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At least 37 records · Page 2

Higher harmonic rotor blade pitch control

Tests of a model 'Reverse Velocity Rotor' system at high advance ratios and with twice-per-revolution cyclic pitch control were made under joint Navy-NASA sponsorship in the NASA, Ames 12 ft. pressure tunnel. The results showed significant gains in rotor performance at all advance ratios by using twice-per-revolution control. Detailed design studies have been made of alternative methods of providing higher harmonic motion including four types of mechanical systems and an electro-hydraulic system. The relative advantages and disadvantages are evaluated on the basis of stiffness, weight, volume, reliability and maintainability.

Ewans, J. R.↗

Status of the Validation of High-Angle-Of-Attack Nose-Down Pitch Control Margin Design Guidelines

This paper presents a summary of results obtained to date in an ongoing cooperative research program between NASA and the U.S. Navy to develop design criteria for high-angle-of-attack nose- down pitch control for combat aircraft. A fundamental design consideration for aircraft incorporating relaxed static stability in pitch is the level of stability which achieves a proper balance between high- speed performance considerations and low-speed requirements for maneuvering at high angles of attack. A comprehensive data base of piloted simulation results was generated for parametric variations of critical parameters affecting nose-down control capability. The results showed a strong correlation of pilot rating to the short-term pitch response for nose-down commands applied at high- angle-of-attack conditions. Using these data, candidate design guidelines and flight demonstration requirements were defined. Full- scale flight testing to validate the research methodology and proposed guidelines is in progress, some preliminary results of which are reviewed.

Ogburn, Marilyn E.↗

Variable gain for a wind turbine pitch control

The gain variation is made in the software logic of the pitch angle controller. The gain level is changed depending upon the level of power error. The control uses low gain for low pitch activity the majority of the time. If the power exceeds ten percent offset above rated, the gain is increased to a higher gain to more effectively limit power. A variable gain control functioned well in tests on the Mod-0 wind turbine.

Seidel, R. C.↗

Development of high-angle-of-attack nose-down pitch control margin design guidelines for combat aircraft

A broad research program to identify maneuvering requirements for advanced fighters and the corresponding design criteria to aid in making critical design tradeoffs is being conducted under the NASA High-Angle-of-Attack Technology Program (HATP). As part of this activity, NASA and the U.S. Navy are conducting cooperative research to develop high-angle-of-attack control margin requirements. This paper will summarize the status of this program. Following some background information, the simulation study conducted to develop a set of preliminary guidelines for nose-down pitch control is reviewed, and the results of some very limited flight tests are described.

Ogburn, Marilyn E.↗

BVI impulsive noise reduction by higher harmonic pitch control - Results of a scaled model rotor experiment in the DNW

Results are presented of a model rotor acoustics test performed to examine the benefit of higher harmonic control (HHC) of blade pitch to reduce blade-vortex interaction (BVI) impulsive noise. A dynamically scaled, four-bladed, rigid rotor model, a 40-percent replica of the B0-105 main rotor, was tested in the German Dutch Wind Tunnel. Noise characteristics and noise directivity patterns as well as vibratory loads were measured and used to demonstrate the changes when different HHC schedules were applied. Dramatic changes of the acoustic signatures and the noise radiation directivity with the HHC phase variations are found. Compared to the baseline conditions (without HHC), significant mid-frequency noise reductions of locally 6 dB are obtained for low-speed descent conditions where GVI is most intense. For other rotor operating conditions with less intense BVI there is less or no benefit from the use of HHC. LF noise and vibratory loads, especially at optimum noise reduction control settings, are found to increase.

Splettstoesser, Wolf R.↗

Helicopter Pitch-Control Mechanism Reduces Vibration

Large forces accommodated without increasing weight of helicopter structure. New mechanism yields stiffer control and improves accuracy of pitch changes under load. As result, heavy casting not for gearbox, nor extra reinforcing members needed for fuselage bulkheads, stringers, skin, and other parts. In new mechanism, reaction forces developed in rotor hub. Long load paths to gearbox and fuselage elminated. Reaction member rigidly attached to hub and rotates with it. At lower end of reaction member, bearing forms bridge to fuselage through stationary beam and antirotation link. Beam connected to reaction plate through rods.

Lemont, H.↗

Piloted simulation evaluation of pitch control designs for highly augmented STOVL aircraft

Analyses of design variations on a pitch axis stabilization and command augmentation system (SCAS) for a STOVL fighter aircraft are performed in a moving base simulation experiment. The primary goal of this study is to determine if turbulence-induced control activity could be reduced by modifying SCAS parameters while keeping the response-to-command characteristics of the baseline system that provide Level 1 flying qualities. Pilot ratings and control utilization statistics for the baseline system are in agreement with similar data gathered in a prior simulation test involving the same aircraft and control system.

Engelland, S. A.↗

Aerodynamics of Rotating-wing Aircraft with Blade-pitch Control

In the present report, with the aid of the usual computation methods, a rotor is investigated the pitch of whose blades is capable of being controlled in such a manner that it varies linearly with the flapping angle. To test the effect of this linkage on the aircraft performance, the theory is applied to an illustrative example.

Pfluger, A↗

Passive cyclic pitch control for horizontal axis wind turbines

A flexible rotor concept, called the balanced pitch rotor, is described. The system provides passive adjustment of cyclic pitch in response to unbalanced pitching moments across the rotor disk. Various applications are described and performance predictions are made for wind shear and cross wind operating conditions. Comparisons with the teetered hub are made and significant cost savings are predicted.

Bottrell, G. W.↗

Pilot usage of decoupled flight path and pitch controls

Data from decoupled flight maneuvers have been collected and analyzed for four AFTI-F-16 pilots operating this aircraft's highly augmented fly-by-wire control system, in order to obtain spectral density, cross spectra, and Bode amplitude data, as well as coherences and phase angles for the two longitudinal axis control functions of each of 50 20-sec epochs. The analysis of each epoch yielded five distinct plotted parameters for the left hand twist grip and right hand sidestick controller output time series. These two control devices allow the left hand to generate vertical translation, direct lift, or pitch-pointing commands that are decoupled from those of the right hand. Attention is given to the control patterns obtained for decoupled normal flight, air-to-air gun engagement decoupled maneuvering, and decoupled air-to-surface bombing run maneuvering.

Berkhout, J.↗

Effects of time delay and pitch control sensitivity in the flared landing

Between December 1985 and January 1986, a flared landing program was conducted, using the USAF Total In-Flight simulator airplane, to examine time delay effects in a formal manner. Results show that as pitch sensitivity is increased, tolerance to time delay decreases. With the proper selection of pitch sensitivity, Level I performance was maintained with time delays ranging from 150 milliseconds to greater than 300 milliseconds. With higher sensitivity, configurations with Level I performance at 150 milliseconds degraded to level 2 at 200 milliseconds. When metrics of time delay and pitch sensitivity effects are applied to enhance previously developed predictive criteria, the result is an improved prediction technique which accounts for significant closed loop items.

Berthe, C. J.↗

Electromechanical Turboprop-Pitch-Control Mechanism

Propeller-control system autonomous and tolerant of failure. Mounting electrical-power module and conditioning/control systems inboard rotating propeller hub eliminates failure-prone slipring devices and creates autonomous, failure-tolerant propeller-control system. Modular component design facilitates on-the-wing maintenance. System highly adaptive to various sizes and gearbox configurations. Features and capabilities described unmatched by any comparable PCM now in existence. These capabilities needed by large, fuel-efficient, commuter turboprop aircraft now being developed by aircraft industry.

Steinetz, B. M.↗

Use of blade pitch control to provide power train damping for the Mod-2, 2.5-mW wind turbine

The Control System for the Mod-2 wind turbine system is required to provide not only for startup, RPM regulation, maximizing or regulating power, and stopping the rotor, but also for load limiting, especially in the power train. Early operations with above-rated winds revealed an instability which was caused primarily by coupling between the quill shaft and the rotor air loads. This instability caused the first of several major Mod-2 Control System changes which are reviewed in the paper.

Blissell, W. A., Jr.↗