This paper describes an experimental investigation on a state-ofthe-art compressor airfoil with three different leading edges at high subsonic flow conditions. In addition to a conventional circular and elliptical geometry which possess curvature discontinuities at the blend points, a continuous curvature leading edge is studied. The investigation considers the performance at design incidence, as well as the impact of off-design incidences. Pressure spikes near the leading edge can lead to early transition associated with higher profile losses. Goodhand and Miller [1] showed that in low subsonic conditions the avoidance of curvature discontinuities can diminish pressure spikes and therefore reduce the profile losses and enlarge the working range. In this paper, measurements are conducted to assess the potential of this concept for a high-pressure jet engine compressor airfoil operated at high subsonic conditions (M 1 = 0.7, Re d/2 = 20, 000). The results show that, at design incidence, the total pressure loss coefficient of the continuous curvature leading edge reduces by up to 15.4 % compared to the circular leading edge and by up to 3.1 % for the elliptical geometry. At off-design incidence, the reduction can be up to 40.2 % at maximum positive incidence under consideration.
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