Electric anti-vibration actuators for helicopters are the focus of research started recently at the UK University of Bristol's new £18.5 million ($35 million) Bristol Laboratory for Advanced Dynamics Engineering (BLADE), which opened on 25 February.
Electrical actuation is a possible solution to the problem of rotor-induced helicopter airframe vibration. Airframes can naturally amplify this induced vibration, which can ultimately cause structural failure.
Researchers are examining methods to modify the airframe to prevent it catastrophically amplifying any vibration.
"We are looking at novel ways to solve this problem, including electrical actuation," says Nicholas Lieven, professor of aircraft dynamics at Bristol University, which is co-operating with an unnamed European helicopter manufacturer. He declines to reveal further details.
BLADE's heavy and light materials test laboratory and its dynamics laboratory will both be used for a whole-lifecycle approach to the analysis and design of robust airframe structures. The two laboratories have the capability to test structures and systems under extreme conditions.
The new facility is funded with £15 million from the UK government's Higher Education Funding Council for England and £3.5 million from the university.
Source: Flight International
