Unsteady effects in turbine tip clearance flows

The present study is concerned with the unsteady flow field on the blade outer air seal segments of high-work turbines; these segments are installed between the blade tip and outer casing and are usually subjected to extreme heat loads. Time-resolved measurements of the unsteady pressure on the blade outer air seal are made in a low-speed turbine rig. The present measurements indicate the existence of a separation zone on the blade tip, which causes a vena contracta to form at the entrance of the tip gap. In addition, a careful comparison between the ensemble-averaged pressure measurement and the corresponding result from steady computation suggests that the pressure on the blade outer air seal can largely be described as being due to a steady flow (in the rotating frame) sweeping past a stationary probe. The ensemble deviation measurement indicates that unsteadiness (from one revolution to next) is confined to the tip gap. [S0889-504X(00)02304-7].