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At least 55 records · Page 3

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NASA NTRS1978

The effect of operations on the ground noise footprints associated with a large multibladed, nonbanging helicopter

In order to expand the data base of helicopter external noise characteristics, a flyover noise measurement program was conducted utilizing the NASA Civil Helicopter Research Aircraft. The remotely operated multiple array acoustics range (ROMAAR) and a 2560-m linear microphone array were utilized for the purpose of documenting the noise characteristics of the test helicopter during flyby and landing operations. By utilizing both ROMAAR concept and the linear array, the data necessary to plot the ground noise footprints and noise radiation patterns were obtained. Examples of the measured noise signature of the test helicopter, the ground noise footprint or contours, and the directivity patterns measured during level flyby and landing operations of a large, multibladed, nonbanging helicopter, the CH-53, are presented.

Hilton, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Correlation study between vibrational environmental and failure rates of civil helicopter components

An investigation of two selected helicopter types, namely, the Models 206A/B and 212, is reported. An analysis of the available vibration and reliability data for these two helicopter types resulted in the selection of ten components located in five different areas of the helicopter and consisting primarily of instruments, electrical components, and other noncritical flight hardware. The potential for advanced technology in suppressing vibration in helicopters was assessed. The are still several unknowns concerning both the vibration environment and the reliability of helicopter noncritical flight components. Vibration data for the selected components were either insufficient or inappropriate. The maintenance data examined for the selected components were inappropriate due to variations in failure mode identification, inconsistent reporting, or inaccurate informaton.

Alaniz, O.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Calculated hovering helicopter flight dynamics with a circulation-controlled rotor

The flight dynamics of a hovering helicopter with a circulation-controlled rotor are analyzed. The influence of the rotor blowing coefficient on the calculated eigenvalues of the helicopter motion is examined for a range of values of the rotor lift and the blade flap frequency. The control characteristics of a helicopter with a circulation-controlled rotor are discussed. The principal effect of the blowing is a reduction in the rotor speed stability derivative. Above a critical level of blowing coefficient, which depends on the flap frequency and rotor lift, negative speed stability is produced and the dynamic characteristics of the helicopter are radically altered. The handling qualities of a helicopter with negative speed stability are probably unacceptable without a stability augmentation system.

Johnson, W.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Preliminary design of a tip-jet-driven heavy lift helicopter incorporating circulation control

This report describes a preliminary design study for a Very Heavy Lift Helicopter (VHLH) that is powered by jets at the blade tips and is controlled by circulation control applied to the main rotor blades. The main thrust of the program was to integrate a tip-jet-powered helicopter design computer program developed by Hughes Helicopters, Inc. (HHI) with circulation control data generated by the David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center (DTNSRDC). This work combined the computer program integration work with an air vehicle preliminary design study to size the helicopter and describe its features. The result of this study is the sizing of a four-engined helicopter with a 185 foot diameter, two-bladed main rotor that is designed to carry the XM-1 Main Battle Tank 100 nautical miles in a ship-to-shore Marine Corps assault mission.

Head, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1981

An evaluation of helicopter noise and vibration ride qualities criteria

Two methods of quantifying helicopter ride quality; absorbed power for vibration only and the NASA ride comfort model for both noise and vibration are discussed. Noise and vibration measurements were obtained on five operational US Army helicopters. The data were converted to both absorbed power and DISC's (discomfort units used in the NASA model) for specific helicopter flight conditions. Both models indicate considerable variation in ride quality between the five helicopters and between flight conditions within each helicopter.

Hammond, C. E.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Real-time simulation of helicopter IFR approaches into major terminal areas using RNAV, MLS, and CDTI

Helicopter IFR routes at hub airports have been investigated in an air-traffic-control system simulation involving a piloted helicopter simulator, computer-generated air traffic, and air traffic controllers. Problems studied included: (1) pilot acceptance of the approach procedure and tracking accuracy; (2) ATC procedures for handling a mix of helicopter and fixed-wing traffic; and (3) utility of the Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) for the helicopter. Results indicate that the helicopter routes were pilot acceptable and were noninterfering with fixed-wing traffic. Merging and spacing maneuvers using CDTI were successfully carried out by the pilots, but controllers had some reservations concerning CDTI.

Tobias, L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Dynamic surface measurements on a model helicopter rotor during blade slap at high angles of attack

The modern helicopter offers a unique operational capability to both the public and private sectors. However, the use of the helicopter may become severely limited due to the radiated noise generated by the rotor system. A description is presented of some of the experimental results obtained with a model helicopter rotor in an anechoic wind tunnel with regard to blade stall as a source mechanism of blade slap. Attention is given to dynamic rotor blade surface phenomena and the resulting far field impulsive noise from the model helicopter rotor at high angles of attack and low tip speed. The results of the investigation strongly implicates the boundary layer as playing an important role in blade slap due to blade/vortex interaction (BVI) in a highly loaded rotor. Intermittent stall cannot be ruled out as a possible source mechanism for blade slap. This implies that blade surface characteristics, airfoil shape and local Reynolds number may now be used as tools to reduce the resultant far-field sound pressure levels in helicopters.

Hubbard, J. E., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Optimization process in helicopter design

In optimizing a helicopter configuration, Hughes Helicopters uses a program called Computer Aided Sizing of Helicopters (CASH), written and updated over the past ten years, and used as an important part of the preliminary design process of the AH-64. First, measures of effectiveness must be supplied to define the mission characteristics of the helicopter to be designed. Then CASH allows the designer to rapidly and automatically develop the basic size of the helicopter (or other rotorcraft) for the given mission. This enables the designer and management to assess the various tradeoffs and to quickly determine the optimum configuration.

Logan, A. H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Helicopter transmission testing at NASA Lewis Research Center

The helicopter has evolved into a highly valuable air mobile vehicle for both military and civilian needs. The helicopter transmission requires advanced studies to develop a technology base for future rotorcraft advances. A joint helicopter transmission research program between the NASA Lewis Research Center and the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command has existed since 1970. Program goals are to reduce weight and noise and to increase life and reliability. The current experimental activities at Lewis consist of full-scale helicopter transmission testing, a base effort in gearing technology, and a future effort in noise reduction technology. The experimental facilities at Lewis for helicopter transmission testing are described. A description of each of the rigs is presented along with some significant results and near-term plans.

Lewicki, David G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Helicopter tail rotor blade-vortex interaction noise

A study is made of helicopter tail rotor noise, particularly that due to the interactions with main rotor tip vortices. Summarized here are present analysis, the computer codes, and the results of several test cases. Amiet's unsteady thin airfoil theory is used to calculate the acoustics of blade-vortex interaction. The noise source is modelled as a force dipole resulting from an airfoil of infinite span chopping through a skewed line vortex. To analyze the interactions between helicopter tail rotor and main rotor tip vortices, we developed a two-step approach: (1) the main rotor tip vortex system is obtained through a free wake geometry calculation of the main rotor using CAMRAD code; (2) acoustic analysis takes the results from the aerodynamic interaction analysis and calculates the farfield pressure signatures for the interactions. It is found that under a wide range of helicopter flight conditions, acoustic pressure fluctuations of significant magnitude can be generated by tail rotors due to a series of interactions with main rotor tip vortices. This noise mechanism depends strongly on the helicopter flight conditions and the relative location and phasing of the main and tail rotors. fluctuations of significant magnitude can be generated by tail rotors due to a series of interactions with main rotor tip vortices. This noise mechanism depends strongly upon the helicopter flight conditions and the relative location and phasing of the main and tail rotors.

George, Albert R.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Ground Shake Test of the Boeing Model 360 Helicopter Airframe

Boeing Helicopters, together with other U.S. Helicopter manufacturers, is engaged in a finite element applications program designed to emplace in the U.S. a superior capability to utilize finite element analysis models in support of helicopter airframe structurel design. This program was given the acronym DAMVIBS (Design Analysis Methods for VIBrationS). The test plan is reviewed and results are presented for a shake test of the Boeing Model 360 helicopter. Results of the test will serve as the basis for validation of a finite element vibration model of the helicopter.

Reed, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Helicopter human factors

The state-of-the-art helicopter and its pilot are examined using the tools of human-factors analysis. The significant role of human error in helicopter accidents is discussed; the history of human-factors research on helicopters is briefly traced; the typical flight tasks are described; and the noise, vibration, and temperature conditions typical of modern military helicopters are characterized. Also considered are helicopter controls, cockpit instruments and displays, and the impact of cockpit design on pilot workload. Particular attention is given to possible advanced-technology improvements, such as control stabilization and augmentation, FBW and fly-by-light systems, multifunction displays, night-vision goggles, pilot night-vision systems, night-vision displays with superimposed symbols, target acquisition and designation systems, and aural displays. Diagrams, drawings, and photographs are provided.

Hart, Sandra G.↗

NASA NTRS1990

The Helicopter Antenna Radiation Prediction Code (HARP)

The first nine months effort in the development of a user oriented computer code, referred to as the HARP code, for analyzing the radiation from helicopter antennas is described. The HARP code uses modern computer graphics to aid in the description and display of the helicopter geometry. At low frequencies the helicopter is modeled by polygonal plates, and the method of moments is used to compute the desired patterns. At high frequencies the helicopter is modeled by a composite ellipsoid and flat plates, and computations are made using the geometrical theory of diffraction. The HARP code will provide a user friendly interface, employing modern computer graphics, to aid the user to describe the helicopter geometry, select the method of computation, construct the desired high or low frequency model, and display the results.

Klevenow, F. T.↗

NASA NTRS1954

Studies of the Lateral-Directional Flying Qualities of a Tandem Helicopter in Forward Flight

An investigation of the lateral-directional flying qualities of a tandem-rotor helicopter in forward flight was undertaken to determine desirable goals for helicopter lateral-directional flying qualities and possible methods of achieving these goals in the tandem-rotor helicopter. Comparison between directional stability as measured in flight and rotor-off model tests in a wind tunnel shows qualitative agreement and, hence, indicates such wind-tunnel test, despite the absence of the rotors, to be one effective method of studying means of improving the directional stability of the tandem helicopter. Flight-test measurements of turns and oscillations, in conjunction with analytical studies, suggest possible practical methods of achieving the goals of satisfactory turn and oscillatory characteristics in the tandem helicopter.

Amer, Kenneth B↗

NASA NTRS1939

Dynamic stability of a helicopter with hinged rotor blades

The present report is a study of the dynamic stability of a helicopter with hinged rotor blades under hovering conditions. While in this case perfect stability can in general not be obtained it is possible by means of design features to prolong the period of the spontaneous oscillations of the helicopter and reduce their amplification, and so approximately assure neutral equilibrium. The possibility of controlled stability of a helicopter fitted with hinged blades is proved by the successful flights of various helicopters, particularly of the Focker FW61 helicopter.

Hohenemser, K↗

NASA NTRS1993

Experimental investigation of advanced hub and pylon fairing configurations to reduce helicopter drag

New hub and pylon fairing designs were tested on a one-fifth scale Bell Helicopter Textron Model 222 helicopter with a bearingless main rotor hub. The blades were not installed for this test. The fairings were designed by NASA and Bell Helicopter Textron under a joint program and tested in the Ames Research Center 7-by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel. All six aircraft forces and moments were measured using the tunnel scales system. Previous research has identified the integrated hub and pylon fairing approach as the most efficient in reducing helicopter drag. Three hub fairings and three pylon fairings were tested (in various combinations) resulting in a total of 16 different configurations, including the baseline helicopter model without fairings. The geometry of the new fairings is described in detail. Test results are presented in the form of plots of the six model forces and moments. The data show that model drag can be reduced by as much as 20 percent by combining a small hub fairing (that has a circular arc upper surface and a flat lower surface) integrated with a nontapered pylon fairing. To minimize drag, the gap between the lower surface of the hub and upper surface of the pylon fairing must be kept to a minimum. Results show that the aerodynamic effects of the fairings on static longitudinal and directional stability can also be important.

Martin, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Selected topics on the active control of helicopter aeromechanical and vibration problems

This paper describes in a concise manner three selected topics on the active control of helicopter aeromechanical and vibration problems. The three topics are as follows: (1) the active control of helicopter air-resonance using an LQG/LTR approach; (2) simulation of higher harmonic control (HHC) applied to a four bladed hingeless helicopter rotor in forward flight; and (3) vibration suppression in forward flight on a hingeless helicopter rotor using an actively controlled, partial span, trailing edge flap, which is mounted on the blade. Only a few selected illustrative results are presented. The results obtained clearly indicate that the partial span, actively controlled flap has considerable potential for vibration reduction in helicopter rotors.

Friedmann, Peretz P.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Design and flight evaluation of an integrated navigation and near-terrain helicopter guidance system for night-time and adverse weather operations

NASA and the U.S. Army have designed, developed, and flight evaluated a Computer Aiding for Low Altitude Helicopter Flight (CALAHF) guidance system. This system provides guidance to the pilot for near terrain covert helicopter operations. It automates the processing of precision navigation information, helicopter mission requirements, and terrain flight guidance. The automation is presented to the pilot through symbology on a helmet-mounted display. The symbology is a 'pilot-centered' design which preserves pilot flexibility and authority over the CALAHF system's automation. An extensive flight evaluation of the system has been conducted using the U.S. Army's NUH-60 STAR (Systems Testbed for Avionics Research) research helicopter. The evaluations were flown over a multiwaypoint helicopter mission in rugged mountainous terrain, at terrain clearance altitudes from 300 to 125 ft and airspeeds from 40 to 110 knots. The results of these evaluations showed that the pilots could precisely follow the automation symbology while maintaining a high degree of situational awareness.

Swenson, Harry N.↗