Vibration Analysis of a Mistuned Axial Turbine Blisk

Abstract An axial turbine blisk for turbocharger applications is analyzed with respect to the effect of intentional mistuning on the forced response. Originally, the intentional mistuning pattern has been designed by employing a genetic algorithm optimization in order to reduce the forced response caused by low engine order excitation (LEO) of the fundamental flap mode. The solution found has been implemented in a prototype of that blisk. For the purpose of comparison, a second reference blisk has been manufactured without intentional mistuning. The actual mistuning distributions of the blisks have been identified by employing blade-by-blade impact testing. Alternatively, a new inverse approach has been employed, which is based on a least squares formulation and benefits from less experimental effort. Based on the information gained by the aforementioned testing procedures, subset of nominal systems (SNM)-models have been updated, which allow for considering the aeroelastic coupling by means of aerodynamic influence coefficients (AIC). Despite of small but unavoidable deviations from the design intention it could be proved within numerical simulations that the intended 70 per cent reduction of the maximum forced response is nevertheless achieved. In addition, the paper is addressing the effect of the aforementioned intentional mistuning pattern on a higher mode, which is relevant for the durability as well. Hence, new SNM-models have to be updated in order to calculate the forced response due to EO-excitation caused by the nozzle guide vane. Although the original mistuning pattern has been optimized solely for reducing the forced response of the fundamental flap mode, it hardly affects the higher mode forced response in a negative manner.