Simultaneous Optimization of Mistuned Bladed Disks for Forced and Self-Excited Vibration Considering Amount of Unbalance

Actual bladed disks with small variations are called mistuned systems. Many researchers suggest that mistuning, although negatively affecting the forced response, has a beneficial (stabilizing) effect on blade flutter (self-excited vibration). Therefore, in blade design, a bladed disk must be optimized for forced vibration and blade flutter. We proposed a simultaneous optimization method of bladed disks for forced and self-excited vibration, considering the amount of unbalance that causes rotor vibration. This method uses alternate mistuning to suppress the blade flutter. We measured the natural frequency and weight of all the blades of a disk, as in the traditional development process. Then, we assembled a mistuned system retaining the alternate mistuning, and generated analysis models based on the measured natural frequencies and weights of the blades. Finally, we analyzed the resonant stress and the amount of unbalance in the mistuned system repeatedly, sorting the blades and retaining the alternate mistuning of the disk. The simultaneous optimal solution was explored by MCS or DDE (Genetic algorithm). To reduce the computational time, we used the reduced order model FMM to calculate the resonant stress and the stability of the mistuned bladed disks. Further, we verified the validity of the proposed method by applying it to a mistuned bladed disk of a steam turbine.

Verification tests of a new blade flutter research facility

Long term strategic changes in power generation approaches will require more flexibility for large power generating turbines as an unavoidable consequence of the increasing share of power generated by alternative energy sources. Demanded flexibility for the power turbine output will augment undesired flow phenomena in the low-pressure turbine module, which will consequently enhance blade flutter problems of long slender blades in turbine last stages. In order to advance the understanding of blade flutter onset conditions, the Institute of Thermomechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences instigated an advanced research program on blade flutter research in high-speed turbomachines. A new innovative test facility for Blade Forced Flutter research was designed and built in the High-Speed Laboratory of the Institute of Thermomechanics. The concept of the new test facility is based on extensive experience with an older Transonic Flutter Cascade facility operated at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. At present, the first phase of verification tests of the new facility is in progress. The ongoing steady-state tests are intended for exploration of a newly proposed quasi-stationary method to investigate instigating flow conditions leading to an onset of intense blade flutter. Results of some opening tests under steady flow conditions are presented in the paper. The blade drive mechanism for unsteady tests with oscillating blades has not yet been installed in the facility. The presented paper is a work-in-progress report on the ongoing research of complex blade flutter problems.

Modeling transient vibration-sound generation processes

In this paper, a problem of sound generation of two-blade rotor sinusoidal shape during helicopter landing is solved. Near and far sound field characteristics have been calculated. A comparative analysis of obtained numerical results with results for Mach number 0.2<M<0.4 is given. In particular noticed, that for a low Mach’s number M<0.1 transitional mode can occurs, which produces a blade flutter as a result.

Evaluating Splitter Blade Designs to Avoid Impeller Failure in a High-Speed Unshrouded Centrifugal Compressor

This study investigates splitter blade failures experienced during testing of an unshrouded transonic centrifugal compressor. Specifically, when the impeller was deeply throttled using an upstream inlet guide vane to introduce significant pre-swirl, the splitter blades exhibited cracking near the root of the leading edge. The observed failures are of particular interest because the impeller does not exhibit a mode shape typical of this type of failure corresponding to either the upstream IGV or downstream diffuser vane count, nor the anticipated surge frequencies. Accordingly, modal analysis and CFD modeling were performed leading to an understanding of the failure mechanism, and a successful splitter blade cut-back solution was implemented. Specifically, excitation sources developed from a CFD model of the IGV and impeller were used in a blade flutter calculation, in order to determine the aerodynamic damping and unsteady loading on the blade. The CFD model indicates that shockwaves arise near the splitter leading edge for this off-design condition. Due to interactions with the high incidence/separated boundary layer, these shockwaves exhibit streamwise unsteadiness, thereby leading to the observed failure mechanisms. It was determined that by cutting back the splitter blade at the leading edge, the failure could be avoided while minimally affecting the overall stage performance.

Detached-Eddy Simulation Applied to Aeroelastic Stability Analysis in a Last-Stage Steam Turbine Blade

Blade flutter in the last stage is an important design consideration for the manufacturers of steam turbines. Therefore, the accurate prediction method for blade flutter is critical. Since the majority of aerodynamic work contributing to flutter is done near the blade tip, resolving the tip leakage flow can increase the accuracy of flutter predictions. The previous research has shown that the induced vortices in the tip region can have a significant influence on the flow field near the tip. The structure of induced vortices due to the tip leakage vortex cannot be resolved by unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) simulations because of the high dissipation in turbulence models. To the best of author’s knowledge, the influence of induced vortices on flutter characteristics has not been investigated. In this paper, the results of detached-eddy simulation (DES) and URANS flutter simulations of a realistic-scale last-stage steam turbine are presented, and the influence of induced vortices on the flutter stability has been investigated. Significant differences for the predicted aerodynamic work coefficient distribution on the blade surface, especially on the rear half of the blade suction side near the tip, are observed. At the least stable interblade phase angle (IBPA), the induced vortices show a destabilizing effect on the blade aeroelastic stability. The motion of induced vortices during blade oscillation is dependent on the blade amplitude, and hence, the aerodynamic damping is also dependent on the blade vibration amplitude. In conclusion, the induced vortices can influence the predicted flutter characteristics of the steam turbine test case.