The primary objective of this work was to characterize the long-term durability performance of the Active Fiber Composite (AFC) actuator material system for the Boeing Active Material Rotor (AMR) blade application. The AFCs were a new structural actuator system consisting of piezoceramic fibers embedded in an epoxy matrix and sandwiched between interdigitated electrodes to orient the driving electric field in the fiber direction to use the primary piezoelectric effect. These actuators were integrated directly into the blade spar laminate as active plies within the composite structure to perform structural actuation for vibration control in helicopters. Therefore, it was necessary to conduct extensive electromechanical material characterization to evaluate AFCs both as actuators and as structural components of the rotor blade. The long-term durability characterization tests designed to extract important electromechanical properties under simulated blade operating conditions were electrical fatigue tests and mechanical fatigue tests. This paper presents the test results as well as the comprehensive testing process developed to evaluate the relevant durability properties of the actuator material system. The long-term durability performance tests provided an invaluable insight into the behavior of the AFCs under dynamic electromechanical loading environment. The tests were conducted under simulated electromechanical loading conditions expected on the AFC actuators during the AMR blade operation. The results from this comprehensive durability characterization of the AFC material system supported the design and operation of the Boeing AMR blade scheduled for hover and forward flight wind tunnel tests.
Durability characterization of active fiber composite actuators for helicopter rotor blade applications
2003
10 Seiten, 18 Quellen
Conference paper
English
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003
|