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Variable-speed tail rotors for helicopters with variable-speed main rotors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2017

D. Han  and
G. N. Barakos
D. Han*
Affiliation:
National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Rotorcraft Aeromechanics, College of Aerospace Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing Jiangsu, China
G. N. Barakos
Affiliation:
CFD Laboratory, School of Engineering, James Watt South Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, ScotlandUK
*
donghan@nuaa.edu.cn
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Abstract

Variable tail rotor speed is investigated as a method for reducing tail rotor power, and improving helicopter performance. A helicopter model able to predict the main rotor and tail rotor powers is presented, and the flight test data of the UH-60A helicopter is used for validation. The predictions of the main and tail rotor powers are generally in good agreement with flight tests, which justifies the use of the present method in analysing main and tail rotors. Reducing the main rotor speed can result in lower main rotor power at certain flight conditions. However, it increases the main rotor torque and the corresponding required tail rotor thrust to trim, which then decreases the yaw control margin of the tail rotor. In hover, the tail rotor may not be able to provide enough thrust to counter the main rotor torque, if it is slowed to follow the main rotor speed. The main rotor speed corresponding to the minimum main rotor power increases, if the change of tail rotor power in hover is considered. As a helicopter translates to cruise, the induced power decreases, and the profile power increases, with the profile power dominating the tail rotor. Reducing the tail rotor speed in cruise reduces the profile power to give a 37% reduction in total tail rotor power and a 1.4% reduction to total helicopter power. In high-speed flight, varying the tail rotor speed is ineffective for power reduction. The power reduction obtained by the variable tail rotor speed is reduced for increased helicopter weight.

Keywords

Tail rotormain rotorvariable speedpower
Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 121 , Issue 1238 , April 2017 , pp. 433 - 448
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2017 

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