Unsteady Transition in an Axial-Flow Turbine: Part 1—Measurements on the Turbine Rotor

Previously published measurements in a low-speed, single-stage, axial-flow turbine have been reanalyzed in the light of more recent understanding. The measurements include time-resolved hot-wire traverses and surface hot film gage measurements at the midspan of the rotor suction surface with three different rotor-stator spacings. Part 1 investigates the suction surface boundary layer transition process, using surface-distance time plots and boundary layer cross sections to demonstrate the unsteady and two-dimensional nature of the process. Part 2 of the paper will describe the results of supporting experiments carried out in a linear cascade together with a simple transition model, which explains the features seen in the turbine.