Influence of atmospheric turbulence on helicopter elastic rotor hub vibrations

Willem Rex, Manfred Hajek

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Rotorcraft are exposed to atmospheric disturbances which can induce considerable vibrations in flight. Previous projects concentrated on studying the impact of atmospheric turbulence on flight dynamics using rigid blades and a rigid fuselage. In this work an elastic rotor-fuselage coupled representation is used to understand how vibrations introduced by atmospheric turbulence are transmitted from the rotor blades into the fuselage by elastic motion. The rigid fuselage motion is neglected in this work. Two semi-empiric stochastic turbulence simulation approaches are used, a full field turbulence model (FFTM) and a hub based turbulence model (HBTM). The simulated turbulence characteristics match with analytical solutions. The power spectral densities clearly show rotational sampling effects at low speed which propagate into the elastic fuselage as well. Atmospheric turbulence introduces significant broadband vibrations at the main rotor hub which carry a considerable amount of energy into the non-rotating helicopter structure. Frequencies related to rotor rotational speed are negligibly affected by atmospheric turbulence.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAeromechanics for Advanced Vertical Flight Technical Meeting 2020, Held at Transformative Vertical Flight 2020
PublisherVertical Flight Society
Pages590-607
Number of pages18
ISBN (Electronic)9781713806332
StatePublished - 2020
EventAeromechanics for Advanced Vertical Flight Technical Meeting 2020, Held at Transformative Vertical Flight 2020 - San Jose, United States
Duration: 21 Jan 202023 Jan 2020

Publication series

NameAeromechanics for Advanced Vertical Flight Technical Meeting 2020, Held at Transformative Vertical Flight 2020

Conference

ConferenceAeromechanics for Advanced Vertical Flight Technical Meeting 2020, Held at Transformative Vertical Flight 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Jose
Period21/01/2023/01/20

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