a measurement plane, including the out-of-plane velocity component.
Tomographic PIV (3D3C) – Volumetric Flow Measurement
Uses multiple cameras to reconstruct the three-dimensional distribution of tracer particles and calculate all three velocity components throughout a measurement volume.
Time-Resolved PIV – Dynamic Flow Analysis
Captures rapidly changing flow phenomena at high frame rates, enabling the analysis of transient events, turbulence and unsteady flow behaviour.
Micro-PIV – Microscale Flow Measurement
Designed for small-scale flow analysis in microchannels, microfluidic systems and lab-on-chip devices, where detailed velocity measurements are required at microscopic dimensions.
Educational PIV – Practical Flow Visualisation
An integrated solution for teaching and laboratory demonstrations, allowing students to explore fluid flow principles and velocity measurement through practical experiments.
Key Features and Advantages
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Non-intrusive measurement: Provides flow field data without the need for physical probes that can disturb the fluid.
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High-speed imaging: Captures rapidly changing flow behaviour using synchronised scientific cameras and laser illumination.
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2D and 3D measurement: Supports planar and volumetric velocity measurements to suit different experimental requirements.
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Advanced image processing: Proprietary RFlow software uses cross-correlation algorithms to calculate velocity vectors from captured particle images.
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CUDA-accelerated processing: Supports faster image processing and flow field analysis.
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Self-calibration technology: Helps simplify system calibration for surface and volumetric measurements.
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Integrated hardware and software: Combines cameras, lasers, synchronisation hardware and measurement software into a coordinated solution.
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Versatile configurations: Offers a range of systems for applications from conventional fluid mechanics to advanced microfluidic and volumetric research.
PIV Systems and High-Speed Camera Integration
High-speed cameras are a critical component of PIV measurement, particularly when investigating rapid flow changes, turbulence and other transient phenomena.
Accurate synchronisation between the camera and laser ensures that particle images are captured at precisely controlled intervals. The time difference between images is used to calculate particle displacement and, ultimately, fluid velocity.
Our PIV systems integrate high-speed cameras with synchronisation hardware and RFlow software to support reliable image acquisition and flow analysis.
Important system configuration considerations include:
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Camera resolution and frame rate required for the flow being studied
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Laser pulse timing and camera synchronisation
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Exposure time required to minimise particle motion blur
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Measurement area and required spatial resolution
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Data acquisition and processing requirements
The appropriate configuration depends on the flow velocity, measurement area, lighting conditions and experimental objectives.
Applications
Revealer PIV Systems are suitable for a wide range of scientific research, engineering development and industrial testing applications.
Aerospace and Aerodynamics
Analysis of airflow, turbulence and velocity distribution around aircraft components, aerodynamic surfaces and other aerospace structures.
Fluid Mechanics
Investigation of flow patterns, velocity fields, turbulence and fluid behaviour in laboratory and industrial environments.
Automotive Engineering
Measurement of airflow and fluid movement in automotive components, supporting aerodynamic research and product development.
Combustion and Energy Engineering
Analysis of fluid motion and flow characteristics in combustion systems, energy equipment and thermal research applications.
Microfluidics and Life Sciences
Detailed measurement of microscale fluid movement in microchannels, biological systems and lab-on-chip devices.
Marine and Ocean Engineering
Investigation of water flow,