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Transition Pipe
Photograph Number 327-287A

This test setup was part of an investigation in 1954 of the stability of laminar pipe flow with respect to disturbances of different frequencies and amplitudes.  A disturbance generator was developed using vibrating aluminum reeds and instruments measured how a small amplitude disturbance in the air  flow changed as it propagated down the 115–foot  length of a 2” aluminum pipe.  For additional photos and close-ups of the test apparatus, see the online photo album  (JPL internal use only).  It appears to be located in the concrete channel that was used in the 1940s as a hydrodynamic tank with a rocket-propelled towing car (the “Hydrobomb”).  At the end of the room you can see metal rungs that were used to climb down into the channel when the water was drained.  Several photos of the Channel (Building 45) are available online.

For more information about the history of JPL, contact the JPL Archives (link)  for assistance.  [Archival source:  Experimental Study of the Stability of Pipe Flow, II. Development of Disturbance Generator, TR 32-138, 8/23/1961.  This report is available on the NASA Technical Report Server.

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