STATOR AND SUPPORT ARM AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE FOR ENGINE COOLING FANS

1
STATOR AND SUPPORT ARM AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
FOR ENGINE COOLING FANS
Background
Fans are supported by either downstream stators
or support arms. The use of stators is intended
to improve fan efficiency. However, there are
operating conditions where their use may be
detrimental.
(a)
Objective
(b)
To assess experimentally and numerically whether
stators are a worthwhile additional benefit, in
terms of pressure recovery, or whether it is
worth trying to improve support arm shapes.
Fan supported by stators (a) and support arms (b)
2
Research Carried Out
Lift and drag forces acting on a typical stator
and support arm shapes under realistic operating
conditions were determined experimentally.
Measured stator and support arm lift Coefficients.
Key Findings
In the region of highest fan performance
probability, the stator has a lift coefficient
with a value of 0.1 to 0.6 greater than that for
the corresponding support arm values.
Measured stator and support arm drag Coefficients.