Linear Dynamic Coupling in Geared Rotor Systems

Abstract

The ability to analyze accurately the torsional-axial-lateral coupled response of geared systems is the key to the prediction of dynamic gear forces, shaft moments and torques, dynamic reaction forces, and moments at all bearing points. These predictions can, in turn, be used to estimate gear-tooth lives, shaft lives, housing vibrational response, and noise generation. Typical applications would be the design and analysis of gear drives in heavy-lift helicopters, industrial speed reducers, Naval propulsion systems, and heavy, off-road equipment. In this paper, the importance of certain linear dynamic coupling terms on the predicted response of geared rotor systems is addressed. The coupling terms investigated are associated with those components of a geared system that can be modeled as rigid disks. First, the coupled, nonlinear equations of motion for a disk attached to a rotating shaft are presented. The conventional argument for ignoring these dynamic coupling terms is presented and the error in this argument is revealed. It is shown that in a geared system containing gears with more than about 50 teeth, the magnitude of some of the dynamic-coupling terms is potentially as large as the magnitude of the linear terms that are included in most rotor analyses. In addition, it is shown that the dynamic coupling terms produce the multi-frequency responses seen in geared systems. To quantitatively determine the effects of the linear dynamic-coupling terms on the predicted response of geared rotor systems, a trial problem is formulated in which these effects are included. The results of this trial problem shows that the inclusion of the linear dynamic-coupling terms changed the predicted response up to eight orders of magnitude, depending on the response frequency. In addition, these terms are shown to produce sideband responses greater than the unbalanced response of the system.