Fan Casing Tapered Hub Air Flow Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional axial fan apparatuses face limitations in improving air flow performance due to restricted air duct size and the inherent trade-off between air flow and static pressure, where increasing air flow typically reduces static pressure.
Innovation Solution
The fan casing design includes a cylindrical hub portion with a tapered section that increases the air duct width towards the outlet, coupled with stator blade portions that avoid direct contact with the tapered portion, allowing for enhanced air flow performance by maintaining static pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air duct size is increased to improve air flow performance, then air flow increases, but the device size and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hub portion is segmented into two functional zones: a cylindrical portion for stator blade attachment and a tapered portion for air flow optimization. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, improving air flow without requiring complete redesign of the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub portion transitions from a two-dimensional cylindrical cross-section to a three-dimensional tapered form, creating additional spatial dimension for air flow optimization. This dimensional change allows the air duct width to increase toward the outlet without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
2Productivity
If air flow is increased, then cooling performance improves, but static pressure decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the air duct are given different geometric properties: the cylindrical portion maintains structural integrity for blade support, while the tapered portion locally optimizes air flow and pressure characteristics. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of air flow and static pressure in different zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameter of the hub portion changes from constant radius (cylindrical) to variable radius (tapered) along the air flow direction. This parameter change optimizes the velocity profile and pressure distribution, maintaining static pressure while increasing air flow performance.
3Productivity
If the hub portion is made larger to increase air duct width, then air flow performance improves, but the fan casing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered hub portion is nested within the existing fan casing structure, with the stator blades attached to the cylindrical portion and extending into the tapered region. This nesting arrangement allows air flow optimization without requiring external casing expansion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design improves air flow performance by approximately 10% compared to conventional fan apparatuses, reducing vortex formation and ensuring efficient air flow directionality, while maintaining suitable air flow-static pressure characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
This design improves air flow performance by approximately 10% compared to conventional fan apparatuses, reducing vortex formation and ensuring efficient air flow directionality
Data Source
AI summary
A fan casing includes: an air duct communicating with an air inlet and outlet; a frame body forming an outer peripheral surface of the air duct; a hub portion forming an inner peripheral surface of the air duct on the outlet side; and a stator blade portion provided in the air duct, the stator blade portion coupling the frame body to the hub portion. The hub portion includes a cylindrical-shaped cylindrical portion and a tapered portion provided next to the cylindrical portion and provided in such a manner as to increase the width of the air duct toward the outlet. The stator blade portion couples the cylindrical portion to the frame body.