Installation Effects on the Flow Generated Noise From Automotive Electrical Cooling Fans

With the electrification of road vehicles comes new demands on the cooling system. Not the least when it comes to noise. Less masking from the driveline and new features, as for example, cooling when charging the batteries drives the need for silent cooling fans. In this work a novel e-fan is studied in different generalized installations and operating conditions. The fans (a cluster configuration) are installed in a test rig where the operation could be controlled varying the speed, flow rate and pressure difference over the fan. On the vehicle side of the fan a generalized packaging space (similar to an engine bay for conventional vehicles) is placed. In this packaging space different obstruction can be placed to simulate the components and radiators used in the vehicle. Here generalized simple blocks in different configuration are used to provide well defined and distinct test cases. Of special interest are cases with poor inlet flow profile and the influence of this on the sound generation. The tests are currently in progress and results will be provided on the performance and sound generation including scale laws and directivity studies.