Torque and flow patterns in supercritical circular Couette flow

Abstract

The experiments described in this paper were undertaken to provide new and useful torque data in the supercritical regime of Taylor instability. The current interest in the non-linear mathematical problem associated with the fluid motion after secondary flow commences has demonstrated the desirability for additional experimental data for comparison with analytical results. The existing torque data is sparse (cf. Donnelly and Simon (1960)). Furthermore, previous information does not give any direct correlation with the multiple mode possibilities discussed by Coles (1965). Although Schultz-Grunow and Hein (1956) have related their own visual observations of azimuthal waves in the secondary flow to the torque observations of Wendt (1933), it was thought that simultaneous torque measurements and visual observations would establish more completely the torque-speed relationship for the particular modes which occurred. In addition, some of the transitions noted by Coles (1965) might be detectable in the torque data if the apparatus were sensitive enough.