Multiobjective Structure Topology Optimization of Wind Turbine Brake Pads Considering Thermal-Structural Coupling and Brake Vibration

Brake pads of disc brake play an important role in the stable braking process of a large-megawatt wind turbine. There is always vibration, screaming, and severe nonuniform wear under the effect of both retardation pressure and friction. To solve these issues, this article aims to find a new structure of the brake pads to improve brake performance. A multiobjective structure topology optimization method considering thermal-structural coupling and brake vibration is carried out in this article. Based on topology optimization method of Solid Isotropic Microstructures with Penalization (SIMP), the compromise planning theory is applied to meet the stiffness requirement and vibration performance of brake pads. Structure of brake pads is optimized, and both the stiffness and vibration performance of brake pads are also improved. The disadvantages of single-objective optimization are avoided. Thermal-structural coupling analysis is tested with the actual working conditions. The results show that the new structure meets the stiffness requirement and improves the vibration performance well for the large-megawatt wind turbine. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been proved by the whole optimization process.