Dymore Finite Element Analysis Of The Paired Blade Tiltrotor Conceptual Design And A Comparable Conventional Tiltrotor Design

Abstract

Increasing the solidity of tiltrotors above that of current designs presents challenges associated with control system packaging and control couplings. The paired blade rotor concept addresses these issues by placing two blades that share a pitch link, located for acceptable control coupling, on each of three hub arms.Dymore finite element models of the paired blade rotor and a reference rotor of equal solidity with six evenly spaced blades were developed to identify any potential design flaws of the paired blade rotor associated with rotor frequency placement or control couplings. The finite element rotor models are documented, and the results of the analyses are presented here.