WC/C-130J Human Vibration Investigation
Abstract
A study was conducted to characterize and assess human vibration in the propeller-driven WC-130J Weatherbird and C-130 Slick aircraft. Accelerations were measured at several sites for the Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer (ARWO) station (WC-130J), and at passenger sites located in the vicinity of the propeller plane (C-130J). Cockpit vibrations (copilot seat an lower bunk) were measured in both aircraft. Peak accelerations primarily occurred in the 16-Hz and 100-Hz one-third octave frequency bands at all sites and in all three orthogonal directions. These vibrations were associated with the aircraft rOtor speed (17 Hz) and blade passage frequency (102 Hz), respectively. None of the seat pan accelerations exceeded the 16-Hr Fatigue-Decreased Proficiency Boundary of the ANSI S3. 18-1979 exposure standard (limited to 1 - 80 Hz). The results showed that synchrophaser function had no effect on the measured accelerations. However, there was a substantial reduction in the 16-Hz one-third octave accelerations associated with dynamic balancing of the propellers. It was recommended that mitigation strategies include routine balancing of the propellers and further investigation of synchrophaser function. New target vibration levels will be required for the cargo area given the limitation of existing exposure criteria for predicting human vibration sensitivity in propeller-driven aircraft.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADB275807
Entities
People
- Suzanne D. Smith
Organizations
- Aeronautical Systems Center