Performance Measurements of Large Centrifugal Impellers in a Single and Coupled Configuration

摘要

This paper presents the techniques and results of a full-scale test program to measure the installed performance of two different large centrifugal fan impellers onboard the US Navy’s Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC). Each impeller, having a different number of blades and different blade profiles, was tested first as a single fan and then in the intended coupled pair, close-proximity design configuration. Results provided include non-dimensional flow versus pressure curves and non-dimensional flow versus power curves. Single fan performance is compared to coupled operation for both designs, and the effects of installation losses are estimated. Finally, a pitot traverse test is conducted to further substantiate the test data.