High Efficiency Fans for Underhood Cooling of Military Vehicles

Our preliminary assessment, based on skillful deployment of advanced aerodynamics with considerations for synergistic aerodynamic and functional integration of the electric drive motor and heat exchanger with the fan, establishes the basis for an Total-to-Static eff. of 85+% in the installed performance of the fan module that promise to enhance the Tractive Effort to Gross Vehicle Weight ratio (TE/GVW) of both the PIM and JLTV Army vehicles. The proposed design incorporates advanced 3D aerodynamic features in the fan rotor, enhanced loading capability via aerodynamic close coupling of the rotor with High Resistance Media (HRM) such as heat exchangers, and synergistic integration of electric motor with fan exit guide vanes (EGV) for motor cooling. This integrated EGV/motor will also serve as an HRM which will further augment the diffusion capability of the fan rotor. The Phase I is expected to include conceptual design of the fan module, CFD experiments to develop aerodynamic diffusion enhancing concepts, exploration of a scheme to use the fan EGV as cooling fins for the electric motor, and a detailed aero and aeromechanics design of an initial fan module. A plan for electric motor development and customization by a commercial motor vendor will also be an important part of Phase I.