WHIRL TOWER STAND

RI-153
Description

The stand can be used to test helicopter or gyroplane rotors by simulating hovering conditions. Such tests can provide valuable information on dynamic balance, noise, aeroelastic stability, vibration, and performance as well as the rotors’ structural integrity.

Main technical characteristics

Electric motor, 315 kW (410 HP).
Rated speed 750 RPM, torque 4046 Nm.
Speed adjustable up to max. 2000 RPM (more speed, less torque).
Real-time measurement and data acquisition system – basic measured values: torque, power consumed by rotor, rotational speed, rotor thrust, vibration level.
Dynamic blade tracking and balancing (ViewWorks high speed camera system).
Option to change test heads (we have 2 semi-rigid test heads with 3 and 2 blades, and a swing suspended head).
Adaptable original hub/head (e.g. helicopter or gyroplane) to the test stand.
Automatic change of the blade root angle.
The use of an electric motor makes it possible to measure, for example, noise of the main rotor blade tip

Operational Capacity

The measurement data acquisition system was developed based on National Instruments
components and a measurement application developed in the LabView environment. In addition to data recording and visualization from the measurement application, also the overall pitch of the main rotor blades can be controlled. The stand is controlled by a control panel that is independent of the measurement data acquisition system.
Dynamic Tracking and Balancing is a system for dynamic tracking and balancing of rotor blades.
It is based on fast-changing phenomena. It consists of a high-speed ViewWorks camera, National Instruments hardware, and a dedicated measurement application for image recording and image analysis in the LabView environment.

Contact Information

Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation
al. Krakowska 110/114
02-256 Warsaw, Poland
central: (+48) 22 846 00 11
fax: (+48) 22 846 44 32
e-mail: ilot[at]ilot.lukasiewicz.gov.pl

KRS 0000862006, NIP 1070046338, PL 1070046338, Regon: 387193275
Bank PKO SA
90 1240 6247 1111 0000 4977 2760

Directions to the bus stop “Instytut Lotnictwa”
by tram: 7, 9, 15
by bus: 141, 154, 317, N38, N88

Warsaw (Poland)
EREA