A Theoretical Analysis of Unsteady Fluid Forces and Pressure Distributions on a Blade of Cavitating Cascades. 1st Report, The Flow with Flow Rate Fluctuation and Inlet Pressure Fluctuation.

Abstract

High-speed pumps, such as turbopumps for rocket engines, are usually operated with cavitation. The cavitation often becomes unsteady and generates the unsteady fluid forces on the blades. For the development of turbopumps with higher reliability, it is important to clarify the unsteady forces and pressure distributions on the blade. In the present study, the fluid forces and unsteady pressure distributions caused by flow rate fluctuation and inlet pressure fluctuation were calculated under the condition with cavitation. The effects of cavity length and the frequency of fluctuation on the unsteady forces and pressure distributions are discussed for lower and higher solidity cascades.