Structures and Methods for Forcing Coupling of Flow Fields of Adjacent Bladed Elements of Turbomachines, and Turbomachines Incorporating the Same

摘要

Turbomachines having close-coupling flow guides (CCFGs) that are designed and configured to closely-couple flow fields of adjacent bladed elements. In some embodiments, the CCFGs may be located in regions extending between the adjacent bladed elements, described herein as coupling avoidance zones, where conventional turbomachine design would suggest no structure should be added. In yet other embodiments, CCFGs are located upstream and/or downstream of rows of blades coupled to the bladed elements, including overlapping one of more of the rows of blades, to improve flow coupling and machine performance. Methods of designing turbomachines to incorporate CCFGs are also provided.

主权项

1. A method of designing a close-coupling flow guide (CCFG) for a turbomachine having first and second bladed elements and a design operating range, the method comprising:
selecting at least one location proximate the first and second bladed elements for locating at least one CCFG; and designing the at least one CCFG to have a configuration that increases aerodynamic feedback over the design operating range between a flow field of the first bladed element and a flow field of the second bladed element to thereby couple the flow fields of the first and second bladed elements and increase performance of the turbomachine.