Quiet, High-Efficiency Vaneaxial Fans, Phase I

During this Phase I effort, CRG proposes to demonstrate the ability to significantly reduce the acoustic signature of vaneaxial fans by establishing quiet aerodynamic, mechanical, and electronic design features. CRG will focus primarily on reducing tonal and broadband aerodynamic noise, using a combination of theory and experimentation to investigate the acoustic benefits of i) asymmetric blade spacing, ii) serrated trailing edge features, and iii) wearable blade tip liners on a scale representative of the NASA applications. In addition, CRG will leverage its experience in high-efficiency vaneaxial fan design, which includes the development of state-of-the-art motor and controller technology, to identify the potential noise reductions in the drive system. The Phase I results will provide a baseline for Phase II acoustic modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, drive system development, and vaneaxial fan system demonstration. Finally, the transition of next generation quiet, high-efficiency vaneaxial fans into future NASA human exploration systems to increase occupant comfort, such as the predecessor to the space shuttle, commercial crew and cargo systems, lunar exploration systems, and even Mars exploration systems, defines the overall goal of the program.