Investigation of the unsteady pressure distribution on the blades of an axial flow fan

The reduction of the unsteady forces and moments on the blades of a turbomachine is necessary in order to reduce the radiated noise, vibration, and performance degradation which is associated with the unsteady response of present day turbomachines. The ability to reduce this unsteady response requires that unsteady blade design data be obtained from a combined experimental and theoretical research effort. Such a program is in progress at ARL with particular emphasis on the measurement and prediction of the unsteady pressure distributions on the blades of an axial flow fan.