Experimental Investigation of Axial-Compressor Inlets

Abstract

In order to study the effects of the internal shape of inlet casings upon the inlet velocity distribution to axial compressor bladings, the flow in seven wooden models of compressor inlet casings was measured. The flow was very complicated in every case. According to our experiments, the plane-symmetric casings without guide rings and the axi-symmetric casings with guide rings showed comparatively good velocity distribution. The limitations on the inlet velocity diagram by the two-dimensional stall and critical Mach number were discussed.