Optimal Rib Layout Design of Gearbox for the Reduction of Radiated Noise

Abstract

In this paper, a method to determine the optimal rib layout of gearbox for the noise reduction is proposed based on acoustic contribution analysis and topology optimization. Firstly, the radiated noise is simulated using the finite element method (FEM) and boundary element method (BEM). The field point with maximum sound pressure is taken as the objective field point. Secondly, the surface of gearbox is divided into different regions and the region with maximum acoustic contribution to the sound pressure on the objective field point is found by acoustic transfer vector analysis and acoustic contribution analysis. Thirdly, the topology optimization model is established to reduce the velocities on the region with maximum acoustic contribution. Lastly, the topology optimization model is solved using the SIMP method and the ribs can be arranged according to the results of topology optimization. The simulation results show that the sound pressure on objective field point is reduced remarkably by using this method.

Numerical Noise Transfer Analysis of a Flexible Supported Gearbox Based on Impedance Model and Noise Transfer Function

“…Vanhollebeke et al [5] combined a flexible multibody model and an acoustic model to compute the acoustic response for a wind turbine gearbox and identified the major contributors through a panel contribution analysis. Acoustic transfer vector (ATV) method [6] is adopted to realize the fast prediction of noise. One only needs to calculate the ATV of the housing once, and then we can obtain radiation noise under different working conditions through simulating the housing vibration and multiply the ATV with the surface velocity.…”

“…Tao et al [21] proposed a gearbox vibration and noise prediction procedure and also improved noise characteristics by improving gearbox stiffness. Liu et al [6] combined the ATV, modal acoustic contribution analysis, and panel acoustic contribution analysis to find the maximum acoustic contribution region in a gearbox. And they further combined the acoustic contribution analysis and topology optimization to reduce the vibration and noise of the gearbox.…”