In recent years, a considerable effort has been devoted towards the application of advanced techniques for turbomachinery efficient fluid dynamic control during operations. A novel strategy to dynamically modify and optimize the performances during operations takes advantage of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) properties. Experimental and numerical analyses on a morphing polymeric blade for an automotive axial fan are presented. The blade shape change was achieved by SMA strips, thermo- mechanically treated, embedded in the blade and thermally activated by hot air stream flow. Measurement of fluid temperature, blade surface temperature pattern and three- dimensional shape change of the blade during activation was performed by means of an innovative image analysis technique in a purpose-built wind tunnel. CFD numerical simulations were performed to study performance variations and three-dimensional fluid dynamic behavior of the fan originated from the shape memory effect.
Using Shape Memory Alloys for improving automotive fan blade performances: Experimental and CFD analysis
SUMAN, Alessio;FORTINI, Annalisa;ALDI, Nicola;PINELLI, Michele;MERLIN, Mattia
2015
Abstract
In recent years, a considerable effort has been devoted towards the application of advanced techniques for turbomachinery efficient fluid dynamic control during operations. A novel strategy to dynamically modify and optimize the performances during operations takes advantage of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) properties. Experimental and numerical analyses on a morphing polymeric blade for an automotive axial fan are presented. The blade shape change was achieved by SMA strips, thermo- mechanically treated, embedded in the blade and thermally activated by hot air stream flow. Measurement of fluid temperature, blade surface temperature pattern and three- dimensional shape change of the blade during activation was performed by means of an innovative image analysis technique in a purpose-built wind tunnel. CFD numerical simulations were performed to study performance variations and three-dimensional fluid dynamic behavior of the fan originated from the shape memory effect.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
