Investigation of a miniature centrifugal fan

A centrifugal fan was designed with a matching centrifugal volute flow channel in order to investigate a numerical simulation with prototype manufacturing, and to compare with experimental results. The fan configuration was developed according to a fan-design theorem. A model P-60 turbojet engine compressor blade design was adopted for the fan aerodynamic analysis and design. The results were verified using the STAR-CD code. Also, based on the findings, a miniature centrifugal fan was designed and manufactured using a CNC five axes machine. The P-Q performance curves were tested using an AMCA standard 210-85 test chamber apparatus. From the numerical analysis results, the pressure on the suction and pressure surfaces will increase gradually from the inlet to one-half the distance of the hub's camber line, however, it will increase more rapidly afterwards. In addition, stress-concentration phenomenon occurred at the tip of the suction and pressure surfaces. In other words, the tip was more prone to damage when the fan was operated. Experiments show that the designed fan maximum flow rate Q and static pressure P were 32% and 59%, respectively, which were lower than the commercial fan data at 2000 rpm rotational speed. However, when the rotational speed was increased to 4000 rpm, the maximum flow rate Q and static pressure P were increased to 38% and 82%. This study concluded that a centrifugal fan's static pressure at high rotational speed is higher than that of an axial-flow fan. Therefore, a centrifugal fan should be chosen if high static pressure cooling or blowing is required. This advanced research investigation is to build up the capabilities of design, analysis, manufacturing, and measurement of a centrifugal fan with an outer diameter smaller than 10 cm. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.