Dynamic Aspects In The Design Of Advanced Rotor Systems

The complexity of helicopter dynamics and the procedures necessary throughout the conceptual and development phases are considered with the main emphasis being placed on the dominating influence of the dynamic characteristics of the rotor blades and the whole rotor. Rotor systems have always been a subject of intensive research and engineering work, and currently the development is mainly directed to full composite or combined. composite/ elastomeric concepts. Such rotor systems show pronounced structural/ dynamic coupling effects, influencing significantly the aeromechanical characteristics of the rotor and the whole helicopter. These phenomena are treated with the aid of mathematical models. The influence of particular design parameters and the specific tuning of the flexible blades and the attachment elements by use of advanced composite materials are discussed. The theoretical results are verified by experimental data from. component testing, whirl tower and full-scale flight tests with various types of advanced main and tail rotor developments at MBB.