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A PC-based computer code for axial-flow fan blade design has been developed at Valeo Motors & Actuators Airflow Division, and is being used extensively for automotive fan design. This code gives a good initial design, and is followed by Navier-Stokes CFD sessions for verification and fine-tuning. It has been found that the code reduces the number of CFD runs substantially from what would otherwise be required, contributing to the shortened design turn-around time. A separately developed code (also runs on PC) for sound power prediction is utilized to set the blade spacing and skew angle for optimum noise performance.

Disc brake noise continues to be a major concern throughout the automotive industry despite efforts to reduce its occurrence. As a major supplier of automotive brake components, Delphi Chassis is continually investigating means to reduce disc brake noise. In this paper, experimental and analytical methods are discussed which reduce the occurrence of automotive disc brake noise. Three general categories of brake noise are discussed. These categories are low frequency noise, low frequency squeal, and high frequency squeal. A general description of all three categories and examples of relevant solutions are presented.

The 1980 X-Car engine cooling system is designed to aid in maximizing fuel economy. An electrically driven fan was selected to provide airflow to meet the above objective. Several other design objectives such as light weight and low noise level are also very well satisfied by the electric fan. This paper describes the strategy and techniques used to meet the fuel economy improvement goal while still providing acceptable engine cooling and the airflow required for adequate air conditioning condensing. This strategy consisted of maximizing ram airflow via methods of wind tunnel, flowmeter and on road development. The heat exchangers were then sized to perform adequately with only ram airflow in a road load condition. Finally the additional airflow required at idle and at high heat rejection points was determined. A high peak efficiency fan was selected to provide the airflow needed when operating near its maximum efficiency.