• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.875-882
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• 2011

In the present study, the imbalance in the axial-thrust and variation in the volumetric efficiency that occurred during the trimming of impeller diameter were investigated. The present study was focused on low-specific-speed multistage centrifugal pumps with a balancing piston as the balancing mechanism. The effects of impeller trimming on the axial-thrust balance in multistage pumps with horizontal and vertical axes were compared. The results showed that impeller trimming resulted in an additional axial-thrust acting in direction of pump inlet. The axial-thrust imbalance due to impeller trimming was more severe in the vertical-axis pumps than in the horizontal-axis pumps. The rate of increase in the diameter of the balancing piston, which was proportional to the rate of impeller trimming, was evaluated to maintain the axial-thrust balance. Furthermore, a simultaneous increase in the piston length and piston diameter was more effective for reducing the axial-thrust imbalance along with the volumetric efficiency drop.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.15-20
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• 2007

In order to control and balance axial thrust of turbo machine, many types of balancing devices are used but most of them are complicated and sometimes cause troubles. In this study, a very simple device of using shallow grooves mounted on a casing wall, known as "J-Groove", is proposed and studied experimentally and theoretically. The result shows that 70% of axial thrust in an industrial 4-stage centrifugal pump can be reduced at the best efficiency point. Moreover, the analytical method of "interfered gap flow" is established and a simple formula which can determine the optimum dimension of groove and its location is proposed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2022

Wind tunnel test for a small scale electric ducted fan with a 104mm diameter was conducted to analyze the aerodynamic characteristics when it was used as a propulsion system of tilt-propeller UAV. Experimental conditions were derived from flight conditions of a sub-scaled OPPAV. Forces and moments of the ducted fan model were measured by a 6-axis balance and 3-dimensional wake vectors which could induce an aerodynamic influence in the vehicle were measured by 5-hole probes. Thrust and torque on hover and cruise conditions were measured and analyzed to drive out the operating conditions when it was applied in the sub-scaled OPPAV. On transition conditions, thrust keep its value with tilt angle variation below 40° and increase after that. But, sideforce increase constantly until 75°. The maximum axial velocity in the wake on hover and cruise conditions was around 60m/s and tangential velocity was around 12m/s. The position of the maximum axial velocity and vortex center move off the fan rotation center line as the tilt angle increases.