Chordwise implementation of pneumatic artificial muscles to actuate a trailing edge flap *Portions of this paper were presented at the AHS 70th Annual Forum, Montréal, Québec, Canada, May 20–22, 2014. (12th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vocke, R D; Kothera, C S; Wereley, N M
• Is Part Of: Smart materials and structures. Volume 27:Number 7(2018:Jul.)
• Publication Date: 2018-06-12
• Subjects: pneunmatic artificial muscles -- trailing edge flap -- rotorcraft; Smart materials -- Periodicals; Strucural design -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-665X/aac0b9
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-1726

Abstract

Abstract: This work describes the theoretical design and experimental validation of a rotorcraft-specific trailing edge flap powered by pneumatic artificial muscle actuators. The actuators in this work are co-located outboard on the rotor blade with the flap and arranged with a chordwise orientation where diameter and length restrictions can severely limit the operating range of the system. Techniques for addressing this configuration, such as introducing a bias contraction and mechanism optimization, are discussed and a numerical optimization is performed for an actuation system sized for implementation on a medium utility helicopter rotor. The optimized design achieves ±10° of deflection at 1/rev, and maintains at least ±2° half peak-to-peak deflection out to 10/rev, indicating that the system has the actuation authority and bandwidth necessary for both primary control and vibration/noise reduction.