Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Grille Structure to the Outdoor Unit of Room Air Conditioner

G1 - Installation Effect

Aerodynamic and noise performance parameters and flow fields near the exit of the outdoor unit of air conditioner with and without grilles are studied with a standard test rig and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The grilles used in this study include two common grilles from the market and one newly-designed grille. The newly-designed grille is designed according to the detailed flow field of the outdoor unit and has an involute-curve shape. Experimental measurements are carried out to validate the effect of grille to the noise and the flow field of outdoor unit. The results indicate that the grille structure will affect the flow rate, the flow field, and the noise level of outdoor unit. The effect of the rectangle shape grille was greatest among three grilles, and the newly-designed grille with involute-curve shape is better, which make the flow uniform and reduce the noise level of the outdoor unit compared with two common grilles. And the methods that combine flow field and noise radiation presented in this research are useful to the designer to decide which grille will be chosen.