Analytic Solutions for Flows Through Cascades (eBook)

This thesis is concerned with flows through cascades, i.e. periodic arrays of obstacles. Such geometries are relevant to a range of physical scenarios, chiefly the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of turbomachinery flows. Despite the fact that turbomachinery is of paramount importance to a number of industries, many of the underlying mechanisms in cascade flows remain opaque. In order to clarify the function of different physical parameters, the author considers six separate problems. For example, he explores the significance of realistic blade geometries in predicting turbomachinery performance, and the possibility that porous blades can achieve noise reductions. In order to solve these challenging problems, the author deploys and indeed develops techniques from across the spectrum of complex analysis: the Wiener-Hopf method, Riemann-Hilbert problems, and the Schottky-Klein prime function all feature prominently. These sophisticated tools are then used to elucidate the underlying mathematical and physical structures present in cascade flows. The ensuing solutions greatly extend previous works and offer new avenues for future research. The results are not of simply academic value but are also useful for aircraft designers seeking to balance aeroacoustic and aerodynamic effects.

Dr Peter J. Baddoo is an Instructor of Applied Mathematics at MIT. Previously he was an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellow at Imperial College London. He recieved a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Cambridge and an MMath from the University of Oxford. His research interests lie in the applications of complex analysis and data-driven techniques to tackle physical problems, such as those arising in fluid dynamics. He is the recipient of several prizes, including 'Best Paper' awards from the AIAA and ICA, as well as an Early Career Fellowship from the London Mathematical Society.