Thesis (M.App.Sc.) - Carleton University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 115-118). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Glasgow, 2001. / Ph.D. thesis submitted to the Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow, 2001. Includes bibliographical references. Print version also available.

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This study presents a discrete adjoint-based aerodynamic optimization algorithm for helicopter rotor blades in hover and forward flight using a Non-Linear Frequency Domain approach. The goal is to introduce a Mach number variation into the Non-Linear Frequency Domain (NLFD) method and implement a novel approach to present a time-varying cost function through a multi-objective adjoint boundary condition. The research presents the complete formulation of the time dependent optimal design problem. The approach is firstly demonstrated for the redesign of a NACA 0007 and a NACA 23012 helicopter rotor blade section in forward flight. A three-dimensional inviscid Aerodynamic Shape Optimization (ASO) algorithm is then employed to validate and redesign the Caradonna and Tung experimental blade. The results in determining the optimum aerodynamic configurations require an objective function which minimizes the inviscid torque coefficient and maintains the desired thrust level at transonic conditions.

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In this research, a laboratory platform which has 2 degrees of freedom (DOF), the Twin Rotor MIMO System (TRMS), is investigated. Although, the TRMS does not fly, it has a striking similarity with a helicopter, such as system nonlinearities and cross-coupled modes. Therefore, the TRMS can be perceived as an unconventional and complex "air vehicle" that poses formidable challenges in modelling, control design and analysis and implementation. These issues are the subject of this work. The linear models for 1 and 2 DOFs are obtained via system identification techniques. Such a black-box modelling approach yields input-output models with neither a priori defined model structure nor specific parameter settings reflecting any physical attributes. Further, a nonlinear model using Radial Basis Function networks is obtained. Such a high fidelity nonlinear model is often required for nonlinear system simulation studies and is commonly employed in the aerospace industry. Modelling exercises were conducted that included rigid as well as flexible modes of the system. The approach presented here is shown to be suitable for modelling complex new generation air vehicles. Modelling of the TRMS revealed the presence of resonant system modes which are responsible for inducing unwanted vibrations. In this research, open-loop, closed-loop and combined open and closed-loop control strategies are investigated to address this problem. Initially, open-loop control techniques based on "input shaping control" are employed. Digital filters are then developed to shape the command signals such that the resonance modes are not overly excited. The effectiveness of this concept is then demonstrated on the TRMS rig for both 1 and 2 DOF motion, with a significant reduction in vibration. The linear model for the 1 DOF (SISO) TRMS was found to have the non-minimum phase characteristics and have 4 states with only pitch angle output. This behaviour imposes certain limitations on the type of control topologies one can ado·pt. The LQG approach, which has an elegant structure with an embedded Kalman filter to estimate the unmeasured states, is adopted in this study. The identified linear model is employed in the design of a feedback LQG compensator for the TRMS with 1 DOF. This is shown to have good tracking capability but requires. high control effort and has inadequate authority over residual vibration of the system. These problems are resolved by further augmenting the system with a command path prefilter. The combined feedforward and feedback compensator satisfies the performance objectives and obeys the constraint on the actuator. Finally, 1 DOF controller is implemented on the laboratory platform.

Thesis (M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): E. Roberts Wood, Raymond Shreeve. Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-146). Also available online.

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