Supersonic and Transonic Compressors: Past, Status and Technology Trends

Abstract

Transonic compressors with high leading edge Mach numbers are today state of the art in gas turbine design. This holds true for both aero engines and stationary gas turbines. In the early days of highly loaded compressors, the development started from the ideas about supersonic compressors with very high stage pressure ratios. This historical development and the basic ideas are described. The contributions of H. E. Gallus to this development are specially referred to. On that basis, today’s transonic compressors with reduced loading have been developed. The characteristic physics and design features of recent compressors are discussed with respect to aerodynamics, performance, structure mechanics and production technology. This is also done in view of the ideas of the pioneers in this field. Future technology trends of these compressor types as well as new compressor types are presented in the last part of the paper.