Blade Integration of a Modular Active Trim Tab System for Onboard Rotor Tracking

Wireless testing and blade integration of an active trim tab system for onboard rotor tracking are presented. High-G spin-tests were performed on a mechanical prototype of the active trim tab system using ultra-wideband communication for data transfer and Lithium-Thionyl-Chloride batteries for on-blade power. Results up to 500g were collected which demonstrated the feasibility of the system. The success of the wireless testing demonstrated the possibility of implementing this technology without major changes to the blade design. A new modular blade integration technique was devised for implementing the active trim tab system on existing wide-chord composite blades. The design was based on a dovetail-style mating which maintains the structural integrity of the blade spar but allows for the entire trim tab unit to be quickly removed and replaced. A second prototype was fabricated using a section of S-92 blade in order to demonstrate the viability of this blade integration technique. This prototype was successfully spin-tested up to 500g. The remaining critical risks for this technology are discussed along with its overall applicability for active rotors.