Abstract
This study aims to improve the performance of centrifugal fans employed in totally enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) motors by introducing leading-edge serrations, mimicking the leading-edge comb on owl wings, and suction-side ridges, imitating the soft down coat on the owl wing surface. A numerical wind tunnel is established according to the experimental standards of the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) 210. The reliability and accuracy of the simulation are first verified through an observed agreement between the simulation results and experimental measurements of the original fan. The influences and optimal values of four geometric dimensions related to the bionic structures, namely, the serration height, serration width, ridge height, and ridge spacing, are studied next in use of the Taguchi method and analysis of variance (ANOVA) at low, medium, and high flow rates. The investigation shows that the optimal bionic fan can effectively reduce the overall turbulent kinetic energy and produces a stronger, more uniform flow field behind the fan, thereby enhancing the fan's aerodynamic performance.
Issue Section:
Flows in Complex Systems
References
1.
Dong
, X.
, and Dou
, H. S.
, 2021
, “Effects of Bionic Volute Tongue Bioinspired by Leading Edge of Owl Wing and Its Installation Angle on Performance of Multi-Blade Centrifugal Fan
,” J. Appl. Fluid Mech.
, 14
(4
), pp. 1031
–1043
.10.47176/jafm.14.04.319872.
Lin
, S.-C.
, and Tsai
, M.-L.
, 2012
, “An Integrated Performance Analysis for a Backward-Inclined Centrifugal Fan
,” Comput. Fluids
, 56
, pp. 24
–38
.10.1016/j.compfluid.2011.11.0093.
Alemi
, H.
, Ahmad Nourbakhsh
, S.
, Raisee
, M.
, and Farhad
, Najafi
, and A.
, 2015
, “Development of New ‘Multivolute Casing’ Geometries for Radial Force Reductionin Centrifugal Pumps
,” Eng. Appl. Comput. Fluid Mech.
, 9
(1
), pp. 1
–11
.10.1080/19942060.2015.10047874.
Dou
, H.-S.
, Wu
, L.
, Wei
, Y.
, Chen
, Y.
, Cao
, W.
, and Ying
, C.
, 2017
, “Employing Rotating Vaneless Diffuser to Enhance the Performance of Plenum Fan
,” Int. J. Fluid Mach. Syst.
, 10
(1
), pp. 9
–18
.10.5293/IJFMS.2017.10.1.0095.
Amjadimanesh
, A.
, Ajam
, H.
, and Nezhad
, A. H.
, 2015
, “Numerical Study of Blade Number Effect on the Performance of a 3D FC Centrifugal Fan
,” Int. J. Mechatron., Electr. Comput. Technol.
, 5
(15
), pp. 2109
–2119
.https://www.aeuso.org/includes/files/articles/Vol5_Iss15_2109-2119_Numerical_Study_of_Blade_Number_Eff.pdf6.
Singh
, O. P.
, Khilwani
, R.
, Sreenivasulu
, T.
, and Kannan
, M.
, 2011
, “Parametric Study of Centrifugal Fan Performance: Experiments and Numerical Simulation
,” Int. J. Adv. Eng. Technol.
, 1
(2
), pp. 33
–50
.https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rakesh-Khilwani-2/publication/267971543_PARAMETRIC_STUDY_OF_CENTRIFUGAL_FAN_PERFORMANCE_EXPERIMENTS_AND_NUMERICAL_SIMULATION/links/570c36e808ae2eb94223beaa/PARAMETRIC-STUDY-OF-CENTRIFUGAL-FAN-PERFORMANCE-EXPERIMENTS-AND-NUMERICAL-SIMULATION.pdf7.
Lin
, S.-C.
, and Huang
, C.-L.
, 2002
, “An Integrated Experimental and Numerical Study of Forward–Curved Centrifugal Fan
,” Exp. Therm. Fluid Sci.
, 26
(5
), pp. 421
–434
.10.1016/S0894-1777(02)00112-78.
Ding
, H.
, Chang
, T.
, and Lin
, F.
, 2020
, “The Influence of the Blade Outlet Angle on the Flow Field and Pressure Pulsation in a Centrifugal Fan
,” Processes
, 8
(11
), p. 1422
.10.3390/pr81114229.
Shao
, W.
, Feng
, J.
, Zhang
, F.
, Wang
, S.
, Li
, Y.
, and Lv
, J.
, 2023
, “Aerodynamic Performance Optimization of Centrifugal Fan Blade for Air System of Self-Propelled Cotton-Picking Machine
,” Agriculture
, 13
(8
), p. 1579
.10.3390/agriculture1308157910.
Dundi
, T. M. K.
, Sitaram
, N.
, and Suresh
, M.
, 2012
, “Application of Gurney Flaps on a Centrifugal Fan Impeller
,” Int. J. Fluid Mach. Syst.
, 5
(2
), pp. 65
–71
.10.5293/IJFMS.2012.5.2.06511.
Kumon
, Y.
, and Ohtsuka
, M.
, 2013
, “Development of Electric Fan Propeller Featuring Chestnut Tiger Butterfly Wing Characteristics
,” J. Aero Aqua Bio-Mech.
, 3
(1
), pp. 103
–108
.10.5226/jabmech.3.10312.
Wang
, J.
, Liu
, X.
, Tian
, C.
, and Xi
, G.
, 2023
, “Aerodynamic Performance Improvement and Noise Control for the Multi-Blade Centrifugal Fan by Using Bio-Inspired Blades
,” Energy
, 263
, p. 125829
.10.1016/j.energy.2022.12582913.
Huang
, S.
, Hu
, Y.
, and Wang
, Y.
, 2021
, “Research on Aerodynamic Performance of a Novel Dolphin Head-Shaped Bionic Airfoil
,” Energy
, 214
, p. 118179
.10.1016/j.energy.2020.11817914.
Tian
, W.
, Liu
, F. Y.
, Cong
, Q.
, Liu
, Y.
, and Ren
, L.
, 2013
, “Study on Aerodynamic Performance of the Bionic Airfoil Based on the Swallow's Wing
,” J. Mech. Med. Biol.
, 13
(6
), p. 1340022
.10.1142/S021951941340022815.
Pedro
, H. C.
, and Kobayashi
, M.
, 2008
, “Numerical Study of Stall Delay on Humpback Whale Flippers
,” AIAA
Paper No. 2008-584.10.2514/6.2008-58416.
Lin
, Y.
, Li
, X.
, Zhu
, Z.
, Wang
, X.
, Lin
, T.
, and Cao
, H.
, 2022
, “An Energy Consumption Improvement Method for Centrifugal Pump Based on Bionic Optimization of Blade Trailing Edge
,” Energy
, 246
, p. 123323
.10.1016/j.energy.2022.12332317.
Xiong
, Y.
, and Kong
, D.
, 2021
, “Experimental Study on the Aerodynamic Performance of the Bionic Rotor Blades With Non-Smooth Surface
,” IEEE International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Industrial Design (AIID
), Guangzhou, China, May 28–30, pp. 421
–427
.10.1109/AIID51893.2021.945651618.
Domel
, A. G.
, Saadat
, M.
, Weaver
, J. C.
, Haj-Hariri
, H.
, Bertoldi
, K.
, and Lauder
, G. V.
, 2018
, “Shark Skin-Inspired Designs That Improve Aerodynamic Performance
,” J. R. Soc. Interface
, 15
(139
), p. 20170828
.10.1098/rsif.2017.082819.
Mascha
, E.
, 1904
, “Uber die Schwungfedern
,” Z. Wiss. Zool.
, 77
, pp. 606
–651
.https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/Zeitschrift-fuer-wiss-Zoologie_77_0606-0651.pdf20.
Graham
, R. R.
, 1934
, “The Silent Flight of Owls
,” J. R. Aeronaut. Soc.
, 38
(286
), pp. 837
–843
.10.1017/S036839310010991521.
Wang
, J.
, Ishibashi
, K.
, Joto
, M.
, Ikeda
, T.
, Fujii
, T.
, Nakata
, T.
, and Liu
, H.
, 2021
, “Aeroacoustic Characteristics of Owl-Inspired Blade Designs in a Mixed Flow Fan: Effects of Leading- and Trailing-Edge Serrations
,” Bioinspiration Biomimetics
, 16
(6
), p. 066003
.10.1088/1748-3190/ac130922.
Wang
, J.
, Nakata
, T.
, and Liu
, H.
, 2019
, “Development of Mixed Flow Fans With Bio-Inspired Grooves
,” Biomimetics
, 4
(4
), p. 72
.10.3390/biomimetics404007223.
Chen
, K.
, Liu
, Q.-P.
, and Sun
, W.-L.
, 2018
, “Experiment Research on the Efficiency of Bionic Blade of Axial Fan
,” IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics and Automation (ICMA
), Changchun, China, Aug. 5–8, pp. 94
–98
.10.1109/ICMA.2018.848463924.
Wang
, J.
, Zhang
, C.
, Wu
, Z.
, Wharton
, J.
, and Ren
, L.
, 2017
, “Numerical Study on Reduction of Aerodynamic Noise Around an Airfoil With Biomimetic Structures
,” J. Sound Vib.
, 394
, pp. 46
–58
.10.1016/j.jsv.2016.11.02125.
Zhou
, W.
, Zhou
, P.
, Xiang
, C.
, Wang
, Y.
, Mou
, J.
, and Cui
, J.
, 2023
, “A Review of Bionic Structures in Control of Aerodynamic Noise of Centrifugal Fans
,” Energies
, 16
(11
), p. 4331
.10.3390/en1611433126.
Nataraj
, M.
, and Arunachalam
, V. P.
, 2006
, “Optimizing Impeller Geometry for Performance Enhancement of a Centrifugal Pump Using the Taguchi Quality Concept
,” Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng., Part A: J. Power Energy
, 220
, pp. 765
–782
.10.1243/09576509JPE18427.
Chen
, S.
, Wang
, D.
, and Sun
, S.
, 2011
, “Bionic Fan Optimization Based on Taguchi Method
,” Eng. Appl. Comput. Fluid Mech.
, 5
(3
), pp. 302
–314
.10.1080/19942060.2011.1101537328.
Wang
, S.
, Yu
, X.
, Shen
, L.
, Yang
, A.
, Chen
, E.
, Fieldhouse
, J.
, Barton
, D.
, and Kosarieh
, S.
, 2021
, “Noise Reduction of Automobile Cooling Fan Based on Bio-Inspired Design
,” Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng.
, 235
, pp. 465
–478
.10.1177/095440702095989229.
Sun
, Y.
, Li
, R.
, Wang
, L.
, Liu
, C.
, Yang
, Z.
, and Ma
, F.
, 2024
, “Bionic Noise Reduction Design of Axial Fan Impeller
,” J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.
, 57
(34
), p. 345501
.10.1088/1361-6463/ad502430.
Shih
, T.-H.
, Liou
, W. W.
, Shabbir
, A.
, Yang
, Z.
, and Zhu
, J.
, 1995
, “A New k-ε Eddy Viscosity Model for High Reynolds Number Turbulent Flows
,” Comput. Fluids
, 24
(3
), pp. 227
–238
.10.1016/0045-7930(94)00032-T31.
Kim
, S.-E.
, Choudhury
, D.
, and Patel
, B.
, 1999
, “Computations of Complex Turbulent Flows Using the Commercial Code ANSYS FLUENT
,” ICASE/LaRC Interdisciplinary Series in Science and Engineering
, Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp. 259
–276
.10.1007/978-94-011-4724-8_1532.
Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.
, 2016
, “Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating
,” Air Movement and Control Association International
, Atlanta, GA, Standard Nos. ANSI/AMCA210-16 and ANSI/ASHRAE51-16.33.
ANSYS, Inc.
, 2021
, ANSYS FLUENT 12.0 User's Guide
, ANSYS
, Canonsburg, PA.34.
Kroeger
, R. A.
, Grushka
, H. D.
, and Helvey
, T. C.
, 1972
, “Low Speed Aerodynamics for Ultra-Quiet Flight
,” Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory, Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force
, TULLAHOMA, TN, Report No. AFFDL-TR-71-75
.https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD0893426.pdf35.
Sarradj
, E.
, Fritzsche
, C.
, and Geyer
, T.
, 2011
, “Silent Owl Flight: Bird Flyover Noise Measurements
,” AIAA J.
, 49
(4
), pp. 769
–779
.10.2514/1.J05070336.
Wolf
, T.
, and Konrath
, R.
, 2015
, “Avian Wing Geometry and Kinematics of a Free-Flying Barn Owl in Flapping Flight
,” Exp. Fluids
, 56
(2
), p. 28
.10.1007/s00348-015-1898-637.
Lee
, H. H.
, 2011
, Taguchi Methods: Principles and Practices of Quality Design
, 4th ed., Gau-Lih Book
, Tainan, Taiwan.38.
Hunt
, J. C. R.
, Wray
, A. A.
, and Moin
, P.
, 1988
, “Eddies, Streams, and Convergence Zones in Turbulent Flows
,” Proceedings of the Summer Program Center Turbulence Research
, Stanford, CA, June 27–July 22, pp. 193
–207
.https://web.stanford.edu/group/ctr/Summer/SP1988/19_HUNT.pdfCopyright © 2025 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.
