Topology Optimization Analysis of Aero-engine Gearbox Housing Considering the Coupling of Thermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication

In order to improve the structural performance of the aero-engine gearbox housing and reduce the adverse effects of the engine bad working conditions on the supporting components， the topology optimization theory based on variable density method is adopted， and the minimum flexibility index and weighted average transverse eigenvalue are taken as the target number， and the coupling of thermal-elastohydrodynamic-lubrication effects of the supporting components are considered. Taking the maximum deformation less than 0.15 mm and the equivalent stress less than the material stress as the constraint conditions， the topology optimization design of the aero-engine gearbox housing is carried out. According to the topology optimization results， the geometric reconstruction of the housing structure is carried out， and the strength， stiffness and mass of the shell structure before and after optimization are compared and analyzed. The results show that， after optimization， the housing mass is reduced from 5.53 kg to 5.107 kg， the weight is reduced by 7.6%， the maximum deflection of the housing is reduced from 0.173 1 mm to 0.127 mm， the deformation is reduced by 26.6%， the maximum equivalent stress of the housing is reduced from 124 MPa to 116.9 MPa， the stress is reduced by 5.7%.The maximum deformation and equivalent stress of the housing are effectively reduced， and the strength and stiffness of the housing are significantly improved. It is of great significance to improve the reliability and service life of aero-engine central transmission shell.