Baseline Vibration Measurements of Remotely Piloted Helicopters for Higher Harmonic Control Research

Abstract

The Dept of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is conducting a research program in methods of high harmonic control (HHC) for reduction of helicopter vibrations. The program at NPS uses remotely piloted helicopters (RPH) to study HHC effects on vibration and blade load reduction. The scope of this thesis was to measure the baseline vibration profile of the RPH test vehicles prior to the installation of a HHC system. This goal was met by the development of a data instrumentation and recording system and by conducting a ground and flight test program for the RPH test vehicles. From the results of these tests it was concluded that: (a) the data instrumentation and recording system was of sufficient sensitivity to detect vibrations experienced within the RPH airframe; and (b) the RPH exhibited a vibration profile similar to that of a full scale helicopter. It is recommended that a HHC system be designed, fabricated, and installed on the RPH so that the effects of HHC on helicopter performance may be evaluated.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA244669

Entities

People

  • Kevin M. Ransford

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accelerometers
  • Acquisition
  • Aeronautics
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Control Systems
  • Data Acquisition
  • Flight Training
  • Helicopters
  • Measurement
  • Recording Systems
  • Remotely Piloted Vehicles
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Unmanned Vehicles
  • Vibration

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites