• 한국유체기계학회 논문집
• /
• 제19권5호
• /
• pp.42-49
• /
• 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.