Engineering topics

Lakshminarayana, B.

Publications and source records attributed to Lakshminarayana, B..

At least 109 records · Page 6

NASA NTRS1980

Blade loading and spanwise effects on the near and far wake characteristics of a compressor rotor blade

An experimental investigation of the blade loading and spanwise effects on the rotor wake is presented. The investigation was limited to a study of a low subsonic and incompressible wake flow found downstream of a lightly loaded rotor. Measurements were made with a tri-axial hot wire probe mounted in the stationary frame of reference at six radial and nine axial positions. At each measurement location, the rotor was run at different operating conditions to discern the effects of blade loading on the wake. Near and far wake measurements are given, including mean velocity and turbulence intensity characteristics. The loading and spanwise effects on rotor wake characteristics were found to be substantial.

Reynolds, B.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Techniques for aerodynamic and turbulence measurements in turbomachinery rotors

Nonoptical techniques currently used to measure flows in turbomachine rotors are reviewed, with particular reference to the measurement of the three-dimensional mean velocity, turbulence intensity, Reynolds stresses, static and stagnation pressures, and blade surface measurements. The high level of sophistication of rotor flow measurement techniques is demonstrated. Rotating probe measurements are well suited for low- and moderate-speed turbomachinery, while stationary quick-response probes (hot-wire and pressure probes) are applicable both in low- and high-speed turbomachines. Hot-wire probes, blade pressure transducers, and telemetry systems will provide the urgently needed basic information on steady and unsteady flow through a blade passage, including blade boundary layer, shock configuration, leakage and secondary flows.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗

NASA NTRS1980

An axial flow research compressor facility designed for flow measurement in rotor passages

An axial flow research compressor facility, which is designed for relative flow measurement, is described in this paper. The facility has a rotating probe traverse mechanism which is capable of traversing hot wire, pitot and other probes at 0.09 deg intervals across the rotor blade passage. The data transmission system includes rotating transducers, pressure transfer device, ten-channel mercury slip ring unit, scanivalve, etc. The instrumentation includes on-line data processing capability. A brief description of probes used as well as some typical data on the rotor blade static pressure, rotor endwall flow and rotor wake characteristics are given in the paper.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Conventional probes for the relative flow measurement in a rotor blade passage

This paper reports the measurement of the relative flow in the rotor blade passages of an axial flow compressor and an axial flow inducer using conventional probes such as five-hole, disc and the spherical pitot-static probes. The probe provides an inexpensive, yet accurate, method of deriving the three dimensional flow field in a rotor. The disc probe is suitable for the blade boundary layer measurement and the pitot-static probe for the static and stagnation pressures and the total velocity across the rotor passage. Typical data obtained from each of these probes demonstrate the complex nature of turbomachinery rotor flow.

Sitaram, N.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Characteristics of lightly loaded fan rotor blade wakes

Low subsonic and incompressible wake flow downstream of lightly loaded rotor was studied. Measurements of mean velocity, turbulence intensity, Reynolds stress, and static variations across the rotor wake at various axial and radial locations were investigated. Wakes were measured at various rotor blade incidences to discern the effect of blade loading on the rotor wake. Mean velocity and turbulence measurements were carried out with a triaxial hot wire probe both rotating with the rotor and stationary behind the rotor. Results indicate that increased loading slows the decay rates of axial and tangential mean velocity defects and radial velocities in the wake. The presence of large radial velocities in the rotor wake indicate the extent of the interactions between one radius and another. Appreciable static pressure variations across the rotor wake were found in the near wake region. Similarity in the profile shape was found for the axial and tangential components of the mean velocity and in the outer layer for axial, tangential, and radial turbulence intensities.

Reynolds, B.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The prediction of two- and three-dimensional asymmetrical turbulent wakes - A comparision of the performance of three turbulence models for the effects of streamline curvature and rotation

Two- and three-dimensional turbulent wakes which develop under the influence of streamline curvature and rotation were calculated with three turbulence closure models. The first model comprised of transport equations for the turbulent kinetic energy and the rate of energy dissipation. The second model comprised of equations for the rate of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation and Reynolds stresses, but the effects of the convection and diffusion in the Reynolds stress transport equation were handled collectively. The third model utilizes equations of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation and Reynolds stresses in nearly exact form. All of the three models were modified for the effects of streamline curvature. The second and third models include the effects of rotation through the rotation-originated redistribution term in the transport equation of Reynolds stresses. The numerical results for the wakes of airfoils, cascades and turbomachinery rotor blades demonstrate that the second and third models provide accurate predictions, but computer time and storage can be considerably saved with the second model.

Hah, C.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Mean velocity and decay characteristics of the guidevane and stator blade wake of an axial flow compressor

Pure tone noise, blade row vibrations, and aerodynamic losses are phenomena which are influenced by stator and IGV (inlet guide vane) blade wake production, decay, and interaction in an axial-flow compressor. The objective of this investigation is to develop a better understanding of the nature of stator and IGV blade wakes that are influenced by the presence of centrifugal forces due to flow curvature. A single sensor hot wire probe was employed to determine the three mean velocity components of stator and IGV wakes of a single stage compressor. These wake profiles indicated a varying decay rate of the tangential and axial wake velocity components and a wake profile similarity. An analysis, which predicts this trend, has been developed. The radial velocities are found to be appreciable in both IGV and the stator wakes.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Mean velocity and decay characteristics of the near- and far-wake of a compressor rotor blade of moderate loading

This paper reports the experimental study of the three-dimensional characteristics of the mean velocity in the wake of a moderately loaded compressor rotor blade. The measurements were taken with a three-sensor hot-wire probe rotating with the rotor. The wake was surveyed at several radial and axial stations. The loading was found to have substantial effect and this was reflected not only in the axial and tangential components, but also in the radial component. The radial velocities were found to be high very near the trailing-edge and this exhibits the characteristics prevalent in a trailing vortex system. The static pressures across the wake were measured using a direction insensitive spherical head static-stagnation pressure probe. The static pressure was found to be higher inside the wake. These and other measurements are reported and correlated in this paper.

Ravindranath, A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Turbulence characteristics in the near wake of a compressor rotor blade

This paper is concerned with the turbulence properties in the near wake of a rotating compressor blade. The variation of the axial, tangential and radial intensities as well as stresses across the wake and its decay characteristics were measured with a triaxial hot wire probe rotating with the rotor downstream of an axial flow compressor. The turbulence intensities decay very rapidly in the near wake region. The radial component of intensity is found to be higher than the tangential and axial components. This is a consequence of the effect of rotation on the turbulence structure. A qualitative analysis is carried out to predict the effect of rotation on the turbulence structure. These are in general agreement with the measured data.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Numerical analysis of turbulent wakes of axial flow turbomachinery rotor blades

The wakes of rotor blades are turbulent, three-dimensional, and are subjected to curvature and rotation effects. The objective of this study is to predict the development of such wakes and compare the predictions with the existing data. A finite difference procedure is employed in the numerical analysis of the wake utilizing the continuity, momentum, and turbulence closure equations in the rotating curvilinear and non-orthogonal coordinate system. The turbulence closure is affected by the two equations model and the simplified Reynolds stress model. The predictions from both the models agree well with the mean velocity and the turbulence data.

Hah, C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

An experimental study of three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer and turbulence characteristics inside a turbomachinery rotor passage

Three-dimensional boundary layer and turbulence measurements of flow inside a rotating helical channel of a turbomachinery rotor are described. The rotor is a four-bladed axial flow inducer operated at large axial pressure gradient. The mean velocity profiles, turbulence intensities and shear stresses, and limiting stream-line angles are measured at various radial and chordwise locations, using rotating triaxial hot-wire and conventional probes. The radial flows in the rotor channel are found to be higher compared to those at zero or small axial pressure gradient. The radial component of turbulence intensity is found to be higher than the streamwise component due to the effect of rotation. Flow near the annulus wall is found to be highly complex due to the interaction of the blade boundary layers and the annulus wall resulting in an appreciable radial inward flow, and a large defect in the mainstream velocity. Increased level of turbulence intensity and shear stresses near the midpassage are also observed near this radial location.

Anand, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Effect of rotation on a rotating hot-wire sensor

An investigation was conducted to discern the effects of centrifugal and Coriolis forces on a rotating hot-wire. The probe was calibrated in a wind tunnel as well as in a rotating mode. The effect of rotation was found to be negligibly small. A small change in cold resistance (1.5%) was observed in the rotating wire. The rotation seems to have a negligible effect on the fluid mechanics, heat transfer and material characteristics of the wire. This is a significant conclusion in view of the potential application of the hot-wire probe in a rotating passage (such as turbomachinery).

Hah, C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Characteristics of the near wake of a compressor or fan rotor blade

Research reported in this paper covers an experimental investigation of the rotor wake. The experimental investigation included a study of the mean velocity, turbulence intensity, and Reynolds stress variations across the wake of a lightly loaded rotor blade at various axial and radial locations. Only the mean velocity data and their interpretation is presented in this paper. Measurements were carried out with a triaxial probe; rotating with the rotor and stationary behind the rotor. Also, measurements were made with a spherical head static pressure probe rotating with the rotor. Wakes were measured at various incidences to discern the effect of blade loading on the rotor wake. The wake is found to be three dimensional in nature with appreciable radial velocity. The measurements close to the blade trailing edge indicate that the decay of the wake is rapid in this region. The wake data is correlated to derive expressions for the profile and decay of all the components.

Reynolds, B.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Compressor and fan wake characteristics

A triaxial probe and a rotating conventional probe, mounted on a traverse gear operated by two step motors were used to measure the mean velocities and turbulence quantities across a rotor wake at various radial locations and downstream stations. The data obtained was used in an analytical model developed to study how rotor flow and blade parameters and turbulence properties such as energy, velocity correlations, and length scale affect the rotor wake characteristics and its diffusion properties. The model, includes three dimensional attributes, can be used in predicting the discrete as well as broadband noise generated in a fan rotor, as well as in evaluating the aerodynamic losses, efficiency and optimum spacing between a rotor and stator in turbomachinery.

Reynolds, B.↗

NASA NTRS1978

On the shear pumping effect in rocket pump inducers

The momentum exchange between the fluid and the rotor via the shear stress in a rocket pump inducer is termed the shear pumping effect. This effect is investigated analytically in order to estimate the direct effect of shear stress in providing a head rise. An inducer with flat plates and one with cambered blades are considered. It is shown that the head rise coefficient and the relative velocities predicted from the theoretical analysis, based on momentum integral technique, seem to agree well with the measured data for a flat-plate inducer operated with open throttle and a cambered-blade inducer operated at a flow coefficient of 0.065. In particular, the flat-plate and the cambered-blade inducers have nearly the same performance, except for the axial velocity distribution. The former shows a tendency to separate in the hub region near the trailing edge, while the latter does not. Even far downstream, the flat-plate inducer has a larger separated zone near the hub.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Experimental and theoretical investigation of three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers and turbulence characteristics inside an axial flow inducer passage

Analytical and experimental investigations of the characteristics of three dimensional turbulent boundary layers in a rotating helical passage of an inducer rotor are reported. Expressions are developed for the velocity profiles in the inner layer, where the viscous effects dominate, in the outer layer, where the viscous effects are small, and in the interference layer, where the end walls influence the flow. The prediction of boundary layer growth is based on the momentum integral technique. The equations derived are general enough to be valid for all turbomachinery rotors with arbitrary pressure gradients. The experimental investigations are carried out in a flat plate inducer 3 feet in diameter. The mean velocity profiles, turbulence intensities and shear stresses, wall shear stress, and limiting streamline angles are measured at various radial and chordwise locations by using rotating probes. The measurements are in general agreement with the predictions. The radial flows are well represented by an expression which includes the effect of stagger angle and radial pressure gradient. The radial flows in the rotor channel are higher than those on a single blade. The collateral region exists only very near the blade surface. The radial component of turbulence intensity is higher than the streamwise component because of the effect of rotation.

Anand, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Blade end wall flows in compressors

A brief summary of previous work carried out on end wall flow phenomena is presented with major emphasis on annulus wall boundary layer.

Sitaram, N.↗

NASA NTRS1976

The nature of flow distortions caused by rotor blade wakes

The distortion caused by wakes of rotor blades is one of the least understood phenomena in turbomachinery. An attempt is made to predict the decay characteristics of the defect in axial and tangential velocity components, and the decay of the maximum radial velocity inside the rotor wake using the momentum integral analysis. The predictions agree well with the experimental data taken at the exit of an axial flow fan operating at zero incidence. The measurements are carried out with a three sensor hot wire probe. The wake width is found to grow linearly with distance downstream and the defect in tangential velocity inside the rotor wake decays fastest of the three components. An empirical expression is also provided for the axial velocity profile of a rotor wake.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗