Study on Thermal Performance of Silicon Oil Clutch for a Cooling Fan

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, a silicone oil fan clutch is taken as the research object. The finite element model of the clutch is established in the form of hexahedral mesh by using HyperMesh software. The thermal field and flow field are coupled in the model and simulated. The temperature distribution of the front and rear ends of the clutch is simulated and analyzed. The relationship between the number of radiating ribs and the temperature distribution of the front and rear ends of the clutch is analyzed. The temperature distribution of the front and rear ends of the clutch is tested by the silicone oil fan clutch performance test rig. The experimental results are consistent with the simulation results, and which shows that the finite element model is feasible. The influence of the number of radiating ribs and the internal structure of the clutch on the heat dissipation performance of the silicone oil fan clutch is calculated and studied. The results have important guiding significance for improving the silicone oil fan clutch and shortening the development cycle of the clutch.