초록 ▼

A system for quasi-statically correcting tracking of rotor blades of a helicopter rotor during operation includes a trim tab mounted on each rotor blade and deflectable relative to the rotor blade so as to change a tracking path of the rotor blade, and a rotor track and balance analyzer that include

A system for quasi-statically correcting tracking of rotor blades of a helicopter rotor during operation includes a trim tab mounted on each rotor blade and deflectable relative to the rotor blade so as to change a tracking path of the rotor blade, and a rotor track and balance analyzer that includes sensors for acquiring rotor tracking and balance information and is operable to process the rotor tracking and balance information so as to predetermine a new tab position to which the trim tab should be deflected for bringing the tracking path of a mistracking rotor blade into alignment with a reference path. The trim tab is deflected by an actuator mounted to the rotor blade, the actuator having an actuating element coupled with the trim tab and formed of a smart material such that the actuating element deforms proportional to a stimulus applied to the actuating element. An electrical locking device is included which is operable when de-energized to lock the trim tab against deflection, and operable when energized to unlock to permit the trim tab to be deflected. A trim actuation control system in communication with the rotor track and balance analyzer and the locking device is arranged to energize the locking device and to supply electrical power to the actuator so as to deflect the trim tab to the new tab position predetermined in the rotor track and balance analyzer, and to then de-energize the locking device and cut off the electrical power to the actuator. Thus, electrical power is supplied to the actuator only while the trim tab is being deflected, and is then discontinued once the tab has reached the desired position and the locking device has been de-energized to lock the tab against further movement.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A system for quasi-statically correcting tracking of a rotor blade of a helicopter rotor during operation, comprising:a trim tab mounted on the rotor blade and deflectable relative to the rotor blade so as to change a tracking path of the rotor blade;a rotor track and b

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A system for quasi-statically correcting tracking of a rotor blade of a helicopter rotor during operation, comprising:a trim tab mounted on the rotor blade and deflectable relative to the rotor blade so as to change a tracking path of the rotor blade;a rotor track and balance analyzer that includes sensors for acquiring rotor tracking and balance information and is operable to process said rotor tracking and balance information so as to predetermine a new tab position to which the trim tab should be deflected for bringing the tracking path of the rotor blade into alignment with a reference path;an actuator mounted to the rotor blade, the actuator having an actuating element coupled with the trim tab and formed of a smart material such that the actuating element deforms proportional to a stimulus applied to the actuating element, the actuator further including stimulus means for applying a stimulus to the actuating element upon supplying electrical power to said stimulus means, whereby the actuator deflects the trim tab when electrical power is supplied to the actuator;an electrical locking device operable when de-energized to lock the trim tab against deflection, and operable when energized to unlock to permit the trim tab to be deflected; anda trim actuation control system in communication with the rotor track and balance analyzer and the locking device, the trim actuation control system being arranged to energize the locking device and to supply electrical power to the actuator so as to deflect the trim tab to the new tab position predetermined in the rotor track and balance analyzer, and to then de-energize the locking device and cut off the electrical power to the actuator, the locking device fixing the trim tab in the new tab position. [28.]28. A method for quasi-statically correcting tracking of a rotor blade of a helicopter rotor during operation so as to reduce rotor vibration caused by mistracking of the rotor blade, comprising:providing a trim tab on the rotor blade, the trim tab being deflectable relative to the rotor blade for altering a tracking path of the rotor blade;providing an actuator on the rotor blade and coupled with the trim tab for deflecting the trim tab, the actuator incorporating an electrically activatable smart material such that the actuator is activated to deflect the trim tab when electrical power is supplied to the actuator;determining a degree of mistracking of the rotor blade relative to a reference;measuring a level of vibration induced by unbalance of the rotor;predetermining, based on the degree of mistracking and the level of vibration, a new tab position to which the trim tab should be deflected for bringing the tracking path of the rotor blade into alignment with a reference path;communicating the predetermined new tab position to a position control unit located adjacent the actuator on the rotor blade, the position control unit being operable to regulate electrical power supplied to the actuator via a position feedback loop so as to cause the actuator to deflect the trim tab to the predetermined new tab position; andsupplying electrical power to the actuator through the position control unit such that the position control unit controls the actuator to deflect the trim tab to the predetermined new tab position, whereby position feedback control of the trim tab position is performed locally on the rotor blade.