Bladegen Toturials

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ANSYS CFX-BladeGen

TutorialsPart One

November 2010


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ANSYS BladeGen User's Guide Contents..................................... 3Introduction ....................................................................................... 4

What is BladeGen? .................................................................... 4What's New? .............................................................................. 5

System Requirements ................................................................ 5Special Typefaces Used in This Guide ....................................... 5Using On-Line Help .................................................................... 6Hover Help ................................................................................. 6Getting Technical Help ............................................................... 7

Program Overview............................................................................. 8User Interface Description .......................................................... 9Operating Modes and Associated Views .................................. 10Blade Overview ........................................................................ 12Layer Overview ........................................................................ 13Curve Overview ........................................................................ 14User/Data Interaction Summary ............................................... 15General Usage Guidelines ....................................................... 17

Getting Started ................................................................................ 18Installing the Software .............................................................. 19Executing BladeGen ................................................................ 20Creating a New Blade Model .................................................... 22Opening a BladeGen File ......................................................... 27Saving a Blade Model .............................................................. 29

Tutorials .......................................................................................... 30

Creating a Low Pressure Ratio Compressor Impeller ............... 31Creating an Axial Fan Blade ..................................................... 42Creating a Radial Pump Impeller .............................................. 52Creating an Axial Turbine Blade ............................................... 58Creating a Compressor Impeller with a Splitter Vane ............... 67

View Descriptions ............................................................................ 75Common Mouse Functions ...................................................... 76View Layout Control ................................................................. 77Common Views ........................................................................ 78

Angle/Thickness Mode Specific Views ..................................... 80Pressure/Suction Mode Specific View ...................................... 83


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ANSYS BladeGen User's Guide ContentsThis is the user's guide for ANSYS BladeGen, which contains the following chapters.

IntroductionProgram Overview

Getting StartedTutorialsView DescriptionsProgram DetailsEvaluating the DesignData Import/ExportBatch ProcessingVista CCDVista CPDVista RTDVista AFDGlossaryDefinitions

Additional help topics include:

Context-Sensitive HelpFile Format HelpUserIO Help.


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IntroductionThis section provides an overview of the BladeGen software and User's Guide. The followingtopics are covered:

What is BladeGen?What's New?System RequirementsSpecial Typefaces Used in This GuideUsing On-Line HelpGetting Help

What is BladeGen?

BladeGen is a component of ANSYS BladeModeler. The BladeModeler software is aspecialized, easy-to-use tool for the rapid 3-D design of rotating machinery components.Incorporating ANSYS, Incs extensive turbomachinery expertise into a user-friendly graphical

environment, the software can be used to design axial, mixed-flow and radial blade componentsin applications such as pumps, compressors, fans, blowers, turbines, expanders, turbochargers,inducers and others.

BladeModeler provides the essential link between blade design and advanced simulationincluding computational fluid dynamics and stress analyses. BladeModeler contains a rich set oftools and functions for designing a turbomachinery blade from scratch, using industry-specifictools, workflow, and language that the blade designer expects.

With BladeGen, the user can re-design existing blades to achieve new design goals or create

completely new blade designs from scratch. When either re-designing or evaluating an existingblade design, BladeGen facilitates the import of blade geometry interactively or through usersupplied files. BladeGen allows sculpted or ruled element blades with linear or compound leanleading or trailing edges. Over/Under-Filing can be applied and leading and trailing edge shapesare easily specified as a full radius, an ellipse ratio, or a simple cutoff.

BladeModeler represents a pivotal link between blade design, advanced analysis andmanufacturing. Used in combination with ANSYS analysis software, users can rapidly evaluatethe performance of a component. BladeGen model files can be imported into DesignModelerusing the BladeEditor feature. BladeEditor provides a seamless path to both structural and fluidanalysis, which enables the user to efficiently transition from preliminary blade design, to full 3-Dviscous flow analysis, and finally to the users native CAD system.


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What's New?BladeGen 12.0 incorporates the following new features:

Vista RTD - a program for radial inflow turbine design. For details, see Vista RTD. Vista AFD - a program for axial fan design. For details, see Vista AFD.

System Requirements

BladeGen is a component of ANSYS Workbench. Please check the ANSYS Workbench help onsystem requirements for more details.

Special Typefaces Used in This Guide

This help file uses a set of fonts to highlight menu commands, keyboard keycaps, and dialog boxbuttons. These fonts are detailed below:

Menu Item This typeface represents a menu command.

For example, "Select the File | Savemenu command tosave your work".

KeyCap This typeface represents a particular key on the keyboard.For example, "Press De lto erase the character".

Button This typeface represents a dialog or screen button.For example, "Press the OKbutton to continue".

Key Word This typeface represents a key word.For example, "The Bladeis a splitter".


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Using On-Line Help

Context-specific help is available on-line.

Help can be obtained by pressing the F1key or Help | Help Topicsmenu command.

Context-specific help on a menu command is available by pressing Shift-F1and selecting

the menu item.

Context-specific help on a dialog box control is available by:

Pressing the "Whats This?" ( ) button in the upper left corner of the dialog boxand then selecting a control.

Right mouse clicking on a control (for most controls).

Pressing the Helpbutton.

Hover Help

Hover help is provided in most views for additional information on the data being displayed. Thebubble is displayed when the user holds the mouse cursor stationary (hovers) over a data point.The bubble is removed when the user clicks a mouse button or moves the mouse over the

bubble.

The bubble displays various data depending on the view and data. As a minimum, the bubbledisplays the horizontal and vertical coordinates of the point. Additional information is available inthe Graph Views. The table below describes the information which can be displayed.

Symbol Description ViewsX Horizontal Position All but ContourY Vertical Position All but ContourZ Axial Position Graph, ContourR Radial Position Graph, ContourT Angular Position (Theta) GraphThk Thickness GraphB Blade Angle, Axial (Beta) GraphS Meridional Length Fraction GraphM Meridional Location GraphM' M-Prime Location GraphC Camber Location GraphT' Theta-Prime Location GraphL Blade Lean Angle GraphV Value Contour


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Getting Technical HelpIf you have any questions or difficulties concerning our products, please contact your ANSYSSupport Provider. Visit the ANSYS Customer Service page on the ANSYS Website atwww.ansys.com/services/ss-customer.asp

If you have problems contacting any of the CFX offices, please contact

[email protected] or call +1 (519) 886 8435. Please have your name, company name,product and platform information, and other information ready to help us respond quickly to yourquestion.

The ANSYS Customer Portal is available from the ANSYS Website atwww1.ansys.com/customer/

The CFX Community Site address is www.ansys.com/customer-portals.htm.


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Program OverviewBladeGen breaks the complex, 3-dimensional (3D) geometry of a blade into two or three2-dimensional (2D) views. The data from these views is used to create the model, one blade'slayer at a time. These views, plus an auxiliary view, are simultaneously displayed in the

BladeGen window and all views use the same set of zoom and pan keyboard shortcuts andmouse actions.

User Interface DescriptionOperating Modes and Associated ViewsBlade OverviewLayer OverviewCurve OverviewUser/Data Interaction SummaryGeneral Usage Guidelines


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User Interface Description

The Annotated BladeGen Window Layout displays a typical layout of views used by BladeGen.These views will automatically update whenever a change is made. Each element of the userinterface is identified in the Annotated BladeGen Window Layout.

Related TopicsView Descriptions


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Operating Modes and Associated Views

BladeGen has two distinct modes of operation, the Angle/Thickness (Ang/Thk) Mode and thePressure Side/Suction Side (Prs/Sct) Mode. These two modes provide the design environmentfor radial and axial blades, respectively.

Both modes use a set of Common Views, a Meridional View and an Auxiliary View, which arepositioned side by side at the top of the window. The Meridional View is used to define theblade in radial vs. axial space. From this definition, the streamlines are generated which arerequired for all of the other views. The Auxiliary View provides the user with the display of aBlade-to-Blade View, 3D View, Meridional Contour View and several graphs of various bladeparameters.

Common Views for Both Modes

The Ang/Thk Mode uses two views at the bottom of the window; an Angle View for the angulardistribution of the blade, and a Thickness View for the thickness distribution of the blade. Theseviews define the blade at discrete streamlines (layers). The data from these two views must becombined with the streamline data to generate the blade's shape on a layer.

Angle/Thickness Mode Views

The Prs/Sct Mode adds a single larger Prs/Sct View of the blade at the bottom of the window.This view allows the user to manipulate the pressure and suction sides of the blade to achievethe desired blade shape.


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Pressure/Suction Mode View

Although the sides of a blade are usually identified as the pressure side and suction side,BladeGen cannot distinguish between these names. BladeGen uses the terminology "Side1"and "Side2" to identify the sides of the blade in increasing theta order (right-hand rule).

Related Topics:

View DescriptionsCommon Views

Angle/Thickness ViewsPressure/Suction View


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Blade Overview

BladeGen allows one or more blades to be defined, where the first blade is the "Main Blade" andsubsequent blades are called splitters. Only one blade is active at any one time, but the outputalways includes all blades. The blades can be defined independently or the splitters can rely onthe angle and/or thickness definition of the Main Blade.

Related Topics:

Blade Settings


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Layer Overview

A layer (or streamline) is defined as a meridional curve visible in the Meridional View thatrepresents surface of revolution. Most layer types, shown below, represent curves that areautomatically created and updated as the Meridional Envelope (hub and shroud curves, leadingand trailing edge curves) are modified.

Layers serve two key purposes:

1) Layers are referenced by the working views (Angle, Thickness, and Prs/Sct Views) toprovide the meridional location of the view's data sets.

2) Layers specify where streamline data sets are to be constructed for export.

Layer TypesLayer Type DescriptionSpan Layer Curve is defined by a constant spanwise position, as

specified by a single span fraction.Hub Gap Layer Curve is defined by a normal offset from the hub at a

distance specified by a linear interpolation between a

leading edge and a trailing edge value.Shroud Gap Layer Curve is defined by a normal offset from the shroud

at a distance specified by a linear interpolationbetween a leading edge and a trailing edge value.

Data Layer Curve is initially positioned by a span fraction value,but the user can interactively modify the curve in theMeridional View. This layer type is also used whenimporting meanline data, as the data may not lieexactly on a streamline.

Hub Offset Layer Curve is defined by a Meridional offset (z, r) of thehub curve.

Shroud Offset Layer Curve is defined by a Meridional offset (z, r) of theshroud curve.

Related Topics:

Layer Details


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Curve Overview

The curves used in BladeGen are made up of one or more segments (sub-curves). Eachsegment can consist of a different curve type. By allowing different segment types to becombined into a single curve, BladeGen provides the user with more control over the overallcurve shape than would be provided with a single-curve-type restriction.

Related Topics:

Curve Details


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User/Data Interaction Summary

In the previous sections, the user has been exposed to the concepts of views, blades, layers andcurves. The diagram shown below describes the relationships between the user and the modeldata for the Ang/Thk Mode. The data structure for the Prs/Sct Mode is similar, but the Ang/Thkcomponents are replaced by the Prs/Sct equivalents.

User/Data Interaction Diagram (Ang/Thk Mode)

The Modelrepresents the blade system in 3 dimensions. The Modelcontains the followingdata:1. A Design Meridional Profile consisting of a set of curves and a list of Layers(curves that

represent streamlines).2. An optional Trim Meridional Profilewith its own set of curves and layers.3. One or more Blades. Each Bladeconsists of an Angle and Thickness definition.

The Angle and Thickness Definitionsare made up of Curvesthat the user can modify.A single Curvein a definition references a single Layerfrom the Design MeridionalProfileslayer list. The collection of these curves makes up each definition.

The users access to the Model Datais provided through the working views (Meridional, Angle,and Thickness). In the Meridional View, the user controls the shape of the layer curves. Inthe Angleand Thickness Views, the user can modify the definition curve that references theactive Layer.


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Output is created one Layerat a time. A streamline contains Z, R, M, & M' a meanline adds q,Tn, & b.

a) The Design Meridional Profileis used to generate the streamline data for the requestedLayer(which may come from either the Design or Trim Meridional Profile).

b) TheBlade'scut-off (or extension) curves are used to trim the streamline curve.

c) The angle and thickness data is added to the streamline to create a meanline curve.d) Over/Under-Filing is applied to the meanline in the Z vs. R*q coordinate system.e) Leading/Trailing edges are applied to the meanline in the Z vs. R*q coordinate system.


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General Usage Guidelines

These guidelines are included to help users maximize the benefitsfrom using BladeGen.

1. Users should first define the meridional profile before defining the Ang/Thk or Prs/Sctviews, since these views are dependent on the path length of the meridional profile'slayers.

2. The Angle, Thickness, and Pressure/Suction Views define parameters on a layer (astreamline in the meridional view). The first layer must be the hub and the second mustbe the shroud, with additional layers inserted at a user-specified fraction of the span. Ifonly one layer is defined, it applies to the entire span between hub and shroud. ThePressure/Suction view requires that both the hub and shroud layers be defined.

3. All views display the same layer and blade. If a view doesn't have a definition for aparticular layer that is being displayed, the calculated values at that layer are displayed.

4. The mode (Ang/Thk or Prs/Sct) is determined, initially, by the type of component createdor the mode of the model when it was saved. However, the mode can be changed using

the Model | Mode | Ang/Thk Mode...or Model | Mode | Prs/Sct Mode...menucommands.


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Getting Started

This section provides basic information on how to get BladeGenrunning on a computer.

Installing BladeGenExecuting BladeGenCreating a New Blade ModelOpening a BladeGen FileSaving a Blade Model


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Installing the Software

Executing the AutoRun MenuTo install the software, insert the CD-ROM into the drive. If the program doesn't automaticallystart, execute the "AutoRun.exe" file in the root of the CD-ROM.

License ManagerBladeGen now uses the ANSYS License Manager to configure and maintain the software license.If you have not installed this software before, or are using an older version, it can be installed bypressing the Install Licensingbutton on the AutoRun menu and follow the instructions tocomplete the installation process. Please see the on-line documentation for the LicenseManager for further information on the operation of the License Manager.

BladeModeler/BladeGenTo install or upgrade BladeGen, press the Install BladeModelerbutton on the AutoRun menuand follow the instructions to complete the installation process.


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Executing BladeGen

To execute BladeGen, perform one of the following. However, certain options will not beavailable until a license key is obtained.

From the Start Menu, start ANSYS Workbench, then choose the Blade Geometryicon fromthe Workbench Start Page.

From the Explorer or DesktopDouble-click the desired *.bgdfile.

Drag-and-drop a file into an open BladeGen window.


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User Preferences

BladeGen allows the user to customize the modeling environment by setting up defaultpreferences. This is done with the User Preferences Dialog shown below. This dialog can bedisplayed using the File | Preferences...menu command. It allows the user to set upparameters such as window size, data definitions, viewing options, initial layer definitions and

default data directories.

These settings are saved between sessions, allowing users to initiate BladeGen with theirpreferred environment and create new models using the specified settings. Existing modelsstore the settings internally, and will be unaffected by changes to the user preferences.

User Preferences Dialog


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Creating a New Blade Model

A new blade can be created in a number of ways. The easiest is to start from scratch.Importing a file from a preliminary design program is also simple. It is a little more difficult toimport meanline data, if the import tool has to be created first. The most difficult to import CADdata, because it has to be converted to meanline data to be used in BladeGen.

Creating a Blade from ScratchImporting a Blade ModelOpening a BladeGen FileSaving a Blade Model


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Creating a Blade from Scratch

BladeGen allows the user to create a blade system from scratch, using one of six standard initialconfiguration types. The following section describes this process.

1. Select the File | New | BladeGen Modelmenu command or toolbar button, which

will display the Initial Meridional Configuration Dialog (shown below).2. Select the tab with the configuration closest to the desired component.

3. Enter the parameters for the given configuration type.

4. Press Enteror select the OKbutton to display the dialog box below.

Radial Impeller ConfigurationRelated TopicsInitial Meridional Configuration Dialog


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Initial Angle/Thickness Parameters

If a radial component was selected in the Initial Meridional Configuration Dialog, the InitialAngle/Thickness Dialog, shown below, will be displayed and the model will be created using theAngle/Thickness mode. To complete the process:

1. Enter the nominal wrap angle, thickness and number of blades using the dialogs inputfields. Normally, BladeGen sets the leading edge theta to zero. If the Data Direction isset to TE to LE in the User Preferences Dialog, then the trailing edge theta is set to zero.

2. Press Enteror select the OKbutton to display the BladeGen Window.

Initial Angle/Thickness Dialog

Related TopicsInitial Angle/Thickness Dialog


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Initial Prs/Sct Blade Parameters

If an axial component was selected in the Initial Meridional Configuration Dialog, the InitialPressure/Suction Dialog, shown below, will be displayed and the model will be created using thePressure/Suction Mode. To complete the process:

1. Enter the required parameters using the input fields of the Standardtab. Theseparameters control the shape of the Bezier curves that define the blade.

2. Select the Advancedtab to enter the advanced parameters, if desired. Theseparameters control the distances between points on the Bezier curve and the length of anoptional linear segment.

3. Enter the initial number of blades and layers.


Initial Pressure/Suction Dialog, Standard Tab

Related TopicsInitial Pressure/Suction Dialog


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Importing a Blade Model

BladeGen provides various methods to import geometry. See the Data Import/Export section forfurther details.

1. Some preliminary design codes export a BladeGen file (BGI) which allows the geometryto be imported. This makes the import seamless. See the Batch Input File section for

further details.

2. If the data is meanline data (r,t,z,Tn), it can be read (and written) using a UserInput/Output (UserIO) routine. A few UserIO routines for various file formats are shippedwith BladeGen. Users are encouraged to use these as examples and tailor the sourcecode to fit their needs. See the UserIO section for further details.

3. The most difficult type of data to import is the generic CAD data, which describes the hub,shroud, and blade surface (as a surface or a curve set). This type of data can beimported using the Data Import Wizard. The following file types are supported:TurboGrid File Sets (*.curve), IGES 5.3 File (*.iges or *.igs), PRO/ENGINEER iblFile(*.ibl), or General Data File (*.dat). See the Data Import Wizard section for furtherdetails.


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Opening a BladeGen File

Native BladeGen Data files are saved with a '.bgd' file extension and a Batch Input File is savedwith a 'bgi' file extension. Additionally, files supported by UserIO routines are opened as nativefiles. All of these files can be opened in the following ways:

1. Use the File | Open...menu command or the toolbar button to open a data file. Abrowse window will appear, allowing the user to select a file. Examples of several bladeconfigurations can be found in the "Example" directory (See the section titled Opening anExample File for more detail.)

2. Dragging a file from Windows Explorer, and dropping it onto BladeGen's main window oran icon on the Desktop.

3. Double-clicking on a file in the Windows Explorer.

Related Topics:Opening an Example File


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Opening an Example File

The BladeGen installation includes a number of example files that can be used to provide insightinto some of BladeGens modeling techniques. Some of these files, which are included in the"Examples" sub-directory, are shown below.

These files can be opened in one of two ways:

1. Pressing the File | Open...menu command or pressing the toolbar button and thennavigating to the "C:\Program Files\ANSYSInc\v120\AISOL\BladeModeler\BladeGen\Examples" sub-directory.

2. Using Windows Explorer, browse to the example directory and double-click the desiredfile.

The examples that are available may differ from those shown below.

Axial Fan Axial Inducer Axial Stator De-Swirl Vane Radial Turbine

Centrifugal Blower CentrifugalCompressor with

Splitter

Centrifugal Pump Barske Impeller Wicket Gate


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Saving a Blade ModelUpon exiting BladeGen, the blade model is automatically saved to a file associated with theWorkbench project. You must save the project before closing it in order to retain the project files.You can save the project from the Workbench interface as usual. You will be prompted for aproject name if you have not previously saved the project. The File | Savemenu command (Save

toolbar button) can function as an alternative way to save the project, depending on acondition described shortly.

The first blade model to exist in BladeGen, whether by opening a bgd file or by creating a bladefrom scratch, becomes associated with the Blade Design cell from which that instance ofBladeGen was started. Any other blade models that are subsequently opened in the sameinstance of BladeGen (in separate "windows", selectable from the Windowmenu) are notassociated with the cell (or even the project).

When the active window in BladeGen is the one containing the model associated with the BladeDesign cell:

The File | Savemenu command (Save toolbar button) in BladeGen saves the (entire)

Workbench project. As in Workbench, you will be prompted for a project name if you have notpreviously saved the project. This command is unavailable if there are no unsaved changes inthe model in the active window in BladeGen, even if there is an unsaved change elsewhere inthe project.

The File | Save Asmenu command (Save As toolbar button) is unavailable.

When the active window in BladeGen is notthe one containing the model associated with theBlade Design cell:

The File | Savemenu command (Save toolbar button) acts to save only the .bgd file for themodel in the active window.

The File | Save Asmenu command (Save As toolbar button) acts to save only the .bgdfile for the model in the active window, and prompts you for the new file name and location.

When operating in Demo Mode (without a license), you are prevented from either saving orexporting data. If the software had a valid floating license and lost it because of a network orother failure, BladeGen notifies you that the license has been lost. In this condition, BladeGenallows you to save your data only once.


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TutorialsWelcome to the BladeGen Tutorial Guide. The purpose of this guide is to introduce the newuser to the main features of BladeGen in a practical, hands-on manner. This manual includes 5different tutorials, each highlighting a different approach to blade design in BladeGen.

Creating a Low Pressure Ratio Compressor ImpellerCreating an Axial Fan BladeCreating a Radial Pump ImpellerCreating an Axial Turbine BladeCreating a Compressor Impeller with a Splitter Vane

Before You Begin

Before you begin these tutorials,please refer to Getting Started for an introduction to theBladeGen concepts, naming conventions and installation instructions.

A list of special typefaces is available in Special Typefaces Used in This Guide.

Further Reading

The rest of the ANSYS BladeGen User's Guide has more detailed information on the commandsused in this manual.


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Creating a Low Pressure Ratio Compressor Impeller

The following procedure can be followed as an example of using BladeGen to create a LowPressure Ratio Compressor Impeller from start to finish.

Please note that a significant advantage of BladeGen is in the flexibility of its operations. Thisexample will guide the user through a simple example utilizing Angle/Thickness mode and is notto be taken as the only way to use BladeGen.


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Initial Design Parameters - Compressor Impeller

Figure 1 - Initial Meridional Configuration Dialog

BladeGen allows the user to create a blade system from scratch, using one of six standard initialconfiguration types. For this example, a Radial Turbine is used.

1. Select the File | New | BladeGen Modelmenu command or toolbar button which willdisplay the Initial Meridional Configuration Dialog (shown in Figure 1).

2. Select the Radial Impellertab.

3. Enter the parameters for the initial blade layout as shown in Figure 1.

4. Be sure to select Ang/Thk mode in the bottom right corner

5. Press Enteror select the OKbutton to continue.


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Figure 2 - Initial Angle/Thickness Dialog

Using Figure 2, the initial blade parameters are completed:

1. Enter the nominal wrap angle of 45 degrees, thickness of 2.5 and 13 blades. Normally,BladeGen sets the leading edge theta to zero. If the Data Direction is set to TE to LE inthe User Preferences Dialog, then the trailing edge theta is set to zero.



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BladeGen Layout

Figure 3

BladeGen LayoutAfter the initial parameters have been specified, the typical BladeGen layout will be opened.The two views in the top row are the Meridional View and Auxiliary View. The bottom row hasthe Angle View and the Thickness View. A more detailed description of the BladeGen layout isincluded here.

In general, it is suggested that users first define the meridional profile before defining the Ang/Thkor Prs/Sct views, since these views are dependent on the path length of the meridional profile.


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Common Mouse Functions

BladeGen uses a common set of mouse functions to manipulate the views. These functions aredescribed in Table 1.

Table 1 - Common Mouse FunctionsMouse Action Applies To DescriptionClick with Left Working Views only If a point or segment is within selection distance, it is selectDrag with Left Working Views only If a point is selected or within selection distance, the point

selected and dragged with the mouse pointer.Releasing the mouse button updates the view.

Scroll wheel orDrag with Both

All Views Zooms the view in and out.

Click with Right All Views Displays the context-sensitive popup menu.Drag with Right All Views Pans the view. The view moves with the mouse pointer

Optimizing the Meridional View

Figure 4 Annotated Meridional View

The most critical operation in the meridional view is to define the shape of the hub and shroudcurve. The endpoints for these curves were specified when Initial Design Parameters wereentered. The location of a point can be easily visualized by utilizing the hover help. The bubbleis displayed when the user holds the mouse cursor stationary (hovers) over a data point. Whenrequired, the location of a point can be changed in two ways:

Moving Points by Clicking and DraggingTo interactively move a point:

1. Left-Click on the desired point and hold the mouse button down

2. Move the mouse until the point is at the desired location

3. Release the left mouse button


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Moving Points by Entering New Coordinate values

Figure 5 - Point Location Dialog

1. Double click the left mouse button on the desired point. The Point Location Dialog will openas shown in Figure 5.

2. Enter the desired co-ordinate values.

3. Click OK.

Define the Hub and Shroud Profiles in the Meridional View

The hub and shroud profile for this case are well defined automatically. In this case, there is no

need for any additional modifications.

Adjust the Blade Angles at the Hub in the Angle View

The meridional profile is now defined and the Blade angles can be set. In the Angle View, theactive layer is indicated by a red dot in the layer column on the right-hand side. By default, thehub layer is active. Once the Hub angles are set, the Shroud layer can be activated byleft-clicking the black dot at the top of the layer column.

Adjusting the Blade Angles

The blade angles can now be defined as follows;

1. Right-click in the Angle view and select Adjust Blade Angles.

2. In the Leading Edge tab, enter 47 for the Tangential Beta value, the Beta value willautomatically be updated as 90 minus Tang. Beta. Leave all the other values at zero.

3. In the Trailing Edge tab, enter a Theta angle of 32.2 and enter 30 for the Beta value.The Tangential Beta value will be automatically updated as 60. All other values canremain as zero.

4. Close the Blade Angle Dialog by selecting OK.


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Set the Beta/Theta Definition

Figure 6

Blade Angle Definition

There are 4 ways to set the angle definitions. In this example, the End Angle Definition will beused. Right-click in the Angle view and select End Angle Definitionas shown in Figure 6.This option applies the End-Angle definition described above, with an additional restriction thatsets the slope of the Beta curve to zero at the leading and trailing edges.

Adjust the Blade Angles at the Shroud in the Angle View

Make the Shroud layer active by selecting the black dot at the top of the layer column. It will turnred and the Shroud is now active.

Adjusting the Blade Angles1. Right-click in the Angle view and select Adjust Blade Angles

2. In the Leading Edge tab, enter 27.5 for the Tangential Beta value. Leave all the other valuesat zero

3. In the Trailing Edge tab, enter a Theta angle of 28.9 and 60 for the Tangential Beta. TheBeta value will be automatically updated as 30. All other values can remain as zero.

4. Close the Blade Angle Dialog by selecting OK


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Set the Beta/Theta Definition

Right-click in the Angle view and select End Angle Definitionas shown in Figure 6. The angleview should now look like the view shown in Figure 7. Note that the new blade shape isautomatically updated in the Auxiliary view.

Figure 7 - Shroud Angle Definition


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Define the Blade Thickness Profile

At this time, the Blade thickness can be defined in the Thickness view. For this example, aconstant thickness of 2.5 will be used and no modifications are required. When modifications tothis curve are required, the curve and point modification procedures as described earlier can beapplied.

Prescribe the Leading/Trailing Edge Ellipse

Figure 8 - LE/TE Ellipse Settings

Select Blade | Propertiesmenu commands or the toolbar button located on the left handside of the BladeGen window to set the blade properties. Set the Leading Edge/Trailing EdgeEllipse tab; adjust the values as shown in Figure 8. All other values can remain unchanged.


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Viewing the Design in the Auxiliary View

Thus far, the Auxiliary view has been showing the Blade-to-Blade view. It is also helpful todisplay the 3D shape of the blade. To do so, use the View | Auxiliary View Content | 3D View

menu command or the toolbar button located on the right side toolbar. Use the left mousebutton to rotate the view, right mouse to pan and the wheel on a wheel mouse to zoom in and out.

Table 2 - 3D View Display OptionsOption Button Description

Wireframe Shows the curves that define theedges of the surfaces.

Meshed Shows the surface mesh fromwhich the shaded surfaces andvolume mesh will be defined.

Shaded Shows opaque surfaces definedby the surface mesh.

Table 3 - 3D View Replication OptionsMenu Command Button Description

Original Only Shows a single blade (and any splitters). This is themodel stored in BladeGen and used for flow

calculations.One Replica Shows two side-by-side blades. Useful to see how the

individual blade models fit together.All Replicates Shows the entire blade system.

The toolbar at the bottom-left of the BladeGen window has various display and replication optionsas described in Table 2 and Table 3.

Other data sets describing the model can be displayed in the Auxiliary view. These features arefully documented in Auxiliary View Details.


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Saving Your ModelUpon exiting BladeGen, the blade model is automatically saved to a file associated with theWorkbench project. You must save the project before closing it in order to retain the project files.You can save the project from the Workbench interface as usual. You will be prompted for aproject name if you have not previously saved the project. The File | Savemenu command (Save

toolbar button) can function as an alternative way to save the project; see Saving a BladeModel for details.


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Creating an Axial Fan Blade

The following procedure can be followed as an example of using BladeGen to create an Axial Fanblade from start to finish.


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Initial Design Parameters - Axial Fan Blade


BladeGen allows the user to create a blade system from scratch, using one of six standard initialconfiguration types. For this example, a Normal Axial template is used.


2. Select the Normal Axial tab



5. Press Enter or select the OKbutton to continue


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Define the Inlet and Outlet Sections

The hub and shroud definitions up and downstream of the blade can be defined when the userwill be performing CFD analysis on the proposed design. At this point, it is not necessary tomodify these point locations and profiles. A detailed example of modifying the inlet and outletsections is included in the next tutorial. For additional information, please refer to Define the

Inlet and Outlet Sections in Creating an Axial Turbine Blade.




1. Enter the nominal wrap angle of 35 degrees, thickness of 2.5 and 9 blades.

2. Press Enter or select the OKbutton to display the BladeGen Window.


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The most critical operation in the meridional view is to define the shape of the hub and shroudcurve. The endpoints for these curves were specified when Initial Design Parameters wereentered. In this example, we will set the leading edge profile as well as adjust the hub andshould positions for both the inlet and outlet.


The hub and shroud definitions up and downstream of the blade can be defined when the userwill be performing CFD analysis on the proposed design or to simply have the BladeGen hub andshroud geometry more completely represent the final design. To set the position of the inlet andoutlet points:

1. Double click the shroud inlet point at the top left of the meridional view

2. The Point Location Dialog will open. The Horizontal value is the Axial location (Zco-ordinate) and the Vertical value represents the Radius

3. Enter -47.5 and 132 for the horizontal and vertical values. Click OK.4. Double click the hub inlet point (bottom left corner) and enter -47.5 and 30 for the

horizontal and vertical values. Click OK.

5. Double click the hub outlet point (bottom right corner) and enter 70 and 52.8 for thehorizontal and vertical values. Click OK.

6. Double click the shroud outlet point (top right corner) and enter 70 and 132 for thehorizontal and vertical values. Click OK.


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Adjust the Inlet Hub Curve

After adjusting the inlet and outlet points, the hub upstream of the blade is a piece-wise linearcurve at an abrupt angle. To improve the profile of the hub, this curve will be converted to amore smoothly contoured shape.

Figure 11 - Meridional View with Smooth Hub Profile

1. Left-click the hub curve in the inlet section

2. Right-click the mouse and select Convert Points to.. Spline Curve Points

3. In the Point Count Dialog, enter 3 points and select OK.

4. Left-click and drag the resulting control point to make a smooth hub profile. YourMeridional view should now look as shown in Figure 11.

5. If you would like more practice, repeat this procedure on the Hub curve at the base of theblade.


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Define the Hub-Shroud Profile at the Leading Edge

At this point, the leading and trailing edges are also piecewise linear curves. Convert theleading edge to a 3 point spline curve and apply a slightly curved profile. Refer to Adjust theInlet Hub Curve if you need to be reminded of the exact procedure to perform this operation.Place the middle control point at an approximate horizontal and vertical value of 1.5 and 98 (you

can double-click the control point to enter specific values if you wish).

Adjust the Blade Angles at the Shroud in the Angle View

The meridional profile is now defined and the Blade angles can be set. In the Angle View, theactive layer is indicated by a red dot in the layer column on the right-hand side. Make theShroud layer active by selecting the black dot at the top of the layer column. It will turn red andthe Shroud is now active.

Adjusting the Shroud Blade Angles

In this example, we will define the Beta profile at the hub and shroud and also at a new layerlocated at span=0.6. First, the shroud will be adjusted. The blade angles can now be definedas follows;

1. Right-click in the Angle view and select Beta Definition

2. Right-click the mouse a second time in the Angle view and select Convert Points to.. SplineCurve Points

3. In the Point Count Dialog, enter 2 points and select OK. This procedure has convertedthe Beta definition line (coloured cyan) to a linear segment

4. Double-click the beta curve at the leading edge (left-hand side) and enter a verticalDimension of 83 degrees. Select OK

5. Double-click the beta curve at the trailing edge (right-hand side) and enter a verticalDimension of 61 degrees. Select OK

You can also move the points graphically by clicking and dragging a point with the left mousebutton.

Adjusting Blade Profiles at Mid-span Locations

It is often desirable to control the blade shape at more than just the hub and shroud locations.To control the blade profiles at more locations, additional layers can be generated. In thisexample, an additional layer will be generated at a span location of 0.6.


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Creating an Additional Layer

Figure 12 Layer Control Dialog

1. Right-click in the Angle view and select Layer Control..

2. In the Layer Control Dialog, select Create.

3. In the Layer Dialog, enter a span value of 0.6 and select OK.

4. The Layer Control Dialog will now look like Figure 12. Note that the Span 0.6 layer ischecked, that indicates that the Angle information can be adjusted at this layer. Click OK.

Set the Beta Definition at the New Layer

Make the new layer active by select the new black dot at the mid-span location of the layercolumn. After you have selected it, the dot will turn red. Repeat the procedure describedearlier using a leading edge Beta value of 80 and a trailing edge value of 57.

Adjusting the Hub Blade Angles

Make the Hub layer active by selecting the black dot at the bottom of the layer column. After youhave selected it, the dot will turn red. Repeat the procedure in Adjusting the Shroud BladeAngles using a leading edge Beta value of 67 and a trailing edge value of 42.


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Figure 13 Inactive Layer Warning

By default, BladeGen assumes that the blade thickness profile is uniform from hub to shroud. Ifyou try to make some thickness modifications at any layer other than the hub a warning messageas shown in appears.

To change this setting and allow for control of the thickness profile at multiple layers, we need toadjust the layer information;

1. Right-click in the Thickness view and select Layer Control

2. In the Layer Control Dialog, check the box beside the layer at Span: 1.000 and Span:0.600.

3. Select OK.

Define the Blade Thickness at the Shroud1. At the Shroud Layer, convert the curve to a 3 point spline. See Adjust the Inlet Hub Curve if

you need specific instructions.

2. Set the Leading edge thickness to 2mm by double-clicking the leading edge point and enteringa thickness of 2mm

3. Set the Trailing edge thickness to 0.875mm.

4. Adjust the middle point to make a nice arc between the leading and trailing edge points.

Define the Blade Thickness at Span 0.61. Click on the black dot in the middle of the Layer Column in the Thickness view to make the

span 0.6 layer active.

2. Convert the Thickness curve to a spline with 5 Control Points.

3. Set the Leading Edge to 3.0mm thickness and trailing edge to 0.875mm

4. Adjust the 3 internal control points on the curve to make a slight Sshape as shown in Figure14.


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Figure 14 Span 0.6 Thickness Profile

Define the Blade Thickness at the Hub1. Repeat the procedure outlined previously.

2. Set the Leading edge thickness to 4mm and the trailing edge thickness to 1.25mm.



Select Blade | Propertiesmenu commands or the toolbar button located on the left hand sideof the BladeGen window to set the blade properties. Set the Leading Edge/Trailing Edge Ellipsetab; adjust the values as shown in Figure 15 - LE/TE Ellipse Settings. All other values can

remain unchanged.


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Creating a Radial Pump Impeller

The following procedure can be followed as an example of using BladeGen to create a RadialPump Impeller from start to finish.

Initial Design Parameters - Radial Pump Impeller


BladeGen allows the user to create a blade system from scratch, using one of six standard initialconfiguration types. For this example, a Radial Turbine is used.


2. Select the Radial Impeller tab





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1. Enter the nominal wrap angle of 140 degrees, thickness of 5 and 7 blades. Normally,BladeGen sets the leading edge theta to zero.



The most critical operation in the meridional view is to define the shape of the hub and shroudcurve. The endpoints for these curves were specified when Initial Design Parameters wereentered in the Initial Meridional configuration dialog.

Define the Blade Shape at the Hub and Shroud in the MeridionalView

The hub and shroud profile for this case are well defined automatically. In this case, there is noneed for any additional modifications.


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The hub and shroud definitions up and downstream of the blade can be defined when the userwill be performing CFD analysis on the proposed design. It is also nice to set the inlet and outletsections to reasonable values to make the BladeGen model represent the final design. To setthe position of the inlet and outlet points;

1. Double click the shroud inlet point at the top left of the meridional view.

2. The Point Location Dialog will open. The Horizontal value is the Axial location (Zco-ordinate) and the Vertical value represents the Radius.

3. Enter -10 and 110 for the horizontal and vertical values. Click OK.

4. Double click the hub inlet point (bottom left corner) and enter -10 and 25 for the horizontaland vertical values. Click OK.

5. Double click the hub outlet point (top right corner) and enter 91 and 250 for the horizontaland vertical values. Click OK.

6. Double click the shroud outlet point (top left corner) and enter 63 and 250 for the horizontaland vertical values. Click OK.

Adjust the Blade Angles at the Hub in the Angle View




1. Right-click in the Angle view and select Adjust Blade Angles


3. In the Trailing edge tab, enter a Theta angle of 137.5 and enter 22.5 for the Beta value.The Tangential Beta value will be automatically updated as 67.5. All other values canremain as zero.


5. The Theta curve will be automatically switched to a Bezier segment with 6 control points.


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Left-click the black dot located at the top of the layer column to activate the Shroud layer. Theblade angles can now be defined as follows;


2. In the Leading Edge tab, enter 13.5 for the Tangential Beta value, the Beta value willautomatically be updated as 90 minus Tang. Beta. Leave all the other values at zero.

3. In the Trailing edge tab, enter a Theta angle of 138.5 and enter 22.5 for the Beta value.The Tangential Beta value will be automatically updated as 67.5. All other values canremain as zero.


5. The Theta curve will be automatically switched to a Bezier segment with 6 control points.


Figure 18 Blade Thickness Profile

At this time, the Blade thickness can be defined in the Thickness view. For this example, aparabolicstyle will be applied as shown in Figure 18. Since it is easier to control fewernumbers of points, we can start by making the profile curve a spline with 3 control points and addfurther details after we have obtained the basic shape.

1. Make the Hub layer active in the Thickness view by left-clicking the black dot at the bottomof the layer column.



4. Double click the leading edge point and enter a thickness value of 4.9mm.

5. Double-click the trailing edge point and enter a thickness value of 4.8mm

6. Double-click the middle control point and enter a thickness value of 7.0mm

7. Right-click the mouse and select Zoom Fit

Now that the basic shape is defined, we can add points, split curves and refine the profile toachieve the desired shape. In this case, we will simply increase the number of control points toachieve the desired profile;



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3.Adjust the curve point locations more closely resemble the image in Figure 18, dont worryabout getting it exact at this point, more control points will still be added.



6.Adjust the curve point locations more closely resemble the image in Figure 18, at this point,you should be able to achieve the desire profile.

Starting at 3 control points, setting the profile and gradually increasing the number of controlpoints makes creating the desired profile easier to achieve than simply adding 8 points from thevery beginning.



Select Blade | Propertiesmenu commands or the toolbar button located on the left hand side

of the BladeGen window to set the blade properties. Set the Leading Edge/Trailing Edge Ellipsetab, adjust the values as shown in Figure 19. All other values can remain unchanged.


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Utilizing the Information in the Auxiliary View

The most common use of the auxiliary view is to display the rendered 3D view as shown in thefirst tutorial included in this manual. There are many other functions available for this view. Atthis point, you may wish to review the Auxiliary View Details and experiment with the differentAuxiliary View options.




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Creating an Axial Turbine Blade

The following procedure can be followed as an example of using BladeGen to create an AxialTurbine blade from start to finish.

Initial Design Parameters - Axial Turbine Blade

BladeGen allows the user to create a blade system from scratch, using one of six standard initialconfiguration types. For this example, a Normal Axial template is used.



2. Select the Normal Axial tab





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1. Enter the nominal wrap angle of 5 degrees, thickness of 5 and 83 blades.


Setting Model PropertiesSet the model properties as follows:

1. Select Model | Propertiesfrom the main menu.2. Set Component Type to Turbine.3. Set Configuration Type to Axial.4. Set Model Units to MM.5. Click OK.


The most critical operation in the meridional view is to define the shape of the hub and shroudcurve. The endpoints for these curves were specified when Initial Design Parameters wereentered.


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Defining the Inlet and Outlet Sections

The hub and shroud definitions up and downstream of the blade can be defined when the userwill be performing CFD analysis on the proposed design. It is also nice to set the inlet and outletsections to reasonable values to make the BladeGen model represent the final design. To setthe position of the inlet and outlet points;

1. Double click the shroud inlet point at the top left of the meridional view

2. The Point Location Dialog will open. The Horizontal value is the Axial location (Zco-ordinate) and the Vertical value represents the Radius

3. Enter 40 and 360 for the horizontal and vertical values. Click OK.

4. Double click the hub inlet point (bottom left corner) and enter 40 and 254 for the horizontaland vertical values. Click OK.

5. Double click the hub outlet point (bottom right corner) and enter 110 and 254 for thehorizontal and vertical values. Click OK.

6. Double click the shroud outlet point (top right corner) and enter 110 and 360 for thehorizontal and vertical values. Click OK.

Adjusting Blade Hub and Shroud Curve

By default, BladeGen creates the blades hub and shroud curves as curves with 5 control points.For this example, a single straight edge is required. Therefore, we can convert this curve to twocontrol points.

1. Left-click the blades hub curve.



4. Repeat this procedure for the blades shroud curve.

Adjusting the Blade Angles at the Shroud in the Angle View

The meridional profile is now defined and the Blade angles can be set. In the Angle View, theactive layer is indicated by a red dot in the layer column on the right-hand side. Make theShroud layer active by selecting the black dot at the top of the layer column. It will turn red andthe Shroud is now active.



2. In the Leading Edge tab, enter a Beta value of -4.65. The Tang. Beta value will be

updated automatically to a value of 90 minus Beta. 3. Enter a Theta value of -2.5.

4. In the Trailing edge tab, enter a Beta value of 70.10. The Tangential Beta value will beupdated automatically to a value of 19.90.

5. Enter a Theta value of 2.15

6. Leave all other values set to zero.



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Adjusting the Shroud Beta Profile

Setting the blade angles did not create a suitable profile. Modify the Beta curve as follows:

Figure 22Shroud Beta Profile

1. Right-click in the Angle view and select Beta Definition

2. Right-click the mouse a second time in the Angle view and select Convert Points to.. SplineCurve Points


4. Modify the control points by dragging them with the left mouse button so that the betacurve looks similar to Figure 22.

Adjusting Blade Profiles at Mid-span Locations

It is often desirable to control the blade shape at more than just the hub and shroud locations.To control the blade profiles at more locations, additional Layers can be activated or generated.In this example, the layer generated at a span location of 0.5 will be used.

Activating an Additional Layer1. Right-click in the Angle view and select Layer Control..

2. Click the empty box to the left of Span 0.500 to select the layer. 3. Select OK.


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Set the Beta Definition at the New Layer

Figure 23Span=0.5 Beta ProfileMake the new layer active by select the newblack dot at the mid-span location of the layercolumn. After you have selected it, the dot will turn red. Repeat the procedure defined earlierusingFigure 23as a guide. For the Blade Angles:

1. In the Leading Edge tab, enter a Beta value of -40.7 and a Theta value of -1.5.

2. In the Trailing edge tab, enter a Beta value of 66.88 and a Theta value of 2.74.


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Make the Hub layer active by selecting the black dot at the bottom of the layer column. After youhave selected it, the dot will turn red. Repeat the procedure described earlier using a leadingedge Beta value of -67, a leading edge Theta value of 0.5, a trailing edge Beta value of 42, anda trailing edge Theta value of 3.33..

Defining the Blade Thickness Profile

Figure 24Inactive Layer Warning

By default, BladeGen assumes that the blade thickness profile is uniform from hub to shroud. Ifyou try to make some thickness modifications at any layer other than the hub a warning messageas shown in Figure 24appears.

If the blade thickness is to be non-uniform from hub to shroud, additional layers must be activatedas follows:

1. Right-click in the Thickness view and select Layer Control

2. In the Layer Control Dialog, check the box beside the layer at Span: 1.000 and Span:0.500.

3. Select OK.


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Defining the Blade Thickness at the ShroudDefine the Blade Thickness at the Shroud

1. Click on the black dot at the top of the Layer Columnin the Thickness view to make theshroud layer active.

2. Convert the thickness curve to a 3-point spline. Right-click the mouse in the Thicknessview and select Convert Points to.. Spline Curve Points


4. Set the Leading edge thickness to 1.25mm by double-clicking the leading edge point andentering a thickness of 1.25mm

5. Set the Trailing edge thickness to 0.50mm.

6. Double-click the middle point and set the thickness to 3.25. Also adjust the Meridionalposition by setting the M value to 9.

Now, extra control points can be added to create the profile as shown in Figure 25:

Figure 25Shroud Thickness Profile

1. Right-click the mouse in the Thickness view and select Segment Operations.. Insert ManyPoints

2. Click the left mouse button near each of the locations indicated by the black arrows inFigure 25.

3. After you have added all 4 points, Right-click the mouse and select Segment Operations..Insert Many Points again to finish adding points.

4. Click and drag the newly-added points to the locations indicated by the arrows in Figure

25.


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Defining the Blade Thickness at Span 0.51. Click on the black dot in the middle of the Layer Column in the Thickness view to make the

span 0.5 layer active.


3. Set the Leading Edge to 1.1mm thickness, trailing edge to 0.5mm and the middle control point

to a thickness of 5.5 at a Meridional distance of 9.0 4. Create 4 extra control points as described earlier to create a similar profile as shown in Figure

25.

Defining the Blade Thickness at the Hub1. Click on the black dot at the bottom of the Layer Column in the Thickness view to make the

hub layer active.


3. Set the Leading Edge to 1.0mm thickness, trailing edge to 0.5mm and the middle control pointto a thickness of 6.5 at a Meridional distance of 18.

4. Create 4 extra control points as described earlier to create a similar profile as shown in Figure

25.

Prescribing the Leading/Trailing Edge Ellipse


Select Blade | Propertiesmenu commands or the toolbar button located on the left hand sideof the BladeGen window to set the blade properties. Set the Leading Edge/Trailing Edge Ellipsetab; adjust the values as shown in Figure 26. All other values can remain unchanged.


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Adding Custom Output Layers

A layer (streamline) is defined as a meridional curve that represents surface of revolution. So far,layers have been used to control the blade angles and thickness profiles. Layers are also usedfor controlling the output from BladeGen. For more detailed information, see Layer Details.

Creating Additional Output Layers at Constant Span Locations1. Right-click the mouse in the Angle View and select Layer Controlfrom the pop-up menu.

2. Select the Output tab and click the Create button.

3. In the Layer Dialog, enter a span value of 0.05 and click OK.

4. Repeat this procedure for span values of 0.1 and 0.125.

5. Click OKto close the Layer Control Dialog.

Creating an Additional Output Layer at a Variable Span LocationLayers can also be generated at variable span locations as follows;

Figure 27 - Layers at Non-Uniform Span Locations

1. Right-click the mouse in the Angle View and select Layer Controlfrom the pop-up menu.

2. Select the Output tab and click the Create button.

3. In the Layer Dialog, click the Shr Gap tab and enter LE gap of 90.125 and a TE gap of86.95 as shown in Figure 27. Click OK.

4. Click OKto close the Layer Control Dialog.

Saving Your ModelUpon exiting BladeGen, the blade model is automatically saved to a file associated with the

Workbench project. You must save the project before closing it in order to retain the project files.You can save the project from the Workbench interface as usual. You will be prompted for aproject name if you have not previously saved the project. The File | Savemenu command (Save



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Creating a Compressor Impeller with a Splitter Vane

The following procedure can be followed as an example of using BladeGen to create aCompressor Impeller with a splitter vane from start to finish.

Initial Design Parameters - Splitter Vane


BladeGen allows the user to create a blade system from scratch, using one of six standard initial

configuration types. For this example, a Radial Impeller is used.

1. Select the File | New | BladeGen Modelmenu command or toolbar button which willdisplay the Initial Meridional Configuration Dialog (shown in Figure 28)

2. Select the Radial Impeller tab





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Using Figure 29 the initial blade parameters are completed:

1. Enter the nominal wrap angle of 85 degrees, thickness of 3 and 6 blades.



The most critical operation in the meridional view is to define the shape of the hub and shroud

curve. The endpoints for these curves were specified when Initial Design Parameters wereentered in the Initial Meridional configuration dialog.


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Defining the Blade Shape at the Hub and Shroud in theMeridional View

Figure 30 Meridional Profile

The hub and shroud profile for this case are reasonably well defined automatically, but somemodifications are helpful to smooth out the corner radius. This is done most easily by convertingthe curves to Bezier Segments.

1. Left-click the Hub curve

2. Right-click the mouse and select Convert Points to.. Bezier Control Points from thepop-up menu.


4. Align the new control points as in Figure 30.

5. Repeat this procedure for the Shroud curve.


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Adjusting the Blade Angles at the Hub in the Angle View






3. In the Trailing edge tab, the Theta angle should be 85. Enter 30 for the Beta value.The Tangential Beta value will be automatically updated as 60. All other values canremain as zero.

4. Close the Blade Angle Dialog by selecting OK5. The Theta curve will be automatically switched to a spline curve with 5 control points.


Left-click the black dot located at the top of the layer column to activate the Shroud layer. Theblade angles can now be defined as follows;


2. In the Leading Edge tab, enter 27.5 for the Tangential Beta value, the Beta value willautomatically be updated as 90 minus Tang. Beta. Leave all the other values at zero.

3. In the Trailing edge tab, enter a Theta angle of 84 and enter 30 for the Beta value. TheTangential Beta value will be automatically updated as 60. All other values can remainas zero.


5. The Theta curve will be automatically switched to a spline curve with 5 control points.

Defining the Blade Thickness Profile

At this time, the Blade thickness can be defined in the Thickness view. For this example, aconstant thickness of 3mm will be used and no modifications are required.


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Prescribing the Leading/Trailing Edge Ellipse


Select Blade | Propertiesmenu commands or the toolbar button located on the left hand sideof the BladeGen window to set the blade properties. Set the Leading Edge/Trailing Edge Ellipsetab; adjust the values as shown in Figure 31. All other values can remain unchanged.


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Adding a Splitter Blade

Now that the main blade is defined, a splitter blade can be added. For more detailed informationon splitter blades, refer to Blade Settings.

Splitter blades can be dependent on the main blade for their angular and thickness definitions or

have their own, independent, definitions. For this example, the splitter blade will be madedependant on the main blade. Create the Splitter Blade as follows;

Figure 32Splitter Blade Properties

1. Choose the Blade | Add Splittermenu command or the toolbar button. The BladeProperty Dialog will open (Figure 32).

2. The default values in the Location/Definition tab will be used. This will place the splitterblade at main blades mid-pitch and set the angular and thickness definition as dependantupon the main blade.

3. Select the Leading Edge/Trailing Edge Ellipse tab, set the Leading Edge Elliptic ratio to 4.0for both hub and shroud.

4. In the LE/TE Cut-Off, Enable the Leading edge option and enter 0.35 for the hub and 0.4for the shroud. Click OK.


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Figure 33Graphical Layout after adding the Splitter Blade

After the splitter has been added, there are some new features in the GUI to note, as annotatedin Figure 33.


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View DescriptionsA typical BladeGen Window contains a combination of Working Views and Auxiliary Views. TheWorking Views are views where all blade-modification tasks are performed. The Auxiliary Viewsare used for data display only and provide a variety of formats for reviewing the blade design.

The operating mode determines which working views are active. The Annotated Window Layout,show below, describes the components of the window.

Each view has a unique set of functions and operations that can be accessed usingcontext-sensitive popup menus. These menus are displayed by positioning the cursor in therelevant view and depressing the right mouse button. Some of the functions in these popupmenus are accessible from the main menu, but many are unique to the popup menus. See theMenu List in the context-sensitive help for a complete listing of menus.

Related Topics:Common Mouse FunctionsView Layout Control

Common Views

Angle/Thickness Mode Specific ViewsPressure/Suction Mode Specific View


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BladeGen uses a common set of mouse functions to manipulate the views. These functions aredescribed in the following table.


Mouse Action Applies To DescriptionClick with Left Working Views only If a point or segment is within selection distance, it

is selected.Drag with Left Working Views only If a point is selected or within selection distance,

the point is selected and dragged with the mousepointer. Releasing the mouse button updatesthe view.

Scroll wheel orDrag with Both

All Views Zooms the view in and out.

Click with Right All Views Displays the context-sensitive popup menu.Drag with Right All Views Pans the view. The view moves with the mouse

pointer.


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View Layout Control

Between each of the views in the BladeGen Window are view separators, as shown in theAnnotated Window Layout popup. These view separators can be dragged to resize windows bypositioning the mouse over a separator, pressing the left button, and dragging to the new location.Pressing the toolbar buttons shown below can also control the layout of the views. By utilizing

these methods, the user can control the amount of space consumed by each view and can tailorthe display to match the current task.

Maximize the Top Left (Meridional) View

Maximize the Bottom Left (Angle or Prs/Sct) View

Maximize the Bottom Right (Thickness or Prs/Sct) View

Maximize the Top Right (Auxiliary) View

Restore View Layout, with all views the same size


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Common Views

The Meridional and Auxiliary views are common to both the Angle/Thickness andPressure/Suction Modes. These views appear on the top half of the BladeGen window, asshown below, and are described in more detail in the following sections:

Meridional ViewAuxiliary View

Common Views

Meridional View

A typical Meridional View is shown below. The meridional view contains the description of theblade in an axial-radial coordinate system. BladeGen allows the user to define the blade and theinlet/outlet extensions required by CFD programs. See the Meridional View Popup Menu fordetails of the options and functions available in this view.

Meridional View


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Auxiliary View

The Auxiliary View is located in the upper-right corner of the BladeGen window, as shown in thefigure below. It is used to display various data sets describing the model. The Auxiliary View isautomatically updated when modifications are performed in a Working View.

The data set to be displayed is selected by the View | Auxiliary View Contentmenu commandsand the Auxiliary Toolbars (displayed by default on the right edge of the window). The user maycreate additional auxiliary views by invoking the New Auxiliary View (B2B)menu command,either from the Viewmenu or from the popup menu in an Auxiliary View. This will create a newBlade-to-Blade view which can then be changed to the desired type by using the Auxiliary ViewContent menu command.

There are currently five Auxiliary View types. They are described in the Auxiliary View Detailssection. See the View Menu or the popup menu for the view type for details of the options andfunctions available in this view.


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Angle/Thickness Mode Specific Views

The Angle/Thickness Mode Specific Views are used to define the angular location and thicknessof a blade, as a function of some location on the layer curve. This data indirectly specifies thelocation of the two sides of a blade. Both views use a quantity derived from the meridionaldistance along a layer as the independent axis.

The following sections describe these views in more detail:

Angle ViewThickness View

Angle/Thickness Mode Views


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Angle View

The Angle View, shown below, describes the angular placement (Theta or ) and slope (Beta or )of the blade on a layer. See the Angle View Popup Menu for details of the options and functionsavailable in this view.

The user can modify the data of the curve directly or use the Blade Angles Dialog to specifycommon values which will be used to create a curve that satisfies the parameters.

Angle View


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Thickness View

The Thickness View, shown below, describes the total normal or tangential thickness of the bladealong a streamline (called a layer). See the Thickness View Popup Menu for details of theoptions and functions available in this view.

The user can modify the data of the curve directly or elect to specify a NACA Airfoil thicknessdistribution which will be used to create a curve that satisfies the NACA parameters.

The data handled by this view has only a second order affect on the blade surfaces, making theview seem very stable. This is the only view where the piecewise linear segment type isrecommended for use.

Thickness View


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Pressure/Suction Mode Specific View

The Pressure/Suction View, shown below, is used to define the two sides of a blade directly.Each side is defined by its own curve, which can be either manipulated directly or adjusted usingthe Bezier Blade Dialog.

Pressure/Suction View

Bladegen Toturials

Documents