Relationship between volute pressure fluctuation pattern and tonal noise generation in a squirrel-cage fan

In this work, the pressure fluctuation pattern in the volute of a squirrel-cage fan is analyzed. Also studied is how this pattern is modified when a slight geometry change is introduced in the volute tongue. The study has been carried out on a commercial machine, used in automotive air conditioning...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied acoustics 2009-12, Vol.70 (11-12), p.1384-1392
Main Authors: Velarde-Suárez, Sandra, Ballesteros-Tajadura, Rafael, Pérez, José González, Pereiras-García, Bruno
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustics
Aeroacoustics
Aeroacoustics, atmospheric sound
CFD
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
Physics
Spectral analysis
Squirrel-cage fan
Tonal noise
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Summary:In this work, the pressure fluctuation pattern in the volute of a squirrel-cage fan is analyzed. Also studied is how this pattern is modified when a slight geometry change is introduced in the volute tongue. The study has been carried out on a commercial machine, used in automotive air conditioning units. A three-dimensional and unsteady numerical simulation of the flow in the complete machine has been carried out using the commercial code FLUENT. In this way, the pressure fluctuations in some locations near the volute wall have been obtained. The results of this numerical simulation have been compared to the sound pressure level spectra radiated by the fan, measured in a ducted test installation at the laboratory. The tendencies of the sound pressure levels measured at the blade passing frequency show a good correlation with the amplitudes of pressure fluctuations obtained numerically near the volute wall.
ISSN:0003-682X
1872-910X
DOI:10.1016/j.apacoust.2009.06.003