Title: Effects of forced convection and roughness of surface on viscous coupling unit of crossover utility vehicles

Authors: Sheng-Chung Tzeng, K. David Huang, Tai-Sheng Wu

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chienkuo Technology University, No. 1, Chieh Shou N Rd., Chang Hua 500, Taiwan, ROC. ' Department of Vehicle Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan, ROC. ' Graduate Institute of Vehicular Engineering, Dayeh University, Changhua 500, Taiwan, ROC

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to analyse the local heat transfer and flow characteristics in the viscous coupling unit (VCU) of a crossover utility vehicle (CUV). Heat is transferred by free convection and forced convection, and affected by the lubrication effect of the smooth wall and the embedded circumferential ribs, at various rotational speeds. In the simulation of the practical operational range of VCU of CUV under experimental conditions, both rotational speed and geometric parameters must correspond closely to the real situation. In addition, the test section is designed such that the cooling characteristics of the power transmission system of the CUV of actual size could be investigated. The overall temperature distribution is measured and the local heat transfer coefficient is analysed. The impact of the centrifugal force upon the Taylor vortex is clarified with reference to the flow-field distribution. Finally, some empirical formulae by CUV designers are obtained from the experimental results.

Keywords: heat transfer; flow characteristics; viscous coupling unit; VCU; crossover utility vehicles; CUVs; Taylor vortex; vehicle design; surface roughness; forced convection; cooling characteristics; power transmission; temperature distribution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2007.014915

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2007 Vol.45 No.4, pp.449 - 469

Published online: 17 Aug 2007 *

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