Guide Wheel Fan Layout for Compact Low-Noise Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fans with guide vanes face challenges in achieving a compact axial design while improving flow characteristics and reducing noise levels, as well as addressing issues related to installation space and icing risks.
Innovation Solution
A fan design incorporating a guide wheel with a smaller diameter than the fan impeller, positioned close to the impeller, which includes air guide webs and a stator hub formed by other components, optimizing the flow path and reducing backflow, and featuring a diffuser with specific geometric dimensions and angles to enhance flow homogeneity and noise performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If guide vanes are positioned at a larger distance from the fan impeller, then the axial installation space increases, but the flow homogenization effect and noise reduction performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional axial arrangement to a radial arrangement of guide vanes. The guide vanes are positioned radially outward from the fan impeller, extending in the radial direction rather than purely axially. This dimensional change allows the guide vanes to be placed closer to the impeller in the axial direction while still maintaining effective flow control, thereby reducing axial installation space while preserving noise reduction performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vanes are nested within the radial space surrounding the fan impeller. The guide vane structure is arranged concentrically with the impeller, with guide vanes positioned at different radial distances. This nesting approach allows multiple functional surfaces to occupy overlapping radial zones, maximizing flow control effectiveness within a compact axial footprint.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If guide vanes are positioned closer to the fan impeller, then noise levels are reduced, but the axial installation space decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension to achieve flow control functionality. By arranging guide vanes radially outward from the impeller with specific radial and axial positioning, the design achieves effective flow homogenization and noise reduction without requiring excessive axial space. The guide vanes extend radially to intercept and redirect flow while maintaining a compact axial profile.
3Length of moving object
If the guide wheel diameter is reduced, then the axial distance to the fan impeller is reduced, but the cross-sectional area for flow decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wheel is nested within the radial space of the fan system, with guide vanes arranged at multiple radial positions. The guide wheel diameter is reduced to minimize axial spacing, while the radial extension of guide vanes compensates for the reduced cross-sectional area by providing flow control over a broader radial range. This allows compact axial packaging while maintaining adequate flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide vanes are positioned with varying radial distances from the fan impeller, creating zones of different flow control intensity. The radial arrangement allows local optimization of flow guidance at different radii, ensuring that even with a reduced overall guide wheel diameter, the critical flow paths are effectively managed without requiring a large cross-sectional area.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the diffuser width in axial direction is increased, then flow homogenization improves, but the axial installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves flow homogenization primarily through radial arrangement of guide vanes rather than increasing axial diffuser width. The guide vanes are positioned radially outward with optimized radial and axial coordinates, creating flow straightening effects through radial guidance. This approach provides effective flow homogenization while maintaining a compact axial profile, as the flow control functionality is achieved in the radial dimension.
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
The design achieves a compact axial size, improved noise performance, reduced icing risk, and enhanced flow characteristics by minimizing turbulent components and backflow, while being adaptable to existing fans.
Implementation Method 1
The generally known effect of homogenizing the flow and preventing backflow
Implementation Method 2
preventing backflow to the fan impeller, which has a negative impact on efficiency and noise levels
Implementation Method 3
the pressure difference across the smaller cross-section of the diffuser wheel is lower, so that the risk of icing is reduced when used in refrigeration technology
Implementation Method 4
lead to a reduction in the turbulent components and the radial component in the radial inner region of the airflow generated by the fan
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fan with a fan wheel (2) having fan blades (3), which extends radially outwards about an axis of rotation of the fan (1) and whose radial outer circumference determines a fan wheel diameter (Dv), and one in the axial direction of flow to the fan wheel (1) Guide wheel (4) arranged at a distance (A) with air guide webs (5), which extends radially outwards and has a guide wheel diameter (Dl) that is smaller than the fan wheel diameter (Dv), so that the guide wheel (4 ) determines a partial cross-sectional area of a fan wheel cross-sectional area.