Design, Evaluation and Test of Active Trailing Edge

In the framework of active rotor technology, this paper presents activities concerning the recently developed Active Trailing Edge (ATE) concept for IBC. The ATE includes a multi-morph piezoceramic bender for actuating a morphing cross section of a rotor-blade. Similar to the previously developed trailing edge flaps, the ATE controls the rotor blade using the servo effect. Benefit prediction for vibration reduction are presented for level flight ranging from 100 KTAS to 150 KTAS for which it can be concluded that the ATE should range at least from 70% to 95%. Active Trailing Edge (ATE) bender modules have been manufactured based on a vacuum curing process and tested concerning displacement performance. Full scale tests of a blade segment with installed ATE modules have been executed in order to prove the endurance and strength of the base blade structure as well as to prove that blade deformations do not damage ATE modules.