Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T00:36:20.864Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Rotorcraft simulation modelling and validation for control law design

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

B. J. Manimala
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
D. J. Walker
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
G. D. Padfield
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
M. Voskuijl
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
A. W. Gubbels
Affiliation:
Institute for Aerospace Research (IAR), National Research Council (NRC) Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

This paper describes the development and validation of a high fidelity simulation model of the Bell 412 helicopter for handling qualities and flight control investigations. The base-line model features a rigid, articulated blade-element formulation of the main rotor, with flap and lag degrees of freedom. The Bell 412 HP engine/governor dynamics are represented by a second-order system. Other key features of the base-line model include a finite-state dynamic inflow model and lag damper dynamics. The base-line model gives excellent agreement with flight-test data over the speed range 15-120kt for on-axis responses. Prediction of off-axis responses is less accurate. Several model enhancement options were introduced to obtain an improved off-axis response. It is shown that the pitch/roll off-axis responses in transient manoeuvres can be improved significantly by including wake geometry distortion effects in the Peters-He finite-state dynamic inflow model.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2007 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Padfield, G.D. and White, M.D., Flight simulation in academia; HELIFLIGHT in its first year of operation, Aeronaut J, September 2003, 107, (1075), pp 529538.Google Scholar
2. Gubbels, A.W. and Carignan, S.J.R.P., The NRC Bell 412 Advanced system research aircraft – A new facility for airborne simulation, Canadian Aero and Space J, June 2000, 46, (2), p 106115.Google Scholar
3. Du Val, R.W., A real-time multi-body dynamics architecture for rotor-craft simulation, Proceedings of the RAeS conference, ‘The challenge of realistic rotorcraft simulation’, London, UK, 7–8 November 2001.Google Scholar
4. Cresap, W.L., and Myers, A.W., Design and development of the Model 412 Helicopter, Proceedings of the American Helicopter Society 36th Annual Forum, May 1980.Google Scholar
5. Yen, J.G. and Weller, W.H., Analysis and application of compliant rotor technology, 6th European rotorcraft and powered lift aircraft forum, Bristol, England, September 1980.Google Scholar
6. Peters, D.A. and Chengjian, He. Finite state induced flow models part II: Three dimensional rotor disk, J Aircr, March-April 1995, 32, (2).Google Scholar
7. Padfield, G.D., Helicopter Flight Dynamics, Blackwell Science, Oxford, 1996.Google Scholar
8. Brackbill, C.R., Helicopter Rotor Aeroelastic Analysis Using a Refined Elastomeric Damper Model, PhD Thesis in Aerospace Engineering submitted to the Pennsylvania State University, December 2000.Google Scholar
9. Nakadate, M., Taguchi, H. and Takaki, J., Design and test evaluation of FBR bearingless main rotor, J Ameri Heli Soc, April 2001, 46, (2).Google Scholar
10. Noonan, KW. Aerodynamic characteristics of two rotorcraft airfoils designed for application to inboard region of a main rotor blade, NASA TP-3009, July 1990.Google Scholar
11. Dadone, LU. US Army helicopter design datcom volume 1 – airfoils, NASA-CR-153247, May 1976.Google Scholar
12. Scully, M.P., A. Method of computing helicopter vortex wake distortion, MIT Report ASRL TR138-1, June 1967.Google Scholar
13. Bhagwat, M.J. and Leishman, J.G., Rotor aerodynamics during manoeuvring flight using time accurate free-vortex wake, Proceedings of the American Helicopter Society 57th Annual Forum, May 2001.Google Scholar
14. Johnson, W., Wake model for helicopter in high speed flight, NASA CR-1177507, November 1988.Google Scholar
15. Bailey, F.J., A simplified theoretical method of determining the characteristics of a lifting rotor in forward flight, NACA Report 716, 1941.Google Scholar
16. Harris, F.D., Kocurek, J.D., Mclarty, T.T. and Trept, T.J., Helicopter performance methodology at Bell Helicopter Textron, Proceedings of the American Helicopter Society 35th Annual Forum, May 1979.Google Scholar
17. Biggers, J.C., McCloud, J.L. and Patterakis, P., Wind-tunnel tests of two full-scale helicopter fuselages, NASA TN D-1548, 1962.Google Scholar
18. Wilson, J.C. and Mineck, R.E., Wind-tunnel investigation of helicopter-rotor wake effects on three helicopter fuselage models, NASA TM X-3185, 1975.Google Scholar
19. Gubbels, A.W. and Auriti, L., NRC Bell 412 calibrations and aircraft design data, National Research Council of Canada. Flight Research Laboratory, Laboratory memorandum, LM-FRL-2004-0086, October 2004.Google Scholar
20. Anonymous, Bell 412 EP product data. Bell Helicopter Textron, Fort Worth, October 2002.Google Scholar
21. Knight, M., Montgomery, and Wenzinger, C.J., Wind-tunnel tests on a series of wing models through a large angle of attack range, Part I: force tests, NACA Report 317, 1930.Google Scholar
22. Howlett, J.J., UH-60A Black Hawk engineering simulation program: volume 1 – mathematical model, NASA-CR-166309.Google Scholar
23. Hui, K., Advanced modelling of the engine torque characteristics of a Bell 412 HP helicopter, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, AIAA-99-4110, 1999.Google Scholar
24. He., , Chengjian Finite state dynamic wake interference modeling for rotorcraft simulation, American Helicopter Society, 53rd Annual Forum, Virginia Beach, VA, 29 April – 1 May, 1997.Google Scholar
25. Gubbels, A.W. and Ellis, D.K., NRC Bell 412 ASRA FBW systems description in ATA 100 format, Institute for Aerospace Research, National Research Council Canada, Report LTR-FR-163, April 2000.Google Scholar
26. Baillie, S., Kereliuk, S., Morgan, J.M. and Hui, K., An evaluation of the dynamics and handling quality characteristics of the Bell 412 HP helicopter, Canadian Aero and Space J, March 1994, 40, (1), pp 3244.Google Scholar
27. Arnold, U.T.P., Keller, J.D., Curtiss, H.C. and Reichert, G., The effect of inflow models on the predicted responses of helicopters, J Amer Heli Soc, January 1998, 43, (1), pp 2536.Google Scholar
28. Curtiss, H.C., Aerodynamic models and the off-axis response, American Helicopter Society, 55th Annual Forum, Montreal, Canada, 1999.Google Scholar
29. Schulein, G.J., Tischler, M.B., Mansur, M.H. and Rosen, A., Validation of cross-coupling modeling improvements for UH-60 flight mechanics simulations, J Amer Heli Soc, July 2002, 47, (3), pp 209213.Google Scholar
30. He, Chengjian, Lee, C.S. and Chen, , Weibin Rotorcraft simulation model enhancement to support design, testing and operational analysis, J Amer Heli Soc, October 2000, 45, (4), pp 284292.Google Scholar
31. Brown, R.E., Rotor wake modeling for flight dynamic simulation of helicopters, AIAA J, January 2000, 38, (1), pp 5763.Google Scholar
32. Bagai, A. and Leishman, J.G., Rotor free wake modeling using a pseudo-implicit technique-including comparison with experimental data, J Amer Heli Soc, July 1995, 40, (3), pp 2941.Google Scholar
33. Voskuijl, M., Walker, D.J., Manimala, B. and Kureemun, R. First step towards the design of an active pitch link load reduction system using novel control techniques, 31st European Rotorcraft Forum, Florence, Italy, 2005.Google Scholar