Browse Topic: Fans
Three levels of fan structural analysis are included in this practice: a. Initial structural integrity. b. In-vehicle testing. c. Durability (laboratory) test methods. The initial structural integrity section describes analytical and test methods used to predict potential resonance and, therefore, possible fatigue accumulation. The in-vehicle (or machine) section enumerates the general procedure used to conduct a fan strain gage test. Various considerations that may affect the outcome of strain gage data have been described for the user of this procedure to adapt/discard depending on the particular application. The durability test methods section describes the detailed test procedures for a laboratory environment that may be used depending on type of fan, equipment availability, and end objective. The second and third levels build upon information derived from the previous level. Engineering judgment is required as to the applicability of each level to a different vehicle environment
The present work demonstrates a Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) based methodology that couples a Finite Volume Method (FVM) and Finite Element Method (FEM) based tools to estimate air guide deformation, thereby predicting accurate aerothermal performance. The method starts with a digital assembly step where the assembly shape and the induced stress due to assembly is predicted. A full vehicle Aerodynamic simulation is performed to extract the surface pressure on the air guide which is then used to estimate the extent of deformation of the air guides. Based on the extent a subsequent Aerodynamic simulation may be carried out to predict thermal efficiency. Comparison against pressure data and deflection data extracted from the wind tunnel experiments of vehicles has shown reasonable match demonstrating the accuracy and usefulness of the method.
In the evolving landscape of energy efficiency and sustainability, understanding machine behavior in real-world operating conditions is essential. This solution introduces a data-driven Energy Management Dashboard designed to analyze and report critical machine parameters by leveraging LFI (Leverage Fleet Intelligence) and LFI Data (Local Field Intelligence Data). The tool serves as a robust solution for engineering and operations teams to gain actionable insights into machine performance and exposure. By tracking key parameters—such as engine fan speed, coolant temperature, and machine speed—across a fleet of machines (with support for over 1100 unique signals), the solution enables real-time monitoring and historical analysis. It helps identify when parameters go outside their specified limits and assesses the resulting impact on overall machine performance. The core functionality includes: Monitoring machine operating conditions under real field environments. Correlating parameter
Noise generated by a vehicle’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system can significantly affect passenger comfort and the overall driving experience. One of the main causes of this noise is resonance, which happens when the operating speed of rotating parts, such as fans or compressors, matches the natural frequency of the ducts or housing. This leads to unwanted noise inside the cabin. A Campbell diagram provides a systematic approach to identifying and analyzing resonance issues. By plotting natural frequencies of system components against their operating speeds, Test engineers can determine the specific points where resonance occurs. Once these points are known, design changes can be made to avoid them—for example, adjusting the blower speed, modifying duct stiffness, or adding damping materials such as foam. In our study, resonance was observed in the HVAC duct at a specific blower speed on the Campbell diagram. To address this, we opted to optimize the duct design
Thermal management is critical for modern vehicles, particularly for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), where maintaining optimal temperature ranges directly influences thermal system efficiency and vehicle range. Accurate prediction of underhood airflow behavior is essential for effective thermal management and also to estimate overall energy consumption by cooling system, with air-side dynamics playing a pivotal role in heat transfer over the heat exchangers of cooling package. Simulation tools like GT-Suite are indispensable for this purpose, enabling engineers to evaluate complex thermal interactions without the cost and time constraints of extensive physical testing. While 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models offer detailed insights into flow characteristics, they are computationally expensive and time consuming. In contrast, 1D models provide faster simulation times, making them ideal for system-level analysis and iterative design processes. However, 1D models inherently lack
In automotive systems, efficient thermal management is essential for refining vehicle performance, enhancing passenger comfort, and reducing MAC Power Consumption. The performance of an air conditioning system is linked to the performance of its condenser, which in turn depends on critical parameters such as the opening area, radiator fan ability and shroud design sealing. The opening area decides the airflow rate through the condenser, directly affecting the heat exchange efficiency. A larger opening area typically allows for greater airflow, enhancing the condenser's ability to dissipate heat. The shroud, which guides the airflow through the condenser, plays a vital role in minimizing warm air recirculation. An optimally designed shroud can significantly improve the condenser's thermal performance by directing the airflow more effectively. Higher fan capacity can increase the airflow through the condenser, improving heat transfer rates. However, it is essential to balance fan
Manufacturers of fans/propellers using hydraulically-actuated pitch control claim energy efficiency gains up to 75% over fixed-pitch solutions. Unfortunately, the added cost, weight, reliability and maintenance considerations of hydraulic solutions has limited the introduction of pitch control for small-to-medium fans and propellers leaving a large market unserved by the efficiency gains associated with changing the pitch of a blade when the blade shaft’s speed changes. Pilot Systems International and Cool Mechatronics are developing an electromagnetically controlled pitch (EMCP) fan/propeller that will produce a new pareto optimal in size, weight, power, cost and cooling (SWaP-C2). The technology will substantially improve the efficiency of military ground vehicle cooling fans which is typically the third greatest power draw (~20kW)1 in the entire vehicle and provide critical performance improvements during silent watch. It will be a key enabler for the electrification of aircraft.
The oil cooling fan of a Main Gearbox (MGB) is a mechanically-driven component whose purpose is to force an air flow through an air cooled oil cooler; its performance is crucial in ensuring that the MGB oil temperature does not exceed a predefined threshold, set to alert the crew in case of an abnormal situation. The design and the certification of a cooling fan is a process involving several steps and multiple disciplines; mechanical design, aerodynamic analysis, dedicated tests carried out both on rigs and at aircraft level need to be exploited as complementary tools to assess the correct aero-mechanical behavior of the system. The aerodynamic assessment is associated to performance, measured in terms of MGB oil temperature: considering a comparison between two cooling fans, one outperforms the other if the resultant MGB oil temperature is lower, keeping the same boundary conditions (engine torque, wind speed, ambient temperature, etc.). The correct mechanical behavior is instead
The rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates updates to the automotive testing standards, particularly for noise emission. This paper examines the vehicle-level noise emission testing of a Nikola Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-truck and the component-level noise emission testing needed to create a predictive simulation model using Wave6 software. The physical, component-level noise emission testing focused on individual cooling fans in a semi-anechoic chamber to assess their isolated noise contributions. With this data, an initial model was developed using spatial gradient statistical energy analysis, which successfully predicted pass-by noise levels based on varying fan locations and speeds. Real-world pass-by testing confirmed the model's accuracy across different cooling fan speeds. By leveraging advanced simulation techniques, engineers aim to enhance the accuracy and reliability of pass-by noise predictions through cost-effective studies of architectural
The Electroimpact Automatic Fan Cowl Riveter uses two novel drill processes to control exit burr height and achieve the required hole quality in CRES (Corrosion-Resistant Steel, also called stainless steel) material stacks. Both processes use piloted cutters on the OML (Outer Mold Line, referring to the exterior surface of an airframe) side, and two different tools are used in a backside spindle on the IML (Inner Mold Line, referring to the inside surface of an airframe) side of the component. The first process uses a shallow-angle shave tool in the IML spindle to directly control the exit burr height after it is produced by the OML spindle and is called the “burr shave” technique. The second process uses a countersink tool in the IML spindle and produces an “intermediate countersink” after the pilot hole is drilled by the OML spindle, but before the final hole diameter is drilled. These drill processes were able to achieve the required hole quality in a challenging CRES material stack
Cooling system for an IC engine, consisting of the Water pump (WP), Radiator and Fan, plays an important role in maintaining thermal efficiency of the engine and protects the engine from overheating. Based on the vehicle application requirement, Fan will be mounted directly either on Crankshaft or WP pulley. But wherever increase in Fan speed ratio are in demand, it is preferred to mount the Fan on WP pulley. So it important to understand the WP housing structural strength with respect to vibration loads contributed from Radiator Fan assembly. This paper presents investigation of Failure of WP Housing during engine validation at engine test bed with Electronic Viscous Fan, based on the different operating conditions of the engine and fan as per the validation cycle. While the accessories are loading and the corresponding stresses are high when the fan is engaged. But in the current case, the failure of WP housing happened only during Fan clutch disengaged condition. Experimental
Automotive cooling module system consists of condenser, radiator and intercooler which is used for thermal management of vehicle. Condenser helps to reject cabin heat, radiator to reject engine heat and intercooler rejects charged air heat to ambient. CRFM (Condenser, Radiator and Fan module) is conventionally packaged under the bonnet of passenger vehicle. Fan circulate airflow through heat exchangers and has primary role of airflow delivery. While performing vehicle level thermal management duty, fan noise is generated from CRFM and fan noise is considered as an important design attribute of CRFM. Many researchers have done fan noise simulation at component level and very limited literatures at vehicle (system) level simulation are available. Customer perceives noise from outside of the vehicle and it is important to predict fan noise at vehicle level at various operating speeds. Such simulations are transient in nature and modeling complexity demands high computational cost. Current
This SAE Recommended Practice is intended for use in testing and evaluating the approximate performance of engine-driven cooling fans. This performance would include flow, pressure, and power. This flow and pressure information is used to estimate the engine cooling performance. This power consumption is used to estimate net engine power per SAE J1349. The procedure also provides a general description of equipment necessary to measure the approximate fan performance. The test conditions in the procedure generally will not match those of the installation for which cooling and fuel consumption information is desired. The performance of a given fan depends on the geometric details of the installation, including the shroud and its clearance. These details should be duplicated in the test setup if accurate performance measurement is expected. The performance at a given air density and speed also depends on the volumetric flow rate, or the pressure rise across the fan, since these two
This practice applies to guarding of engine cooling fans used on Off-Road Self-Propelled Work Machines defined in SAE J1116. It does not include guarding for belts, pulleys, or other rotating equipment used on these machines.
Hey superhero fans, meet the researchers making real life Iron Man technology possible. In a new study, engineers from Korea and the United States have developed a wearable, stretchy patch that could help to bridge the divide between people and machines — and with benefits for the health of humans around the world.
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