The Westland 30 helicopter has been supported by a package of advanced health monitoring techniques, including vibration analysis, since entering commercial service in 1982. The particular form of vibration analysis was developed in parallel with an extensive rig programme of full scale gearbox tests to failure. This enabled the analysis technique to be optimised for gear fracture modes, and allowed cautionary and rejection limits to be established. The paper describes the experience with the technique in nearly 20.000 hours of commercial operation, and results from or recent rig tests in which vibration analysis is applied on-line. Implementation developments are described, which include a special purpose portable analyser, and the ideal solution - an on-board analysis system fitted to the Westland 30 Series 300 development helicopter. Clearly vibration analysis has much to contribute to improving the flight safety of helicopters, but effective wear debris monitoring means are required also.
Vibration health monitoring of the Westland 30 helicopter transmission - Development and service experience
Ueberwachung des Schwingungsverhaltens der Kraftueberragung im Westland 30-Huschrauber. Entwicklung und Erfahrungen in der Instandhaltung
1988
16 Seiten, 18 Bilder, 5 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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