Ho Seon Rew’s research while affiliated with LG Electronics and other places

Aeroacoustic characteristics of sirocco fan used in Over-The-Range (OTR) has been analyzed in this paper. A microwave hood combination over the gas range is short for the OTR. The flow phenomena of the double-sided sirocco fan was analyzed numerically and experimentally by using commercial code and three dimensional PIV for flow visualization. Also, microphone array is used in order to understand acoustic characteristics of OTR. Two dimensional unsteady flow and acoustic simulation is tried to qualitatively estimate the effects of tonal noise and broadband noise on the overall sound pressure level. It is found that tonal sound is generated from the strong interaction between the impeller and cutoff while broadband sound is generated from the strong secondary flows along the scroll surface. To reduce the noise level, the V-shape cut-off was applied to improve the sound quality by reducing tonal noise. So the peak noise at BPF (Blade Passing Frequency) was almost reduced. The shape of flow-guide to suppress the secondary flow over the scroll surface was carefully checked. It is found that this affects flow pattern at the fan exit and reduces the broad band noise. Through this numerical and experimental study, the sound pressure level was lowered by 4dBA compared to that of the previous fan at the operating point.

The aeroacoustic characteristics of a centrifugal fan for a vacuum cleaner and its noise reduction method are studied in this paper. The major noise source of a vacuum cleaner is the centrifugal fan. The impeller of the fan rotates at over 3000 rpm, and generates very high-level noise. It was revealed that the dominant noise source is the aerodynamic interaction between the rotating impeller and stationary diffuser. The directivity of acoustic pressure showed that most of the noise propagates backward direction of the fan-motor assembly. In order to reduce the high tonal sound generated from the aerodynamic interaction, unevenly pitched impeller and diffuser, and tapered impeller designs were proposed and experiments were performed. Uneven pitch design of the impeller changes the sound quality while the overall sound power level (SPL) and the performance remains similar. The effect of the tapered design of impeller was evaluated. The trailing edge of the tapered fan is inclined. This reduces the flow interaction between the rotating impeller and the stationary diffuser because of some phase shifts. The static efficiency of the new impeller design is slightly lower than the previous design. However, the overall SPL is reduced by about 4 dB(A). The SPL of the fundamental blade passing frequency (BPF) is reduced by about 6 dB(A) and the 2nd BPF is reduced about 20 dB(A). The vacuum cleaner with the tapered impeller design produces lower noise level than the previous one, and the strong tonal sound was dramatically reduced. Key WordsVacuum Cleaner-Aeroacoustic Noise-Centrifugal Fan-Low Noise-Performance-Specific Noise Level

The aeroacoustic characteristics of a centrifugal fan for a vacuum cleaner and its noise reduction method are studied in this paper. The major noise source of a vacuum cleaner is the centrifugal fan. The impeller of the fan rotates at over 30000 rpm, and generates very high-level noise. It was revealed that the dominant noise source is the aerodynamic interaction between the rotating impeller and stationary diffuser. The directivity of acoustic pressure showed that most of the noise propagates backward direction of the fan-motor assembly. In order to reduce the high tonal sound generated from the aerodynamic interaction, unevenly pitched impeller and diffuser, and tapered impeller designs were proposed and experiments were performed. Uneven pitch design of the impeller changes the sound quality while the overall sound power level (SPL) and the performance remains similar. The effect of the tapered design of impeller was evaluated. The trailing edge of the tapered fan is inclined. This reduces the flow interaction between the rotating impeller and the stationary diffuser because of some phase shifts. The static efficiency of the new impeller design is slightly lower than the previous design. However, the overall SPL is reduced by about 4 dB (A). The SPL of the fundamental blade passing frequency (BPF) is reduced by about 6 dB (A) and the 2(nd) BPF is reduced about 20 dB (A). The vacuum cleaner with the tapered impeller design produces lower noise level than the previous one, and the strong tonal sound was dramatically reduced.