The Behavior of Transverse Cylindrical and Forward Facing Total Pressure Probes in Transverse Total Pressure Gradients

When a total pressure probe is used for measuring flows with transverse total pressure gradients, a displacement of the effective center of the probe toward the higher total pressure is sometimes observed. This paper gives the results of an investigation of the effect for certain transverse cylindrical and forward facing (or pitot type) total pressure probes. An estimate of the error is given for the transverse cylindrical type of probe, and the errors due to position of hole, depth of hole, and wall proximity with this type of probe are considered incidentally. A design of a probe of the forward facing type possessing negligible displacement error is suggested.