Research Gap

Although much research has been done on the type of fans, aerodynamic parameters and the means of reducing noise, the vast majority of the studies are limited to considering only the conventional type of fan blades, or biomimetic features isolated of each other. The literature shows the individual advantages of serrations, perforations, and wing tilting based on the morphology of the owl, however, no detailed analysis of the combined effects on the performance of the fan blades of a domestic ceiling fan is carried out. In addition, most biomimetic derivations are yet to undergo further refinement in engineering to bring practical and manufacturable fan designs that would be based on the natural noise reduction principles. Past CFD research frequently neglects the combination of transient aural simulation including tonal noise as simulated and pressure modeling in realistic enclosures that follow standards, e.g., ARSHEA. Furthermore, the aerodynamic efficiency versus noise versus cost of manufacturability trade-offs have not been sufficiently investigated in regards to full-scale fan blades. These imperfections underscore the necessity to undertake a systematic analysis of design characteristics of various owls using experimentally validated CFD and acoustic models to determine the best fan blade geometries that can be used to increase airflow and reduce noise at the same time keeping production an assessment. The current project bridges these gaps by incorporating serrated, perforated, and tilted edge designs into one study with the latest CFD-acoustic simulation techniques, realistic enclosure modeling, and manufacturability evaluation to give practical recommendations towards the future quiet and efficient fan blade designs.