Study on Vibration Characteristics of Fan Shaft of Geared Turbofan Engine With Sudden Imbalance Caused by Blade Off

Based on the requirements of the dynamic design of geared turbofan (GTF) engines, the vibration characteristic of the fan shaft is investigated. The effect of sudden imbalance caused by blade off, the time-varying meshing stiffness, and meshing errors on the vibration characteristics is fully considered in the dynamic model. The improved Euler–Bernoulli beam element considering the effects of shear deformation is employed and a coupled relationship between the gear–shaft–bearing–casing is established. Under windmilling condition with a single blade completely lost, the vibration characteristics of the fan shaft of the turbofan engine with and without a gearbox system are compared. The effect of the gear system on the vibration of the fan shaft under different rotating speeds is examined. The results show that the orbit of the fan shaft center in the turbofan engine with the gearbox system exhibits a multifrequency whirling motion and has a stable limit cycle. Under windmilling condition, the meshing frequency and the modal frequency have multiple intersection points. The critical speed is dense and the peak value of the transient vibration of the GTF engine gearbox shows a wave rise with an increase in speed. The results of this study could provide a reference for the parameter design and optimization of GTF engines.