Reduction of the Aerodynamic Tonal Noise of a Forward-Curved Centrifugal Fan by Modification of the Volute Tongue Geometry

In this work, an experimental study about the influence of some geometric features on the aeroacoustic behavior of a squirrel-cage fan, used in automotive air conditioning units, has been carried out. The study focused on the effect of both the shape and the position of the volute tongue on the noise generated by the fan. Different geometric configurations were tested in order to compare the results. First of all, the performance curves were measured in a standardized test facility. Then, the acoustic behavior of the fan was characterized by means of acoustic pressure measurements near the fan inlet. The comparison of the test results indicated a great dependence of both the shape and the position of the volute tongue and the noise generation. In particular, some geometric configurations of the volute tongue were able to reduce the fan noise generation without reducing the fan performance.