Fuselage Vibration Isolation

Starboard is working with Midé Technology and Bell Helicopter TEXTRON to develop multiple concepts for vibration reduction in large transport rotorcraft. The R&D program, called Dynamically Tailored Airframe Structures, is funded by the Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate. One concept, the smart link, joins the wing to the fuselage and reduced predicted vibrations by 90%. A full-scale shake test has confirmed performance. Starboard has supported the design and shake test of the system, which has 6 piezoceramic stack actuators for active tuning of the fluid-based isolator. A smart cargo floor concept was also tested. Additional design, analysis, and test support has been provided for other aspects of the research program.

Technical Papers:
M. R. Smith, R. J. Pascal, T. Lee, F. B. Stamps, M. C. van Schoor, B. P. Masters, C. Blaurock, E. F. Prechtl, J. P. Rodgers, and D. J. Merkley, "Results from the Dynamically Tailored Airframe Structures Program", Proceedings of the AHS 58th Annual Forum, Montreal, June 3-5, 2002. (1.7 Mb)

M. R. Smith, R. J. Pascal, M. C. van Schoor, B. P. Masters, C. Blaurock, E. F. Prechtl, J. P. Rodgers, and D. S. Friedmann, "Dynamically Tailored Airframe Structures Program", Proceedings of the AHS 57th Annual Forum, Washington, DC, May 9-11, 2001. (8.4 Mb)