Title: A structural and thermal study of an oscillating vibration damper

Authors: Thomas S. Miller, John C. Tunney, David E. Roth

Addresses: Aerospace Products Division, Lord Corporation, Erie, Pa. 16514-0039, USA. ' Penn State - Erie, The Behrend College, Erie, Pa. 16563-0800, USA. ' Penn State - Erie, The Behrend College, Erie, Pa. 16563-0800, USA

Abstract: An elastomeric vibration damper experiencing cyclic loading within a helicopter rotor blade assembly is analysed to better understand its thermal characteristics. Experimental testing shows that elevated temperatures contribute to the degradation of the elastomer and adhesive system, shortening service life. The statistical approach of |Designed Experimentation| is used to combine numerous design and environmental variables to find maximum temperatures within the damper. Both structural and thermal finite element analyses are used within the designed experiment to determine high temperatures of the damper for each of several trials. The designed experiment then ranks each variable in order of importance in creating high temperatures within the damper.

Keywords: finite element analysis; FEA; experimental design; structural analysis; thermal analysis; vibration damping; cyclic loading; elastomers; oscillating vibration damper; elastomeric vibration damper; helicopter rotor blades.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.1994.062524

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 1994 Vol.7 No.3/4/5/6, pp.206 - 213

Published online: 09 Jun 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article