Helicopter Drive System Bench Testing

Prior to entering service on an aircraft, the rotor drive system components, including gearboxes, driveshafts and masts, must be subjected to various development and qualification tests in the laboratory. Each major component of the drive system undergoes extensive development testing designed to uncover and eliminate any existing deficiencies. Endurance and fatigue tests are then conducted to complete the qualification process so that the components may be used on an aircraft. The facilities required for these types of tests are of several different types, including power absorption and mechanical and electrical regenerative. test stands. Testing takes place within isolated cells and a computer controlled data acquisition system monitors the test specimen parameters. This paper provides an overview of the qualification process and the types of tests conducted by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. , as well as the equipment and facilities required for conducting these tests. Planned future enhancements in the testing process are also discussed.