Experimental Study of Flow Control Generated by Multiple Piezoelectric Fans Installed in a Rectangular Case

Abstract

In this study, the airflow direction control performance of three piezoelectric fans in a staggered and parallel arrangement was experimentally investigated by airflow smoke visualization and cross-sectional air velocity distribution measurement experiments with a hot-wire anemometer. As a result of comparing the airflow direction control capability of fan units with the central fan-driven in opposite phase and those driven synchronously, it was found that the phase difference between the fans did not contribute to airflow direction control and airflow increase. On the other hand, even with the synchronously driven piezoelectric fan unit, its performance as a blower is greatly decreased in a narrow housing. Still, the airflow direction control provided by the staggered fan could be regained by installing an intake port in the top panel. However, the flow characteristics also show that the air mass blown by the fan travels along the ceiling of the narrow channel.