Speed Dependency of Coupled Rotor-Blade Torsional Natural Frequencies

Abstract

The natural frequencies of blades depend on the rotational speed of the rotor train as the stiffness changes with centrifugal loading. In the case of low pressure turbines with shrunk-on-disc design the coupled rotor-blade torsional natural frequencies can also show this property. For proper analysis of the speed dependency, a complete rotor-blade model which takes the elasticity of the blades into account is required. In this paper the torsional natural frequencies calculated with a complete rotor-blade model are compared with those calculated with a model in which blade elasticity is not included. The analysis clearly demonstrates that calculations without blade elasticity lead to different natural frequencies. By modeling the complete rotor and taking blade elasticity into account, it is demonstrated that the torsional natural frequencies of a complete rotor-blade model can also become speed dependent. As a consequence, a distinction between the natural frequencies at nominal speed and natural frequency at critical speeds becomes necessary. In the following, measured torsional natural frequencies at different rotating speeds of an individual low pressure rotor are presented. A comparison of the measured speed dependency of the torsional natural frequency with calculation results thereby taking the blade elasticity into account is conducted. The analysis shows that the measured speed dependency can be predicted with a high level of accuracy and can become important for modes which are dominated by the blades of the last stages. As a consequence of this analysis, a clear distinction between natural frequency at nominal and at critical speed has to be made for certain rotor and blade designs. It is shown that the use of the Campbell diagram is highly beneficial for designing rotor trains with large blades with regard to their torsional vibration behavior.