MAE 4261: AIR-BREATHING ENGINES

Velocity Triangles Example

November 3, 2009

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department

Florida Institute of Technology

D. R. Kirk
 EXAMPLE: SEE SECTION 8.2 FROM H&P
a

c
• Draw velocity triangles assuming that ω r = 2 times the axial velocity w (w = constant)
 VELOCITY TRIANGLES AT b

Start by drawing the axial velocity to some scale (10 units here)
 VELOCITY TRIANGLES AT b

Vb
w β b=75
º

Draw the absolute velocity vector

 VELOCITY TRIANGLES AT b

Vb
w β b=75
º

vθ b

Draw vθ in direction of rotation from the axis to absolute velocity vector

 VELOCITY TRIANGLES AT b

Vb
w β b=75
º
ωr

vθ b

Add the rotational velocity (ω r) and remember Vabs=Vrel+Vcs

 VELOCITY TRIANGLES AT b

Vb
w β b=75
º
ωr

vθ b

Draw in the velocity to the rotor as seen from the rotating frame
 VELOCITY TRIANGLES AT b

relative frame inlet

velocity to rotor Stationary frame inlet
velocity to rotor
Vb
w β b=75
º
ωr

vθ b
 VELOCITY TRIANGLES AT c

ωr

Either start with the fixed axial velocity or fixed rotational speed
 VELOCITY TRIANGLES AT c

β c’=55
º
w

ωr

Add the velocity from the rotor blades in the relative frame
 VELOCITY TRIANGLES AT c

β c’=55
º
w

ωr
vθ c

Add the velocity exiting the rotor in the absolute frame

 VELOCITY TRIANGLES AT c
stationary frame exit
velocity of rotor

relative frame exit β c’=55

velocity of rotor
º
w

ωr
vθ c

Again, draw vθ in the direction of rotation to the absolute velocity vector

 COMPOSITE TRIANGLE

Fixed or ‘metal’ blade angles

β c’=55
º
w β b=75 w
º
ωr

vθ b
vθ c
To draw the composite velocity triangle, overlay the rotational velocity
 QUESTIONS
• Is this a compressor or a turbine? How can you tell?

• On which blade row(s) is there a torque applied? Why?

• Describe in words the energy exchange process in each of the two blade rows
 QUESTIONS
• Is this a compressor or a turbine?
– This is a turbine. The stationary frame tangential velocity (vθ ) in the direction
of rotor motion is reduced across the moving blade row
• On which blade row(s) is there a torque applied? Why?
– Torque is applied to both blade rows since there is a change in angular
momentum across each of them. However, power is extracted only from the

T = m r (V )
moving blades.
θ ,out −V θ ,in

P = ωT
• Describe in words the energy exchange process in each of the two blade rows
– In the first blade row, fluid internal energy is converted to swirling kinetic
energy by accelerating the flow through a nozzle. No additional energy is
added or removed from the flow.
– In the second blade row, swirling kinetic energy is extracted from the flow
reducing the overall level of energy in the flow and transferring it to the
spinning rotor blades.
 ADDITIONAL QUESTION
• So far, we have looked at trailing edge angles of the blades (β b and β c’)
• Why do we care about exit velocities from stator in the relative frame? Why do we
even draw this on velocity triangles?

relative frame inlet

velocity to rotor Stationary frame inlet
velocity to rotor
Vb
w β b=75
º
Why draw this?
ωr

vθ b
 ADDITIONAL QUESTION

Information about
how to shape
leading edge of
rotor blade

Doesn’t come into

ideal Euler equation
but obviously
important for
aerodynamic
Purposes
(rotor relative inflow
angle)