Visualisation of the flow pattern generated by the interaction of a circular cross-section inlet and a cross-flow

A series of flow visualisation experiments of the surface flow pattern produced by a circular cross-section inlet mounted in a flat plate in a cross-stream have been conducted. The results show a distinct and repeatable surface flow pattern characterised by a nodal stagnation point behind the inlet with adjacent saddle points lying symmetrically either side of the node. These general features of the flow pattern are found over the range of inlet to free stream velocity ratios studied. However, the relative location and extent of the flow domains are affected by the change in the velocity ratio.