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COSATI: 01-03, 20-11
Slobodan Stupar1)
Aleksandar Simonovi1)
Miroslav Jovanovi2)
A practical example of the measurement and analysis of vibrations on helicopter structures in order to detect defects on
operating elements is presented in this paper. A comprehensive methodology of vibration testing is presented in this
article and implemented in order to determine the correct operation of rotating components. A particular attention is
given to the analysis of longitudinal and vertical vibrations on the helicopter fuselage in the frequency domain for
different flight profiles. The vibration measurement and analysis on specific locations on a helicopter structure resulted
in a timely technical review of a relevant component and a disclosure of the damage on its surface. The proposed
methodology of measurement and analysis can be implemented on different types of aircraft in order to extend their life
expectancy.
Key words: helicopter, aircraft structure, fuselage, reductor, aircraft vibrations, vibration measurement, frequency range,
flight test, Fourier transform.
fins, loose engine shaft mounts, unsecured canopy, the using the discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) of digitized
landing gear system or external weapons or cargo systems. data. The vibration level at each frequency represents the
In addition to dynamic coupling, significant amount of vibration over a narrow frequency band centered at the
aerodynamic interference or coupling exists between the designated frequency, with a bandwidth determined by
main rotor, the airframe and the tail rotor structures. The the conversion process employed.
flow around the fuselage affects the aerodynamics of the For machines operating at a known constant speed, the
main rotor and the tail rotor. The downwash from the main frequencies of vibrations produced by various machine
rotor changes the aerodynamics of the fuselage, the tail components can be estimated; therefore, a change in
rotor and the horizontal tail and stabilizers. Under certain vibration level within a particular frequency band can
low speed conditions, the vortex wake from the main rotor usually be associated with a particular machine component.
impinges directly on the tail boom that gives rise to An analysis of the relative vibration levels at different
fuselage vibrations at the blade passage frequency. frequency bands can often give an indication of the nature
Main rotor vibrations arise especially in forward flight. of a fault, providing some diagnostic capabilities [7].
The rotor experiences varying fluid velocities and angles of The frequency domain representation of a signal can be
attack at the advancing and retreating blade. Varying span described by the Fourier Transform of its time domain
wise distributions of lift and drag excite the blade bending representation
modes. This results in alternating rotor hub loads,
X ( f ) = x ( t ) e j 2 ft dt
especially vertical forces and lateral and longitudinal mast
moments. The occurring vibration frequencies are typically (1)
a multiple of the blade number and the revolution frequency
[6]. Using more rotor blades and a smaller flapping hinge where: X ( f ) - are Fourier spectra, x ( t ) - represents a
offset can help reducing vibrations.
In a high speed flight, vibrations can occur if the signal in time domain, f - is the ordinary frequency of
retreating blade suffers from strong dynamic stall while the the signal [Hz] and j = 1 is the basis for complex
advancing blade experiences transonic flow with the
inherent shocks [6]. Another source of vibrations is the numbers.
blade vortex interaction (BVI), especially in decent flight. Most modern spectrum analysers use the Fast Fourier
Deficient blade tracking can be an additional source of Transform (FFT), which is an efficient algorithm for
vibrations, Fig.1. performing a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) of discrete
sampled data. The Discrete Fourier Transform is defined as:
N 1
x (n) e
j 2 mn
X (m) = 1 N (2)
N
n=0
second step was a selection of a necessary number of Test setup and procedures
locations on the external structure for measuring the level The flight test was conducted with the following
of vibrations on the ground with forming maps of proper equipment configuration:
conditions. The next step was choosing an interior location - 12 channels NetdB12 01 Metravib digital analyzer and
at the structure, which will be a specific point for all flight data collector for measuring vibrations and noise in real
tests for determining conditions of helicopter properties and time,
requirements for any corrective actions. - 5 accelerometers, B&K type 4393
The first two steps are defined as an appropriate relationship - 1 tachometer.
in vibrations (level of amplitude) between the systems, which The recording configuration was equiped with several
operate at the same frequency. In case of impossibility to accelerometers on different positions and helicopter
define a fault with the testing procedures given in the third directions. The positions of the accelerometers are given in
step, it is possible to repeat testing on the ground from the Table 1 and in Fig.4.
second step, but this procedure can check out the helicopter
from operational service for a period of time. Table 1. Positions of the accelerometers for flight testing
The flow chart of the described method for the
Chanel Direction Position
diagnostics of components health on the Gazelle helicopter
is shown in Fig.3. 1. longitudinal Runner of the pilot seat (forward)
On the forward part of the pilot seat
2. vertical
floor below runner
On the forward part of the pilot seat
3. vertical
above runner
On the rear part of the pilot seat floor
4. vertical
below runner
5. vertical Runner of the pilot seat (rear)
Kljune rei: helikopter, struktura letelice, trup letelice, reduktor, vibracije letelice, merenje vibracija, frekventni domen,
ispitivanje u letu, Furijeova transformacija.
STUPAR,S.: MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF VIBRATIONS ON THE HELICOPTER STRUCTURE IN ORDER TO DETECT DEFECTS OF OPERATING ELEMENTS 63
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Mots cls: hlicoptre, structure daronef, fuselage, rducteur, vibrations daronef, mesurage des vibrations, domaine
de frquence, essais en vol, transformation de Fourier.