Fluid Dynamic and Acoustic Experiments on Turbomachine Rotors Subject to Variable Flow Conditions

Abstract : The primary objective of this research is to obtain a better understanding of how inflow nonuniformities interact with rotor blades, thereby producing rotor vibrations and the radiation of unwanted noise. Carefully controlled experiments will be conducted in low speed wind tunnels using an advanced rotor-dynamometer system. The fluid mechanical characteristics of the inflow will be documented and related to performance and blade radiated sound. The blade response, as characterized by its thrust, torque, surface pressure distribution and radiated sound, will be measured for the cases of both steady and unsteady inflows of variable turbulence intensity and scale.