Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

Aerodynamic optimization of an automotive air-conditioning blower is a hard task because of the highly complex flow phenomena related to three-dimensional flow separations and the unsteady nature caused by the interaction between primary and secondary air flows throughout the fan. In this paper, an ...

Aerodynamic optimization of an automotive air-conditioning blower is a hard task because of the highly complex flow phenomena related to three-dimensional flow separations and the unsteady nature caused by the interaction between primary and secondary air flows throughout the fan. In this paper, an aerodynamic study on a forward-curved centrifugal fan has been carried out Firstly we obtained the fan performance curves versus flow rates showing its unstable nature in the surging operation range. Secondly aerodynamic characterizations were carried out by investigating the velocity and pressure fields in the casing flow passage using a 5-hole pilot probe, at different operating conditions. Surface flow pattern near the cut-off area exhibits similar flow behavior above the best efficiency operating point, although the pressure level increases substantially with the Increase of flow rate. Vorticity in the casing passage flow occurs in all (low rates, downstream from the r-Z plane $\theta$=120 deg., where the position of its core changes with the circumferential location. Although complex, the general flow behavior were common, giving insight in its main aerodynamic features.