Interferometrically Measured Aerodynamic Forces on a Vibrating Turbine Blade Group

1980 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 638-644
Author(s):  
Z. Kovats

The instantaneous aerodynamic force and force center during a vibration cycle were determined from interferometrically measured pressure distributions around the leading blade of a low pressure turbine blade group vibrating in the tangential, axial or twist modes. The corresponding reduced frequencies were 0.0796, 0.1088 and 0.1312, and the inlet flow Mach number was 0.59 in all tests. The energy exchange per vibration cycle between the air flow and the leading blade of a group, and the lift and drag dynamic loops were determined for each of the three vibration modes. The periodic aerodynamic force coefficients were nearly sinusoidal for the axial and torsional modes but not for the tangential mode. At large negative flow incidence, the four-blade group tested is strongly unstable in the twist mode, weakly unstable in the axial mode, and strongly stable in the tangential mode. The experimental results can be used to investigate the validity of analytical predictions of the aerodynamic forces on a vibrating low pressure blade group.

1999 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Murawski ◽  
K. Vafai

An experimental study was conducted in a two-dimensional linear cascade, focusing on the suction surface of a low pressure turbine blade. Flow Reynolds numbers, based on exit velocity and suction length, have been varied from 50,000 to 300,000. The freestream turbulence intensity was varied from 1.1 to 8.1 percent. Separation was observed at all test Reynolds numbers. Increasing the flow Reynolds number, without changing freestream turbulence, resulted in a rearward movement of the onset of separation and shrinkage of the separation zone. Increasing the freestream turbulence intensity, without changing Reynolds number, resulted in shrinkage of the separation region on the suction surface. The influences on the blade’s wake from altering freestream turbulence and Reynolds number are also documented. It is shown that width of the wake and velocity defect rise with a decrease in either turbulence level or chord Reynolds number. [S0098-2202(00)00202-9]


Author(s):  
Kenneth Van Treuren ◽  
Tyler Pharris ◽  
Olivia Hirst

The low-pressure turbine has become more important in the last few decades because of the increased emphasis on higher overall pressure and bypass ratios. The desire is to increase blade loading to reduce blade counts and stages in the low-pressure turbine of a gas turbine engine. Increased turbine inlet temperatures for newer cycles results in higher temperatures in the low-pressure turbine, especially the latter stages, where cooling technologies are not used. These higher temperatures lead to higher work from the turbine and this, combined with the high loadings, can lead to flow separation. Separation is more likely in engines operating at high altitudes and reduced throttle setting. At the high Reynolds numbers found at takeoff, the flow over a low-pressure turbine blade tends to stay attached. At lower blade Reynolds numbers (25,000 to 200,000), found during cruise at high altitudes, the flow on the suction surface of the low-pressure turbine blades is inclined to separate. This paper is a study on the flow characteristics of the L1A turbine blade at three low Reynolds numbers (60,000, 108,000, and 165,000) and 15 turbulence intensities (1.89% to 19.87%) in a steady flow cascade wind tunnel. With this data, it is possible to examine the impact of Reynolds number and turbulence intensity on the location of the initiation of flow separation, the flow separation zone, and the reattachment location. Quantifying the change in separated flow as a result of varying Reynolds numbers and turbulence intensities will help to characterize the low momentum flow environments in which the low-pressure turbine must operate and how this might impact the operation of the engine. Based on the data presented, it is possible to predict the location and size of the separation as a function of both the Reynolds number and upstream freestream turbulence intensity (FSTI). Being able to predict this flow behavior can lead to more effective blade designs using either passive or active flow control to reduce or eliminate flow separation.


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