Three-Dimensional Rotational Flow in Transonic Turbomachines: Part I — Solution Obtained by Using a Number of S1 Stream Filaments of Revolution and a Central S2 Stream Filament

The general theory of three-dimensional flow in subsonic and supersonic turbomachines (Wu, 1952) is extended to the three-dimensional rotational flow in transonic turbomachines. In Part I of the paper, an approximation that the S1 stream filaments are filaments of revolution is made. Then, the three-dimensional solution is obtained by an iterative solution between a number of S1 stream filaments and a single S2 stream filament. Recently developed relatively simple and quick method of solving the transonic S1 flow is utilized. The complete procedure is illustrated with the solution of the 3D flow in the DFVLR rotor operating at the design point. The solution is presented in detail, special emphasis being placed on the fulfillment of the convergence requirement. The character of the three-dimensional field obtained is examined with the three-dimensional structure of the passage shock, the relative Mach number contours on a number of S1 surfaces, S2 surfaces, and cross surfaces, and the variations of the thickness of S1 and S2 filaments. Comparison between the calculated three-dimensional field with the DFVLR measured data shows: the character of the flow field and the streamwise variation of the flow variables in the middle of the flow channel are in good agreement. It is recommended that the method presented herein can be used for three-dimensional design of transonic turbomachines.