Factors affecting small axial cooling fan performance

Abstract

Many factors such as outer diameter, hub ratio, blade numbers, shape and stagger angle affect the performance of small cooling fans. A small cooling fan was simulated using CFD software for three blade stagger angles (30.5°, 37.5°, 44.5°)and obtained the internal flow field and the static characteristics. Research indicated that the stagger angle has an obvious effect on the static characteristics of a fan. For flow rates below 0.0104 m³/s, total pressure is the greatest when the stagger angle is 37.5°; flow rates higher than 0.0104 m³/s, the total pressure is greatest when the stagger angle is 44.5° For the same flow rates, the velocity at inlet of pressure surface increases with increasing stagger angle, but the change of velocity on the suction surface is very small. For one model, vortices and the speed of revolution surfaces decrease with tip clearance increasing. But for other three models, increasing the stagger angle, the vortex intensity and speed of revolution surfaces at same height tip clearance increases, simultaneously, the position of vortex offset from the top of the rotor blade to the suction surface.

Heat transfer and performance characteristics of axial cooling fans with downstream guide vanes

“…The overall operational performance of small axial cooling fans in terms of pressure drop and heat transfer removal capabilities can be affected by many parameters. For example, blade metal angles [12] and tip leakages [13] can be a critical factor in determining how well a cooling fan will perform since the position of the fan blades within the axial flow fan housings affects the flow conditions. A new concept for further improvement of the performance and efficiency curves includes contra rotating fan impellers [14] however the increase in noise has to be considered [15].…”