Bistable mechanisms for morphing rotors

Terrence Johnson; Farhan Gandhi; Mary Frecker

doi:10.1117/12.775748

18 April 2008 Bistable mechanisms for morphing rotors

Terrence Johnson, Farhan Gandhi, Mary Frecker

Proceedings Volume 6928, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2008; 692829 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.775748
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In this paper we explore the use of bistable mechanisms for rotor morphing, specifically, blade tip twist. The optimal blade twist distributions for hover and high-speed forward flight are very different, and the ability of the rotor to change effective twist is expected to be advantageous. Bistable or "snap-through" mechanisms have multiple stable equilibrium states and are a novel way to achieve large actuation output stroke at relatively modest effort for gross rotor morphing applications. This is because in addition to the large actuation stroke associated with the snap-through (relative to conventional actuator/ amplification systems) coming at relatively low actuation effort, no locking is required in either equilibrium state (since they are both stable). In this work, the performance of a bistable twisting device is evaluated under an aerodynamic lift load. The device is analyzed using finite element analysis to predict the device's load carrying capability and bistable behavior.

Citation Download Citation

Terrence Johnson, Farhan Gandhi, and Mary Frecker "Bistable mechanisms for morphing rotors", Proc. SPIE 6928, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2008, 692829 (18 April 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.775748

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