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Technical Paper

Stator and Support Arm Aerodynamic Performance for Automotive Engine Cooling Fans with Realistic Inlet Conditions

2007-04-16
2007-01-0769
The influence of a typical stator and support arm on the performance of an automotive engine cooling module is evaluated. Measured lift (CL) and the drag (CD) coefficients are compared for a typical stator and support arm under real unsteady inlet conditions. These inlet conditions are based on Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) data taken in the flow downstream of an automotive cooling fan. The quality of the experimental results is assessed upon comparison with the well-established flat plate data. It is found that inlet conditions dramatically affect the aerodynamic performance of both the stator and the support arm. A suitable range of inlet conditions on which to base the design is presented. The second objective of the current study is to establish accurate numerical simulation guidelines for future fan designs. Various turbulence models are evaluated based on comparison with experimentally measured data for a stator and a support arm at various angles of attack.
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