thermal performance analysis and geometrical optimization

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i Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization of Automotive Brake Rotors By Zhongzhe Chi A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science University of Ontario Institute of Technology July 2008 © Zhongzhe Chi, 2008

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Page 1: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

i

Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical

Optimization of Automotive Brake Rotors

By

Zhongzhe Chi

A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Master of Applied Science

in

Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

July 2008

© Zhongzhe Chi, 2008

Page 2: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

ii

Abstract

The heat dissipation and thermal performance of ventilated brake discs strongly

depends on the aerodynamic characteristics of the air flow through the rotor

passages. In this thesis, the thermal convection is analyzed using an analytical

method, and the velocity distribution, temperature contours and Nusselt number are

determined. Then numerical models for different rotors, pillar post rotors and vane

rotors are generated and numerical simulations are conducted to determine the

desired parameters. To analyze more realistic vane and pillar post rotor models,

commercial CFD software packages, Fluent and Gambit, are used to simulate the

heat flux rate, air flow rate, velocity distributions, temperature contours, and

pressure distributions inside the rotors. Furthermore, sensitivity studies have been

performed, to determine the effects of a different number of vanes or pillar posts,

inner and outer radii and various angles of vanes. To automate the tedious and

repetitive design process of the disc rotor, a design synthesis framework, iSIGHT,

is used to integrate the geometrical modeling using GAMBIT and numerical

simulations based on FLUENT. Through this integrated design synthesis process,

the disc rotor geometrical optimization is performed using design of experiment

studies.

Keywords: Heat transfer, Brake rotor, Simulation, Geometrical optimization

Page 3: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

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Acknowledgements

It is with tremendous appreciation that I wish to acknowledge my thesis supervisors,

Dr. Yuping He and Dr. Greg Naterer. Their advice, guidance and encouragement

have made this program rewarding and enjoyable.

Financial support of this research from the Natural Sciences and Engineering

Research Council of Canada is gratefully acknowledged.

Finally the great acknowledgement I would like to give to my parents, my wife

and my daughter for supporting and encouraging me.

Page 4: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

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Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Motivation ……………………………………………………………... 1

1.2 Literature review ……………………………………………………… 2

1.2.1 Thermal analysis of solid rotors …………………………………….. 3

1.2.2 Influence of rotor materials ………………………………………. 8

1.2.3 Other experimental and analytical work ……………………………… 9

1.3 Research outline ………………………………………………………. 10

2 Thermal Performance Analyses of Vented Rotors with an Analytical Method 14

2.1. Estimation of heat flux generation ……………………………………. 14

2.2 Heat dissipation ………………………………………………………. 15

2.2.1 Heat conduction ………………………………………………… 15

2.2.2 Radiation ……………………………………………………….. 15

2.2.3 Convection heat transfer ……………………………………….. 17

2.3. Convection heat transfer analysis ……………………………………. 17

2.3.1 The velocity distribution in a simplified model ………………... 18

2.3.1.1 Conservation of mass (continuity equation) ……………… 19

2.3.1.2 Conservation of momentum (Navier-Stroke equation) …… 20

2.3.1.3 Velocity distribution ………………………………………. 24

2.3.2 Heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number ………………….. 26

2.3.2.1 Energy equation ………………………………………….. 26

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2.3.2.2 Heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number ……………. 31

2.3.3 Temperature distribution in 3 dimensions ……………………… 31

2.3.4 Velocity, temperature and Nusselt number equation analysis …. 35

2.3.4.1 Velocity equation ………………………………………… 35

2.3.4.2 Nusselt number equations ………………………………… 38

2.3.4.3 Maximum temperature equation …………………………. 40

2.4. Summary …………………………………………………………….. 41

3 Thermal Performance Analysis of Vane Rotors Based on Numerical Simulations

43

3.1 GAMBIT models ……………………………………………………. 43

3.2 Numerical Simulations using FLUENT …………………………….. 44

3.3 Results and discussion ………………………………………………. 48

3.3.1 Effects of vane numbers ………………………………………. 48

3.3.2 Effects of vane angles …………………………………………. 50

3.3.3 Effects of curved vanes ……………………………………….. 51

3.3.4 Effects of short-long vanes …………………………………… 54

3.4. Summary …………………………………………………………… 56

4 Thermal Performance Analysis of Pillar Post Rotors Based on Numerical

Simulation 58

4.1 GAMBIT models …………………………………………………… 58

4.2 Numerical simulations using FLUENT …………………………….. 60

4.3 Results and discussion ……………………………………………… 62

4.3.1 Effects of pillar post numbers ………………………………… 62

Page 6: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

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4.3.2 Effects of different positions of middle pillar posts ………….. 63

4.3.3 Effects of modified entrance pillar posts …………………….. 65

4.3.4 Effects of increased pillar post sizes …………………………. 67

4.3.5 Comparison of pillar post rotors and vane rotors ……………. 68

4.4. Summary …………………………………………………………... 70

5 Geometrical Optimization with 2-D Models 72

5.1 Framework for geometrical optimization models ………………….. 72

5.2 Numerical simulations with CFD ………………………………….. 74

5.3 Design of experiments with iSIGHT ………………………………. 77

5.4 Results and discussion ……………………………………………… 80

5.4.1 Effects of vane numbers ……………………………………… 80

5.4.2 Effects of inner and outer radius ……………………………... 81

5.4.3 Effects of vane offset and angle ……………………………… 84

5.5 Summary ……………………………………………………………. 85

6 Geometrical Optimization in 3-D Models 86

6.1 Framework for geometrical optimization models ………………….. 86

6.2 Numerical simulations with CFD ………………………………….. 87

6.3 Design of experiments with iSIGHT ………………………………. 92

6.4 Results and discussion ……………………………………………… 93

6.4.1 Effects of vane numbers …………………………………….. 94

6.4.2 Effects of inner and outer radius ……………………………. 94

6.4.3 Effects of vane offset and vane angle ………………………. 95

6.4.4 Effects of rotor thickness …………………………………… 97

Page 7: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

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6.5 Summary ………………………………………………………….. 97

7 Conclusions 98

References 101

Page 8: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

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List of figures

1.1 A solid rotor …………………………………………………………………. 2

1.2 Temperature distributions with constant heat flux for a solid rotor ………… 3

1.3 Temperature distributions as a function of rotor thickness …………………. 4

1.4 Temperature distributions with constant deceleration for a solid rotor …….. 5

1.5 Surface temperature distributions with constant deceleration and heat flux … 6

1.6 Surface temperatures with different thicknesses at 5th second at a constant heat

flux …………………………………………………………………………. 7

1.7 Surface temperatures as a function of time for different materials ………….. 8

2.1: Radiative heat transfer coefficient versus rotor temperature ……………… 16

2.2: A pillar post rotor ………………………………………………………….. 17

2.3: A vane rotor ………………………………………………………………… 18

2.4: Straight duct (a simple model for disc rotors) with a rectangular section …. 18

2.5 Heat transfer analysis in a control volume ………………………………….. 30

2.6: Velocity/u0 vs. the rotor ratio D/a ………………………………………….. 36

2.7: Non-dimensional mean velocity vs. pillar post coefficient ………………… 37

2.8: The air flow rate versus revolutions of wheels …………………………….. 38

2.9: The rotor ratio versus Nusselt number ……………………………………... 39

2.10: Non-dimensional temperature change versus rotor ratio …………………. 41

3.1: 2-D mesh with 40-vane rotor mesh model …………………………………. 44

3.2: Velocity contours for 40-vane rotor ………………………………………… 46

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3.3: Static pressure contours for 40-vane rotor …………………………………. 46

3.4: Velocity vector distribution for 40-vane rotor …………………………….. 47

3.5: Turbulence distribution for 40-vane rotor …………………………………. 47

3.6: Vane numbers vs. heat transfer rate ……………………………………….. 49

3.7: Velocity field in 24, 32, 40, 50 and 60 vanes ……………………………… 49

3.8: Vane angles vs. heat transfer (32 vanes) …………………………………… 50

3.9: Vane angles vs. heat transfer (40 vanes) …………………………………… 51

3.10: Radii of curvature vs. heat transfer rate (32 vanes) ……………………… 52

3.11: Radii of curvature vs. heat transfer rate (40 vanes) ………………………. 52

3.12: Radii of curvature vs. heat transfer rate (40 vanes, 30 degree angle) …….. 53

3.13: Velocity distribution of 32-vane rotor at angular velocity of 120 rad/s …… 54

3.14: Short-long ratio vs. heat transfer rate (32 vanes) ………………………….. 55

3.15: Short-long ratio vs. heat transfer (40 vanes) ……………………………… 55

3.16: Velocity contours for a rotor with short-long vanes (40 vanes, ω = 88

rad/s) ……………………………………………………………………… 56

4.1: 2-D mesh with 160 pillar post rotor mesh model ………………………….. 59

4.2: Pillar post wall refinement of a 160 pillar post model ……………………… 59

4.3: Velocity contours of the 160 pillar post rotor ……………………………… 61

4.4: Static pressure contours of the 160 pillar post rotor ……………………….. 62

4.5: Pillar post numbers vs. heat transfer rate …………………………………... 63

4.6: Original positions of middle pillar posts vs. modified positions …………… 64

4.7: Velocity contours of disc rotors with 96, 160 and 224 pillar posts and modified

positions of middle pillar posts ……………………………………………. 64

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4.8: Different middle pillar posts; angular orientations vs. heat transfer rate when

ω=44 ……………………………………………………………………… 65

4.9: Velocity contours of brake rotor with 160 pillar posts and modified entrance

posts (ω=44rad/s) …………………………………………………………. 66

4.10: Different triangle post entrance vs. heat transfer rate (ω=44, 88 and

120rad/s) …………………………………………………………………. 66

4.11: Velocity contours of brake rotor with enlarged pillar posts (number of posts =

160 and ω=44 rad/s) ……………………………………………………… 67

4.12: Pillar post number vs. heat transfer rate when the pillar posts have different

sizes and ω=44, 88 and 120 rad/s ………………………………………… 68

4.13: Comparison of pillar post rotors and vane rotors at various vane or pillar post

numbers (ω=44 rad/s) …………………………………………………….. 69

4.14: Comparison of pillar post rotors and vane rotors at various vane or pillar post

numbers (ω=88 rad/s) …………………………………………………….. 69

4.15: Comparison of pillar post rotors and vane rotors at various vane or pillar post

numbers (ω=120 rad/s) ……………………………………………………. 70

5.1: Schematic representation of the framework for automated design synthesis of

brake discs ………………………………………………………………… 73

5.2: 2-D mesh produced by GAMBIT ………………………………………….. 75

5.3 Full circular mesh produced by GAMBIT ………………………………….. 75

5.4: Velocity distribution in a section …………………………………………… 76

5.5: Pressure contours in a section ………………………………………………. 77

5.6: GAMBIT models with vane angles of 10° (left) and 30° (right) …………… 79

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5.7: GAMBIT models with offset of 0.1 (left) and 0.3 cm (right) ……………… 79

5.8: Vane numbers vs. heat transfer rate ……………………………………… 81

5.9: Inner radius vs. total heat transfer rate …………………………………… 82

5.10: Outer radius vs. total heat transfer rate ………………………………….. 82

5.11: Vane angle, vane offset vs. total heat transfer rate with 40 vanes ………. 83

5.12: Vane angle, vane offset vs. total heat transfer rate with 48 vanes ……….. 83

5.13: Vane angle, vane offset vs. total heat transfer rate with 56 vanes ……… 84

5.14: Vane angle, vane offset vs. total heat transfer rate with 64 vanes ……… 84

6.1: Schematic representation of the framework for automated design synthesis of

brake discs …………………………………………………………………….. 87

6.2: 3-D section mesh produced by GAMBIT ………………………………… 88

6.3: Outlet section of 3-D section mesh produced by GAMBIT ……………… 88

6.4: Inlet section of 3-D section mesh produced by GAMBIT ……………….. 89

6.5 Computational domain and boundary conditions of 3-D section mesh …… 90

6.6 Predicted velocity distributions in one section ……………………………. 91

6.7 Predicted static pressure distributions in one section ……………………… 91

6.8 Predicted turbulence distributions in one section ………………………….. 92

6.9 Vane numbers vs. heat transfer rate ……………………………………….. 94

6.10 Inner radius, outer radius vs. heat transfer rate …………………………… 95

6.11 Vane offset, vane angle vs. heat transfer rate at 40 vane numbers ……….. 96

6.12 Vane offset, vane angle vs. heat transfer rate at 56 vane numbers ……… 96

6.13 Rotor thickness vs. heat transfer rate at 56 vane numbers ……………… 97

Page 12: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

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Notation

a Length of one section, m

A Area, m2

cp Specific heat, kJ/kgK

D Thickness of rotors, m

Convective heat transfer coefficient (W/m2k)

I Mass moment of inertia, kg m2

IR Inner radius

k Pillar post coefficient, thermal conductivity

KE Kinetic energy, kW

One-half rotor thickness (m)

m Mass, kg

numbers 1, 2, 3…

Nu Nusselt number

OR Outer radius

p Contact pressure, Pa

q” Heat flux, kW/m2

″)0(q Time-varying heat flux into the rotor at time t=0 (W/m2)

″0q Average heat flux into rotor (W/m2)

Q Thermal energy, kW

Page 13: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

xiii

Qcond Conduction heat flow rate, kW

Qrad Radiation heat flow rate, kW

Time (s)

st Braking time to a stop (s)

T Temperature, K

, Transient temperature distribution in rotor due to a constant heat flux

(k)

TD Average disc surface temperature, K

Initial temperature (k)

T∞ Ambient air temperature, K

R Distance between node and rotor center, m

RT Rotor thickness

VA Vane angle

v0 Initial speed, m/s

VNu Vane number

VO Vane offset

Horizontal distance measured from midplane of rotor (m)

α Thermal diffusivity, m2/sec

Thermal diffusivity (m2/s)

ω Angular velocity, rad/s

ω0 Initial angular velocity, rad/s

σ Stefan-Boltzmann constant, W/m2K4

ε Emissivity

Page 14: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

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Initial temperature difference between brake and ambient (k)

, Relative temperature of brake resulting from constant heat flux (k)

( )tz,0θ Relative temperature of brake, resulting from a constant heat flux

(k)ρ Fluid density, kg/m3

p Pressure, Pa

/ λ

φ Dissipation function, 1/sec

μ Friction coefficient

x,y,z Cartesian coordinates

u,v,w x,y,z direction velocities, m/s

Page 15: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

1

Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1 Motivation

A braking system is one of the most important safety components of an automobile.

It is mainly used to decelerate vehicles from an initial speed to a given speed. In

some vehicles, the kinetic energy is able to be converted to electric energy and

stored into batteries for future usage. These types of vehicles are known as electric

or hybrid vehicles. However, these kinds of vehicles still need a backup system due

to sometimes insufficient electric energy or failures which inevitably increase the

cost of the vehicles. So friction based braking systems are still the common device

to convert kinetic energy into thermal energy, through friction between the brake

pads and the rotor faces.

Excessive thermal loading can result in surface cracking, judder and high wear of

the rubbing surfaces. High temperatures can also lead to overheating of brake fluid,

seals and other components.

Based on the design configurations, vehicle friction brakes can be grouped into

drum and disc brakes. The drum brakes use brake shoes that are pushed in a radial

direction against a brake drum. The disc brakes use pads that are pressed axially

against a rotor or disc. Under extreme conditions, such as descending a steep hill

Page 16: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

2

with a heavy load, or repeated high-speed decelerations, drum brakes would often

fade and lose effectiveness. Compared with their counterpart, disc brakes would

operate with less fade under the same conditions. An additional advantage of disc

brakes is their linear relationship between brake torque and pad/rotor friction

coefficient [15]. Advantages of disc brakes over drum brakes have led to their

universal use on passenger-car and light-truck front axles, many rear axles, and

medium-weight trucks on both axles. Thus, how to select better geometrical design

variables and improve thermal performance of automotive brake rotors is a task that

the vehicle designers and researchers are often confronted.

1.2 Literature review

Original disc brake rotors are solid rotors as shown in figure 1.1. They are still used

today in some applications.

Figure 1.1 Solid rotor

Page 17: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

3

1.2.1 Thermal analysis of solid rotors

The temperature distribution of solid rotors has been investigated by Limpert using

Duhamel’s Theorem [15]. The derivation of the temperature equation is

accomplished with the assumption of a constant heat flux during constant-speed

downhill braking and a constant heat flux.

For solid rotors, the analytical solution for a constant heat flux is shown in equation

(1.1) [15]. Both sides of the rotor are heated by the heat flux q0"”, cooled by

convection (coefficient hR) and the conditions are based on a constant heat flux.

( ) ( )( ) ( ) ( )

⎥⎥

⎢⎢

⎡+×

+⎟⎟

⎜⎜

⎛−″

″= ∑

=

10

00 1cos

cossinsin

12,2

nn

ta

nnn

nRi

R

zeLLL

L

q

hhq

tz nt λλλλ

λθθ λ (1.1)

Figure 1.2 Temperature distributions with constant heat flux for a solid rotor

Page 18: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

4

As shown in figure 1.2, which is derived from equation (1.1), the highest

temperature occurs on the surface of the solid rotor. It can be also clearly seen from

Figure 1.2 that with an increase of time, the temperature increases almost linearly.

Figure 1.3 Temperature distributions as a function of rotor thickness

Limpert also derived the temperature equation when vehicles have constant

deceleration, in which case a linearly decreasing heat flux is assumed.

( ) ( )( ) ( ) ( )

⎥⎥⎦

⎢⎢⎣

⎡⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛ −×

+−

″−″

″= ∑

=

12

00

0

)0(0 cos1

cossinsin

2),(,2

nn

nt

ta

nnn

n

Rs

za

eLLL

Lt

htq

tzq

qtz

nt

λλλλλ

λθθ

λ

Page 19: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

5

(1.2)

where,

Figure 1.4 Temperature distributions with constant deceleration for a solid rotor

Figure 1.4 shows that the highest temperature also occurs on the surfaces of the

solid rotors. At the 5th-6th second, the temperature reaches the peak point. Figure

1.5 illustrates a comparison of temperature distributions for constant deceleration

and constant heat flux.

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6

Figure 1.5 Surface temperature distributions with constant deceleration and heat

flux

From the analytical solution, to achieve a low surface temperature of solid rotors, it

is useful to increase the thickness of the solid rotors. As shown in figure 1.6, when

the rotor thickness increases from 5 mm to 7 mm, the surface temperature greatly

reduces from 680 °C to 510 °C.

Page 21: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

7

Figure 1.6 Surface temperatures with different thicknesses at the 5th second at

constant heat flux

1.2.2 Influence of rotor materials

The thermal properties of brake rotors are dependent on the temperature and

materials with different properties.

Newcomb [18] revealed that the thermal properties vary linearly with temperature

as indicated in the following equations.

k=ki(1+K1T)

cρ= ciρi(1+K1T) (1.3)

Page 22: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

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Newcomb [18] investigated the thermal properties of rotors with different materials

involving cant iron, steel, aluminum bronze and duralumin. Based on equation (1.2),

the temperature distributions can be calculated for various alloys as shown in figure

1.7.

Figure 1.7: Surface temperatures as a function of time for different materials

As shown in figure 1.7, the steel rotors have the lowest temperature among these

four materials and the duralumin rotors have the highest temperature.

1.2.3 Other experimental and analytical work

Much experimental and analytical work has been conducted to improve the thermal

performance of brake rotors. Limpert [14] compared solid and ventilated rotor

thermal performance at higher rotor speeds, wherein the internal cooling may

Page 23: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

9

contribute as much as 50 or 60 percent to the total cooling. Parish and MacMauns

[20] revealed the effects of disc geometry and rotating speed on the mean flow,

passage turbulence intensity, and mass flow. The aerodynamic characteristics of the

mass flow were found to be reasonably independent of rotational speed, but highly

dependent upon rotor geometry. Johnson et al. [16, 13] used PIV (Particle Image

Velocimetry) to measure air velocities through a high solidity radial flow fan

utilized as a vented brake rotor. Sakamoto [23] analyzed the basic equations for

heat convection, with brake tests and measurements of the flow through the fins.

Repmann [22] examined a brake rotor geometry with straight angled cooling ducts

through numerical studies by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). Gao and Lin

[10] presented an analytical model for the determination of the contact temperature

distribution on the working surface of a brake disc, using a transient finite element

technique. Choi and Lee [9] performed a transient thermoelastic analysis of disc

brakes in repeated braking applications, using a finite element method with

frictional heat generation. Voller et al. [25] studied automotive disc brake thermal

characteristics experimentally, using a specially developed spin rig.

Research work has also been conducted to disclose the effects of design variables

on thermal performance of disc brakes. Grieve et al. [11] performed parametric

sensitivity studies to define suitable design-material combinations for a disc brake

prototype. Sun [24] studied the effects of modifying the rotor, dust shield, wheel

and air deflector on the brake equilibrium temperature rise, under a cyclical braking

cycle in simulated mountain test cases.

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Much attention has been focused on improving the thermal performance of brake

discs. Numerical simulations and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) are

commonly applied to brake disc thermal performance analyses [7]. Many

experimental studies have also been conducted to measure the air flow and

temperature field inside the discs under braking operations. It has been

demonstrated that CFD simulation results have achieved good agreement with

those based on experimental studies.

Various CFD tools for a computer-aided design have been applied to the

development of brake discs. For example, FLUENT has been used by the

automotive industry to model and design various configurations of brake discs [7].

From a design point of view, the drawback of most commercial packages such as

FLUENT is that they only provide analysis of the brake discs whose design

variables have been specified. Design syntheses including parametric and

sensitivity analyses have been difficult. Instead, engineers must decide by trial and

error to change design variable values and re-perform the analysis until a set of

performance criteria becomes acceptable [21]. This “manual” process, often

accompanied by prototype testing, can be difficult and time-consuming for

complex systems, such as vehicle disc brakes.

1.3 Research outline

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A literature survey reveals some limitations of previous work in geometrical

optimization of automotive brake rotors.

Unlike these past studies, the current research investigates the thermal

characteristics of brake discs with both analytical and numerical approaches. In this

thesis, analytical models and the corresponding solutions are presented first. Based

on the analytical solution, CFD sensitivity studies for more realistic brake disc

models are then conducted. The thesis then discusses and concludes the insightful

findings derived from the research.

In addition, past attention has been paid to the investigation of the effects of

geometrical parameters of pillar post rotors on vehicle brake thermal performance.

Moreover, there is an ongoing debate on which design configuration, between the

pillar post and vane rotors, is more effective for heat convection. Sun [7] observed

that the average heat transfer coefficients of the pillar post rotor are approximately

25% lower than those of the vane rotor at vehicle speeds of 24 km/h and 64 km/h.

In contrast, some manufacturers insist that pillar post rotors can provide better

thermal performance than vane rotors.

In this thesis, different pillar post rotor models are generated and the corresponding

numerical simulations are conducted, in order to investigate the effects of various

geometrical parameters on the thermal performance. To evaluate the effect of

Page 26: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

12

geometrical configurations of the rotor passages on the thermal performance, the

pillar post and vane rotors are compared.

In past research, little attention has been paid to the potential of a comprehensive

automated design synthesis process of brake discs [21]. Numerical optimization

may help automate the design synthesis by altering variable values in a search to

optimize performance criteria, subject to constraints. Due to the complexity of the

CFD model of brake discs, even a single iteration of the optimization may take a

large amount of time. If these optimizations are implemented in a massively-

parallel computer system, the computation time could easily be reduced,

approximately by a factor equal to the total number of computers.

To explore the potential of an automated design synthesis process of brake discs, an

integrated design synthesis will be proposed and implemented. Commercial

software GAMBIT is used for geometrical modeling and automatic mesh

generation for vented discs. Then, the CFD package, FLUENT, is employed to

simulate the air flow through the vented disc. To automate the design process of the

disc rotor, a software framework, iSIGHT, is used to integrate the geometrical

modeling using GAMBIT and numerical simulations based on FLUENT. Through

this integrated design synthesis process, the disc rotor geometrical optimization is

performed using design of experiment (DOE) studies. The main design criterion of

the geometrical optimization is to maximize the convective cooling by increasing

the heat transfer rate inside the rotor passages.

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13

Chapter 2 discusses the analytical solution to vented vane and pillar post rotors.

Sensitivity studies for vented vane rotors and pillar post rotors are conducted in

Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 present geometrical optimization

for 2-D models and 3-D models. Finally conclusions and recommendations are

made in Chapter 7.

Page 28: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

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Chapter 2

Thermal Analysis of Vented Rotors with an

Analytical Method

2.1. Estimation of generated heat flux

The total heat flux generated by friction between the rotor and pad surfaces (on

each side of the disc rotor) is given by:

ωμpRq =′′ (2.1)

where μ: pad friction coefficient

p: contact pressure between rotor and pad surfaces

R: distance between node and rotor center

ω: angular velocity of the rotor

With equation (2.1), the heat flux can be calculated directly, but the distribution of

pressure is uneven. Therefore it is difficult to calculate the contact pressure.

Another method to estimate the heat flux can be used based on kinetic energy. A

moving vehicle has a certain amount of kinetic energy, and the brakes must

dissipate this energy in order to stop the vehicle. Each time, when we stop a vehicle,

the brakes convert the majority of kinetic energy into heat generated by friction

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between the pads and the discs. Therefore, when a vehicle is braking from an

initial speed to zero, the heat generation can be estimated by:

20

20 2

121 ωImvKQ E +=Δ= (2.2)

where v0: the initial speed

I: the mass moment of inertia

ω0: initial angular velocity

2.2 Heat dissipation

2.2.1 Heat conduction

There are two paths of heat conduction from the discs, one through the bearing

assembly (which should be avoided) and another through the wheel carrier, which

is the major conductive path. The heat flow can be estimated by Fourier’s law of

heat conduction as follows:

conddTQ kAdx

= − (2.3)

The small area A and very low temperature difference (TD -TC) limits the amount of

power dissipated by conduction. Therefore, the heat conduction can become

negligible in brakes.

2.2.2 Radiation

The radiation heat dissipation is defined by:

( )44∞−= TTAQ DDradiationradiatin σε (2.4)

Page 30: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

16

where Qradiation: the thermal energy dissipated by radiation

σ: the Stefan-Boltzmann constant, 3.56*10-5 Nm/m2K

ε: rotor surface emissivity ( for cast iron, ε=0.55 )

ADradiation: the surface area of the disc radiation heat

TD: the average disc surface temperature

T∞: the ambient air temperature

Figure 2.1: Radiative heat transfer coefficient versus rotor temperature [13]

As shown in figure 2.1, where the data were collected by experimentation [13], the

radiation cooling does not occur until a high brake temperature is attained.

However, for hot brakes rotating at a low speed, radiation cooling may be

predominant.

Page 31: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

17

2.2.3 Convection heat transfer

The major aim of designing brake discs is to improve the convection dissipation of

disc braking systems. In operations of braking systems , convection is the most

important mode of heat transfer, dissipating the highest proportion of heat to

surrounding air. The current research focuses on heat convection of disc rotors.

2.3. Convection heat transfer analysis

In disc braking systems, there are two types of rotors, a pillar post rotor and a vane

rotor, shown in figure 4 and figure 5 respectively.

Figure 2.2: A pillar post rotor

Page 32: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

18

Figure 2.3: A vane rotor

When the vehicles are moving at high speeds, the disc braking systems dissipate

the heat by passing the air from the inlet to outlet. In these two different rotors,

there is a difference in heat convection transfer, which will be addressed separately.

2.3.1 Velocity distributions

To simplify the complex motion of air in a rotor, a simplified duct model was

developed.

D

a y

x

z

q”

q”

u

Page 33: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

19

Figure 2.4: Straight duct (a simplified model for disc rotors) with a rectangular

section

where

q”: constant heat flux at the sides of the duct

u: velocity of air flow from the left inlet to the right outlet

D: thickness of the vane or pillar post rotors

a: length of one vane or pillar post section

For this problem, the model is based on the following assumptions:

1) Continuum flow

2) Newtonian fluid

3) Steady state

4) Laminar flow

5) Constant properties (density, conductivity, specific heat, and viscosity)

6) Uniform surface heat flux

7) Negligible gravitational effect

2.3.1.1Conservation of mass (continuity equation)

The governing equation that describes the mass conservation is expressed as:

0)( =∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

zw

yv

xu

zw

yv

xu

tρρρρρ (2.5)

For an incompressible flow, ρ is constant. Thus

Page 34: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

20

,0=∂∂

tρ ,0=

∂∂

xρ 0=

∂∂

In the case of parallel flow,

v=0, w=0.

Therefore, the continuity equation can be simplified as

0=∂∂

xuρ

0=∂∂

xu (2.6)

2.3.1.2. Conservation of momentum (Navier-Stokes equations)

For the system shown in figure 2.4, the conservation of y-momentum equation can

be described as

)()( 2

2

2

2

2

2

zv

yv

xv

ypg

zvw

yvv

xvu

tv

y ∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

−=∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂ μρρ (2.7)

Based on the previous assumptions, this can be reduced to

0=∂∂

−yp (2.8)

This implies that pressure in the y direction remains constant.

For z direction momentum,

)()( 2

2

2

2

2

2

zw

yw

xw

zpg

zww

ywv

xwu

tw

z ∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

−=∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂ μρρ (2.9)

With the assumption, equation (2.9) can be simplified as

0=∂∂

−zp (2.10)

Page 35: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

21

which implies that the pressure in the z direction remains constant.

The conservation of momentum equation in the x direction can be expressed as

)()( 2

2

2

2

2

2

zu

yu

xu

xpg

zuw

yuv

xuu

tu

x ∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

−=∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂ μρρ (2.11)

For steady state tu∂∂ =0. Assume there is no air flow in the y and z directions. Thus

the momentum equation can be simplified as

(μρρμ +∂∂

−=∂∂

xxu )2

2

2

2

2

2

zu

yu

xu

∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

For fully developed flow, xu∂∂ =0. So the above equation can be reduced to

)( 2

2

2

2

zu

yu

xp

∂∂

+∂∂

=∂∂ μ (2.12)

For two parallel in the y direction, equation (2.12) can be reduced to

)( 2

2

yu

xp

∂∂

=∂∂ μ (2.13)

If there are two parallel walls in the z direction, equation (2.12) can be reduced to

)( 2

2

zu

xp

∂∂

=∂∂ μ (2.14)

This approach would solve equations (2.13) and (2.14) separately, and then

combine them together.

In equation (2.13), on the left side, it is a function of x, and on the right side it is a

function of y. Thus this equation must be constant, as shown below.

Page 36: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

22

tconsyu

xp tan2

2

=∂∂

=∂∂ μ

To solve it, we need to integrate it twice, as shown in equation (2.15)

22

121)( cycy

xyu ++⋅

∂∂

μ (2.15)

Where, C1 and C2 are constant.

To determine the coefficients C1 and C2, the appreciate boundary conditions should

be selected as blow

(1) y=D/2 u(D/2)= 0

(2) y=-D/2 u(-D/2)= 0 (2.16)

The boundary conditions mean that on the upper and lower boundary layers, the

velocity is 0.

Substituting the boundary conditions into equation (2.15), yields the following

equations

(1) 22 )2/()4/(

210 1 cDcD

x++⋅

∂∂

μ

(2) 22 )2/()4/(

210 1 cDcD

x+−⋅

∂∂

μ (2.17)

Define coefficients C1 and C2

(1) C1=0

(2) C2=- x

D∂∂ρ

μ8

2

(2.18)

Substituting C1 and C2 into equation (2.15), yields

))2/

(1(8

)( 22

Dy

xpDyu −∂∂

−=μ

(2.19)

Page 37: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

23

The mean velocity can be obtained by integrating the velocity equation over the

whole area, as shown below,

xpDdayDy

xp

aDudA

Ayu

D

DAC

C C∂∂

=⎥⎦

⎤⎢⎣

⎡−

∂∂

== ∫∫−

μμ 12))

2((

2111)(

22

2

22 (2.20)

The velocity ratio equation can be expressed by the velocity over the mean velocity

as follows,

2

22

2

22

))2/((6

12

))2

((21

)(D

Dy

xpD

Dyxp

uyu −

=

∂∂

−∂∂

=

μ

μ (2.21)

In the same way, equation (2.14) in the z-direction can be solved.

The parallel walls in the z-direction and the boundary conditions are:

(1) z=a/2 u(a/2)=us

(2) z=-a/2 u(-a/2)=us (2.22)

On the walls, the velocity is constant. For vane rotors, the wall velocity is zero, and

for pillar post rotors, the velocity is a constant value.

We will assume us=ku0 , where

k=0, for vane rotors

k=constant, for pillar post rotors.

Integrating equation (2.14) twice yields,

212

21)( czcz

xpzu ++∂∂

(2.23)

Where, C1 and C2 are constant coefficients.

Appling the boundary conditions yields

Page 38: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

24

212

212

2)

2(

21

2)

2(

21

cacaxpu

cacaxpu

s

s

+−∂∂

=

++∂∂

=

μ

μ (2.24)

Solving the above equations,

(1) C1=0

(2) C2= su - 2)2

(21 a

xp∂∂

μ (2.25)

Substituting C1 and C2 into equation (2.23),

u(z)= ( ) ⎟

⎟⎟⎟

⎜⎜⎜⎜

∂∂

−−∂∂

−=∂∂

−+∂∂

xpa

ua

zxpaa

xpuz

xp s

s

μμμμ

82/

18

)2

(21

21

22

2222 (2.26)

Set u0=-xpa∂∂

μ8

2

as the centerline (peak) velocity, so the above equation becomes

u(z) =u0(1-( )2

2

2/az -k) (us=ku0 (0<k<1)) (2.27)

2.3.1.3 The velocity distribution:

From the previous analysis, the velocity equation can be obtained by combining

equations (2.19) and (2.27), yielding

( )⎥⎥⎦

⎢⎢⎣

⎡−⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛−

⎥⎥⎦

⎢⎢⎣

⎡⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛−= k

az

Dyuzyu

22

0 2/1

2/1, (2.28)

Where k=0, for vane rotors

k=constant, for pillar post rotors

This equation satisfies the boundary conditions:

Page 39: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

25

(1) u=0 at y=±D/2

(2) u=us at y=0, z= ±a/2 (2.29)

To determine u0, substitute equation (2.28) into (2.14), yielding

⎥⎥⎦

⎢⎢⎣

⎡−⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛−+−−⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛−=

∂∂

+∂∂

= )8(2/

1()8)(2/

1()( 2

2

2

2

02

2

2

2

aDy

Dk

azu

zu

yu

dxdp μμ (2.30)

Integrating 2.30 over the entire cross section gives

aDdxdp = dydz

aDy

Dk

azu

D

D

a

a ⎥⎥⎦

⎢⎢⎣

⎡−⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛−+−−⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛−∫∫

−−

)8(2/

1()8)(2/

1( 2

2

2

22

2

2

2

= ⎥⎦

⎤⎢⎣

⎡+⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ +−

aD

Daku

231

316

0μ (2.31)

From equation (2.31), the centerline equation can be expressed by

22

22

0

23116

3

Dak

Dadxdpu

+⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ +

−=μ

(2.32)

Substituting equation (2.32) into (2.30) yields the following velocity distribution

equation

( ) ⎥⎦

⎤⎢⎣

⎡−−⎥⎦

⎤⎢⎣⎡ −

++⋅⋅−= )

2/1()

2/(1

)231(16

3),( 2

22

22

22

ka

zD

y

Dak

Dadxdpzyu

μ (2.33)

The mean velocity is obtained by integrating equation (2.33) over the entire cross

section.

)231(

94

))2/

(1()2/

(11),(1),(

0

2

2

220

2

2

ku

dydzka

zD

yuaD

dAzyuA

zyu

D

D

a

aAC

C C

−=

⎥⎦⎤

⎢⎣⎡ −−⎥⎦⎤

⎢⎣⎡ −== ∫∫∫

−− (2.34)

Page 40: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

26

The velocity ratio is the velocity distribution equation over the mean velocity

equation.

)231(

)2/

(1)2/

(1

49

)231(

94

))2/

(1()2/

(1),(

22

0

220

k

az

Dy

ku

ka

zD

yu

uzyu

⎥⎦⎤

⎢⎣⎡ −⎥⎦⎤

⎢⎣⎡ −

=−

⎥⎦⎤

⎢⎣⎡ −−⎥⎦⎤

⎢⎣⎡ −

= (2.35)

2.3.2 Heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number

2.3.2.1 Energy equation

The governing equation that describes the air flow energy equation is expressed as

μφρ +∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

=∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂ )()( 2

2

2

2

2

2

zT

yT

xTk

zTw

yTv

xTu

tTc p (2.36)

where:

2222222 )(32)()()()()()(2

zw

yv

xu

zu

xw

yw

zv

xv

yu

zw

yv

xu

∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

−⎥⎦

⎤⎢⎣

⎡∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

+⎥⎦

⎤⎢⎣

⎡∂∂

+∂∂

+∂∂

(2.37)

The air flow is steady, so the temperature does not change with time.

tT∂∂ =0 (2.38)

There is no axial variation in the z-direction ( 0=∂∂z

) and it is a parallel flow (v=0).

Applying these assumptions to equation (2.36) gives

uc pρ μφ+∂∂

+∂∂

=∂∂ )( 2

2

2

2

yT

xTk

tT

(2.39)

where: 222 )(32)()(2

xu

yu

xu

∂∂

−∂∂

+∂∂

Page 41: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

27

From the continuity equation, 0=∂∂

xu . Substituting this equation,

2)(yu∂∂

=φ (2.40)

Equation (2.39) can be reduced to

22

2

2

2

)()(yu

yT

xTk

xTucp ∂

∂+

∂∂

+∂∂

=∂∂ μρ (2.41)

Neglecting the viscous dissipation term μΦ, the energy equation becomes

)( 2

2

2

2

zT

yT

ck

xTu

p ∂∂

+∂∂

=∂∂

ρ

or

)( 2

2

2

2

zT

yT

xTu

∂∂

+∂∂

=∂∂ α (2.42)

To solve equation (2.42), the same method to solve the velocity equation can be

used here. So sub-divide equation (2.42) into two equations (2.43) and (2.44) and

then to combine them together.

xTu

yT

∂∂

=∂∂

α2

2

(2.43)

xTu

zT

∂∂

=∂∂

α2

2

(2.44)

To solve equation (2.43), the temperature distribution only depends on y, not x, so

xT∂∂ can be assumed constant.

Integrating equation (2.43) twice, gives

21

2

2)( cycy

xTuyT ++∂∂

(2.44)

Page 42: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

28

where C1 and C2 are constant coefficients

The temperature boundary conditions are shown as follows. On the surface of the

rotor, the temperature is constant Tw, and in the centerline of the duct, there is no

temperature gradient.

(1) y=D/2 T=Tw

(2) y=0 0=∂∂

yT (2.45)

Substituting the boundary conditions into equation (2.44), and solving the two

equations, yields

(1) c1=0

(2) c2= Tw- xTuD∂∂

α8

2

(2.46)

Introducing C1 and C2 into equation (2.44),

T(y) = ww TDyxTu

xTuDTy

xTu

+−∂∂

=∂∂

−+∂∂ ))

2(

2(

2822

222

ααα (2.47)

From the analysis above: if the temperature distribution is only analyzed in y

direction the equation is

))2/

(1(8

)( 22

Dy

xTuDTyT w −∂∂

−=α

(2.48)

In the same way, the equation (2.44) can be solved as

))2/

(1(8

)( 22

az

xTuDTzT w −∂∂

−=α

(2.49)

Therefore, the temperature distribution in the y and z directions can be expressed

by combining equations (2.48) and (2.49) together

Page 43: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

29

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛−⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −−=

22

0 2/1)

2/(1),(

az

DyTTzyT w (2.50)

Therefore, if we substitute equation (2.50) into (2.42) and then integrate over the

entire cross section, the centerline temperature equation can be derived as follows,

dydzaD

yDa

zTxTuDa

D

D

a

a∫∫−−

⎥⎥⎦

⎢⎢⎣

⎡⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛−+⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −=

∂∂

⋅2

2

2

2

22

0

2

2

82/

18)2/

(1α

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ +=

Da

aDT

316

0 (2.51)

Rearranging equation (2.51), gives the following centerline temperature equation,

22

22

0 163

DaDa

xTuT

+∂∂

(2.52)

Substituting equation (2.52) into (2.49), gives the following temperature

distribution equation,

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −

+∂∂

−= 2222

22

)2/

(1)2/

(1163),(

az

Dy

DaDa

xTuTzyT w α

(2.53)

In equation (2.53), there is still an unknown dxTd To solve, a heat transfer analysis

in a control volume is introduced as shown in figure 2.5. In this control volume,

heat is added at the surface at a uniform flux qw”, then the input energy is Tcm p&

and the output energy is ( )dxTcmdxdTcm pp && + .

Page 44: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

30

Figure 2.5 Heat transfer analysis in a control volume

Applying conservation of energy, yields

( )

( )Tcmdxdpq

or

dxTcmdxdTcmpdxqTcm

pw

ppwp

&

&&&

=′′

+=′′+

(2.54)

This equation can be simplified to

p

w

cmpq

dxTd

&

″= (2.55)

Introducing equation (2.55) into (2.53), gives

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −

″⋅

+−= 22

22

22

)2/

(1)2/

(1163),(

az

Dy

cmpq

DaDauTzyT

p

ww &α

(2.56)

where p=2(a+D) and Daum ρ=& . Substituting into equation (2.55), we have

( ) ⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −

++″

−= 2222 )

2/(1)

2/(1)(

83),(

az

Dy

DacaDDaqTzyT

p

ww αρ

(2.57)

pdxqw′′

Tcm p&

dx

( )dxTcmdxdTcm pp && +

CV

Page 45: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

31

The mean temperature distribution equation can be achieved by integrating the

temperature equation over the whole cross section as follows

⎟⎟⎟

⎜⎜⎜

⎟⎟

⎜⎜

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −

+−== ∫ ∫∫

− −

2

2

2

2

2222

22

)2/

(1)2/

(11631

a

a

D

D p

ww

A

A dydza

zD

ycm

pqDa

DauTuuaDudA

uTdAT

&αρ

ρρ

ρ

p

ww cm

pqDa

DauT&

+−= 22

22

121α

(2.58)

Substituting p=2(a+D) and Daum ρ=& , into above equation, gives

( )22

)(61

DakaDDaqTT w

w ++″

−= (2.59)

2.3.2.2 Heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number

The heat transfer coefficient can be obtained by substituting equation (2.59) into

the heat transfer coefficient equation.

aDDaDak

TTq

hw

w

)()(6 22

++

=−′′

= (2.60)

The Nusselt number equation can be obtained from Nu(De)=hDe/k, where

De=equivalent diameter

DaaD

DaaD

pADe

+=

+== 2

)(244 (2.61)

Substituting De into the Nusselt number equation, yields

2

2

22

)(

21

112

2*)(

)(6*

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛++

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

=++

+==

aD

aD

aD

DaaD

aDDakDak

kDehNu De (2.62)

2.3.3 Temperature distribution in 3 dimensions

Page 46: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

32

Equation (2.56) gives the temperature distribution in the y and z directions, but

there is an unknown variable Tw, which is not constant and difficult to be

determined. Therefore, the temperature equation must be solved by another method.

Integrating equation (2.56)

p

w

cmpq

dxTd

&

″= gives

1)( cxcmpq

xTp

w +′′

=&

(2.63)

where, C1 is a constant coefficient.

The boundary conditions occur at the entrance of the duct, where the temperature is

the ambient air temperature.

x=0 inTT = (ambient air temperature)

Introducing the boundary conditions into equation (2.63),

inp

w Txcmpq

xT +′′

=&

)( (2.64)

where, Daum ρ=& and p=2(D+a). Substituting into equation (2.64),

inp

w TxDacu

aDqxT +

+′′=

ρ)(2

)( (2.65)

The governing energy equation is

xTu

yT

∂∂

=∂∂

α2

2

Integrating the equation twice, gives

21

2

2)( cycy

xTuyT ++∂∂

(2.66)

Page 47: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

33

Appling the boundary conditions (y=0, 0=∂∂

yT ) to equation (2.65), gives

)(2

)(2

xgyxTuyT y+∂∂

(2.67)

where gy(x) represents the centerline temperature

In the same way, equation (2.44) can be solved to give

)(2

)(2

xgzxTuzT z+∂∂

(2.68)

Combining equations (2.67) and (2.68), the temperature distribution equation

becomes

T=T0y2z2+g(x) (2.69)

Substituting equation (2.69) into energy equation (2.43) to find T0,

20

20 zTyT

xTu

+=∂∂

α (2.70)

Integrating equation (2.70) over the entire cross section

∫∫∫∫−−−−

+=∂∂ 2

2

220

2

2

2

2

2

2

)(

D

D

a

a

D

D

a

a

dydzzyTxTu

α

xTu

DaT

∂∂

+=

α33012 (2.71)

Substituting equation (5.71) back into (2.69), gives

)(12 2233 xgzy

xTu

DaT +

∂∂

+=

α (2.72)

Therefore, the mean temperature can be achieved by integrating the temperature

equation over the whole area.

Page 48: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

34

)()(12

)(

)(

33

22

xgcmpqu

DaDaxT

udA

uTdAxT

p

w

A

A

+′′

+=

=∫

ρ

ρ

(2.73)

Combining equation (2.73) and (2.65), g(x) can be determined as

xaDcu

Daqc

qDaDaaDTxg

p

w

p

win ραρ

)(2)(6)()( 33

+′′+

′′++

−= (2.74)

Substituting equation (2.74) into (2.71), yields

p

w

p

w

p

win c

qDaDaaDx

aDcuDaq

zyc

qaDDa

DaTTαρραρ

′′++

−+′′

+′′

++

+=)(6)()(2

)()(

)(2433

2233

Rearranging the above expression gives

p

w

p

w

p

win c

q

aD

aD

aD

xcu

aD

qaD

Dayz

cq

aD

aD

aD

TTαρραρ

′′

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

−′′⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ +

+⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛′′

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

+=3

2

22

22

3

2

16

12

1

24

(2.75)

This is the final temperature distribution equation in the x, y and z directions.

The maximum temperature occurs at y=a/2 and z=D/2, so the temperature

distribution on the corners of the walls will be:

p

w

p

w

p

winw c

qDaDaaDx

aDcuDaq

cq

DaaDDaTT

αρραρ′′

++

−+′′

+′′

++

+=)(6)()(2

)(2)(3

3333max

xcu

aD

qaD

cq

aD

aD

aD

TTp

w

p

winw

ραρ

′′⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ +

+′′

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

+=12

13

4

3

2

max (2.76)

Page 49: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

35

where ⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −

+⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ +

−= kDak

Dadxdpu

231

23112

122

22

μ

or ⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ +

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛

−= k

aDk

aD

dxdpu

231

231

121

2

2

μ (2.35)

For vane rotors, k takes the value of zero. For pillar post rotors, k is constant

(0<k<1)

2.3.4 Velocity, temperature and Nusselt number analysis

2.3.4.1 Velocity equation

As shown in section (2.3.1.3), the velocity equation can be expressed as

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ +

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛

−= k

aDk

aD

dxdpu

231

231

121

2

2

μ (2.35)

where k is the pillar post coefficient, For vane rotors, k is zero, and for pillar rotors,

k is a constant coefficient.

A close observation indicates that the velocity depends on three factors involving

the rotor ratio D/a, pillar post coefficient k and dp/dx. These factors are examined

as follows.

Page 50: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

36

Figure 2.6 shows that the velocity changes with rotor ratio, D/a, when other

variables remain constant.

Figure 2.6: Velocity/u0 vs. the rotor ratio, D/a

As shown in figure 2.6, the velocity increases with an increase of rotor ratio. This

means that a high speed in disc rotors benefits from increasing the rotor gaps of

disc brakes, or the number of vanes or pillar posts.

Figure 2.7 indicates that the non-dimensional mean velocity changes with the pillar

post coefficient, when other variables remain constant.

Page 51: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

37

Figure 2.7: Non-dimensional mean velocity vs. pillar post coefficient

Figure 2.7 shows the variation of non-dimensional mean flow velocity with the

change of pillar post coefficient k. When k has a value of 0 which is the case of a

vane rotor, the maximum mean velocity occurs. With an increase of k, the mean

velocity drastically decreases, whereas the tangential air flow velocity increases.

Figure 2.7 indicates that vane rotors have better thermal performance than pillar

post rotors, since the former have a higher mean air flow velocity than the latter.

For the term dp/dx, it is different to be determined, because it changes with the

speed of the vehicle. The air velocity inside the rotors can be measured by

experimentations. The trend is linear as depicted by figure 2.8.

Page 52: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

38

Figure 2.8: Air flow rate versus revolutions of wheels [5]

From figure 2.8, the air flow rate is increasing, when the speed of the vehicle is

increasing. The trend is given by

vu 49.0=

where: v (m/s) is the speed of the vehicle.

2.3.4.2 Nusselt number equations

The Nusselt number equation has been derived in section (2.3.2.2).

2

2

)(

21

112*

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛++

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

==

aD

aD

aD

kDehNu De (2.45)

From the Nusselt number equation, the Nusselt number is only affected by the rotor

ratio, D/a.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Revolution (1/min)

Flow

rat

e (l/

s)

Page 53: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

39

Figure 2.9: Rotor ratio vs. Nusselt number

Figure 2.9 shows the relation between Nusselt number and rotor ratio (D/a). To

achieve better thermal performance (larger Nusselt number), we need to increase

the rotor ratio. In practice, the thickness of rotors (D) does not change drastically

due to the limited space and stiffness of rotors. Therefore, to increase the Nusselt

number, we need to increase the width (a). But the width cannot be increased too

much, because of the limitation of rotor stiffness. So to increase the Nusselt number,

we should decrease the width of the rotor sections, in other words, increase the

number of vanes or pillar posts.

Page 54: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

40

The types of rotors do not affect the Nusselt number. So pillar post and vane rotors

have the same Nusselt number.

2.3.4.3 The maximum temperature equation

The maximum temperature distribution equation has been solved in section (2.3.3).

xcu

aD

qaD

cq

aD

aD

aD

TTp

w

p

winw

ραρ

′′⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ +

+′′

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

+=12

13

4

3

2

max (2.75)

where, ⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ −

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+⎟

⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ +

⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛

−= k

aDk

aD

dxdpu

231

231

121

2

2

μ (2.45)

From experimentation, vu 49.0= and v is the speed of the vehicle.

⎟⎟⎟⎟⎟⎟

⎜⎜⎜⎜⎜⎜

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛ +

+

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

′′+= x

vaD

aD

aD

aD

aD

cq

TTp

winw

49.0

12

13

4

3

2

max

αρ

(2.76)

where α=22.5*10-6, when T=300K, α<<0.49v/x.

Therefore the second item in the bracket can be neglected. Equation (2.76) can be

reduced to:

αρ

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

⎟⎟⎠

⎞⎜⎜⎝

⎛⎟⎠⎞

⎜⎝⎛+

′′+=

3

2

max

13

4

aD

aD

aD

cq

TTp

winw (3.77)

Page 55: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

41

Figure 2.10: Non-dimensional temperature change versus rotor ratio

Figure 2.10 shows the relationship between non-dimensional temperature changes

versus the rotor ratio. It can be concluded that when the rotor ratio takes the value

of 1, the maximum temperature on the surface of the wall is the highest. When the

rotor ratio is 0 or infinity, the maximum temperature on the surface of the wall is

lowest, which is the same as the results obtained from the Nusselt number equation.

2.4. Summary

Among the three modes of heat dissipation (heat conduction, heat radiation and

heat convection) heat conduction has the least effect on a rotor’s heat dissipation.

The heat radiation only plays an important role at high temperatures and low speeds.

The heat convection is considered the most important mode of heat dissipation.

Page 56: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

42

From the air flow velocity analysis, it is observed that the velocity inside the discs

changes with pillar post coefficient and rotor ratio. The velocity in vane rotors is

higher than pillar post rotors. The velocity increases when the gap between the

discs increases or the numbers of vanes or pillar posts increases.

From the Nusselt number analysis, it was found that when the rotor ratio is 1, there

is a minimum Nusselt number of 6, while the maximum Nusselt number of 12

occurs when the rotor ratio is 0.

Page 57: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

43

Chapter 3

Thermal Performance Analysis of Vane Rotors

Based on Numerical Simulations

The main limitation of the analytical model discussed in Chapter 2 is that it is based

on the assumption of laminar flow and a simplified geometry. In practice, the air

flow through the passage of vane rotors is complex turbulent flow. With an

analytical method, it is difficult to determine the effects of geometrical parameters

of rotors on thermal performance of disc brakes. These geometry parameters

include the vane angles, radii of curvature and short-long ratios. The short-long

ratio refers to the ratio of lengths of the short and long vanes.

3.1 GAMBIT models

In order to improve the accuracy of simulation results, a commercial CFD solver,

Fluent, was used to simulate the air flow inside different rotors and find the

optimized shape of rotors. The 2-D mesh was built with GAMBIT, using boundary

conditions of pressure at the inlet, pressure at the outlet and the wall vane, as shown

in figure. 3.1.

Page 58: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

44

Figure 3.1: 2-D mesh model of a 40-vane rotor

The vane rotor has an inner radius of 6.5 cm and an outer radius of 17.1 cm, with a

vane thickness of 0.28 cm and a length of 5.65 cm.

3.2 Numerical Simulations Using FLUENT

In the CFD simulation, the following assumptions have been made:

• Steady state air flow

• Segregated solver and implicit formulation

• Standard k-epsilon viscous turbulence model

• Standard wall functions

• Moving reference frame at a constant velocity of 44 rad/s

• Vane- wall interface with a constant temperature of 900 K

Page 59: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

45

• Momentum-Second Order Upwind Scheme

• Turbulence Kinetic Energy-Second Order Upwind Scheme

• Turbulence Dissipation Rate-Second Order Upwind Scheme

• Energy-Second Order Upwind Scheme

Steady-state conditions were assumed because the time dependent behaviour was

not needed. There are three different solvers in FLUENT, namely segregated,

coupled implicit and coupled explicit solvers. They differ in the ways that they

solve equations sequentially or simultaneously. The segregated solver traditionally

has been used for incompressible and mildly compressible flows. The coupled

approach, on the other hand, was originally designed for high-speed compressible

flows [29]. The air flow inside the vehicle is assumed incompressible, so the

segregated solver and implicit formulation were used. The standard - model is

a semi-empirical model based on model transport equations for the turbulence

kinetic energy ( ) and dissipation rate ( ) [29]. It is used for fully turbulent flows,

particularly in the inlet and outlet areas of the rotors. FLUENT can also model the

air motion inside rotors by using the moving reference frame at constant speed. The

non-equilibrium wall functions are recommended for use in complex flows

involving separation, reattachment, and impingement where the mean flow and

turbulence are subjected to strong pressure gradients and change rapidly [29].

Standard wall functions were selected. By using the second-order upwind scheme,

higher accuracy was achieved.

Page 60: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

46

In the simulations, the heat transfer rate was found. The predicted velocity

distribution is shown in figure 3.2. The predicted pressure distribution is shown in

figure 3.3.

Figure 3.2: Velocity contours of a 40-vane rotor

Figure 3.3: Static pressure contours of a 40-vane rotor

Page 61: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

47

The velocity vector distribution and turbulence distribution are shown in figures.

3.4 and 3.5, respectively.

Figure 3.4: Velocity vector distribution of a 40-vane rotor

Figure 3.5: Turbulence distribution of a 40-vane rotor

Page 62: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

48

To increase the thermal performance of rotors, both the air velocity and heat

transfer rate should be increased. The models with different vane numbers, vane

angles and radii of curvature will be investigated in the following sub-sections.

3.3 Results and discussion

3.3.1 Effects of vane numbers

Five different rotors with 24, 32, 40, 50 and 60 vanes were chosen to evaluate the

effects of vane numbers on the change of heat transfer rate. If more heat is

transferred from the rotors, there will be better cooling performance. Figure 3.6

shows the relationship between vane numbers and the heat transfer rate at angular

velocities of 44, 88 and 120 rad/s, respectively.

As shown in figure. 3.6, with an increase of vane numbers, the heat transfer rate

increases as well. This observation is consistent with the result derived from the

previous analytical solution. The comparison of velocity distributions for five

different models with 24, 32, 40, 50, 60 vanes is shown in figure 3.7, from which it

is observed that the velocity distribution is uneven in each section of vane rotor.

The rotors are all rotating at a constant velocity in the clockwise direction. The

rotors with lower vane numbers have a larger non-uniformity of velocity

distribution than those with more vane numbers. This occurs because the direction

of air flow is not straight along the vanes, as shown in figure. 3.4. The air flow

Page 63: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

49

vectors in rotors with fewer vanes have larger angles along the vanes than those

with more vanes.

Figure 3.6: Vane numbers vs. heat transfer rate

Figure 3.7: Velocity field for 24, 32, 40, 50 and 60 vanes

70

170

270

370

470

570

24 32 40 50 60Vane Numbers

Hea

t Tra

nsfe

r Rat

e (k

w)

angular velocity 44 angular velocity 88 angular velocity 120

Page 64: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

50

3.3.2 Effects of vane angles

To investigate the influence of vane angles on the heat transfer rate, two sets of

rotor models with 32 and 40 vanes are developed. For each set of rotor models, the

vane angles take the values of 100, 200, 300 and 400, respectively. With these rotor

models, numerical simulations are conducted at angular velocities of 44, 88 and

120 rad/s, respectively.

Figure 3.8: Vane angles vs. heat transfer (32 vanes)

The simulation results, as shown in figures. 3.8 and 3.9, indicate that when the vane

number is 32, the vane angle does not contribute to a rise of the heat transfer rate.

On the contrary, the rate drastically decreases when the angle increases to 10

degrees and then remains almost constant until the angle reaches 30 degrees. With

40 vanes, the rate increases slightly when the angle is 10 degrees, and then slightly

drops until the angle rises to 30 degrees. Therefore, the heat transfer rate does not

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

0 10 20 30

Vane Angles(degrees)

Heat

Tra

nsfe

r Rat

e(kw

)

Angular Velocity 44 Angular Velocity 88 Angular Velocity 120

Page 65: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

51

benefit from the vane angle rise at fewer vane numbers of rotors. However,

numerical experiments show that this rate does increase with a rise of angle and

more vane numbers.

Figure 3.9: Vane angles vs. heat transfer (40 vanes)

3.3.3 Effects of curved vanes

To allow the air flow through the vane ducts without blockage, a modified design

of rotors with curved (instead of straight) vanes was implemented. Two rotors of

curved vanes with radii of curvature of 114 cm and 57 cm are tested at various

angular velocities.

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

0 10 20 30

Vane Angles(degrees)

Heat

Tra

nsfe

r Rat

e(kw

)

Angular Velocity 44 Angular Velocity 88 Angular Velocity 120

Page 66: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

52

Figure 3.10: Radii of curvature vs. heat transfer rate (32 vanes)

Figure 3.11: Radii of curvature vs. heat transfer rate (40 vanes)

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

∞ 114 57

Radius of Curvature of Vanes(cm)

Heat

Tra

nsfe

r R

ate(

kw)

ω=44 ω=88 ω=120

100150200250300350400450500

∞ 114 57

Radius of Curvature of Vanes(cm)

Heat

Tra

nsfe

r Rat

e(kw

)

ω=44 ω=88 ω=120

Page 67: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

53

Figure 3.12: Radii of curvature vs. heat transfer rate (40 vanes, 30 degree angle)

In figure 3.10 for the case of 32 vanes, when the radius of curvature decreases to

114 cm, the heat transfer rate decreases. With the decrease of radius down to 57 cm,

the heat transfer rate rises. However, in the case of 40 vanes, as shown in figure

3.11, a decrease of the radius leads to an increase of the heat transfer rate. For

rotors with 40 vanes and a vane angle of 300, as shown in figure 3.12, the heat

transfer rate increases with a decrease of radius of curvature. This phenomenon can

be interpreted using the simulation result illustrated in figure 3.13, which shows the

velocity distribution of a rotor with 32 vanes at the angular velocity of 120 rad/s.

Since the direction of the curved vane is coordinated to the airflow vectors, there is

less resistance for the flow.

100150200250300350400450500

∞ 114 57

Radius of Curvature of Vanes(cm)

Heat

Tra

nsfe

r Rat

e(kw

)ω=44 ω=88 ω=120

Page 68: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

54

Figure 3.13: Velocity distribution of 32-vane rotor at angular velocity of 120 rad/s

3.3.4 Effects of short-long vanes

To further improve the thermal performance of brake discs, two rotor models with

a short-long ratio of 0.83 at different angular velocities were generated and the

corresponding numerical simulations were conducted. Recall that the short-long

ratio is defined as the length ratio of the short and long vanes. A close observation

of figures. 3.14 and 3.15 discloses that the short-long vanes do not increase the heat

transfer rate inside the rotors. This is due to the unevenly distributed velocities in

different vane sections as shown in Figure 3.16.

Page 69: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

55

Figure 3.14: Short-long ratio vs. heat transfer rate (32 vanes)

Figure 3.15: Short-long ratio vs. heat transfer rate (40 vanes)

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

0 0.83

Short-long Ratio

Hea

t Tra

nsfe

r R

ate(

kw)

ω=44 ω=88 ω=120

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

0 0.83

Short-long Ratio

Heat

Tra

nsfe

r Rat

e(kw

)

ω=44 ω=88 ω=120

Page 70: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

56

Figure 3.16: Velocity contours for a rotor with short-long vanes (40 vanes, ω = 88

rad/s)

3.4. Summary

Various braking rotor models with different geometric parameters, such as vane

numbers, vane angles, radii of curvature and short-long ratios were studied

numerically. The results demonstrated that CFD is an effective method for

analyzing the heat transfer behavior of vented disc brakes with different vane

configurations. The simulation results indicate that an increase of vane numbers

drastically improves the thermal performance by 63.5%, if the vane numbers

increase from 32 to 60 at an angular velocity of 44 rad/s, by 67.9% at an angular

velocity of 88 rad/s, and 69.2% at an angular velocity of 120 rad/s. The vane angles

do not contribute to the improvement of thermal performance when the vane

Page 71: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

57

number is 32. With a vane number of 40, the heat transfer increases by 16% at an

angular velocity of 44 rad/s, and 1.16% at an angular velocity of 120 rad/s. For the

curved vanes, with 32 vanes, the thermal performance does not increase for curved

vanes. But it does increase with 40 vanes by 27%, 30%, 31.6% at an angular

velocity of 44, 88 and 120 rad/s, respectively, when the radius of curvature

increases to 114 cm. From the simulation results, the short-long ratio does not

substantially contribute to the improvement of cooling performance.

Page 72: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

58

Chapter 4

Thermal Performance Analysis of Pillar Post

Rotors Based on Numerical Simulations

Based on the thermal performance analysis of brake rotors with analytical methods

discussed in Chapter 3, it was concluded that there is a little difference between

vane and pillar post rotors. But it is difficult to determine the more detailed effects

of geometrical parameters of rotors on the thermal performance of pillar post rotors.

In this chapter, a parametric study of pillar post rotors will be conducted. These

geometrical parameters include the number of pillar posts, different pillar post

positions and various pillar post sizes.

4.1 GAMBIT models

To improve the accuracy of the predictions, a number of 2-D mesh models was

constructed with a commercial software GAMBIT. Due to the axial symmetric

configuration of the rotor, a partial cooling passage was introduced with periodic

boundary conditions applied to both sides. The computational domain and mesh are

shown in figure 4.1. Pressure inlet and pressure outlet boundary conditions were

applied to the bottom inlet and top outlet layers. The model size varies with

Page 73: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

59

different configurations in the range of 9,314 to 11,840 cells, 14,260 to 17,905

faces and 4,943 to 6,132 nodes. The grids were built with triangular cells due to the

complication of the model. To refine the pillar post wall boundary conditions, 30-

40 nodes were employed for each pillar post side, as shown in figure 4.2.

Figure 4.1: 2-D rotor mesh model with 160 pillar post

Figure 4.2: Pillar post wall refinement of a rotor model (160 pillar posts)

Page 74: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

60

4.2 Numerical Simulations Using FLUENT

A commercial CFD solver, Fluent, was used to simulate the air flow inside

different rotors and find the optimized design variables. The CFD simulation

assumptions are listed below:

• Steady state air flow;

• Segregated solver and implicit formulation;

• Standard k-epsilon viscous turbulence model;

• Standard wall functions;

• Moving reference frame at a constant velocity of 44 rad/s, 88 rad/s

and 120 rad/s respectively;

• Pillar post wall conditions at a constant temperature of 900 K;

• Momentum-Second Order Upwind Scheme;

• Turbulence Kinetic Energy - Second Order Upwind Scheme;

• Turbulence Dissipation Rate - Second Order Upwind Scheme;

• Energy - Second Order Upwind Scheme.

In the simulations, the heat transfer rate is an important design criterion to optimize

the configuration of the pillar post rotors. The numerical simulations were based on

2-D rotor models and heat transfer from the rotor surfaces was neglected. When the

pillar post number increases from 96 to 256, the heat transfer from the pillar post

walls drastically increases from 305 kW to 809 kW, by 166.7%. However, heat

transfer from the rotor surfaces decreases slightly from 832 kW to 746 kW by

Page 75: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

61

10.34%. This indicates that the heat transfer variation largely depends on the

change of the pillar post walls, not the disk rotor surfaces. Thus, 2-D models are

reasonably accurate for the pillar post rotor design analysis. The ratio of heat

transfer from the disc surfaces vs. the pillar post walls varies for different models.

With the pillar post, when the number increases from 96 to 256, the ratio decreases

from 2.77 to 0.93. The predicted velocity distribution is shown in figure 4.3 and the

predicted pressure distribution is shown in figure 4.4. To increase the thermal

performance of rotors, the heat transfer rate should be increased. The models with

different pillar post numbers, different pillar post positions and various pillar post

sizes will be investigated in the following sub-sections.

Figure 4.3: Velocity contours of the rotor with 160 pillar posts

Page 76: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

62

Figure 4.4: Static pressure contours of the rotor with 160 pillar posts

4.3 Results and discussion

4.3.1 Effects of pillar post numbers

Six different rotors with 96, 128, 160, 192, 224 and 256 pillar posts were chosen to

evaluate the effects of pillar post numbers on the change of heat transfer rate.

Figure 4.5 shows the relationship between pillar post numbers and the heat transfer

rate at an angular velocity of 44, 88 and 120 rad/s, respectively. As shown in figure

4.5, with the increase of pillar post numbers, the heat transfer rate increases as well.

However, when the pillar post number reaches 256, the heat transfer rate will

slightly decrease compared with the rotor of 224 pillar posts. This can be explained

since the air flow will be blocked by pillar posts, if the number is increased beyond

a certain value.

Page 77: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

63

Figure 4.5: Pillar post numbers vs. heat transfer rate

4.3.2 Effects of different positions of middle pillar posts

To investigate the influence of different positions of middle pillar posts on the heat

transfer rate, three sets of rotor models with 96, 160 and 224 pillar posts were

developed. For each set of rotor models, the relative moving angle β (as shown in

figure 4.6) of a pillar post arranged on the two middle rings is 7.5°, 4.5° and 3.2°,

respectively, as shown in figure 4.7. With these rotor models, numerical

simulations were conducted at angular velocities of 44, 88 and 120 rad/s,

respectively. The simulation results, as shown in Figure. 4.8, indicate that when the

middle pillar posts are moved by an angle of 7.5°, 4.5° and 3.2°, respectively, the

heat transfer rate decreases slightly. The numerical simulations show that the heat

transfer dose not benefit from the middle pillar post’ angular orientation variation,

within the specified value range.

80

180

280

380

96 128 160 192 224 256

Pillar post number

Heat

tran

sfer

rate

(Kw

)

ω=44 ω=88 ω=120

Page 78: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

64

Figure 4.6: Original positions of middle pillar posts vs. modified positions

Figure 4.7: Velocity contours of disc rotors with 96, 160 and 224 pillar posts and modified positions of middle pillar posts

β

Original positions Modified positions

Page 79: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

65

Figure 4.8: Different middle pillar posts; angular orientations vs. heat transfer rate

when ω=44 radius/s

4.3.3 Effects of modified entrance pillar posts

To allow the air flow to pass through the ventilated ducts without blockage, a

modified design of rotors with inverse entrance pillar post triangles was

implemented, as shown in figure 4.9. In the case of the modified entrance pillar

posts, the rotors with 96, 160 and 224 posts were tested at an angular velocity of 44,

88 and 120 rad/s, respectively. As shown in figure 4.10, when the entrance pillar

posts are arranged in the form of reverse triangles, the heat transfer rate increases

progressively with an increase of the pillar post number, when ω=44 rad/s, ω=88

rad/s and ω=120 rad/s. Since the direction of the modified entrance pillar posts is

aligned with the airflow vectors, there is less resistance to the flow.

80

110

140

96 pillar posts 160 pillar posts 224 pillar posts

Different middle pillar posts positions

Hea

t tra

nsfe

r rat

e (K

w)

original modif ied

Page 80: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

66

Figure 4.9: Velocity contours of brake rotor with 160 pillar posts and modified

entrance posts (ω=44rad/s)

Figure 4.10: Different triangle post entrance vs. heat transfer rate (ω=44, 88 and

120rad/s)

Different triangle entrance

80

130

180

230

280

330

380

96 pillar posts 160 pillar posts 224 pillar posts

Hea

t tra

nsfe

r rat

e(K

W)

ω=44 original

ω=44 reversed

ω=88 original

ω=88 reversed

ω=120 original

ω=120 reversed

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67

4.3.4 Effects of increased pillar posts sizes

To further improve the thermal performance of brake discs, six rotor models with

an increase of pillar post size by 82% were generated and the corresponding

numerical simulations were conducted at different angular velocities, as shown in

figure 4.11. Figure 4.12 shows that the enlarged pillar post rotor increases the heat

transfer rate, at different angular velocities. This is due to more evenly distributed

air flow velocities in pillar posts sections, as shown in figure. 4.11.

Figure 4.11: Velocity contours inside brake rotor with enlarged pillar posts

(number of posts = 160 and ω=44 rad/s)

Page 82: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

68

Figure 4.12: Pillar post number vs. heat transfer rate when the pillar posts have

different sizes and ω=44, 88 and 120 rad/s

4.3.5 Comparison of pillar post rotors and vane rotors

To compare the vane and pillar post rotors, several models for both rotors were

chosen, as shown in figure 4.13. Note that the vane rotor models are based on those

reported in chapter 4. The simulation results, as shown in figures 4.13, 4.14 and

4.15, indicate that the geometrical configuration, in the form of vane rotors, has

more significant effects on the thermal performance of disc brakes, than that of the

design in pillar post rotors. For the case of a small number of vanes and pillar posts,

these two geometrical configurations have minor differences, in terms of the heat

transfer rate. As the number of vanes and pillar posts increase, the vane rotors have

a much higher heat transfer rate than their counterparts, including the original pillar

post and modified pillar post rotors.

80

130

180

230

280

330

380

430

96 128 160 192 224 256

Pillar post numbers

Hea

t tra

nsfe

r ra

te(K

W)

ω=44 originalω=44 increasedω=88 originalω=88 increasedω=120 originalω=120 increased

Page 83: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

69

Figure 4.13: Comparison of pillar post rotors and vane rotors at various vane or

pillar post numbers (ω=44 rad/s)

Figure 4.14: Comparison of pillar post rotors and vane rotors at various vane or pillar post numbers (ω=88 rad/s)

050

100150200250300

24vanes(96

pillorposts)

32vanes(128

pillorposts)

40vanes(160

pillorposts)

48vanes(192

pillorposts)

56vanes(224

pillorposts)

64vanes(256

pillorposts)

Vane (pillar post) numbers

Heat

tran

sfer

rat

e(K

w)

vane original pillar posts increased sized pillar posts

0

100

200

300

400

500

24vanes(96

pillorposts)

32vanes(128

pillorposts)

40vanes(160

pillorposts)

48vanes(192

pillorposts)

56vanes(224

pillorposts)

64vanes(256

pillorposts)

Vane or pillar post numbers

Heat

tran

sfer

rate

(Kw

)

vane original pillar posts increased sized pillar posts

Page 84: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

70

Figure 4.15: Comparison of pillar post rotors and vane rotors at various vane or pillar post numbers (ω=120 rad/s)

4.4. Summary

Various pillar post braking rotor models with different geometrical parameters,

such as post numbers, modified entrance post triangles, various positions of posts

on middle rings and enlarged pillar posts, were investigated numerically in this

chapter. The results demonstrated that computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is an

effective tool for analyzing the heat transfer behavior of vented disc brakes, with

different geometrical parameters. The simulation results indicate that there are a

number of pillar posts, with which the disc brake will achieve optimal thermal

performance. By orienting the entrance triangle posts, the heat transfer rate can be

improved by 6%. By enlarging the pillar post size, the heat transfer rate can be

increased by 30%. However, the relative angular orientation between the middle

0

200

400

600

800

24vanes(96

pillorposts)

32vanes(128

pillorposts)

40vanes(160

pillorposts)

48vanes(192

pillorposts)

56vanes(224

pillorposts)

64vanes(256

pillorposts)

Vane or pillar post numbers

Heat

tran

sfer

rat

e(K

w)

vane original pillar posts increased sized pillar posts

Page 85: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

71

ring’s pillar posts has little contribution to the improvement of thermal performance.

The numerical results demonstrate that the geometrical configuration, in the form

of vane rotors, has more significant effects on the thermal performance of disc

brakes, than that of the design in the form of pillar post rotors. This new insight can

provide useful guidelines to optimize the geometry of vented disc rotors of vehicle

brakes.

Page 86: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

72

Chapter 5

Geometrical Optimization with 2-D Models

To explore the potential of an automated design synthesis process of brake discs, in

this chapter an integrated design synthesis will be proposed and implemented.

Commercial software GAMBIT is used for geometrical modeling and automatic

mesh generation for vented discs. Then, the CFD package, FLUENT, is employed

to simulate the air flow through the vented disc. To automate the design process of

the disc rotor, a software framework, iSIGHT, is used to integrate the geometrical

modeling using GAMBIT and numerical simulations based on FLUENT. Through

this integrated design synthesis process, the disc rotor geometrical optimization is

performed with design of experiment (DOE) studies. The main design criterion of

the geometrical optimization is to maximize the convective cooling by increasing

the heat transfer rate inside the rotor passages.

5.1 Framework for geometrical optimization models

The geometrical optimization was implemented by integrating geometrical

modeling and CFD numerical simulations. The framework for automated design

synthesis is depicted in figure 5.1. This framework consists of the following three

software packages: GAMBIT, FLUENT and ISIGHT.

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73

Figure 5.1: Schematic representation of the framework for automated design

synthesis of brake discs

GAMBIT is a geometrical modeling and automatic mesh generation software

package. With various input parameters such as the inner radius, outer radius, vane

number, vane angle and vane offset, GAMBIT generates various mesh files for

CFD and other numerical simulations.

FLUENT is a reliable CFD solver and it is used to simulate the complex turbulent

air flow inside the rotor passages.

iSIGHT

Objective: Maximize the heat transfer rate Strategy: DOE

GAMBIT FLUENT

Output

Parametric and meshing model

Solver

Input

Inner radius Outer radius Vane number Angel of vanes Vane offset

Net heat transfer rate

Mesh file

Page 88: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

74

iSIGHT provides a suite of visual and flexible tools to set up an automated design

synthesis platform for thoroughly exploring the design space and finding optimum

solutions, using techniques such as optimization, approximations and DOE. As an

integration and optimization tool, iSIGHT can integrate GAMBIT and FLUENT,

leading to optimal design parameters. With a given set of input parameters, such as

the inner radius, outer radius, vane numbers, angles of vanes and vane offset, from

iSIGHT, GAMBIT will build geometrical models and generate corresponding mesh

files. Then, FLUENT will call these meshing files to calculate specified

performance indices, such as heat transfer rates. The resulting performance indices

will be returned to iSIGHT. Through objective fitness evaluations, iSIGHT will

coordinate the trade-off relations among various design criteria and constraints and

identify a set of better design variables. The resulting design variable set will be

forwarded to GAMBIT as the new input parameters for the next iteration. The

above procedure will repeat until an optimal set of design variables is obtained.

5.2 Numerical Simulations with CFD

In order to simulate the complex air flow inside rotors, a 2-D mesh model was

constructed with the commercial software package GAMBIT. Due to the axial

symmetric configuration of the rotor, a partial cooling passage was generated with

periodic boundary conditions applied on both sides. The computational domain and

mesh are shown in figure 5.2 and figure 5.3. Pressure inlet and outlet boundary

Page 89: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

conditions

varies with

grids were b

were applie

h different

built with tr

Fi

Fig

ed to the bo

configuratio

riangular ce

igure 5.2: 2-

gure 5.3 Ful

75

ottom inlet

ons in the

ells.

-D mesh pro

ll circular m

and top ou

range from

oduced by G

mesh produc

utlet layers.

m 3,500 to

GAMBIT

ced by GAM

The mode

6,300 cells

MBIT

el size

s. The

Page 90: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

76

The vane rotor has an inner radius of 5.5 cm and an outer radius of 17.1 cm, with a

vane thickness of 0.56 cm and a length of 5.65 cm. The CFD simulation

assumptions are the same as those summarized in chapter 3.

In the simulations, the heat transfer rate was calculated. The predicted velocity and

pressure distributions are shown in figures. 5.4 and 5.5, respectively.

Figure 5.4: Velocity distribution in one section

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77

Figure 5.5: Pressure contours in one section

5.3 Design of experiments with iSIGHT

iSIGHT provides various design synthesis tools, such as numerical optimization,

design of experiments (DOE), quality engineering methods (QEM), multi-criteria

trade-off analysis and approximation, etc. To avoid a long computational time, a

DOE study was applied as an optimization tool. iSIGHT is also featured with six

design analysis techniques, namely central composite design, data file, full-factorial,

orthogonal arrays and a parameter study. In the current study, the full-factorial was

selected, in which the combinations of all design variables at multiple levels are

evaluated. The design variables, involving inner radius, outer radius, vane numbers,

vane angles and vane offset, are divided evenly.

Page 92: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

78

With the introduction of the periodic side boundary conditions, the whole disc rotor

can be modeled as a partial section, as shown in figure. 5.2. Since the vanes are

evenly arranged along the whole disc rotor, a given vane number corresponds to a

specified section angle. For example, a 9° angular section corresponds to a rotor

with 40 vanes. A comparison between two partial sections with different arc angles

is shown in figure 5.6.

The vane offset is used as a measurement for the curvature of a vane and it is

defined as the offset from the center of the vane, as shown in figure 5.7. The

optimization problem is formulated as follows.

Maximize Q (total heat transfer rate)

Subject to 24 ≤ VNu ≤ 76

6.84 ≤ IR ≤ 8.36 (cm)

12.69 ≤ OR ≤ 15.51 (cm)

0° ≤ VA ≤ 40°

0 ≤ VO ≤ 0.4 (cm)

Where VNu is the vane number, IR is inner radius, OR is outer radius, VA is vane

angle and VO is the vane offset.

Page 93: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

79

Figure 5.6: GAMBIT models with vane angles of 10° (left) and 30° (right)

Figure 5.7: GAMBIT models with offset of 0.1 (left) and 0.3 cm (right)

Page 94: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

80

5.4 Results and discussion

To improve the computational performance, a DOE study with the full-factorial

technique was used for the geometrical optimization of vented brake discs. The

specified ranges of design variables were divided evenly in terms of their

significance. Within the range from 24 to 76, the vane number may take 11 integers,

namely 24, 28, 32 …… 76. The design variable of the inner radius will be assigned

one of the five values through which the variable range from the lower bound to the

upper bound is evenly divided into four sections. This is also the case for the design

variable of the outer radius. The vane angles and vane offsets were split into 0°, 10°,

20°, 30°, 40° and 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 cm respectively. The resulting optimal design

variables are listed as follows.

Vane number: 64

Inner radius: 6.84 cm

Outer radius: 15.51 cm

Vane angle: 0°

Vane offset: 0.1 cm

5.4.1 Effects of vane numbers

Figure 5.8 shows the relation between the vane number and the total heat transfer

rate. When the vane number increases, the heat transfer rate increases. This occurs

Page 95: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

81

because the rotors with less vanes have a larger non-uniformity of velocity

distribution than those with more vanes. With an increase of vane numbers, the heat

dissipation area increases as well. However, when the vane number exceeds 64, the

heat transfer rate decreases, because the narrow vane passages have blocked the air

flow.

Figure 5.8: Vane numbers vs. heat transfer rate

5.4.2 Effects of inner and outer radius

As shown in figures 5.9 and 5.10, the inner radius and outer radius vary nearly

linearly with heat transfer rate.

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76

Vane numbers

Tota

l hea

t(W)

Page 96: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

82

Figure 5.9: Inner radius vs. total heat transfer rate

Figure 5.10: Outer radius vs. total heat transfer rate

5.4.3 Effects of vane offset and angle

For the vane angle and offset, they do not affect the heat transfer rate significantly.

As shown in figures. 5.11 – 5.14, the heat transfer rate has a maximum value when

100000

120000

140000

160000

6.84 7.22 7.6 7.98 8.36

Inner radius (cm)

Tota

l hea

t tra

nsfe

r rat

e (K

W)

130000

160000

190000

220000

12.69 13.4 14.1 14.8 15.51

Outer radius (cm)

Tota

l hea

t tra

nsfe

r rat

e (K

W)

Page 97: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

83

the vane angle has a value within the range of 0° - 20°, whereas for the vane offset,

there is no deterministic relation with the heat transfer rate.

Figure 5.11: Vane angle and vane offset vs. total heat transfer rate with 40 vanes

Figure 5.12: Vane angle and vane offset vs. total heat transfer rate with 48 vanes

Page 98: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

84

Figure 5.13: Vane angle and vane offset vs. total heat transfer rate with 56 vanes

Figure 5.14: Vane angle and vane offset vs. total heat transfer rate with 64 vanes

Page 99: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

85

5.5 Summary

This chapter has presented an automated design synthesis approach to the

geometrical optimization of vented brake discs of automotive vehicles. The design

optimization was implemented using a software framework, iSIGHT, to integrate

the geometrical modeling by a commercial software package, GAMBIT, and

numerical simulations based on a computational fluid dynamics tool, FLUENT.

The effectiveness and efficiency of the automated design synthesis approach was

investigated by optimizing the geometrical parameters of a 2-D model of a vented

brake disc with a design of experiments (DOE) technique.

In the case of the geometrical optimization of vented brake discs, the parameter

studies revealed that by increasing the vane numbers from 40 to 64, the cooling

performance can be increased by 31.1%. Increasing the outer radius and decreasing

the inner radius can improve the heat transfer rate by 43.2% and 31.4%. However,

changing the vane angle and vane offset slightly increases the heat transfer rate

only by 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively.

Page 100: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

86

Chapter 6

Geometrical Optimization with 3-D Models

In Chapter 6, the 2-D models were used for optimizing the geometry of ventilated

vane rotors. However, the 2-D models can also be used to investigate the effects of

other parameters, such as the thickness of disks, on the thermal performance of

rotors. Moreover, to achieve more accurate numerical simulation results, brake

rotor models with high fidelity are required. Thus, in this chapter, more realistic 3-

D rotor models will be presented and the corresponding geometrical optimization is

implemented.

6.1 Geometrical optimization models

The geometrical optimization was implemented by integrating geometrical

modeling and CFD numerical simulations. The framework for automated design

synthesis is depicted in Figure 6.1. This framework consists of the following three

software packages: GAMBIT, FLUENT and ISIGHT as shown in chapter 6. The

integrating process is the same as shown in the Chapter 6. The only differences are

that the 2-D models have been changed into 3-D models and the thickness variable

is included as shown in Figure 6.1.

Page 101: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

87

Figure 6.1: Schematic representation of the framework for automated design

synthesis of brake discs

6.2 Numerical Simulations with CFD

In order to achieve more accurate results, a 3-D mesh model was constructed with

the commercial software package GAMBIT. Due to the axial symmetric

configuration of the rotor, a partial cooling passage was generated with periodic

boundary conditions applied on both sides, as shown in figures 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4.

iSIGHT

Objective: Maximize the heat transfer rate Strategy: DOE

GAMBIT FLUENT

Output

3-D parametric and meshing model

Solver

Input

Inner radius Outer radius Vane number Angel of vanes Vane offset Thickness

Net heat transfer rate

Mesh file

Page 102: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

88

Figure 6.2: 3-D mesh produced by GAMBIT

Figure 6.3: Outlet section of a 3-D section produced by GAMBIT

Page 103: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

89

Figure 6.4: Inlet of a 3-D section produced by GAMBIT

The computational domain and mesh are shown in figure 6.5. The boundary

conditions are as follows:

1. A pressure inlet was applied to the bottom inlet layers, as shown in a yellow

color;

2. Pressure outlet was applied to the top outlet layers, as shown in a red color;

3. The blue layers show the inlet and outlet periodic boundary conditions;

4. The wall boundary layers were depicted by a black color at the side of

section mesh.

Page 104: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

90

Figure 6.5 Computational domain and boundary conditions of a 3-D section

The vane rotor has an inner radius of 6.5 cm and an outer radius of 17.1 cm, with a

vane thickness of 0.56 cm, a length of 5.65 cm and a thickness of 2.0cm. The CFD

simulation assumptions and parameters are the same as those described in Chapter

4.

In the simulations, the heat transfer rate was calculated. The predicted velocity,

static pressure and turbulence distributions are shown in figure 6.6, 6.7 and 6.8,

respectively.

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91

Figure 6.6 Predicted velocity distributions in one section

Figure 6.7 Predicted static pressure distributions in one section

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92

Figure 6.8 Predicted turbulence distributions in one section

6.3 Design of experiments with iSIGHT

The design of experiments (DOE) was selected as the optimization synthesis tool

and a full-factorial study by the design analysis technique was used as in chapter 6.

The design variables, involving inner radius, outer radius, vane numbers, vane

angles, vane offset and thickness are divided evenly.

The optimization problem is formulated as follows.

Maximize Q (total heat transfer rate)

Subject to 32 ≤ VNu ≤ 76

6.84 ≤ IR ≤ 8.36 (cm)

Page 107: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

93

12.69 ≤ OR ≤ 15.51 (cm)

0° ≤ VA ≤ 30°

0 ≤ VO ≤ 0.3 (cm)

1.8 ≤ RT ≥ 2.2 (cm)

where VNu is the vane number, IR is inner radius, OR is outer radius, VA is vane

angle, VO is the vane offset and VT is rotor thickness.

6.4 Results and discussion

A DOE study with the full-factorial technique was used for the geometrical

optimization of vented brake discs. The specified ranges of design variables were

divided evenly in terms of their significance. Within the range from 32 to 72, the

vane number may take 11 integers, namely 32, 34, 38 …… 72. The design variable

of the inner radius will be assigned one of the five values, through which the

variable range from the lower bound to the upper bound was evenly divided into

four sections. This is also the case for the design variable of the outer radius. The

vane angles and vane offsets were split into 0°, 10°, 20°, 30° and 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 cm

respectively. The rotor thickness is evenly divided into 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 cm.

The resulting optimal design variables are listed as follows.

Vane number: 56

Inner radius: 8.36 cm

Outer radius: 15.51 cm

Page 108: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

94

Vane angle: 0°

Vane offset: 0.2 cm

Rotor thickness: 2.2 cm

6.4.1 Effects of vane numbers

Figure 6.9 shows the relation between the vane number and the total heat transfer

rate. When the vane number increases, the heat transfer rate increases and then

reaches a peak value at a vane number value of 56. When the vane number is

higher, the heat transfer rate begins to decrease.

Figure 6.9 Vane numbers vs. heat transfer rate

6.4.2 Effects of inner and outer radius

The influence of inner radius and outer radius is shown in figure 6.10, from which

the heat transfer rate increases when the inner radius increases and outer radius

drastically rises.

5000

6000

7000

32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 68 72

Vane Numbers

Hea

t Tra

nsfe

r Rat

e(w

)

Page 109: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

95

Figure 6.10 Inner radius and outer radius vs. heat transfer rate

6.4.3 Effects of vane offset and vane angle

Regarding the vane angle and offset, they do not affect the heat transfer rate

significantly. As shown in figures 6.11 and 6.12, the heat transfer rate has a

maximum value when the vane angle takes a value within the range of 0° - 20°,

whereas for the vane offset, there is no deterministic relation with the heat transfer

rate.

Page 110: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

96

Figure 6.11 Vane offset and vane angle vs. heat transfer rate for 40 vanes

Figure 6.12 Vane offset and vane angle vs. heat transfer rate for 56 vanes

Page 111: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

97

6.4.4 Effects of rotor thickness

The influence of rotor thickness is shown in figure 6.13. The heat transfer rate

increases with an increase of rotor thickness.

Figure 6.13 Rotor thickness vs. heat transfer rate at 56 vane numbers

6.5 Summary

For 3-D geometrical optimization of vented brake discs, the parametric studies

revealed that by increasing the vane numbers from 40 to 56, the cooling

performance can be increased by 9.2%. Increasing the outer radius and the inner

radius can improve the heat transfer rate by 15.4% and 2.7% respectively. For rotor

thickness, the cooling performance increases by 17.6%, with an increase of rotor

thickness from 1.8 to 2.2 cm. However, changing the vane angle and vane offset

slightly increases the heat transfer rate by only 0% and 0.4%, respectively.

6000

7000

8000

1.8 1.9 2 2.1 2.2

Thickness(cm)

Hea

t tra

nsfe

r rat

e(W

)

Page 112: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

98

Chapter 7

Conclusions

For solid rotors, the highest temperature occurs on the surfaces of the rotors. To

decrease the maximum temperature, the most effective way is to increase the

thickness of the rotors. However, the increase is limited by the pistons. Materials

also have effects on the rotor’s temperature. From this research, steel is a better

alloy to dissipate heat from the rotors. But in practical design problems, the thermal

performance is not the only requirement. From the perspective of stiffness, friction

resistance and cost, the cast iron material is common used in industry.

By the analytical solution of heat convection inside vented discs, using the velocity,

temperature, and Nusselt number analysis, the same conclusion can be drawn that

increasing the number of vanes or pillar posts can drastically decrease the surface

temperature of rotors. From the velocity analysis, the vane rotors have slightly

better cooling performance than pillar post rotors. But from the temperature and

Nusselt number analysis, the difference between them is minor.

The powerful simulation packages GAMBIT and FLUENT give more accurate

solutions to vane and pillar post rotors. From the sensitivity studies, the vane rotors

have better cooling performance than pillar post rotors. Moreover the investigation

Page 113: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

99

of pillar post rotors reveals that the optimal pillar post number is 224. Rearranging

and resizing the pillar posts can greatly improve the cooling performance of rotors.

The optimal geometrical shape of vane rotors is revealed by the optimization tool

iSIGHT, using 2-D and 3-D models. The most important variables affecting

thermal performance are vane numbers, inner and outer radius and also thickness

for 3-D models. The vane offset and vane angles have little influence in enhancing

the cooling performance of vane rotors.

However, the results generated by 2-D and 3-D models are different. For the inner

radius, the 2-D models revealed that a smaller radius can give better cooling

performance. In contrast, with 3-D models, when decreasing the inner radius of

rotors, the heat transfer rate does not increase, but slightly decreases. This occurs

because with 2-D models, the thickness of the rotors is neglected, so when the

radius of the rotors decreases, the increased surface area gives better cooling

performance. However, in more realistic 3-D models, when the radius of the rotor

decreases, the entrance area decreases as well, which blocks the inlet air flow.

Regarding the optimal vane numbers, the 2-D models gave the value of 64, but

from the 3-D models, the optimal vane numbers is 56.

Future research is needed in this area. More detailed geometrical optimization of

pillar post rotors is desired. To shorten the computational time, parallel calculation

by using several computers should be utilized. If the computational time is

Page 114: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

100

shortened enough, different optimization methods in iSIGHT could be used such as

SQP, Approximation and Monte Carlo Simulation. Furthermore, the other

optimization variables could be taken into account, such as various shapes of vanes

and different thickness of vanes.

Page 115: Thermal Performance Analysis and Geometrical Optimization

101

References

[1] Bejan, Adrian, Convection heat transfer, 3rd edition. Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley,

c2004.

[2] S. Artus, V. Cocquempot, S. Hayat, M. Staroswiecki, Ph. De Larminat and C.

Covo, CHV’s Brake Discs Temperature Estimation: Result in Open Road Tests, the

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