Measurement of unsteady force on rotor blade surfaces in axial flow compressor

To assess the aerodynamic performance and vibration characteristics of rotor blades during rotation, a study of unsteady blade surface forces is conducted in a low-speed axial flow compressor under a rotating coordinate system. The capture, modulation, and acquisition of unsteady blade surface forces are achieved by using pressure sensors and strain gauges attached to the rotor blades, in conjunction with a wireless telemetry system. Based on the measurement reliability verification, this approach allows for the determination of the static pressure distribution on rotor blade surfaces, enabling the quantitative description of loadability at different spanwise positions along the blade chord. Effects caused by the factors such as Tip Leakage Flow (TLF) and flow separation can be perceived and reflected in the trends of static pressure on the blade surfaces. Simultaneously, the dynamic characteristics of unsteady pressure and stress on the blade surfaces are analyzed. The results indicate that only the pressure signals measured at the mid-chord of the blade tip can distinctly detect the unsteady frequency of TLF due to the oscillation of the low-pressure spot on the pressure surface. Subsequently, with the help of one-dimensional continuous wavelet analysis method, it can be inferred that as the compressor enters stall, the sensors are capable of capturing stall cell frequency under a rotating coordinate system. Furthermore, the stress at the blade root is higher than that at the blade tip, and the frequency band of the vibration can also be measured by the pressure sensors fixed on the casing wall in a stationary frame. While the compressor stalls, the stress at the blade root can be higher, which can provide valuable guidance for monitoring the lifecycle of compressor blades. (c) 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).