Rotor Blade Control Surface Adjustment for Vibration Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Helicopter rotor blades experience vibrations due to asymmetry in lift during forward flight, leading to rolling moments and reduced efficiency, which existing systems struggle to effectively mitigate using rigid connections and mechanical feedback systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a blade tracking sensor and control computer that determines the axial position of each rotor blade, identifies blades with maximum displacement, and adjusts their control surfaces to reduce vibration by modifying lift and drag, facilitating continuous real-time adjustments to optimize blade paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If flap hinges or gimbaled mechanisms are used to eliminate rolling moment, then rolling moment is substantially eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical feedback systems with a control surface adjustment system that uses aerodynamic forces to counteract vibrations. Instead of using flap hinges or gimbaled mechanisms, the system adjusts control surfaces on rotor blades to modify aerodynamic lift and drag, thereby eliminating rolling moments through aerodynamic control rather than mechanical linkages.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanical feedback systems are used to sense and counter vibration, then vibration control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical feedback systems with a control surface adjustment mechanism. The system uses sensors to detect blade position and control surfaces to adjust aerodynamic forces, replacing extensive mechanical linkages with a more streamlined control system that achieves vibration control through aerodynamic means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential vibration control function from complex mechanical feedback systems. By isolating the key control elements and removing unnecessary mechanical components, the system achieves vibration control with reduced complexity, focusing only on the essential control surface adjustments needed to counteract vibrations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If rotor pitch adjustments are made to control vibration, then vibration control is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of rotor blade pitch through adjustable control surfaces. Instead of relying on precise static manufacturing, the system allows real-time adjustment of blade pitch during operation, enabling vibration control through dynamic adaptation rather than requiring extreme manufacturing precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces vibrations in rotor blade systems by dynamically adjusting blade positions and aerodynamic properties, enhancing flight stability and efficiency while minimizing the need for complex electronics to sense precise blade heights.
Implementation Method 1
a blade tracking sensor... determine an axial position of each blade
Implementation Method 2
modifying lift and drag, facilitating continuous real-time adjustments to optimize blade paths
Implementation Method 3
modifying lift and drag, facilitating continuous real-time adjustments to optimize blade paths
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods for reducing vibration in a rotatable member are provided. The system includes a blade tracking sensor, a rotatable member comprising an adjustable aspect, and a control computer. The control computer is configured to determine an axial position of each blade, determine a first blade that is displaced by a greatest distance along the axis in a first direction, modify an aspect of the first blade to facilitate reducing a vibration in the rotary blade system, determine if the vibration level in the rotary blade system is reduced, and select another rotatable member to modify such that a vibration in the rotary blade system is facilitated being further reduced.