The PhD is hosted by the KU Leuven Noise and Vibration Research Group, which currently counts 90 researchers and is headed by Prof. Wim Desmet (https://www.kuleuven.be/wieiswie/en/person/00011973) and is part of the Mechanical Engineering Department, a vibrant environment of more than 300 researchers. The research group has a long track record of combining excellent fundamental academic research with industrial relevant applications, leading to dissemination in both high ranked academic journals as well as on industrial forums. More information on the research group can be found on the website.
ProjectThis PhD trajectory is part of a largeresearch project that aims to reduce the tonal wind turbine noise that is causedby spread in the gearbox production process. In order to achieve this goal, anumerical method will be developed for predicting wind turbine tonalities by modellingthe complete transfer path from the source of the noise, being the gearexcitation, to the receiver outside of the turbine. This model willsubsequently be used to investigate and assess the dominant root causes ofspread in gear excitation, gearbox transfer path, wind turbine transfer path,and radiation, and to identify the most effective measures to reduce thetonality spread and improve the robustness of gearbox design and manufacturing. As a researcher you will use theMultibody Dynamics approach to develop an accurate yet computationallyefficient system-level wind turbine model for performing parameter sensitivitystudies in view of robust wind turbine gearbox design. You will use this modelto investigate how variance in gearbox production and design parametersinfluence the vibro-acoustic performance of wind turbines, by studying thepropagation of variance-induced mechanical vibrations throughout the windturbine. You will build the model using a bottom-up approach, starting bymodelling the contact between two gears, then including the dynamic behavior ofthe full gearbox and subsequently of the full wind turbine, and finally by studyingthe radiation of structure-borne noise by the noise-radiating panels of theturbine (i.e. the blades and the nacelle). Experimental data at both the gearboxand the turbine level will be used throughout this procedure to validate yourmodel at the various phases of its development. Having obtained a reliablenumerical model, you will use this model to quantify the influence of spread onthe vibro-acoustic performance of the turbine, and identify, design andvalidate measures to improve the robustness of gearbox design and manufacturingin view of the wind turbine’s vibro-acoustic behavior. ProfileIf you recognize yourself in the story below, then youhave the profile that fits the project and the research group.
Offer
Interested?To apply for this position, please follow the applicationtool and enclose: 1. fullCV – mandatory 2. motivationletter – mandatory 3. fulllist of credits and grades of both BSc and MSc degrees (as well as theirtranscription to English if possible) – mandatory 4. proofof English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, …) - if available 5. tworeference letters - if available 6. anEnglish version of MSc or PhD thesis, or of a recent publication or assignment- if available For more information please contact Mr. Bart Blockmans, mail: bart.blockmans@kuleuven.be You can apply for this job no later than December 31, 2020 via the
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