scholarly journals Preliminary Design Guidelines for Considering the Vibration and Noise of Low-Speed Axial Fans Due to Profile Vortex Shedding

Author(s):  
Gábor Daku ◽  
János Vad

This paper presents a critical overview on worst-case design scenarios for which low-speed axial flow fans may exhibit an increased risk of blade resonance due to profile vortex shedding. To set up a design example, a circular-arc-cambered plate of 8% relative curvature is investigated in twofold approaches of blade mechanics and aerodynamics. For these purposes, the frequency of the first bending mode of a plate of arbitrary circular camber is expressed by modeling the fan blade as a cantilever beam. Furthermore, an iterative blade design method is developed for checking the risky scenarios for which spanwise and spatially coherent shed vortices, stimulating pronounced vibration and noise, may occur. Coupling these two approaches, cases for vortex-induced blade resonance are set up. Opposing this basis, design guidelines are elaborated upon for avoiding such resonance. Based on the approach presented herein, guidelines are also developed for moderating the annoyance due to the vortex shedding noise.

2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gábor Daku ◽  
János Vad

Abstract This paper presents hot-wire measurements in a wind tunnel, close downstream of basic models of blade sections being representative for low-speed, low-Reynolds number axial fans, in order to explore the signatures of vortex shedding (VS) from the blade profiles. Using the Rankine-type vortex approach, an analytical model was developed on the velocity fluctuation represented by the vortex streets, as an aid in evaluating the experimental data. The signatures of profile VS were distinguished from blunt trailing-edge VS based on Strouhal numbers obtained from the measurements in a case-specific manner. Utilizing the experimental results, the semi-empirical model available in the literature for predicting the frequency of profile VS was extended to low-speed axial fan applications. On this basis, quantitative guidelines were developed for the consideration of profile VS in preliminary design of axial fans in the moderation of VS-induced blade vibration and noise emission.


Author(s):  
Gábor Daku ◽  
János Vad

Abstract The paper presents hot wire measurements in a wind tunnel, close downstream of basic models of blade sections being representative for low-speed, low-Reynolds-number axial fans, in order to explore the signatures of vortex shedding (VS) from the blade profiles. Using the Rankine-type vortex approach, an analytical model was developed on the velocity fluctuation represented by the vortex streets, as an aid in evaluating the experimental data. The signatures of profile VS were distinguished from blunt-trailing-edge VS based on Strouhal numbers obtained from the measurements in a case-specific manner. Utilizing the experimental results, the semi-empirical model available in the literature for predicting the frequency of profile VS was extended to low-speed axial fan applications. On this basis, quantitative guidelines were developed for consideration of profile VS in preliminary design of axial fans in moderation of VS-induced blade vibration and noise emission.


Author(s):  
Dominic Lallier-Daniels ◽  
Stephane Moreau ◽  
Marlene Sanjose

The influence of tip leakage flow on the performance of turbomachinery, both from an aerodynamic and acoustic point of view, has been demonstrated by several authors. However, most studies present in the literature are focused on the effects of tip leakage from an aerodynamic point of view and often forgo the mechanisms associated with the acoustics effect. The effect of different tip geometries is also still ill understood. The current advancement of a numerical study delving into tip leakage flow noise in low-speed turbomachinery applications is presented in this paper. The study as a whole aims to investigate the mechanisms associated with tip leakage flow noise on different axial fans with varying tip configurations. The study is carried out using lattice-Boltzmann simulations that allow to obtain the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic field simultaneously. As a first step in this investigation of tip flow noise, this paper focuses on a free-tip axial flow fan with a complex tip geometry. The global aerodynamic and acoustic performance of the fan is evaluated numerically and compared to available experimental results. An investigation of the simulated flowfield with regards to the observed acoustics is then carried out.


Author(s):  
Gábor Daku ◽  
János Vad

This paper presents an overview of the characteristics potentially influencing the profile vortex shedding (PVS) phenomenon being relevant in noise and vibration of low-speed axial fan rotor blades. Dimensional analysis has been applied to explore the essential dimensionless quantities in a systematic and comprehensive manner. On this basis, limitations have been established, and simplifying assumptions have been set up in terms of PVS investigation. Groups of dimensionless characteristics playing a role in the semi-empirical model for predicting the PVS frequency were identified. The available semi-empirical model and its unique features related to the measurement evaluation methodology and Reynolds number dependence have been outlined. The presented comprehensive analysis provides guidelines from the perspective of transferability of the literature data on PVS from steady, isolated blade profile models to low-speed axial fan rotors. It also results in the formulation of objectives of future research related to PVS.


Author(s):  
Maria Pascu ◽  
Philipp Epple ◽  
Antonio Delgado ◽  
Franz Durst

In the field of axial flow turbomachines, the two–dimensional cascade model is often used experimentally or numerically to investigate fundamental flow characteristics and overall performance of the impeller. The core of the present work is a design method for axial fan cascades aiming to derive inversely the optimum blade shape based on the requirements of the impeller and not using any predefined airfoil profiles. While most design strategies based on the airfoil theory assume constant total pressure at all streamlines, i.e. free–vortex flow, this paper investigates the possibility of varying the total pressure along the blade and based on that, an analytical expression of the outlet blade angle is determined. When computing the blade profile at specified radius, critical parameters reflecting on the flow characteristics are observed and adjusted, i.e. sufficient lift and controlled deceleration of the flow on the contour so that the resulting profile is derived for minimum losses. The validation of this design strategy is given by the numerical results obtained when employed as an optimization tool for an industrial fan: 10–20% absolute increase in the efficiency of the optimized impeller.


Author(s):  
Massimo Masi ◽  
Stefano Castegnaro ◽  
Andrea Lazzaretto

Uncertainties surrounding the influence of Reynolds number on the performance of air handling turbomachines are as old as the study of turbomachinery fluid dynamics. In particular, all low-speed turbomachines and most axial-flow fans feature Reynolds numbers that are often lower than the critical value, above which the literature states a limited dependency of blades cascade aerodynamics on Reynolds number. Testing standards already account for this well-known issue, which arises mainly in the case of geometrically similar fans of different size and/or operating conditions. On the other hand, one of the main practical issues in the design of low-speed machines is the disagreement among the most authoritative sources on the value of the critical Reynolds number for axial fans. The many definitions of Reynolds number, which are suited to either fan design purposes or fan performance assessment, introduce additional problems, as the corresponding values may differ by orders of magnitude depending on the chosen definition. A less debated issue deals with the effect of Reynolds number on global performance and efficiency parameters for different axial-flow fan configurations. This paper reports pressure and efficiency data measured at several rotational speeds of four axial fans that feature different configurations, hub-to-tip ratios, sizes and surface finishes. In particular, the tests consider two 315mm and one 630mm tube-axial fans, and one 800mm vane-axial fan with preswirler blading. Data on two vane-axial fans with straightener, and one preswirler-rotor-stator stage, available in the literature, widen the discussion on the Reynolds number effect on the entire category of single-stage axial fans.


1978 ◽  
Vol 192 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Hay ◽  
R. Metcalfe ◽  
J. A. Reizes

Existing data on aerofoil sections suitable for axial flow fans are replotted on axes of angle of incidence against camber angle. The carpet plots so obtained permit the best operating conditions for each type of aerofoil to be immediately identified and thus the most suitable section can be easily selected for a given specification. A design method based on the use of these carpet plots is proposed and illustrated with a numerical example.


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