Flow structure and vortex dynamics of blade surface transitional flow in the near-tip region of a compressor cascade

The mean flow topology and vortex dynamics of the blade surface transitional flow in the near-tip region of a C4 compressor blade were investigated using particle image velocimetry measurements with two configurations. The experiment was conducted in a compressor cascade at a chord Reynolds number of 24 000 and an incidence angle of 0°, and a laminar separation bubble was detected on the aft portion of the blade. In the half-span region of the blade, the separation is essentially two-dimensional without reattachment. The vortex dynamics are dominated by the periodic shedding of separated shear layer vortices and their interaction with the trailing edge vortices. The progressive spanwise evolution in the flow structures and vortex dynamics occur near the blade tip (70%-80% blade height), leading to an advanced, thinner separation. In contrast, the tip leakage vortex dominated region is restricted to approximately 20% of blade height from the blade tip. In this region, secondary flow effects are intensive enough to prevent laminar separation. Between the above two regions, there is a transition region (90% blade height), where the influence of the tip flow on the blade surface flow is relatively slight that merely suppresses the vortex shedding of the separated boundary layer, nor the whole shear layer. In the transition region, the velocity fluctuations are significantly reduced.