Designing Compressor Blades for Different Flow Regimes — Lesson 6

This lesson covers the intricate process of designing axial flow compressors, which are commonly used in aircraft engines. The lesson begins with an explanation of the importance of axial flow compressors and their role in producing a certain aggregate compression ratio. It then delves into the aerodynamics involved in designing these compressors, including the creation of a flow track and the design of individual compressor stages and blade rows. The lesson also discusses the use of computational flow dynamics in the design process and the importance of post-design analysis. The lesson concludes with a step-by-step guide to designing blades from scratch, including the use of two-dimensional flow theories and three-dimensional understanding. For example, the lesson explains how to calculate the work done by the turbine, create a flow track, and design individual stages of the compressor.

Video Highlights

02:55 - Explanation of the process of designing individual stages of compressor and the individual blade rows.
06:33 - Explanation of the process of creating blade shapes for rotors and stators.
13:08 - Explanation of the importance of the degree of reaction in blade design and the impact of different vortex laws on the blade design.
38:44 - Discussion on the importance of incidence in blade design and the impact of different blade sections on the blade design.
54:56 - Explanation of the importance of maintaining a smooth surface in the blade design and the use of 3D aerofoils in modern axial flow compressor design.

Key Takeaways

- Axial flow compressors are crucial in aircraft engines, and their design requires a deep understanding of aerodynamics.
- The design process involves creating a flow track, designing individual compressor stages, and designing blade rows.
- Computational flow dynamics play a significant role in the design process and post-design analysis.
- The design of blades involves a step-by-step process, including calculating the work done by the turbine, creating a flow track, and designing individual stages of the compressor.
- The design process also involves checking the degree of reaction, the axial velocity density ratio, and the solidity of the blade.