• Journal of computational fluids engineering
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.39-47
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• 2016

We conducted a multi-stage optimization to secure the desired performance of a centrifugal fan for home appliance in an early stage of product development. In optimization, the static pressure at the outlet of the fan is chosen as an objective function that is to be maximized, providing the required flow rate at the operating point of the fan. The optimization procedure begins with parameters for an initial baseline fan design. The baseline design is optimized by using a commercial optimization package. Accordingly, the corresponding blade models with a set of geometrical parameters are generated. Flow through a fan is simulated by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. A multi-stage optimization scheme is employed to determine the family of optimum values for the parameters, leading to the pressure increase at the outlet of the fan. To validate the numerically obtained optimal design parameters, we fabricated the three types of fans using rapid prototyping and assessed the performance using a fan tester. Experimental results show that the design parameters at each stage satisfy the goal of optimization. The multi-stage optimization process turned out to be a useful tool in the development of a centrifugal fan.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.286-293
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• 2003

The unsteady flow characteristics and associated blade tonal noise of a cross-flow fan are predicted by computational methods. The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are time-accurately solved for obtaining the pressure fluctuations between the rotating blades and the stabilizer. and the sound pressure is predicted using Curie's equation. The discrete noise characteristics of three impellers with a uniform and two random pitch (type-A and -B) blades are compared by their SPL (Sound Pressure Level) spectra. and the frequency modulation characteristics of the BPF (Blade Passing Frequency) noise are discussed. Besides. a mathematical model is proposed for the prediction of discrete blade tonal noise and is validated with available experimental data. The fan performance is also compared with experimental data. indicating that the random pitch effect does not significantly alter the performance characteristics at ${\phi}$ 〉 0.4

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.1726-1731
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• 2004

This paper presents the response surface optimization method using three-dimensional Navier-Stokes analysis to optimize the shape of a forward-curved blades centrifugal fan. For numerical analysis, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with $k-{\varepsilon}$ turbulence model are discretized with finite volume approximations. In order to reduce huge computing time due to a large number of blades in forward-curved blades centrifugal fan, the flow inside of the fan is regarded as steady flow by introducing the impeller force models. Three geometric variables, i.e., location of cut off, radius of cut off, and width of impeller, and one operating variable, i.e., flow rate, were selected as design variables. As a main result of the optimization, the efficiency was successfully improved. And, optimum design flow rate was found by using flow rate as one of design variables. It was found that the optimization process provides reliable design of this kind of fans with reasonable computing time.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1332-1338
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• 2004

This paper presents the response surface optimization method using three-dimensional Navier-Stokes analysis to optimize the shape of a forward-curved blades centrifugal fan. For numerical analysis, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with k-$\varepsilon$ turbulence model are discretized with finite volume approximations. In order to reduce huge computing time due to a large number of blades in forward-curved blades centrifugal fan, the flow inside of the fan is regarded as steady flow by introducing the impeller force models. Three geometric variables, i.e., location of cut off, radius of cut off, and width of impeller, and one operating variable, i.e., flow rate, were selected as design variables. As a main result of the optimization, the efficiency was successfully improved. And, optimum design flow rate was found by using flow rate as one of design variables. It was found that the optimization process provides reliable design of this kind of fans with reasonable computing time.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.21-36
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• 2010

A new full scale testing apparatus generically named the Wall of Wind (WoW) has been built by the researchers at the International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) at Florida International University (FIU). WoW is capable of testing single story building models subjected up to category 3 hurricane wind speeds. Depending on the relative model and WoW wind field sizes, testing may entail blockage issues. In addition, the proximity of the test building to the wind simulator may also affect the aerodynamic data. This study focuses on the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) assessment of the effects on the quality of the aerodynamic data of (i) blockage due to model buildings of various sizes and (ii) wind simulator proximity for various distances between the wind simulator and the test building. The test buildings were assumed to have simple parallelepiped shapes. The computer simulations were performed under both finite WoW wind-field conditions and in an extended Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) wind flow. Mean pressure coefficients for the roof and the windward and leeward walls served as measures of the blockage and wind simulator proximity effects. The study uses the commercial software FLUENT with Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations and a Renormalization Group (RNG) k-${\varepsilon}$ turbulence model. The results indicated that for larger size test specimens (i.e. for cases where the height of test specimen is larger than one third of the wind field height) blockage correction may become necessary. The test specimen should also be placed at a distance greater than twice the height of the test specimen from the fans to reduce proximity effect.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.574-581
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• 2012

Because of the exposed blade, the UAV using the rotors entail the risks during operation. While a wrapped duct around the fan blades reduces risks, it is a higher thrust performance than the same power load rotor. In this paper, for applying advantages of a ducted fan, the tri-ducted fan air vehicle configuration is proposed. The vehicle has three ducted fans. Two of them are the same shape and size and the third one is the smaller. It is possible to control a rapid attitude stability using thrust vector control. The equations of motion of the tri-ducted fan were derived. Lyapunov control input was applied to the system and stable inputs were derived. A nonlinear simulation was fulfilled by using parameters of a prototype vehicle. It verified a stable attitude and analyzed results.