Efficient Laser Anemometer for Intra-Rotor Flow Mapping in Turbomachinery

Abstract

Innovative features of the anemometer include: (1) a rapid and efficient data acquisition process, (2) a detailed real-time graphic display of the data being accumulated, and (3) input laser beam positioning that maximizes the size of the intra-rotor region being mapped. Results are presented that demonstrate the anemometer’s capability in flow mapping within a transonic axial-flow compressor rotor. Typically, a velocity profile, derived from 30,000 measurements along 1000 sequential circumferential positions covering 20 blade passages, can be obtained in 30 s. The use of fluorescent seed particles allows flow measurements near the rotor hub and the casing window.