A new pipe routing method for aero-engines based on genetic algorithm

A new pipe-routing method for aero-engines is proposed in this article. Careful consideration of the spatial characteristics and the primary engineering constraints of aero-engines yielded a new space representation method as well as a space diving method for the aero-engine surface, which simplify the searching space. A genetic algorithm, along with certain modified strategies, including the ‘initiation’ and ‘direction guideline’, is also developed for pipe-routing in the sub-spaces. Simulation experiments in the context of various scenes have been carried out to explore the applicability and performance of the propose method. Simulation results showed that this novel method can quickly deliver the optimal routes for any aero-engine of large space and with complex mechanical components while avoiding convergence into local optimal value in comparison with some existing published methods.