Experimental study on flow field and performance of bionic-wavy leading edge in an axial compressor with positive bowed blades

To enhance the aerodynamic performance of compressors in advanced aeroengines, a compound flow control method combining positively bowed blades and bionic-wavy leading edges is proposed for improving the aerodynamic performance of compressor cascades with controlled diffusion airfoils. This study verified the effectiveness of the compound control method through low-speed wind tunnel experiments using five-hole probe measurements and surface oil-flow visualization techniques. Additionally, the flow field structure was analyzed, and vortex models were established to thoroughly discuss the mechanism of the compound flow control method. The results show that within the incidence angle range of 0°–4° studied in this paper, the composite control method achieved significantly effective control, with a maximum reduction in overall total pressure loss of 25.8% compared to straight blade cascades. Three vortex models were established. The positive bowed blade cascade induced a complex vortex structure in the concentrated shedding vortex region, increasing losses in the concentrated shedding vortex (CSV) region but reducing profile losses. The coupled method further reduced profile losses and optimized the flow field in the CSV region. This study not only validates the feasibility of the compound method but also provides guidance for applying flow control methods to bowed blade cascades.