Estimation of Extreme Loads of the Mi-24 Helicopter During Maneuvers Using Simulation Method

The aim of the study is to assess the loads that are transferred from the main rotor and the tail rotor to the helicopter fuselage. These loads change in the various phases of the transient flight as a result of the variable control of the maneuver and as a result of the variable flow around the blades. The knowledge of the loads allows for the proper selection of the level of excitations that should load the fuselage structure during fatigue and strength tests. The simulation model describing the helicopter flight is discussed. This model takes into account the motion of each blade relative to its hinges. Results are shown for two maneuvers - pullup/pushover and diving. The values of extreme loads transferred to the fuselage were obtained.

Numerical calculations of the autorotating rotor under transient conditions

It is necessary to evaluate the performance of the main rotor in design stages of a rotorcraft to obtain the assumed lift force and low aerodynamic drag. This paper presents the CFD numerical analysis of the autorotating rotor under transient conditions. Auto-rotation is particularly important in the case of gyrocopters, while in the case of helicopters it is related to flight safety. The calculations allowed us to obtain aerodynamic forces and torque as a function of rotor azimuth for individual rotor blades. The analysis was performed for a rotor tilted by 15 degrees toward the airflow direction. A geometric model was created for the calculations and then a computational model was created in Ansys Fluent software. The k-ω SST model was adopted as the turbulence model which considers the turbulence kinetic energy and its unit dissipation. The obtained results are presented in a rotor and flow coordinate system.

Main rotor blade modeling approaches comparison. Finite element and Craig-Bampton methods

The paper focuses on the helicopter main rotor blade FE model. And the main goal is to prove the feasibility of the helicopter main rotor MBD model in calculations of blade deformation as a result of applied aerodynamic forces. FE model is used as a basis for two different computational methods. A mathematical approach in the MBD based on the Craig-Bampton method on the one hand. And finite element model on the other hand. The results of high-frequency blade rotations are obtained. Calculations of these models are compared in order to determine the best method for modeling a linear-elastic blade. By the results, it is necessary to consider the preloaded state of the blade when using the Craig-Bampton method approach. The comparison of blade nodes displacements at various external conditions for both models are given. The influence of rotor MBS model damping parameters on the amplitude of blade oscillations under sinusoidal action is considered.

АНАЛІЗ КОНСТРУКТИВНО-ТЕХНОЛОГІЧНИХ ОСОБЛИВОСТЕЙ ЛОПАТЕЙ НЕСУЧИХ ГВИНТІВ ВАЖКИХ ТРАНСПОРТНИХ ВЕРТОЛЬОТІВ

The analysis of the design and technological features of the rotor blades of heavy transport helicopters is carried out. The main performance characteristics of heavy helicopters are presented. General requirements to helicopter main rotor blades design and specifications for their production are formulated. The design and force diagram of heavy helicopter main rotor blades is considered. The features of structural materials for the main rotor blades of heavy transport helicopters are marked. The main rotor blades differ in their design due to different approaches to materials, manufacturing and layout of blade elements. The main rotor blades of an all-metal design, for design and technological reasons, are divided into two groups: a frame structure with a tubular steel spar and an aluminum extruded spar. As a result of a number of design and technological measures the service life of the main rotor blade of helicopter Mi-6 was brought from 50 hours to 1500 hours. The principal peculiarity of the steel tubular spar of the main rotor blade of the Mi-26 helicopter is the absence of the shaft lug. The features of mixed design main rotor blades are presented. The method of parametric modeling of helicopter main rotor blades is presented. The application of the three-dimensional parametric models of structural elements in practice of designing and construction enables to perform numerical calculations of aerodynamic and strength characteristics both of separate aggregates, units and details and of the helicopter as a whole by means of the finite element method. The method of parametric modeling of the main rotor blade of the transport helicopter with the computer system CATIA V5 is a modification of the method of integrated designing of the elements of aviation constructions. Parametric master geometry of the main rotor blade is a linear surface, created by basic profiles of the blade. On the basis of parametric master geometry a space distribution model is created that determines the position of axial planes of the power set of the blade for further creation of the blade detail models. Technological flowchart of main rotor blade manufacturing is presented, manufacturing and surface hardening technology of steel tubular spar is considered. The technology of manufacturing and molding the nose part of the blade of the main rotor mixed design. The technological features of slipway assembly-gluing of the main rotor blade are considered, the content of off-slipway work is given.These materials can be useful in theoretical and experimental studies to extend the service life of the rotor blades of Mi-26 helicopters, which are currently in operation in Ukraine.

Main Rotor Wake Interference Effects on Tail Rotor Thrust in Crosswind

Reverse pedal operational property in front crosswind flight condition is a potential hazard for accidents involving loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE), which is closely related to the main rotor (MR) wake interference on the tail rotor (TR). As understanding of this interaction is vital for the early warning strategy development, the MR wake influence effect on TR thrust and the effect of helicopter yaw stability are examined in this study. For this purpose, the comparison of TR thrust and flow field with wind azimuth and speed in front crosswind environment was performed by experiment and CFD simulation, respectively. Test campaign was performed at a 5.5 m × 4 m wind tunnel in the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center using a high-position bottom-blade forward-rotating TR and a counterclockwise rotating MR to address the TR thrust under wind speeds of 8–22 m/s with 50°, 60°, and 70° wind azimuths. The influence of MR disc loading was also contrasted. CFD analysis was used to gain insight into the flow physics responsible for the interference effect. It was conducted with unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations, where the MR using the actuator disk approach and the TR blade rotation was modeled via a sliding mesh method. Results indicated that the MR disc vortex has a remarkable interference effect on the TR aerodynamic performance characteristic and that the effect is sensitive to the wind speed, wind direction, and MR disc loading. The observed yaw instability is considered to be related to the lesser inflow introduced by the MR disc vortex due to the change in the relative position of the disc vortex filament and TR with the wind azimuth. The increase in TR thrust at moderate wind speeds is due to the increase in leading edge dynamic pressure caused by the opposite swirl direction of the disc vortex contrasted to the TR. The MR disc loading affects the TR thrust due to the change of disc vortex strength and position.

Numerical evaluation of the exhaust-direction effects on plume flow and helicopter infrared radiation under hover and cruise statuses

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effects of exhaust direction on exhaust plume and helicopter infrared radiation in hover and cruise status. Design/methodology/approach Four exhaust modes are concerned, and the external flow field and fuselage temperature field are calculated by numerical simulation. The infrared radiation intensity distributions of the four models in hovering and cruising states are computed by the ray-tracing method. Findings Under the hover status, the exhaust plume is deflected to flow downward after it exhausts from the nozzle exit, upon the impact of the main-rotor downwash. Besides, the exhaust plume shows a “swirling” movement following the main-rotor rotational direction. The forward-flight flow helps prevent the hot exhaust plume from a collision with the helicopter fuselage generally for the cruise status. In general, the oblique-upward exhaust mode provides moderate infrared radiation intensities in all of the viewing directions, either under the hover or the cruise status. Compared with the hover status, the infrared radiation intensity distribution alters somewhat in cruise. Originality/value Illustrating the influences of exhaust direction on plume flow and helicopter infrared radiation and the differences of helicopter infrared radiation under hover and cruise statuses are identified. Finally, an appropriate exhaust mode is proposed to provide a better IR signature distribution.