Prediction and optimization of aerodynamic noise in an automotive air conditioning centrifugal fan

Abstract

The high aerodynamic noise induced by automotive air conditioning systems has important effects on the ride comfort, and the centrifugal fan is the largest noise source in these systems. It is very important to reduce the aerodynamic noise generated by the centrifugal fan. The flow field and the sound field on the whole centrifugal fan configuration have been carried out using the computational fluid dynamics. Simulation results show that the sound pressure level near the outlet of the centrifugal fan is too high. Based on the relationship between flow characteristics and the aerodynamic noise, four parameters of the centrifugal fan, i.e., impeller blade’s outlet angle θ, volute tongue’s gap t, collector inclination angle β, and rotating speed n, were selected as design variables and optimized using response surface methodology. While keeping the function of flow rate unchanged, the peak noise level is reduced by 8 dB or 10.8%. The noise level is satisfactorily reduced.