Investigation on Pitch-Wise Non-Uniform and Inflecting Inlet Flow of Low-Speed Plane Cascade

The pitch-wise uniformity of inlet flow was proved by experiment in low-speed plane cascade, and simulations were performed for investigation and improvement in this study after that. The deflector, which was connected to the blade strictly, was proved to be the cause of the problem according to the simulation, and unexpected inflection of inlet flow were proved at the same time. It was also proved that a gap, which was placed between the blade and the deflector, could weaken the influence of deflector. However, the leakage that caused by the gap would also lead to some negative effects that attentions must be paid to. Finally, with cascade moved half-pitch along x-axis and one extra blade added, more acceptable result between 1 and 4 relative pitch-wise was showed in one of the improved cases (Case B). Better inlet condition with more periodic pressure distribution and acceptable incident angle were gained.