Tube Compliance Effects on Fluidic Flexible Matrix Composite Devices for Rotorcraft Vibration Control

摘要

Fluidic Flexible Matrix Composite (F~2MC) tubes are a new class of lightweight and compact actuators with potential applications in rotorcraft vibration control. These tubes' high volume change in response to axial strain can be harnessed in new fluidic damper and absorber concepts. In this paper, a model for an F~2MC-integrated tailboom is used to determine the optimal F~2MC tube construction for a damped fluidic absorber on a small-scale tailboom. Benchtop experiments are performed to characterize model parameters related to the compliance and volume change of an individual F~2MC tube. Simulation results indicate that thin, soft tube bladders maximize vibration reduction. A 17.2 dB (86%) reduction in response is predicted in the first vertical tailboom bending mode for an F~2MC tube design using a stainless steel mesh and 1/32" thick rubber bladder configuration.