Estimating the Dimensions of Vortex Structures in the Annular Couette–Taylor Flow Using the Amplitude-Frequency Spectra of Pressure Pulsations

The article presents an approach and tools for estimating the sizes of vortex structures generated in the annular space of the Couette–Taylor flow. The sizes of these structures were estimated from the measured amplitude-frequency spectra of the pulsations of the radial dynamic pressure component. We propose a simple model of vortex generation in the Couette–Taylor annular flow when the inner cylinder rotates. Based on this model and using the measured amplitude-frequency spectra of the pulsation component of the radial pressure, the sizes of the generated vortices in the Couette–Taylor annular flow were estimated. It is shown that there are three types of vortices in the flow: with a diameter much smaller than the width of the annular space, a diameter comparable to it, and a diameter much greater than it, resulting in vortex deformation (flattening).