Plasma Actuator Shroud for Blower Leakage Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blower designs face limitations in achieving high efficiency and low noise due to vortex issues at the blade end caused by speed differences, and existing plasma actuator solutions require metal materials and strict assembly control, increasing manufacturing costs and being unsuitable for general air conditioners with resin blades.
Innovation Solution
A blower with a plasma actuator installed in a shroud surrounding a resin propeller fan, utilizing a pair of electrodes and a dielectric to generate plasma by dielectric barrier discharge, which forms an induced airflow along the inner circumferential surface, allowing for independent voltage control and reduced assembly constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a plasma actuator is installed to actively control airflow and suppress leakage flow, then efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to strict assembly requirements and metal material requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the propeller fan from metal to resin, and modifies the plasma actuator structure to accommodate non-conductive materials. This allows the use of resin blades while maintaining plasma generation capability, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while preserving efficiency improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a conductive coating layer as an intermediary between the resin blade and the plasma actuator electrode. This thin conductive layer enables plasma generation without requiring the entire blade to be metal, thus maintaining the efficiency benefit while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If the clearance between the propeller fan and shroud is set very small to generate plasma, then plasma generation is enabled, but assembly error control becomes difficult and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the plasma actuator structure adaptable to varying clearances by using a flexible mounting mechanism or adjustable electrode position. This allows the plasma actuator to function effectively across a range of assembly tolerances, eliminating the need for extremely tight clearance control while maintaining reliable plasma generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma actuator is designed with a structure that can accommodate different blade types (metal or resin) and varying clearance conditions. This universal design enables reliable plasma generation without strict assembly requirements, reducing manufacturing precision demands while maintaining effectiveness.
3Loss of energy
If induced airflow flows in the radial direction to suppress leakage flow, then leakage flow is reduced, but vortex occurs at the blade end and blade efficiency is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different flow control strategies to different regions of the blade. The plasma actuator is positioned to generate induced flow specifically at the blade tip region where leakage occurs, while the main blade surface maintains its original airflow pattern. This localized approach suppresses leakage flow without creating unwanted vortex along the entire blade length, maximizing overall blade efficiency.
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 solution effectively suppresses leakage flow, improves efficiency, and reduces noise without the need for precise assembly or metal materials, making it cost-effective for general air conditioners with resin blades.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a pair of electrodes and a dielectric to generate plasma by dielectric barrier discharge
Data Source
AI summary
A blower having high efficiency and low noise by actively controlling airflow in the blower, and an air conditioner having the blower is provided. The air conditioner has a blower. The blower includes a fan having a hub and at least one blade provided on an outer circumferential surface of the hub, a motor to rotatably drive the hub, a shroud configured to surround the periphery of the fan and at least one actuator installed in the shroud and configured to form an airflow along an inner circumferential surface of the shroud.