Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-gvh9x Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-17T14:58:24.014Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A handling qualities analysis tool for rotorcraft conceptual designs

Part of: Rotorcraft Virtual Engineering Conference 2016

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2018

B. Lawrence ,
C. R. Theodore ,
W. Johnson  and
T. Berger
B. Lawrence*
Affiliation:
NASA's Ames Research Center, San Jose State UniversityMoffett Field, California US
C. R. Theodore
Affiliation:
NASA's Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationMoffett Field, California US
W. Johnson
Affiliation:
NASA's Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationMoffett Field, California US
T. Berger
Affiliation:
U.S. Army Aviation Development Directorate Moffett FieldCalifornia US
*
ben.lawrence@nasa.gov
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Over the past decade, NASA, under a succession of rotary-wing programs, has been moving towards coupling multiple discipline analyses to evaluate rotorcraft conceptual designs. Handling qualities is one of the component analyses to be included in such a future Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization framework for conceptual design of Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. Similarly, the future vision for the capability of the Concept Design and Assessment Technology Area of the U.S Army Aviation Development Directorate also includes a handling qualities component. SIMPLI-FLYD is a tool jointly developed by NASA and the U.S. Army to perform modelling and analysis for the assessment of the handling qualities of rotorcraft conceptual designs. Illustrative scenarios of a tiltrotor in forward flight and a single-main rotor helicopter at hover are analysed using a combined process of SIMPLI-FLYD integrated with the conceptual design sizing tool NDARC. The effects of variations of input parameters such as horizontal tail and tail rotor geometry were evaluated in the form of margins to fixed- and rotary-wing handling qualities metrics and the computed vehicle empty weight. The handling qualities Design Margins are shown to vary across the flight envelope due to both changing flight dynamics and control characteristics and changing handling qualities specification requirements. The current SIMPLI-FLYD capability, lessons learned from its use and future developments are discussed.

Keywords

Conceptual designhandling qualitiesrotorcraftsimulation
Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 122 , Issue 1252 , June 2018 , pp. 960 - 987
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

This is a version of a paper first presented at the RAeS Virtual Engineering Conference held at Liverpool University, 8-10 November 2016.

References

REFERENCES

1. Gorton, S.A., Lopez, I. and Theodore, C.R. NASA technology for next generation vertical lift vehicles, AIAA SciTech, 56th AIAA/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, 5–9 January 2015, Kissimmee, Florida, US.Google Scholar
2. Morris, C.C., Sultan, C., Allison, D.L., Schetz, J.A. and Kapania, R.K. Towards flying qualities constraints in the multidisciplinary design optimization of a supersonic tailless aircraft, 12th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference and 14th AIAA/ISSM, 17–19 September 2012, Indianapolis, Indiana, US.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Raymer, D.P. Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach, 5th ed., 2006, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, Washington, DC, US.Google Scholar
4. Padfield, G.D. Rotorcraft handling qualities engineering; managing the tension between safety and performance, J American Helicopter Soc, January 2013, 58, (1), pp 1-28.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5. Andrews, H. Technical evaluation report on the flight mechanics panel symposium on flying qualities, AGARD-AR-311, April 1992.Google Scholar
6. Johnson, W. NDARC — NASA design and analysis of rotorcraft, Theoretical Basis and Architecture, American Helicopter Society Aeromechanics Specialists’ Conference Proceedings, 20–22 January 2010, San Francisco, California, US.Google Scholar
7. Lawrence, B., Berger, T., Theodore, C.R., Tischler, M.B., Tobias, E.L., Elmore, J. and Gallaher, A. Integrating flight dynamics & control analysis and simulation in rotorcraft conceptual design, 72nd American Helicopter Society Annual Forum, 17–19 May 2016, West Palm Beach, Florida, US.Google Scholar
8. Johnson, W. NDARC, NASA design and analysis of rotorcraft, NASA TP 2009–215402, 2009.Google Scholar
9. Tischler, M.B., Colbourne, J., Morel, M., Biezad, D., Cheung, K., Levine, W. and Moldoveanu, V. A multidisciplinary flight control development environment and its application to a helicopter, IEEE Control Systems Magazine, August 1999, 19, (4), pp 22-33.Google Scholar
10. Tischler, M.B. and Remple, R.K. Aircraft and Rotorcraft System Identification: Engineering Methods and Flight Test Examples, 2nd ed, 2012, AIAA, pp 332-333.Google Scholar
11. Anon, Handling qualities requirements for military rotorcraft, Aeronautical Design Standard-33 (ADS-33E-PRF), US Army Aviation and Missile Command, 21 March 2000.Google Scholar
12. Anon, Flying qualities of piloted aircraft, MIL-STD-1797B, Department of Defense Interface Standard, February 2006.Google Scholar
13. Forrester, I.J., Sóbester, A. and Keane, A.J. Engineering Design via Surrogate Modelling: A Practical Guide, 2008, John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
14. Duda, H. Prediction of pilot-in-the-loop oscillations due to rate saturation, J Guidance, Navigation, and Control, May–June 1997, 20, (3), pp 581-587.Google Scholar
15. Perry, T. ALPINE: Automated layout with a python integrated NDARC environment, OpenVSP Workshop 2016, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA, 25 August 2016 [PDF File] https://nari.arc.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/34ALPINE%20%28002%29_Perry.pdf.Google Scholar
16. Gloudemans, J.R., Davis, P.C. and Gelhausen, P.A. A rapid geometry modeler for conceptual aircraft, 34th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, AIAA-1996-52, 15–18 January 1996.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17. Johnson, W. and Sinsay, J.D. Rotorcraft conceptual design environment, 2nd International Forum on Rotorcraft Multidisciplinary Technology, 19–20 October 2009, Seoul, Korea.Google Scholar