Us 4431376

United States Patent [191
Lubenstein et a].
[54] AIRFOIL SHAPE FOR ARRAYS OF

AIRFOILS
266475
4,431,376
[45]
Feb. 14, 1984
U.S.S.R. . .................... .. 4l6/DIG. 2
Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby
[75] Inventors: Joseph H. Lubenstein, West

Hartford; Brian A. Robideau,
Glastonbury; Alan K. Ross, Vernon,
all of Conn.
[73] Assignee: United Technologies Corporation,

Hartford, Conn.
Assistant Examiner-Shewen Bian

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gene D. Fleischhauer
[57]
ABSTRACT
A flow directing assembly 14 having an airfoil section

or shape 28 of the type adapted for use in an axial flow
gas turbine engine is disclosed. The cambered meanline

MCL of the airfoil shape is formed of a front circular
[21] Appl.No.: 200,800

[22] Filed:
7/1976
[1 1]
arc FA and a rear circular arc RA. A thickness distribu
Oct. 27, 1980
{51]
Int. Cl.3 ............................................. .. B63H 1/26
tion TD is applied to the meanline to form the convex

suction surface 20 and the concave pressure surface 22.
[52]
US. Cl. .......................... .. 416/223 A; 416/223 R;
The airfoil section exhibits good aerodynamic perfor
416/DIG. 2
mance as compared with an equivalent circular arc
[58]
Field of Search ............. .. 416/223 A, 223 R, 243,
[56]
416/DIG. 2; 415/181
References Cited
airfoil in a transonic ?ow ?eld. A method for making

the airfoil shape is disclosed. The method includes the
steps of: forming a cambered meanline of two circular
arcs; forming a thickness distribution about the conical
chord line B,; and applying thickness distribution to the
cambered meanline such that a portion of the suction
surface is stretched and a portion of the pressure surface
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

3,270,953
9/1966
4,012,172
3/1977 Schwaar
Jerie .............................. .. 4l6/223A
416/223 A
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

2225599 12/1973
Fed. Rep. of Germany .... .. 416/243
is compressed.
8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures
US. Patent
Feb. 14, 1984
Sheet 1 of6
4,431,376
U.S. Patent
Feb. 14, 1984
Sheet 2 of6
4,431,376
US. Patent
Feb. 14, 1984
Sheet 3 of6
TMc7/\6*f
TAM/g
4,431,376
ya
TP
6;
72
'
RA
TF6 V \
I ) bf
bi
A
RF?!
arch, ace/u, Ma?a
FIG. 5
RRA
U.S. Patent
Feb. 14, 1984
Sheet 6 of6
FIG. 9
FIG. /0
u/
/
Rler
~.035bt n
B:
4,431,376
4,431,376
sure surface de?ned by variables which are a function of
AIRFOIL SHAPE FOR ARRAYS OF AIRFOILS
the location of the ?rst covered section.

In accordance with the present invention, an airfoil
section is fabricated by: establishing a cambered mean
DESCRIPTION
line having a ?rst arc and a second arc tangentially

intersecting the ?rst are at a translation point; esta
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to axial ?ow rotary machines
and particularly to transonic airfoils for use in such a
machine.
blishng a conical chord line extending between the
leading edge and the trailing edge of the meanline; es

tablishing a thickness distribution about the conical
chord line; superimposing the thickness distribution on
2. Background Art
Axial flow rotary machines typically have arrays of
the cambered mean line to form a suction surface and a
airfoils extending across a flow path for working me

dium gases. The airfoils of each array receive work
from the working medium gases or do work on the
pressure surface.
A primary feature of the present invention is a conical
airfoil section having a contoured suction surface and a
working medium gases by turning the flow. As the 15 contoured pressure surface. Another feature is the loca
gases pass through the array, the gases may experience

shock waves and separation of the boundary layer of
tion of the maximum thickness of the airfoil section, the

ratio of the front camber angle 0; to the total camber
the gases from adjacent airfoil surfaces. These phenom
angle 0,, the ratio of the length bfof the front chord to
ena cause aerodynamic losses. The losses limit the stage

the length b; of the conical chord line, and the distance
efficiency of the airfoils. The losses are of particular 20 Tzn of the suction surface and the pressure surface from
concern in a transonic flow ?eld, i.e. any flow ?eld
the cambered meanline.
which contains regions of subsonic and supersonic local

A principal advantage of the present invention is the
velocity in juxtaposition. A discussion of this subject is
good aerodynamic performance of the airfoil section in
available in Wu and Moulden A Survey of Transonic
a transonic flow ?eld as compared with circular arc
Aerodynamics, AIAA Paper No. 76-326, presented at 25 airfoil sections. Separation of the boundary layer and
the resultant aerodynamic losses are suppressed by con
the AIAA Ninth Fluid and Plasma Dynamics Confer
trolling the rate of diffusion along the suction surface.
ence, San Diego, California, 1976.
Another advantage is the simple method for generating
One way to reduce the losses in a transonic ?ow ?eld
the shape of the airfoil as compared with airfoil shapes
is to optimize the contour of the airfoil. This approach
generated by point by point analysis of the flow ?eld.
was emphasized during the last two decades. A result of
The foregoing and other objects, features and advan
such work found expression in US. Pat. No. 3,952,971
tages of the present invention will become more appar
to Whitcomb entitled Airfoil Shape for Flight at Sub
ent in the light of the following detailed description of
sonic Speeds. The Whitcomb patent deals with an
the preferred embodiment thereof as shown in the ac
isolated airfoil having no internal or guided flow. How
ever, this patent is an example of an improvement in 35 companying drawing.
aerodynamics which results from contouring the blade
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
surface to optimize the performance of the blade.
FIG.
1 is a developed view of a portion of a flow
Scientists and engineers are also interested in improv
directing assembly of a gas turbine engine;
ing the performance of arrays of airfoils by contouring

adjacent airfoil surfaces. Generally the efforts have
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a rotor blade taken
along the line 22 as shown in FIG. 1;
fallen into two areas: one, attempting to precisely de?ne

the contours of each airfoil section at almost every point
to optimize the flow relationship between the airfoil and
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of twl adjacent airfoil sec

tions taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the sectional view of
the working medium gas; the other, generating airfoils

having simple shapes which have better flow character
istics than conventional shapes. Examples of both types
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the cambered
meanline of the conical airfoil section of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of the relation
of airfoil sections are discussed in Stephens Applica
tion of Supercritical Airfoil Technology to Compressor

Cascades: Comparison of Theoretcal and Experimental
Results", AIAA Paper No. 78-1138, presented at the
ship of several physical parameters of the airfoil section

50 as a function of the normalized length to the ?rst cov
ered section (T/b;sin(90-a;,));

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the second
AIAA Eleventh Fluid and Plasma Dynamics Confer

ence, Seattle, Washington, 1978.
Airfoils having sophisticated shapes such as those
step of forming a thickness distribution about the coni

cal chord line 8,;
made by the ?rst method are dif?cult an expensive to 55
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view corresponding to the
design and very expensive to fabricate. Airfoils made by
diagrammatic view of FIG. 7;
the second method, including double circular arc air
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the step of
foils and multiple circular arc airfoils, are relatively
applying the thickness distribution of FIG. 9 to the
simple to design and fabricate but are not as aerodynam
cambered meanline of FIG. 6;
ically ef?cient as those designed by the ?rst method. 60 FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the leading edge
Accordingly, interest continues in developing an airfoil
region of the thickness distribution shown in the FIG. 7
having a shape which is relatively simple to generate
and FIG. 8 views.
and yet which exhibits good aerodynamic flow perfor
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
mance in a transonic flow ?eld.
According to the present invention, an airfoil section
INVENTION
A gas turbine engine embodiment of a rotary machine
is illustrated in FIG. 1. A portion of a ?ow directing
has a cambered meanline, a suction surface and a pres
assembly such as a compressor rotor assembly 10 of the
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
65
4,431,376
engine is shown. The broken lines show the embodi
TL at an inlet metal angle B1". The difference between
ment in an undeveloped view. The solid lines show the
the angle [31* and the angle [3; is the incidence angle i.
embodiment in the developed view. The rotor assembly

includes a rotor disk 12 having an axis of rotation R. A
As shown in FIG. 4 the incidence angle i is negative.

The working medium gas leaves the airfoil section at
plurality of rotor blades as represented by the rotor

blades 14 extend outwardly from the rotor disk. A flow
an angle 8; to the rear tangent line TLR. The cambered

meanline has a tangent line TMCR at the trailing (rear)
path 16 for working medium gases extends between the
edge. The angle between the tangent line TMCR and the
adjacent rotor blades. Each blade has an airfoil 18 ex
rear tangent line TLR is the exit metal angle B2. Thus,
the tangent line TMCR intersects the tangent line TL at
an exit metal angle B2". The difference between the
tending outwardly across the working medium flow

path. Each airfoil has a convex surface or side such as
suction surface 20 and a concave surface or side such as
angle B2 and the angle 3; is the deviation angle d.
pressure surface 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the suction surface 20 and the
pressure surface 22 of each airfoil 18 are joined together
at a leading edge 24 and a trailing edge 26. An imagi
nary streamline S in the flow path is adjacent to each
airfoil. An imaginary point A lies on the leading edge of
each airfoil along the streamline S. Point A has a radius
r about the axis R of the engine. Similarly, an imaginary
point B lies on the suction side and an imaginary point
C lies on the trailing edge along the streamline S. The
As shown in FIG. 5, a total camber angle 6; is the
angle between the tangent line TMcpat the leading edge

and the tangent line TMCR at the trailing edge. The total
camber angle 0, is the measure of the curve of the
cambered meanline and the airfoil section.
The cambered meanline MCL is a double circular are
having two circular arcs such as a front are FA and a
rear arc RA. The front are FA has a radius of curvature
RM. The rear arc RA has a radius of curvature RRA.
The front are FA is tangent to the rear are at a point of
three points de?ne a section plane S (33). The plane
intersection. This point of intersection is the transition
S passes through each airfoil and forms a conical airfoil

point TP of the airfoil section. A tangent line Tpc is
section 28.
tangent to both arcs at the transitiion point. A front
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of two adjacent airfoil 25 camber angle 0f is the angle between the tangent line
sections 28 taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
TFC and the tangent line TMCF. A front camber angle
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the sectional view of
6/ is a measure of the curve of the front are FA. A
FIG. 3. The conical chord line B, is a straight line con
front conical chord line Bfextends between the point A
necting point A on the leading edge with point C on the
on the leading edge and the transition point TP. The
trailing edge. The conical chord line B, has a length b,.
front chord line has a length bf.
A mean camber line such as the cambered meanline
FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of the relation
MCL connects the point A on the leading edge and the
ship of several physical parameters which describe the
point C on the trailing edge. The suction surface 20 and
airfoil section as a function of the normalized length
pressure surface 22 are each spaced a distance Tzn from
Lfm to the ?rst covered section (Lf,=l/b;). The normal
the cambered meanline along a line Z'n perpendicular 35 ized length Lfcs is a function of both the gap 1' to chord
to the cambered meanline MCL.
b, ratio (r/b1) and the alpha chord angle am. More
A forward tangent line TL, tangent to the path of
particularly Lfcs is equal to the distance 1 from the tan
rotation of point A about the axis of rotation R, pro
gent line TL to the ?rst covered section as measured
vides a reference axis (y-axis) for measuring angles and
along the conical chord line B;, the distance 1 being
distances. A rear tangent line TLR is parallel to the 40 equal to the distance 1- multiplied by the quantity the
tangent line TL and passes through point C. A plane

sine of the angle 90' minus the alpha chord angle di
passing through the axis of rotation R intersects the
vided by the quantity b, the length of the conical chord
plane S at a second reference line, the x-axis. Tau (1') is
line B;. The relationship is expressed mathematically
the distance between airfoil sections 28 measured along
l/b;=1'/b1.sin(90-ac;,). The equations approximately
TL. An alpha chord angle ad, is the angle between the 45 describing this relationship are:
tangent line TL and the conical chord line B,.
An imaginary point FCS is the location of the ?rst
covered section. A distance I is the distance from point
FCS to point A measured along the conical chord line
B,. The distance 1 is equal to the distance tau 1' multi
plied by the quantity the sine of the angle ninety degrees

minus the alpha chord angle l=1'.sin(90-ac;,). A normal
ized distance Lfc, to the ?rst covered section is the dis
tance l divided by the distance b; (length of the conical
chord line B;) (Lf-S=l/b2).

The airfoil has a maximum thickness tmax. The loca
tion TMAX of maximum thickness is on the cambered
meanline MCL. A circle TmUr having a radius tmaX/2 is
tangent to the suction surface 20 and the pressure sur
face 22. The length loc mt to the location of maximum
55
TERG = .129 + .384 Lfcs. 0 < Lfc, .77;

TERG = .425, .11 < L1,, < 1.0.
thickness is measured along the conical chord line B,.
Thus, from FIG. 6 which embodies these equations, the

ratio of the front camber angle 0f to the total camber
angle 01* is related to both the alpha chord angle ad, and
at an angle 13] to the tangent line TL. The cambered
mean line MCL has a tangent line TMCF at the leading 65 the gap to chord ratio 'r/b, by the curve 0; divided by
0,. Similarly, the ratio between the length loc mt to the
(front) edge. The angle between the tangent line TMCF
location of maximum thickness and the length b, of the
and the tangent line TL is the inlet metal angle [31".
conical chord line B, is related to both the alpha chord
Thus, the tangent line TMCF intersects the tangent line
The working medium gas ?owing along the working
medium flow path 16 approaches the airfoil section 28
4,431,376
angle ad, and the gap to chord ratio r/b, by the curve
6
Ac. obtaining the ratio of the length bfof the front
chord line Bfto the length btof the conical chord
line B, (bf/bl) and the ratio of the front camber
angle (01*) to the total camber angle 6;(9f/0f)
from FIG. 6 at the value Lfcs of the normalized
loc mt/b,. The ratio of the length bfof the front chord
Bfto the length b, of the conical chord line B, is related
to both the alpha chord angle ad, and the gap to chord
ratio r/b, by curve bf/b 1. Similarly, the relationship for

the dimensionless quantity TERG is related to the alpha
distance to the ?rst covered section,

Af. establishing the location of the first are such
chord angle ac}. and the gap to chord ratio 'r/b, by the
curve TERG. The quantity TERG is used in determin
ing the distances Tzn.
The steps of the method for forming the airfoil sec
tion 28 are summarized in this paragraph as steps A, B,
that the arc passes through the leading edge

using the values known (b1, 0,, B1") and the
value found in step Ae for bfand 0f
Ag. establishing the location of the second are such
that the arc passes through the trailing edge
C and D. These steps are set forth in more detail in the
using the values known (b,, 01*, B1") and values

found in step Ae for bf, 0;
Ah. establishing the conical chord line Btextending
between the leading edge and the trailing edge,
Ai. determining the actual alpha chord angle acha
following paragraphs. The method for forming the

airfoil section 28 begins with step A (FIG. 5), establish
in g the cambered meanline MCL such that the meanline
has a ?rst arc, such as the front are FA, and a second
arc, such as rear arc RA. The ?rst arc and the second
are are tangent to each other at the transition point TP.
for the cambered meanline with respect to the
The front are has a leading end such as the leading edge
24 and the rear arc has a trailing end such as the trailing
edge 26. Step A includes establishing a conical chord

line B, extending between the leading end and the trail
ing end of the cambered meanline MCL. The second
step is step B (FIG. 7), establishing a thickness distribu
tion TD about the conbical chord line b,. The third step 25
is C (FIG. 9) superimposing the thickness distribution

on the cambered meanline. Imposing a thickness distri
bution TD generated about the conical chord line on a
curved line causes the thickness distribution to stretch
30
chordwisely on the convex or suction side and to com
press chordwisely on the concave or pressure side. The
forward tangent line TL,

Aj. determining the difference E between the ac
tual alpha chord angle etch and the alpha chord
angle ad, used to calculate the normalized loca
tion Lfc, by substracting ad, from ad, (E=a
cha~ach)
Ak. proceeding to step B if the absolute value of E
is less than a predetermined value e (l E] <e) and

proceeding to step Am if the absolute value of E
is greater than or equal to the predetermined
value e (lEl 2e),
Al. setting the value of the alpha chord angle ac},
equal to the value acha (ach=ac;m),
Am. repeating steps Ac through Aj.
resulting airfoil section has a desirable separation char
The predetermined value c is selected such that any
acteristic in a transonic aerodynamic ?ow ?eld. The

variation in the quantities TERG, bf/b, loc mt/b, and
fourth step is step D. In step D, the airfoil section is 35 Of/Gf'
obtained from FIG. 6 is less than i002.
completed by forming an airfoil section having the
FIG. 7 illustrates the second step of forming a thick
desired contours. These steps are explored in more
ness distribution TD about the conical chord line B,.
detail below.
The second step is:
Preliminary design based on aerodynamic and struc
B. establishing a thickness distribution TD formed of
tural considerations establishes the following values: the
two parts, each part being disposed about the coni
length of the conical chord line B;; the magnitude of the
cal chord line B;, each part having a line spaced a
inlet metal angle B1, the magnitude of the total camber
distance Tzn from the conical chord line B, at any
angle 01*; the gap distance between adjacent circumfer
point zn, the point zn being spaced a distance Lan
entially spaced airfoil sections tau 1'; and the maximum
from the leading edge on the conical chord line 8,,
thickness of the airfoil section tmax. Referring to FIG. 4 45
the distance Tzn being measured along a line Zn
and FIG. 5, the ?rst step is step:
perpendicular to the conical chord line B the line
A. establishing a cambered meanline having a con
of the ?rst part being TD] and the line of the sec
cave side and a convex side and having a first arc,
such as the front are FA, a second arc, such as the
ond part being TDZ,
rear arc Ra, and a transition point TP between the 50

?rst arc and the second arc, the first are being
tangent to the second are at said transition point T?
by
Aa. determining an initial value for the alpha chord
angle (arm) which is equal to the sum of the inlet 55
metal angle (81*) and one-half of the total cam
ber angle (Bf/2), (ach,-=,B1*+0,*/2, )
Ba. the line of the ?rst part TD1 being established
by
Bal. determining the distance loc mt along the
conical chord line to the location TMAX of
maximum thickness tmax by determining the

ratio loc mt/br from FIG. 6 at the value Lfcs of
the normalized distance to the ?rst covered
section,
Ba2. superimposing on the conical chord line B;
Ab. setting the value of the alpha chord angle
a circle Tmax having a center on the conical

chord line a distance equal to loc mt from
(la/((10): : achi),
Ac. determining a distance 1 from the tangent line 60
point A and a radius Rm, equal to one-half of
TL to the ?rst covered section as measured
the maximum thickness tmax of the airfoil sec
along the conical chord line B,, the distance I

being equal to the distance tau T multiplied by
the quantity the sine of the angle ninety degrees

minus the alpha chord angle (l='r.sin(90-ac;,)),
Ad. determining the normalized distance Lfcs to the
?rst covered section by dividing the distance I by
the distance b,,
tion (R,m,,x= tmaX/2).

Ba3. establishing on the conical chord line B, a
leading edge radius circle having a radius R19,

65
and a center on B,a distance equal to R18, from
the leading edge and intersecting the leading

edge at a point A, the radius R1" being equal to
the quantity eighteen hundred and ?fty-two
4,431,376
zn' being at the intersection of the line Zn and

the cambered meanline,
Cb. establishing a line Zn perpendicular to the
conical chord line B, at a point which is a
cambered meanline at each point zn',
distance bf(Lan=b/) from the leading edge.
Cc. establishing a point zn at a distance Tzn as

measured along the line Zn from the convex side
of the cambered meanline at each point zn and a
point zn' at a distance Tzn as measured along
the line Zn from the concave side of the cam
BaS. establishing a line F having a radius of cur
vature Rfwhich is tangent to the leading edge

circle at a point fl, tangent to the circle Tmax
and which intersects the line Q at a point fq,
Ba6. establishing a line P perpendicular to the
bered meanline at each point zn',

Cd. establishing a concave surface passing through
distance Lan equal to the quantity thirty-five

thousandths multiplied by the length b, of the
conical chord line (Lan=0.035b,) from the
the leading edge and the trailing edge and
through all points Zn".

Ce. establishing a convex surface passing through
leading edge and which intersects the line F at

a point fe,
Ba7. passing the line TD1 of the first part

through all points zn'.
As shown in FIG. 9, the distance between points 21"
and 2;" is larger than the distance between points z] and
Z2 on the conical chord line B,. Thus, the thickness
distribution TD about the conical chord line B, is
through the points A, fe and fq such that the

line of the ?rst part is tangent to the leading
edge radius circle at point A, tangent to the
line F at point fe and coincident with line F
between the points fe and fq,

Bb. the line of the second part TD; being estab
lished by
Bbl. determining the quantity TERG from FIG.
8
Ca. establishing a plurality of points Zn, each point
ten thousandths (0.1852) multiplied by the

maximum thickness tmax (R/E,=O.l852.tmaX),
Ba4. establishing a line Q perpendicular to the
stretched chordwisely on the convex side. The distance

between the Points Z1, and z2" is smaller than the distance
between the points z[ and Z2 on the conical chord line 3;.
25 Thus, the thickness distribution TD about the conical
6 at the value Lfcs of the normalized distance to

the first covered section and determining the
radius Rte, which is equal to the quantity

TERG multiplied by four hundred and sixty
three thousandths (0.463) and by tmax (Rm:
chord line Bris compressed chordwisely on the concave

side.
an airfoil having a desired separation characteristic in
a transonic aerodynamic flow ?eld results from forming
Bbl. establishing on the conical chord line B; a
an airfoil section having a cambered meanline, a convex

surface and a concave surfaces as established in steps A,
B, C and combining these sections to form an airfoil.
The airfoil is formed in any suitable manner, such as by
trailing edge radius circle having a radius RM
casting or casting and machining. The conical airfoil
TERG.O.463.tmax),
and a center on B, spaced a distance equal to 35 section 28 as shown in FIG. 4 has:

a convex surface 20,
Rm from the trailing edge and intersecting the
a concave surface 22 joined to the convex surface at
trailing edge at the point C,
Bb3. establishing a line G having a radius of
curvature Rg which is tangent to the trailing

edge radius circle at a point gt and which is 40
tangent to the line F at the point fq,
Bb4. passing the line of the second part TDz
through the points c, gt and fq, such that the
line of the second part is coincident with the
trailing edge radius circle between the points

C and gt and coincident with the line G be
tween the points gt and fq,

FIG. 8 shows the thickness distribution TD gener
ated by the preceding step B. The thickness distribution

is disposed about the conical chord line B, of length b;.
At point A on the leading edge, the thickness Tzn is
equal to zero (Tzn=Tza=O). At point C on the trailing
edge, the thickness is equal to zero (Tzn:Tzc=0). At
point 21 (n l) a distance Lat from the leading edge A
as measured along the conical chord line B;(Lan=La1),
the thickness is equal to T2]. The distance T21 is mea
sured along a line Zi perpendicular to B,. Similarly, the

thickness of the thickness distribution is equal to TZ2 at
point Z2 a distance L32 from the leading edge and T23 at
point Z} a distance L33 from the leading edge.
FIG. 9 illustrates the third step of applying (superim
posing) the thickness distribution on the cambered
meanline to form a convex surface 20 (suction surface)
and a concave surface 22 (pressure surface) of the airfoil 65
section. The third step is step:
C. superimposing the thickness distribution on the
cambered meanline by
the leading edge 24 and the trailing edge 26,
wherein the ratio of the front camber angle 6; to the

total camber angle 65* is related to both the alpha
chord angle am and the gap to chord ratio 'r/b, by
curve Gf/Qr of FIG. 6,
wherein the ratio of the length bfof the chord Bfto

the length b; of the conical chord B; is related to
both the alpha chord angle ac}, and the gap to
chord ratio 'r/b, by curve bf/b, of FIG. 6,

wherein the ratio between the length loc rm to the
location of maximum thickness and the length b; of

the conical chord B, is related to both the alpha
chord angle ad, and the gap to chord ration 'r/btby
curve loc mt/b, of FIG. 6,
wherein the concave surface of the airfoil section and
the convex surface of the airfoil section are each
spaced a distance Tzn from any point zn perpendic

ular to the cambered meanline, and
wherein the distance Tzn is defined by a thickness
distribution TD formed of two parts generated

about the conical chord line B,, each part at any
point zn having a line spaced the distance Tzn
from the conical chord line B, as measured along a
line Zn perpendicular to the conical chord line B,
passing through the point 2n and a point zn, the
point zn being spaced at distance Lan from a point
A on the leading edge along the conical chord line
8,, the line of the first part being TD1 and the line
of the second part being TD; such that
A. the line TD; of the first part
A1. intersects the leading edge at the point A,
4,431,376
A2. is tangent at the point A to a circle passing
through the point A the circle having a center on
the conical chord line B,, and a radius R1", the
10
gent at point A to the circle having a radius Rler. The

elliptical line has a radius of curvature equal to Rfat the
point fe and extends between the point A and the point

fe. Such an elliptical line minimizes the discontinuity in
curvature at the point of tangential juncture with the
radius R12, being equal to the quantity eighteen

hundred and ?fty-two thousandths (0.1852) mul
tiplied by the maximum thickness Tm; of the
line F as compared with the discontinuity in curvature

at the point of tangential juncture between a circle and
the line F.
airfoil (R1e,=O. 1852mm),

A3. is tangent to a circle having a center at the loca
The airfoil section which results from the application

loc mt from the point A (Lan=loc mt) and having - 0 of this method will perform better in a transonic aerody
tion of maximum thickness TMAX on Bra distance
a radius Rm, equal to one-half of the maximum

thickness tmax of the airfoil section (Rtmax.
namic ?ow ?eld than a corresponding circular are air
foil for any given application. This airfoil section is
intended for a speci?c range of Mach numbers from

= {max/2),
approximately seven tenths M to nine tenths M
A4. is coincident with a line F at a point fe, the line
F being tangent to the circle having a radius R19, 5 (0.7M-0.9M). The airfoil section obtains its superior
behavior from the contour of the suction surface. The
at a point fl, being tangent to the circle Tm, and
contour of the suction surface affects diffusion of the
having a radius of curvature Rf, the point fe
being spaced from point A as measured along the
working medium flow along the suction surface of a
conical chord line B, a distance equal to the
compressor stage in such a way that there is an equal
quantity thirty-?ve thousandths multiplied by

the distance b;(Lan = Lae =0.035b;),
A5. terminates at a point fq, the point fq being the

point of intersection between the line of the ?rst
part TD] and a line Q, the line Q being perpen
20
risk of separating the boundary layer at every point

chordwisely. Such a distribution of diffusion avoids a
shock wave and the resultant recompression. Thus, the
airfoil avoids the losses occurring with the shock wave

and the losses associated with separating the ?ow.
Although airfoils designed to the above criteria have
dicular to the conical chord line B, at a point 25
particular utility in transonic flow ?elds, such airfoils
which is a distance bJ(Lan=b/) from the leading
edge, and
A6. has a radius of curvature Rfbetween the point
also have utility in subsonic flow ?elds and are within

the scope of the teaching contained herein.
fe and the point fq; and

Although the invention has been shown and de
30 scribed with respect to preferred embodiments thereof,
B. the line TD; of the second part
it should be understood by those skilled in the art that
B1. is tangent to the line of the ?rst part at the point
various changes and omissions in the form and detail
thereof may be made therein without departing from
B2. extends from the point fq having a radius of
the spirit and the scope of the invention.
curvature Rg,
We claim:
B3. is tangent at a point gt to a circle passing
1. In a gas turbine engine of the type having an array
through a point C on the trailing edge the circle
of airfoils the array being formed of arrays of conical
having a center on the conical chord line B; and
airfoil sections each array of conical airfoil sections
a radius Rm, the radius Rm being equal to the
having a plurality of airfoil sections spaced circumfer
quantity TERG multiplied by four hundred and
sixty-three thousandths and multiplied by the 40 entially from a circumferentially adjacent airfoil section
a distance tau (1') leaving a gap therebetween, said air
maximum thickness of the airfoil tmax (Rm:
foil section having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a
TERG.0.463.tmax),
B4. is coincident with the circle having the radius
front camber angle (Of), a total camber angle 0,, an
R), between the point gt and the point C.
inlet metal angle (31*), an exit metal angle (132*), a maxi
Lines TD; within the purview of this invention are 45 mum thickness tmax, a length to the location of maxi
characterized by: coincidence with the line F between
mum thickness (loc mt), a cambered double circular arc
meanline terminating at the leading edge and the trail
the points fe and fq; and, tangency between the points fe
ing edge, and having a conical chord B, extending be
and A to the line F and to the circle having a radius R1.
tween the leading edge and the trailing edge having a
An example of such a line is the broken line TD] shown
in FIG. 10. This line is coincident with the line F be 50 length b, an alpha chord angle (ach) between B, and a
tangent line TL passing through the leading edge, a
tween i1 and fq and coincident between points fl and A
front chord having a length bf, and a gap to chord ratio
with the circle R1. Another example of such a line is a
line having a linear portion and curved portions at re
(T/bf), the improvement which comprises:
gions near the point ? and the point A. A third example
a plurality of conical airfoil sections in each airfoil,
is shown by the solid line in FIG. 10. The solid line
each of said sections having
TDl is an elliptical line extending between the points A
a convex surface;
a concave surface joined to the convex surface at
and fe. The method for establishing the ?rst part TD] of
the leading edge and the trailing edge;
the thickness distribution for the elliptical line includes
the steps of:
wherein the ratio of the front camber angle (if to
the total camber angle 0, is related to both the
Ba8. establishing an elliptical line 6 which is tan
alpha chord angle ac}, and the gap to chord ratio
gent to the line F at the point fe and tangent to
the leading edge radius circle at point A,
'r/b; by a curve Of/HI";
Ba9. passing the line of the ?rst part through the
wherein the ratio of the length bfof the front chord
point fe such that the line of the ?rst part is coin
Bfto the length b, of the conical B; is related to
cident with the elliptical line 6 between the point 65
-both the alpha chord angle ac), and the gap to
A and the point fe.
chord ratio 'r/b, by a curve bf/b,;
wherein the ratio between the length loc mt to the
Accordingly, the line TD; of the first part is coinci
location of maximum thickness and the length by
dent with an elliptical line 6. The elliptical line is tan
4,431,376
11
12
line 6, the elliptical line being tangent at point A to the

circle having a radius R1 and having a radius of curva
of the conical chord B, is related to both the

alpha chord angle ac}, and the gap to chord ratio
ture equal to Rfat the point fe, the point fe lying be

tween the point fl and the point fq wherein the elliptical
line extends between the point A and the point fe.
wherein the concave surface of the airfoil section

and the convex surface of the airfoil section are
each spaced a distance Tzn from any point zn'
3. A method for forming an airfoil section of a plural
perpendicular to the cambered meanline; and
ity of airfoil sections which are circumferentially spaced
wherein the distance Tzn is de?ned by a thickness

about the conical chord line 8;, each part at any
point zn having a line spaced the distance Tzn
from the conical chord line B, as measured along
a line Zn perpendicular to the conical chord line
a distance tau 1' apart about a rotor axis each of the
airfoil sections having an inlet metal angle [31, a total

camber angle 01*, an alpha chord angle each, a maximum
thickness tmax, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a tangent
line TL passing through the leading edge tangent to the

path of rotation, a front chord line Bf of length bf, a
conical chord line B, of length b, wherein the values of
81*, 0;, 7', b1, the maximum thickness of the airfoil
section tmax, are known, comprising the steps of:
B, passing through the point zn and a point zn,

the point zn being spaced a distance Lan from a
point A on the leading edge along the conical

chord line 8,, the line of the ?rst part being TD]
and the line of the second part being TD; such
Al. intersects the leading edge at the point A,
cave side and a convex side and having a ?rst arc,

a second arc and a transition point TP between the
?rst arc and the second arc, the ?rst are being
tangent to the second are at said transition point TP
by
that
A. the line TD! of the ?rst part
20
through the point A the circle having a center

on the conical chord line B,, and a radius RM,
the radius R18, being equal to the quantity eigh

teen hundred and
?fty-two thousandths
(0.1852) multiplied by the maximum thickness

tmax of the airfoil (R1e,=0.l852.tmax),

angle (achi) which is equal to the sum of the inlet
ber angle (6,")/=, (01cm: B1*+0,*)/2,

Ab. setting the value of the alpha chord angle chi
(aCf|=a-Chl')!
A3. is tangent to a circle having a center at the

location of maximum thickness TMAX on Bra
Ac. determining a distance I from the tangent line
distance loc mt from the point A (Lan=loc

mt) and having a radius Rm, equal to one half
along the conical chord line B,, the distance 1

being equal to the distance tau 1' multiplied by
of the maximum thickness tum,E of the airfoil

section (Rrmax : tmax/Dv
A4. is coincident with a line F at a point fe, the
line F being tangent to the circle having a

radius R19, at a point ?, being tangent to the
circle Tm, and having a radius of curvature
Rf, the point fe being spaced from point A as

measured along the conical chord line B, a
distance equal to the quantity thirty-?ve thou

sandths multiplied by the distance b,(Lan=
Lae=0.035.b,),
A5. terminates at a point fq, the point fq being
the point of intersection between the line of
the ?rst part TD] and a line Q, the line Q being
perpendicular to the conical chord line B, at a
point which is a distance bj(Lan=bf) from the
leading edge, and

A6. has a radius of curvature Rf between the
point fe and the point fq; and

Bl. is tangent to the line of the ?rst part at the
point fq,
B2. extends from the point fq having a radius of
curvature Rg,
through a point C on the trailing edge the
minus the alpha cord angle (l=1-.sin(90-ach),

?rst covered section by dividing the distance 1 by
the distance by,
Ae. obtaining the raio of the length bfOf the front
chord line Bfto the length b, of the conical chord
line B,(bf/b,) and the ratio of the front camber
angle (81") to the total camber angle 0;(6f/61)

Af. establishing the location of the ?rst arc such

using the values known (b,, 0,", B1") and the
value found in step Ae. for bfand 0/,
Ag. establishing the location of the second arc such
using the values known (by, 6,", B1) and values
found in step Ae. for bf, 8/,

Ah. establishing a conical chord line B, extending

Ai. determining the actual alpha chord angle ad,
for the cambered meanline,
tual alpha chord angle ad, and the alpha chord
circle having a center on the conical chord
tion Lf by substracting ad, from acha (E=a
line B, and a radius Rm, the radius Rte, being
cha*ach),
equal to the quantity TERG multiplied by

four hundred and sixty-three thousandths and
multiplied by the maximum thickness of the
airfoil tmax (R,e,=TERG.O.463.tmax),
B4. is coincident with the circle having the ra 65
dius Rm between the point gt and the point C.

2. The conical airfoil section of claim 1 wherein the
line TD) of the ?rst part is coincident with an elliptical
is less than the predetermined value e (IEI <e)

and proceeding to step Am if the absolute value
of E is greater than or equal to the predeter
mined value e (IEI 5e),
Al. setting the value of the alpha chord angle ad,
equal to the value acha (ach=ac;,a), Am. repeat
ing steps Ac through Aj.
13
4,431,376
14
edge radius circle at a point gt and which is
Bb4. passing the line of the second part TD2
two parts each part being disposed about the coni

cal chord line Br, each part having a line spaced
through the points C, gt and fq, such that the
Tzn from the conical chord line Btat any point Zn,
the point zn being spaced a distance Lan from the
leading edge on the conical chord line By, the dis
tance Tzn being measured along a line Zn perpen
dicular to the conical chord line 8;, the line of the
line of the second part is coincident with the
trailing edge radius circle between the points

C and gt and coincident with the line G be
tween the points gt and fq;

?rst part being TD} and the line of the second part
Ca. establishing a plurality of points zn, each point
being TDZ,
Ba. the line of the ?rst part TD1 being established
by
Hal. determining the distance loc rnt along the


ratio loc mt/b, from FIG. 6 at the value Lfcs of

Cb. establishinga line Z'n perpendicular to the
cambered meanline at each point an,
Cc. establishing a point zn" at a distance Tzn as
the normalized distance to the ?rst covered

of the cambered meanline at each point 2n and a
point zn at a distance Tzn as measured along
the line Zn from the concave side of the cam
section,
BaZ. superimposing on the conical chord line B,
chord line a distance equal to 100 mt from
bered meanline at each point zn,

Cd. establishing a concave surface passing through
point A and a radius Rm, equal to one-half of

on (Rtmax:tmax/2)
Ba3. establishing on the conical chord line B, a 25

through all points zn,
and a center on B,a distance equal to Rzerfrom
through all points zn';
D. forming an airfoil section having a cambered
edge at a point A, the radius R18, being equal to
meanline, a convex surface and a concave surface
the quantity eighteen hundred and ?fty-two

ten thousandths (0.1852) multiplied by the
maximum thickness tmgx(RIer=0.1852.tmax),
as established in steps A, B and C;

wherein the thickness distribution is stretched chord
wisely on the convex side and compressed on the con
cave side to form an airfoil section having desirable

separation characteristics in a transonic aerodynamic

?ow ?eld.
distance bf (Lan=bj) from the leading edge,

4. The method for forming an airfoil section of claim
vature RfWl'llCl'l is tangent to the leading edge
3 wherein the step Ba of establishing the ?rst part TD1

of the thickness distribution includes the steps
Ba8. establishing an elliptical line 6 which is tangent
circle at a point ?, tangent to the circle Tmax

to the line F at the point fe and tangent to the
leading edge radius circle at point A,

Ba9. passing the line of the ?rst part through the point
distance Lan equal to the quantity thirty-?ve

thousandths multiplied by the length b, of the
fe such that the line of the ?rst part is coincident

conical chord line (Lan=0.035b,) from the
with
the elliptical line 6 between the point A and
leading edge and which intersects the line F at 45
the
point
fe.
a point fe,
5. In a gas turbine engine of the type having an array
Ba7. passing the line TD; of the ?rst part
of airfoils the array being formed of arrays of conical
airfoil sections each array of conical airfoil sections
having an airfoil section spaced circumferentially from
a circumferentially adjacent airfoil section a distance
tau (1') leaving a gap therebetween, said airfoil section
having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a front camber
Bb. the line of the second part TD; being estab~
angle
(61*), a total camber angle 6,, an inlet metal angle
lished by
(31"), an exit metal angle (31), a maximum thickness
Bbl. determining the quantity TERG from FIG.
tmax, a length to the location of maximum thickness (loc
6 at the value Lfcs of the normalized distance to
mt), a cambered double circular arc meanline terminat
the ?rst covered section and determining the
ing
at the leading edge and the trailing edge, and having
radius Rte, which is equal to the quantity
a conical chord B, extending between the leading edge
TERG multiplied by four hundred and sixty
and the trailing edge having a length b,, an alpha chord
three thousandths (0.463) and by tmax (Rm:
angle (ash) between B, and a tangent line TL passing
TERG. 0.463.t,,,ax),
through the leading edge, a front chord having a length
Bb2. establishing on the conical chord line B; a
bf, and a gap to chord ratio ('r/br), the improvement
trailing edge radius circle having a radius Rte,
which comprises:
and a center on B, spaced a distance equal to

trailing edge at a point C,
65
a conical airfoil section having

a convex surface;
a concave surface joined to the convex surface at
the leading edge and the trailing edge;
15
4,431,376
16
circle having a center on the conical chord
wherein the ratio of the front chamber angle 0f to

the total chamber angle 91* is related to both the
alpha chord angle ac], and the gap to chord ratio
line B, and a radius Rm, the radius Rte, being
equal to the quantity TERG multiplied by

four hundred and sixty-three thousandths and
multiplied by the maximum thickness of the
airfoil tmax (Rter:TERG.0.463.tmax),
wherein the ratio of the length bfof the front chord

Bfto the length b, of the conical B, is related to
both the alpha chord angle act, and the gap to
chord ratio "r/b, by curve bf/b; of FIG. 6;
B4. is coincident with the circle having the ra
dius RM between the point gt and the point C.
wherein the ratio between the length loc mt to the
6. The conical airfoil section of claim 5 wherein the

location of maximum thickness and the length b; t. 0 line TD1 of the ?rst part is coincident with an elliptical
of the conical chord B; is related to both the
line 6, the elliptical line being tangent at point A to the
alpha chord angle ad, and the gap to chord ratio
circle having a radius R10, and having a radius of curva
r/b; by curve loc mt/b, of FIG. 6;

wherein the concave surface of the airfoil section
and the convex surface of the airfoil section are
each spaced a distance Tzn from any point zn'
ture equal to Rfat the point fe, the point fe lying be

tween the point fl and the point fq wherein the elliptical
line extends between the point A and the point fe.
7 A rotor blade having one or more airfoil sections,
perpendicular to the chambered meanline; and
each airfoil section being one of a plurality of airfoil

wherein the distance Tzn is de?ned by a thickness
sections which are circumferentially spaced a distance
tau (1') apart about a rotor axis, each airfoil section
about the conical chord line B;, each part at any 20 having an inlet metal angle 81*, a total camber angle
point In having a line spaced the distance Tzn
6,, an alpha chord angle ach, a maximum thickness
from the conical chord line B, as measured along
tmax, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a tangent line TL
a line Zn perpendicular to the conical chord line
passing through the leading edge tangent to the path of
B, passing through the point zn' and a point zn,
rotation, a front chord line Bfof length bf, and a conical

chord line B, of length b, wherein the values of 81*, 6;,
the point zn being spaced a distance Lan from a
point A on the leading edge along the conical

chord line B,, the line of the ?rst part being TDi
and the line of the second part being Tdz such
T, b;, the maximum thickness of the airfoil section tmax,

are known, the rotor blade having one or more airfoil
section geometries determined by the method steps of:
that
A. the line TD] of the ?rst part

cave side and a convex side and having a ?rst arc,
a second arc and a transition point TP between the
?rst arc and the second arc, the ?rst are being
Al. intersects the leading edge at the point A,

through the point A the circle having a center
on the conical chord line 8;, and a radius Rfer,
tangent to the second are at said transition point TP
by
the radius R1e,being equal to the quantity eigh

angle (adv) which is equal to the sum of the inlet
teen hundred and ?fth-two thoundandths
(0.1852) multipled by the maximum thickness

tma of the airfoil (R1e,=0.l852.tm,,x),
ber angle (Of/2), (am-=81 +0;/2),
A3. is tangent to a circle having a center at the
location of maximum thickness TMAX on Bra 40

distance 10c mt from the point A (Lanzloc
mt) and having a radius (Rmmx equal to one
half of the maximum thickness tmax of the
airfoil section (R;max=tmax/2),

A4. is coincident with a line F at a point fe, the 45
line F being tangent to the circle having a

radius R16, at a point fl, being tangent to the
circle Tm, and having a radius of curvature
(ach=achr),
Ac. determining a distance 1 from the tangent line
along the conical chord line B,, the distance 1

being equal to the distance tau 1 multiplied by

minus the alpha chord angle (l=-r.sin(90~ac;,),
?rst covered section by dividing the distance 1 by
the distance bf,
Rf, the point fe being spaced from point A as

measured along the conical chord line B, a
Ae. obtaining the ratio of the length bfof the front

chord line Bfto the length bfDf the conical chord
distance equal to the quantity thirty-?ve thou

sandths multiplied by the distance b, (Lan:
line B1(bf/b,) and the ratio of the front camber
Lae=0.035.b,),
A5. terminates at a point fq, the point fq being
the point of intersection between the line of
the ?rst part TD; and a line Q, the line Q being
Ab. setting the value of the alpha chord angle ac)
angle (6f) to the total camber angle 01* (Of/6;")
perpendicular to the conical chord line B, at a
as a function of the value Lfcs of the normalized

Af. establishing the locations of the ?rst are such
point which is a distance bf(Lan =bf) from the
55
leading edge, and

A6. has a radius of curvature Rf between the
point fe and the point fq; and

B1. is tangent to the line of the ?rst part at the
point fq,
B2. extends from the point fq having a radius of 65
curvature Rg,
through a point C on the trailing edge the
using the values known (b,, 6,", [31* ) and the

value found in step Ae. for bfand 6],
Ag. establishing the location of the second arc such
using the values known (b1, 0,, B1) and values

found in step Ae. for bf, 6/,

17
4,431,376
tual alpha chord angle ad", and the alpha chord

tion Lfys by subtracting ad, from ad, (E=a
aha-(lob)
18
minus the alpha chord angle (l='r.sin(90-ac;,),
Ad. determining the normalized distance L?, to the
?rst covered section by dividing the distance I by
LII
is less than the predetermined value e (lEl <e)

10
mined value e (|E| 2e),
A1. setting the value of the alpha chord angle ad,
equal to the value acha (ac;,=ac;,a),
Am. repeating steps Ac through Aj,

B. establishing a thickness distribution TD having a
line spaced a distance Tzn from the conical chord
line B, at any point zn, the point zn being spaced a
distance Lan from the leading edge on the conical

chord line B,, the distance Tzn being measured
along a line Zn perpendicular to the conical chord
20
line B;;
Ca. establishing a plurality of points zn', each point
25
Cb. establishing a line Z'n perpendicular to the
cambered meanline at each point zn',
the distance bl,

Ae. obtaining the ratio of the length bfof the front
chord line 3/10 the length b, of the conical chord
line B, (bf/b1) and the ratio of the front camber
angle (0f) to the total camber angle 0;(Of/6f)

distance to the ?rst covered section.
Af. establishing the location of the ?rst are such

using the values known (hr, 8,", B1) and the
value found in step Ae. for bfand 0;,
Ag. establishing the location of the second are such
using the values known (b;, 0;, B1") and values
found in step Ae. for bf, 0f,


tual alpha chord angle acha and the alpha chord
tion Lfcs by substracting ad, from ad, (Eza
chaach),

of the cambered meanline at each point an and a
Ak. proceeding to step B is the absolute value of E
point zn' at a distance Tzn as measured along

the line Z'n from the concave side of the cam

bered meanline at each point zn',

Cd. establishing a concave surface passing through 35

through all points zn",

through all points zn'.
40
is less than the predetermined value e (I E] <e)

mined value e (IE1 2e),
Al. setting the value of the alpha chord angle ac),
equal to the value och, (ac;,=ac;m),
Am. repeating steps Ac through Aj.

two parts each part being disposed about the coni

cal chord line B, each part having a line spaced
Tzn from the conical chord line B; at any point zn,
the point zn being spaced a distance Lan from the
leading edge on the conical chord line B, the dis
8. A rotor blade having one or more airfoil sections,

each airfoil section being one of a plurality of airfoil
sections which are circumferentially spaced a distance
tau (1') apart about a rotor axis each of the airfoil sec
tions having an inlet metal angle B1", a total camber 45
angle 0,, an alpha chord angle am, a maximum thick
ness tmax, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a tangent line
being TDz,
TL passing through the leading edge tangent to the path
Ba. the line of the ?rst part TD] being established
of rotation, a front chord line BfOf length bf, a conical

chord line B, of length b, wherein the values of B1", 0; 50
tance Tzn being measured along a line Zn perpen

dicular to the conical chord line B,, the line of the
?rst part being TD; and the line of the second part
by
Hal. determining the distance loc mt along the
, T, b, the maximum thickness of the airfoil section tmax,

are known, the rotor blade having one or more airfoil
section geometries determined by the method steps of:
ratio loc mt/bas a function of the value Lfm of

the normalized distance to the first covered

cave side and a convex side and having a ?rst are, a 55
second arc and a transition point TP between the ?rst

arc and the second arc, the ?rst are being tangent to the
second are at said transition point TP by

angle (achl') which is equal to the sum of the inlet
metal angle (31) and one-half of the total cam
ber angle (OF/2), (am-=13 1' +0;"/2),

Ab. setting the value of the alpha chord angle achi
(ach=a-chi)y
Ac. determining a distance 1 from the tangent line 65
along the conical chord line 8,, the distance 1
being equal to the distance tau 1' multiplied by
section,
Ba2. superimposing on the conical chord line B,
chord line a distance equal to 100 mt from
point A and a raduis Rm, equal to one-half of

tion (Rtmax=Tmax/2)'
Ba3. establishing on the conical chord line B; a

and a center on B,a distance equal to R!" from

edge at a point A, the radius R13, being equal to
a ?rst constant k multiplied by the maximum
thickness tmax (R1e,=k . tmax),
19
4,431,376
20
conical chord line B; at a point which is a

edge radius circle at a point gt and which is
Bb4. passing the line of the second part TD; through
the points C, gt and fq, such that the line of the second
part is coincident with the trailing edge radius circle
between the points C and gt and coincident with the
line G between the points gt and fq;
distance bf (L?l1=bj) from the leading edge,

vature Rfwhich is tangent to the leading edge

circle at a point ?, tangent to the circle Tmax
distance Lan equal to a second constant k;
multiplied by the length b, of the conical chord

line (Lan==k2 . by) from the leading edge and
which intersects the line F at a point fe,
Ba7. passing the line TD; of the ?rst part
20
Bb. the line of the second part TD; being estab
lished by
Bbl. determining the quantity TERG as a func
tion of the value L?-s of the normalized dis
tance to the ?rst covered section and deter
25
Ca. establishing a plurality of points zn', each
point zn being at the intersection of the line
Zn and the cambered meanline,
Cb. establishing a line Z'n perpendicular to the
cambered meanline at each point zn,
measured along the line Zn from the convex
side of the cambered meanline at each point
zn' and a point zn'at a distance Tzn as mea
sured along the line Zn from the concave side

of the cambered meanline at each ont zn,
Cd. establishing a concave surface passing
through the leading edge and the trailing edge

and through all points zn",
Ce.
mining the radius Rier which is equal to the

quantity TERG multiplied by a third constant
R3 and
tmgx (R[er=TERG.ot463.tmaX),
establishing a convex surface passing
through the leading edge and the trailing edge

and through all points zn';
wherein the thickness distribution is stretched chord
BbZ. establishing on the conical chord line B, a 30 wisely on the convex side and compressed on the con
trailing edge radius circle having a radius Rm
cave side to form an airfoil section having desirable
and a center on B, spaced a distance equal to
separation characteristics in a transonic aerodynamic

trailing edge at a point C,
flow ?eld.
i
35
45
55
65
It

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United States Patent [191

[54] AIRFOIL SHAPE FOR ARRAYS OF

Feb. 14, 1984

U.S.S.R. . .................... .. 4l6/DIG. 2

Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby

[75] Inventors: Joseph H. Lubenstein, West

[73] Assignee: United Technologies Corporation,

Assistant Examiner-Shewen Bian

A flow directing assembly 14 having an airfoil section

gas turbine engine is disclosed. The cambered meanline

[21] Appl.No.: 200,800

arc FA and a rear circular arc RA. A thickness distribu

Oct. 27, 1980

Int. Cl.3 ............................................. .. B63H 1/26

tion TD is applied to the meanline to form the convex

US. Cl. .......................... .. 416/223 A; 416/223 R;

The airfoil section exhibits good aerodynamic perfor

mance as compared with an equivalent circular arc

Field of Search ............. .. 416/223 A, 223 R, 243,

airfoil in a transonic ?ow ?eld. A method for making

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

Jerie .............................. .. 4l6/223A

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

Fed. Rep. of Germany .... .. 416/243

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures

Feb. 14, 1984

Feb. 14, 1984

Feb. 14, 1984

arch, ace/u, Ma?a

Feb. 14, 1984

sure surface de?ned by variables which are a function of

AIRFOIL SHAPE FOR ARRAYS OF AIRFOILS

the location of the ?rst covered section.

line having a ?rst arc and a second arc tangentially

blishng a conical chord line extending between the

leading edge and the trailing edge of the meanline; es

the cambered mean line to form a suction surface and a

airfoils extending across a flow path for working me

gases pass through the array, the gases may experience

tion of the maximum thickness of the airfoil section, the

the gases from adjacent airfoil surfaces. These phenom

ena cause aerodynamic losses. The losses limit the stage

which contains regions of subsonic and supersonic local

directing assembly of a gas turbine engine;

ing the performance of arrays of airfoils by contouring

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a rotor blade taken

along the line 22 as shown in FIG. 1;

fallen into two areas: one, attempting to precisely de?ne

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of twl adjacent airfoil sec

the working medium gas; the other, generating airfoils

of airfoil sections are discussed in Stephens Applica

tion of Supercritical Airfoil Technology to Compressor

ship of several physical parameters of the airfoil section

ered section (T/b;sin(90-a;,));

AIAA Eleventh Fluid and Plasma Dynamics Confer

step of forming a thickness distribution about the coni

and yet which exhibits good aerodynamic flow perfor

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE

mance in a transonic flow ?eld.

According to the present invention, an airfoil section

has a cambered meanline, a suction surface and a pres

assembly such as a compressor rotor assembly 10 of the

engine is shown. The broken lines show the embodi

ber angle (Bf/2), (ach,-=,B1+0,/2, )