Helicopter Smart Flap

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Aerospace Engineering

Helicopter Smart Flap Phase II SBIR Project funded by U.S. Army

Primary flight control devices have characteristically been some of the most complex, precise flight-critical devices on a helicopter. They generally possess exposed linkages, bearings, swashplate, push rods, and hinges. These components are maintenance intensive, inspection critical, and costly, and they act as a significant source of drag. The basic swashplate control concept was invented in the 1930s, and is overall a successful design. However, swashplate failures, which are primarily due to bearing malfunctions, have been shown to be a contributing cause of fatal helicopter accidents. The weight, drag, cost, and probability of failure of the mechanical components of the swashplate control system motivate the development of swashplateless rotor control technology.

Techno-Sciences, Inc. (TSI) and our subcontractors, the University of Maryland at College Park (UMD), and The Boeing Company, are working to systematically analyze, develop, and test a primary rotor system based on trailing-edge flaps actuated by advanced piezoelectric materials. A key benefit of the proposed system is that mechanically complex on-blade actuation mechanisms are not required to amplify the stroke of conventional smart materials. This feature of our proposed concept will facilitate integration with existing rotor blade structures with little redesign of the blade itself and will not require new manufacturing strategies.