Numerical investigation of a novel approach for mitigation of forced response of a variable geometry turbine during exhaust braking mode

One of critical concerns in a variable geometry turbine (VGT) design program is shock wave generated from nozzle exit at small open conditions with high inlet pressure condition, which may potentially lead to forced response of turbine wheel, even high-cycle fatigue issues and damage of inducer or exducer. Though modern turbine design programs have been well developed, it is difficult to eliminate the shock wave and all the resonant crossings that may occur within the wide operating range of a VGT turbine for automotive applications. This paper presents an option to mitigate intensity of the shock wave induced excitation using grooves on nozzle vane surface before the shock wave. Two kinds of turbines in which nozzle vanes with and without grooves were numerically simulated to obtain a three-dimensional flow field inside the turbine. The predicted performances from steady simulations were compared with test data to validate computational mesh and the unsteady simulation results were analyzed in detail to predict the responses of both shock wave and aerodynamic load acting on turbine blade surface. Compared with the original design, an introduction of grooves on nozzle vane surface mitigates the shock wave while also obviously reduces the amplitudes of alternating aerodynamic load on the turbine blades.