Performance Improvement on Axial-Flow Fan by Imposing Proper Frame Ribs

Generally, most research attempts on the axial-flow fan focus on optimizing rotor blade and tip clearance to enhance its aerodynamic and acoustic performances. Few efforts aim at finding out the appropriate frame rib, which is a supporting and vital part within the air passage and thus has significant influence on the turbulent flow near the blade trailing edge. Therefore, this study intends to investigate the geometrical parameters of the frame rib systematically by using an integrated scheme, which consists of numerical simulation, mockup fabrication, and experimental verification. At first, a high-performance fan (90×90×38 mm3) is constructed to serve as the sample fan for this investigation. Then three geometrical sections (triangle, cylinder, and arc) of frame rib are examined systematically to provide a design guideline on utilizing the appropriate frame rib for enhancing the fan performance.

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An integrated performance analysis for a small axial-flow fan

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part C Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science ◽

10.1243/09544062jmes1829 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 224 (9) ◽

pp. 1981-1994 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S-C Lin ◽

M-L Tsai

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Noise Analysis ◽

Technical Information ◽

Axial Flow ◽

Operating Conditions ◽

Numerical Control ◽

Field Analysis ◽

Axial Flow Fan ◽

Fan Performance ◽

Efficiency Estimation

Owing to the high system resistance and space limitations on computer devices, many researchers have begun to pay more attention to developing high-performance axial-flow fans. Evidently, evaluating the fan performance under different operating conditions is essential for both designer and practical engineering applications. However, previous studies do not provide a detailed flow-field analysis, torque prediction, efficiency estimation at various operating points, and qualitative numerical prediction of sound generation. Thus, this comprehensive study was performed with the aim to offer the aforementioned technical information and completely evaluate the fan performance. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and experimental measurements are utilized to perform flow visualization, torque calculation, efficiency estimation, and noise analysis. For demonstration purposes, a 120 mm-diameter axial-flow fan is designed and fabricated via computer numerical control (CNC) to serve as the research subject. The result indicates that the P— Q curve and the sound pressure level (SPL) spectrum of the experiment are in agreement with those of numerical simulations. The numerical deviations in maximum volumetric flowrate and static pressure are approximately 7 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively. Regarding the acoustic characteristics, the overall SPLs for measured spectra and large eddy simulation (LES) calculation are 51.3 dB and 48.1 dB, respectively. Consequently, this study establishes an integrated aerodynamic, acoustic, and electro-mechanical evaluation approach that can be used as an important tool for fan designers.

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The performance improvement of axial flow fan with large tip clearance by using winglet

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/186/5/012009 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 186 ◽

pp. 012009

Author(s):

Lee Chan ◽

Hyun Gwon Kil ◽

Hyo Sang Kim ◽

Hwan Geol Yeo

Keyword(s):

Performance Improvement ◽

Axial Flow ◽

Tip Clearance ◽

Axial Flow Fan

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Numerical Simulation on Axial Flow Fan Performance with Changing Tip Clearance

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.732-733.577 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 732-733 ◽

pp. 577-580

Author(s):

Zhou Ye ◽

Hai Yang Zhao ◽

Lu Zhang ◽

Chun Li ◽

Wei Gao

Keyword(s):

Numerical Simulation ◽

Flow Field ◽

Total Pressure ◽

Great Influence ◽

Axial Flow ◽

Tip Clearance ◽

Axial Flow Fan ◽

Flow Solver ◽

Fan Performance ◽

Relative Value

Taking the relative tip clearance as the variable, we numerically simulated the effect of tip clearance size on the performance of a straight-blade axial flow fan using the 3-D viscous flow solver. The tip clearance is referenced in the relative value. By comparing the flow field corresponding to five different values of the tip clearance 0, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% with other parameters kept constant, we concluded that the changing of the tip clearance has a great influence on the performance of the axial flow fan. Both the efficiency and the total pressure decrease with the increase of the tip clearance.

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