The way to the third generation of 3-D blades

Following the two generations of the three-dimensional (3-D) blading which respectively emphasized ”cascade profiles” and ”sweep/lean stacking”, the aeroload of blade is reaching its limit, and the performance of turbomachinery becomes better and better. Then, what is the way for the further development of tubomachinery blading? The paper briefly reviews the history of 3-D blading technology first, then analyses the complex flow structures in the end wall region of 3-D blade passage. It is pointed out, the management of the complex flow structures in the end wall region is the key to reach a new generation of 3-D blading. Finally, the paper presents a scheme of the third generations of 3-D blading characterized by Blended Blade and End Wall (BBEW) and Leading Edge Strake Blade (LESB) technologies.