Acoustic-vibration analysis of the gear-bearing-housing coupled system

Abstract Aiming to solve the problem of noise generated by running gearbox, a computing method was proposed for predicting the noise of a gearbox from steady dynamic response to the acoustic radiation calculation. Vibrations, generated during gear meshing process, were transmitted to the bearing through the shafting. Then vibrations were transmitted to the housing, caused the vibration of housing. The vibration noise of housing was the main source of gearbox noise. Firstly, a dynamics model of the gear-rotor-bearing system was established. A dynamic bearing force was calculated by using this model, which was taken as the excitation force for the gearbox. Then, a housing finite element model was constructed, and the housing surface velocities excited by the dynamic bearing forces were obtained. Finally, an acoustic model was established using the acoustic boundary element method to predict the noise distribution of the gearbox, and the effects of meshing excitation on vibration and noise of the gearbox were found. An experimental bench was built to measure the vibration and noise of the gearbox, which verified the accuracy of the simulation results. This study was based on the overall methodology that could provide ideas for the gearbox optimized design.