Unsteady thermal characteristics of a rotary blade coupling in a real-time four-wheel-drive vehicle
by Sheng-Chung Tzeng, Rong-Yuan Jou, Jenq-Hwu Liou
International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD), Vol. 36, No. 4, 2004

Abstract: This investigation explores the instability of the thermal characteristics of the coupling of rotating blades in real-time four wheel drive vehicles. The test rig is designed to make the key dimensionless parameters closely approach the operating conditions of a real vehicle. The range of parameters of the test rig is similar to that of a four-wheel-drive vehicle. A pattern of unstable Taylor vortices flow is found in the coupling of rotating blades. The flow pattern causes a wavy temperature distribution. A locally high operating temperature may cause material degradation, shortening the life of the rotary blade coupling. The local temperature ratios were obtained in the gap between the inner and outer coupled of test section. A full-plane thermal imager also measured the overall temperature distributions on the rotary blade coupling and the rear differential. The mechanism of the influence of Taylor vortices was detailed by examining local thermal characteristics. One of the main goals of this study was to summarise the experimental results by fitting to equations for the temperature distribution ratio in real-time four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Online publication date: Tue, 07-Dec-2004

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