The Evolution of Compressor and Turbine Bladings in Gas Turbine Design

The author, having been associated with the construction of gas turbines from the first 4000-kw unit delivered in 1939 to the city of Neuchaˆtel to the present time, gives some personal views on the evolution of the axial compressor and turbine bladings which are the key elements to the gas turbines. The axial compressor was created to supply air efficiently for the supercharged “Velox” boiler. It made the evolution to the modern gas turbine possible. The main problems encountered were related to the stability of flow. An enormous increase of volume capacity was achieved in the course of time. The increase of pressure ratio made special measures necessary to overcome instability at starting. The expansion turbine started on the basis of steam turbine practice and underwent a parallel evolution to large capacities. Its particular problems are related to the high temperatures of the gases.