Experimental Investigation of the Three-Dimensional Flow in an Annular Compressor Cascade

Abstract

A detailed experimental investigation was carried out to examine the influence of blade loading on the three-dimensional flow in an annular compressor cascade. Data were acquired over a range of incidence angles. Included are airfoil and endwall flow visualization, measurement of the static pressure distribution on the flow passage surfaces, and radial-circumferential traverse measurements. The data indicate the formation of a strong vortex near the rear of the blade passage. This vortex transports low-momentum fluid close to the hub toward the blade suction side and seems to be partly responsible for the occurrence of a hub corner stall. The effect of increased loading on the growth of the hub corner stall and its impact on the passage blockage are discussed. Detailed mapping of the blade boundary layer was done to determine the loci of boundary layer transition and flow separation. The data have been compared with results from an integral boundary layer method.