In modern compressors the assessment of blade vibration levels as well as health monitoring of the components are fundamental tasks. Traditionally, this assessment is done by the application of strain gauges to some blades of the assembly. In contrast to strain gauges, blade tip timing (BTT) offers a contactless monitoring of all blades of a rotor and there is no need of a telemetry system. A major issue in the interpretation of BTT data is the heavily undersampled nature of the signal. Usually, newly developed BTT algorithms are tested with sample data created by simplified structural models neglecting many of the uncertainties and disturbing influences of real applications. This work focuses on the creation of simulated BTT datasets as close as possible to real case measurements. For this purpose a subset of nominal system modes (SNM) representation of a compressor rotor is utilized. This model is able to include a large number of features present in real measurements, such as mistuning, static blade deflections due to centrifugal loads, aerodynamic damping and multiple mode resonances. Additionally, manufacturing deviations of the blade geometry, probe positioning errors in the BTT system and noise in the time of arrivals (TOAs) are captured by the BTT simulation environment. The main advantage of the created data is the possibility to steadily increase the signal complexity. Starting with a “perfect” signal the simulation environment is able to add different uncertainties one after the other. This allows the assessment of the influence of different features occurring in real measurements on the performance and accuracy of the analysis algorithms. Finally, a comparison of simulated BTT data and real data acquired from a rig test is shown to validate the presented approach of BTT data generation.
Aiming to limit the forced response of an axial turbine blisk for ship Diesel engine applications efforts have been made to increase the aerodynamic damping contribution for the most critical modes. In this regard the potential of intentional mistuning is investigated since it offers the opportunity to ensure a safe operation without a severe loss of aerodynamic performance. Genetic algorithms have been chosen to derive an optimized mistuning pattern. In order to keep the manufacturing effort within a limit only two possible blade geometries are allowed which means that an integer optimization problem has been formulated. For the purpose of demonstrating the benefit of the intentional mistuning pattern found, two blisk prototypes have been manufactured: One with and another one without employing intentional mistuning for purposes of comparison. Furthermore, this offers the opportunity for an experimental determination of mistuning being really manufactured and other modal properties as well. The experimental data basis is employed to update structural models which are well suited to demonstrate the forced response reduction under operational conditions.
The following paper presents a numerical analysis of a deep surge cycle of a 4.5 stage research compressor. The resulting unsteady loads are used to determine the response of two particular rotor blade rows that are then compared to strain gauge data from measurements. Within a deep surge cycle the compressor experiences a rapid change of the flow field from forward to reversed flow. This rapid breakdown is linked to a new mean blade load. Hence, the rapid change in blade loads are able to excite fundamental blade modes similar to an impulse load. The resulting vibration magnitudes might reach critical levels. This paper demonstrates two different approaches to evaluate the unsteady flow during a surge cycle.
Recent demands for a reduction of specific fuel consumption of jet engines have been opposed by increasing propulsive efficiency with higher bypass ratios and increased engine sizes. At the same time the challenge for the engine development is to design safe and efficient fan blades of high aspect ratios. Since the fan is the very first rotor stage, it experiences significant distortions in the incoming flow depending on the operating conditions. Flow distortions do not only lead to a performance and stall margin loss but also to remarkable low engine order (LEO) excitation responsible for forced vibrations of fundamental modes. Additionally, fans of jet engines typically suffer from stall flutter, which can be additionally amplified by reflections of acoustic pressure waves at the intake. Stall flutter appears before approaching the stall line on the fan’s characteristic and limits its stable operating range. Despite the fact that this “flutter bite” usually affects only a very narrow speed range, it reduces the overall margin of safe operation significantly. With increasing aspect ratios of ultra-high bypass ratio jet engines the flutter susceptibility will probably increase further and emphasizes the importance of considering aeromechanical analyses early in the design phase of future fans. This paper aims at proving that intentional mistuning is able to remove the flutter bite of modern jet engine fans without raising issues due to heavily increased forced vibrations induced by LEO excitation. Whereas intentional mistuning is an established technology in mitigating flutter, it is also known to amplify the forced response. However, recent investigations considering aeroelastic coupling revealed that under specific circumstances mistuning can also reduce the forced response due to engine order excitation. In order to allow a direct comparison and to limit costs as well as effort at the same time, the intentional mistuning is introduced in a non-destructive way by applying heavy paint to the blades. Its impact on the blade’s natural frequencies is estimated via finite element models with an additional paint layer. In parallel, this procedure is experimentally verified with painted fan blades in the laboratory. A validated SNM (subset of nominal system modes) representation of the fan is used as a computational model to characterize its mistuned vibration behavior. Its validation is done by comparing mistuned mode shape envelopes and frequencies of an experimental modal analysis at rest with those obtained by the updated computational model. In order to find a mistuning pattern minimizing the forced response of mode 1 and 2 at the same time and satisfying stability and imbalance constraints, a multi-objective optimization has been carried out. Finally, the beneficial properties of the optimized mistuning pattern are verified in a rig test of the painted rotor.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.