A Through-flow Analysis Method of Axial Fan with BPF and Broadband Noise Models

The present paper proposes and describes a through-flow analysis method of axial fan coupled with BPF and broadband noise prediction models. The flow and performance predictions of axial fan are made by streamline curvature method with empirical correlations for flow deviation and pressure losses. After the computation of streamline curvature method, the predicted flow velocity, flow angle and wake thickness distributions along fan blade span are used for calculating the acoustic pressures produced from BPF and broadband noise sources. The present method is applied to several automotive and air-conditioning fans for verifying its prediction accuracy. The fan flow, performance and noise prediction results by the present method are compared with the CFD and the measurement results. From the comparison results, the present method is shown to provide favorable prediction results within a few percent relative errors and can be used as a reliable design tool of high efficiency and low noise fan at the actual fan design practice.