Preliminary testing of a Mach-scaled active rotor blade with a trailing-edge servo flap

Steven R. Hall; Eric F. Prechtl

doi:10.1117/12.350709

9 June 1999 Preliminary testing of a Mach-scaled active rotor blade with a trailing-edge servo flap

Steven R. Hall, Eric F. Prechtl

Proceedings Volume 3668, Smart Structures and Materials 1999: Smart Structures and Integrated Systems; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.350709
Event: 1999 Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 1999, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

The results of preliminary tests on an active helicopter rotor blade are presented. The blade, a Mach-scaled model of a CH-47D helicopter blade, has a discrete piezoelectric actuator embedded within the spar that controls a trailing edge flap via a pushrod. Ultimately, the blade will be tested on a helicopter rotor hover stand at MIT. In this paper, we describe the tests performed prior to hover testing. First, the actuator was tested on the bench to determine its control authority and frequency response. Second, the actuator was tested on a shake table to simulate the out-of-plane accelerations that would be encountered in a full-scale helicopter in forward flight. Third, the actuator was embedded in the model blade, and its response to low-frequency sinusoidal actuation was obtained and compared to the bench test results. Finally, the frequency response of the actuator in the blade was determined using swept sine excitation. All test results indicate that the actuator should produce the desired level of control authority in the model-scale rotor.

Citation Download Citation

Steven R. Hall and Eric F. Prechtl "Preliminary testing of a Mach-scaled active rotor blade with a trailing-edge servo flap", Proc. SPIE 3668, Smart Structures and Materials 1999: Smart Structures and Integrated Systems, (9 June 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.350709

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