Numerical Investigation on Vortex Structure and Aerodynamic Noise Performance of Small Axial Flow Fan

The details of unsteady flow field in small axial fans are described and the relationship between the internal flow char- acteristics and aerodynamic noise of small axial flow fans are explored in the manuscript. Firstly, the broadband noise model is introduced to calculate the distributions of broadband noise sources in fan’s internal flow field, and further fan’s internal flow characteristics affecting broadband noise sources are analyzed by the main distributions of broad- band noise sources. Secondly, the unsteady characteristics of vortex structure in fan’s internal flow field are analyzed by large eddy simulation, and FH-W acoustic model is introduced to calculate aerodynamic noise affected by the unsteady characteristics of vortex structure. Finally, Monitoring points are set up near and far field of small axial fans, at which sound pressure level and spectral characteristics are analyzed. The results show that broadband noise sources are mainly distributed at the tip clearance close to blade trailing edge and one third of chord length of blade trailing edge of small axial fans. The maximum sound power of broadband noise sources at the tip clearance is greater than that at blade trail- ing edge. Sound power level of broadband noise near one third of blade chord length of blade trailing edge is first in- creasing and then decreasing when the distance between radial planes and the center of fan hub increases. Fan’s internal flow characteristics affecting broadband noise sources are the tip leakage vortex and the trailing edge vortex shedding. The tip leakage vortices at the leading edge of blade tip first integrate and then break down, while vortex cores of the trailing edge vortex shedding gradually move from blade hub to one-third of blade chord length and then move to far field within a one-seventh of the rotation cycle. Within a flow passage of fan rotation period, sound pressure level of the monitoring points is relevant to the unsteady feature of vortex structure and the main bands of aerodynamic noise of monitor points are irrelevant to the unsteady feature of vortex structure, relating to the distance between the monitor points and fan. With the above distance increasing, the main bands of aerodynamic noise are widened and moved from the low bands to high bands. All conclusions in the paper will provide significant references for reducing the noise of small axial flow fans.

Investigation on Multi-objective Performance Optimization Algorithm Application of Fan Based on Response Surface Method and Entropy Method

A multi-objective performance optimization method is proposed, and the problem that single structural parameters of small fan balance the optimization between the static characteristics and the aerodynamic noise is solved.In this method, three structural parameters are selected as the optimization variables. Besides, the static pressure efficiency and the aerodynamic noise of the fan are regarded as the multi-objective performance. Furthermore, the response surface method and the entropy method are used to establish the optimization function between the optimization variables and the multi-objective performances. Finally, the optimized model is found when the optimization function reaches its maximum value. Experimental data shows that the optimized model not only enhances the static characteristics of the fan but also obviously reduces the noise. The results of the study will provide some reference for the optimization of multi-objective performance of other types of rotating machinery.

Numerical and Experimental Investigation on Aerodynamic Performance of Small Axial Flow Fan with Hollow Blade Root

To reduce the influence of adverse flow conditions at the fan hub and improve fan aerodynamic performance,a modification of conventional axial fan blades with numerical and experimental investigation is presented.Hollow blade root is manufactured near the hub.The numerical and experimental results show that hollow blade root has some effect on the static performance.Static pressure of the modified fan is generally the same with that of the datum fan,while,the efficiency curve of the modified fan has a different trend with that of the datum fan.The highest efficiency of the modified fan is 10% greater than that of the datum fan.The orthogonal experimental results of fan noise show that hollow blade root is a feasible method of reducing fan noise,and the maximum value of noise reduction is about 2 dB.The factors affecting the noise reduction of hollow blade root are in the order of importance as follows: hollow blade margin,hollow blade height and hollow blade width.The much smoother pressure distribution of the modified fan than that of the datum fan is the main mechanism of noise reduction of hollow blade root.The research results will provide the proof of the parameter optimization and the structure design for high performance and low noise small axial fans.

Simulation and Experiment Research of Aerodynamic Performance of Small Axial Fans with Struts

Interaction between rotor and struts has great effect on the performance of small axial fan systems.The small axial fan systems are selected as the studied objects in this paper,and four square struts are downstream of the rotor.The cross section of the struts is changed to the cylindrical shapes for the investigation:one is in the same hydraulic diameter as the square struts and another one is in the same cross section as the square struts.Influence of the shape of the struts on the static pressure characteristics,the internal flow and the sound emission of the small axial fans are studied.Standard K-ε turbulence model and SIMPLE algorithm are applied in the calculation of the steady fluid field,and the curves of the pressure rising against the flow rate are obtained,which demonstrates that the simulation results are in nice consistence with the experimental data.The steady calculation results are set as the initial field in the unsteady calculation.Large eddy simulation and PISO algorithm are used in the transient calculation,and the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings model is introduced to predict the sound level at the eight monitoring points.The research results show that:the static pressure coefficients of the fan with cylindrical struts increase by about 25%compared to the fan with square struts,and the efficiencies increase by about 28.6%.The research provides a theoretical guide for shape optimization and noise reduction of small axial fan with struts.