• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.42-49
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• 2016

Aerodynamic analysis of a low-voltage electric motor has been performed with various inlet vent shapes. Effects of inlet vent shape on aerodynamic performance of a motor cooling fan have been investigated numerically using three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The k-${\varepsilon}$ turbulence model was used for the analysis of turbulence. The finite volume method and unstructured tetrahedral grids were used in the numerical analysis. Optimal grid system in the computational domain was selected through a grid-dependency test. From the results of the flow analysis, considerable energy loss by flow separation was observed in the flow passage. It was found that mass flow rate through the cooling fan in the low-voltage motor can be increased by modifying the inlet vent shape. And, some inlet vent shapes were suggested to improve the aerodynamic performance of the motor cooling fan.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.863-869
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• 2009

Acoustic noises generated during motor operation in mechanical system are from electromagnetic, mechanical, aerodynamic and electrical sources. For identification of mechanical noise origins, misalignment, unbalance, fan shape, resonance, and vibration modes have been extensively considered to describe noise behavior. An experiment-based approach as well as a mathematical approach needs to be adopted for a realistic study into noise and vibration of the motor, because motor noise characteristics differ from type to type due to various noise sources. This paper analyzes noise characteristics of a brushless DC motor for air-conditioner fan, and proves that the test motor noise originates from acoustic modes of airspace in the motor. The motor noise sensitivity analysis by design of experiments reveals that the noise characteristics are closely related to switching frequency and frame thickness.