Hydraulic Turbine Blade Segmentation for Vortex Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic machines face efficiency reduction and dynamic load issues due to Kármán vortex streets caused by thick trailing edges of blades, which conventional materials like steel cannot adequately address by reducing thickness.
Innovation Solution
Manufacturing blades with a two-part structure, where the leading edge is made of steel and the trailing edge is formed by attaching a second part made of a material other than steel, such as a composite material, to reduce the trailing edge thickness to near-zero without compromising mechanical strength or lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the trailing edge thickness is reduced to minimize Kármán vortex streets, then the harmful flow separation is reduced, but the mechanical strength and lifespan of the blade are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into two distinct parts: a steel first part providing structural strength and a second part made of alternative material forming the trailing edge. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function - the steel portion maintains mechanical integrity while the second part minimizes vortex street generation through reduced thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The blade combines steel with alternative materials (such as composite materials, aluminum alloys, or plastic materials) to create a hybrid structure. The steel first part provides the necessary strength and durability, while the alternative material second part enables ultra-thin trailing edge construction that reduces Kármán vortex streets without compromising overall blade strength
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the trailing edge thickness is reduced using conventional steel, then the Kármán vortex streets are reduced, but the blade cannot maintain sufficient mechanical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into two distinct parts: a steel first part providing structural strength and a second part made of alternative material forming the trailing edge. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function - the steel portion maintains mechanical integrity while the second part minimizes vortex street generation through reduced thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The blade combines steel with alternative materials (such as composite materials, aluminum alloys, or plastic materials) to create a hybrid structure. The steel first part provides the necessary strength and durability, while the alternative material second part enables ultra-thin trailing edge construction that reduces Kármán vortex streets without compromising overall blade strength
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for manufacturing a rotating part which belongs to a hydraulic machine of an installation for converting hydraulic energy into electrical or mechanical energy. This rotating part includes blades distributed about an axis of rotation of the rotating part and extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge. This method can include manufacturing, in steel, a first part of each blade, which defines the leading edge thereof, manufacturing a second part of the blade in a material other than steel and attaching this to the first part of the blade so as to form a trailing edge.