Helicopter vibration control system and rotating assembly rotary forces generators for canceling vibrations

Abstract

A rotary blade rotating hub mounted rotating assembly vibration control system (20) including a first imbalance mass concentration rotor (28), a second imbalance mass concentration rotor (44), a third imbalance mass concentration rotor (38′), and a fourth imbalance mass concentration rotor (44′). The first imbalance mass concentration rotor has a first imbalance mass concentration rotor center axis of rotation (136) centered on the rotating assembly center rotation axis (28). The second imbalance mass concentration rotor has a second imbalance mass concentration rotor center axis of rotation (142) centered on the rotating assembly center rotation axis. The third imbalance mass concentration rotor has a third imbalance mass concentration rotor center axis of rotation (136′) centered on the rotating assembly center rotation axis. The fourth imbalance mass concentration rotor has a fourth imbalance mass concentration rotor center axis of rotation (142′) centered on the rotating assembly center rotation axis. The first and second imbalance mass concentration rotors are driven at a first rotation speed greater than the rotating assembly operational rotation frequency while controlling the rotational position of the first imbalance mass concentration and the second imbalance mass concentration to produce a first rotating net force vector to inhibit a first vibration frequency. The third and fourth imbalance mass concentration rotors are driven at a second rotation speed greater than the rotating assembly operational rotation frequency while controlling the rotational position of the third imbalance mass concentration and the fourth imbalance mass concentration to produce a second rotating net force vector to inhibit a second vibration frequency.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE[0001]This application hereby claims the benefit to and incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 122,160 filed on Dec. 12, 2008.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a method / system for controlling problematic rotary wing vibrations. More particularly the invention relates to a method and system for controlling helicopter vehicle vibrations, particularly a method and system for canceling problematic rotating helicopter vibrations.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Helicopter vibrations are particularly troublesome in that they can cause fatigue and wear on the equipment and occupants in the aircraft. In rotating assembly aircraft vehicles such as helicopters, vibrations are particularly problematic in that they can damage the actual structure and components that make up the vehicle in addition to the contents of the vehicle.[0004]There is a need for a system and method of accurately and economically canceling rotating vehicle vibrations. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In an embodiment the invention includes an electronic vibration control system, the system controlling a rotation of a first rotor and a rotation of a second rotor. The system monitors a plurality of sensor signals. The system controls the rotation speed, rotation direction and phase of the first rotor and the rotation speed, rotation direction and phase of the second rotor to minimize a first monitored vibration frequency sensor signal. The system controls a rotation of a third rotor and a rotation of a fourth rotor, with the system controlling the rotation speed, rotation direction and phase of the third rotor and the rotation speed, rotation direction and phase of the fourth rotor to minimize a second monitored vibration frequency sensor signal.

Problems solved by technology

Helicopter vibrations are particularly troublesome in that they can cause fatigue and wear on the equipment and occupants in the aircraft.

In rotating assembly aircraft vehicles such as helicopters, vibrations are particularly problematic in that they can damage the actual structure and components that make up the vehicle in addition to the contents of the vehicle.

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