Investigation of High-Pressure Hydraulic Vortex Rate Sensor
Abstract
The study was undertaken to establish the feasibility of a high-pressure (3000 psi) hydraulic vortex rate sensor for application in a helicopter hydraulic stability-augmentation system. The feasibility of low-pressure fluid stabilization systems was demonstrated. The primary component that requires development for implementation in a high pressure system is the vortex rate sensor. The high-pressure hydraulic vortex rate sensor has an on-board built-in supply of hydraulic fluid which is used in the primary hydro-mechanical flight control of the vehicle. A small amount of hydraulic fluid under high pressure can be diverted from the main system to the vortex rate sensor, used to perform a sensing function, and returned to the main hydrualic system. The fluid systems approach incorporating the high-pressure hydraulic vortex rate sensor offers improved reliability, maintainability, and reduced cost over conventional electromechanical systems. The experimental program is to evaluate the performance of a hydraulic vortex rate sensor over a wide range of operating temperatures and pressures. A variable-geometry capability was incorporated in the design and fabrication of the experimental model to evaluate the effects of the vortex chamber diameter, passage gap heights, and signal pick-off location on the signal output of the device. A limited theoretical trade-off analysis was performed to determine the functional relationships between the output signal and geometric and flow parameters. Based upon this analysis, three chamber diameters were fabricated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0874154
Entities
People
- Edward L. Rakowsky
- Michael J. Desantis