Nonlinear Analysis of Store-Induced Limit Cycle Oscillations

Flight tests of modern high-performance fighter aircraft reveal the presence of limit cycle oscillation (LCO) responses for aircraft with certain external store configurations. Conventional linear aeroelastic analysis predicts flutter for conditions well beyond the operational envelope, yet these store-induced LCO responses occur at flight conditions within the flight envelope. Several nonlinear sources may be present, including aerodynamic effects such as flow separation and shock-boundary layer interaction and structural effects such as stiffening, damping, and system kinematics. No complete theory has been forwarded to accurately explain the mechanisms responsible. This research examines a two degree-of-freedom aeroelastic system which possesses kinematic nonlinearities and a strong nonlinearity in pitch stiffness. Nonlinear analysis techniques are used to gain insight into the characteristics of the behavior of the system. Numerical simulation is used to verify and validate the analysis. It is found that when system damping is low, the system clearly exhibits nonlinear interaction between aeroelastic modes. It is also shown that although certain applied forcing conditions may appear negligible, these same forces produce large amplitude LCOs under specific realizable circumstances.     

Nonlinear aeroelastic behavior of an oscillating airfoil during stall-induced vibration

In this paper, nonlinear aeroelastic behavior of a two-dimensional symmetric rotor blade in the dynamic stall regime is investigated. Two different oscillation models have been considered here: pitching oscillation and flap–edgewise oscillation. Stall aeroelastic instability in such systems can potentially lead to structural damage. Hence it is an important design concern, especially for wind turbines and helicopter rotors, where such modes of oscillation are likely to take place. Most previous analyses of such dynamical systems are not exhaustive. System parameters like structural nonlinearity or initial conditions have not been studied which could play a significant role on the overall dynamics. In the present paper, a parametric study on the aeroelastic instability and the nonlinear dynamical behavior of the system has been performed. Emphasis is given on the effect of structural nonlinearity and initial conditions. The aerodynamic loads in the dynamic stall regime have been computed using the Onera model. The qualitative influence of the system parameters is different in the two systems studied. The effect of structural nonlinearity on the bifurcation pattern of the system response is significant in the case of pitching oscillation. The initial condition plays an important role on the aeroelastic stability as well as on the bifurcation pattern in both the systems. In the forced response study, interesting dynamical behavior, like period-3 response, has been observed in the pitching oscillation case. On the other hand, for the flap–edgewise oscillation case, super-harmonic and quasi-harmonic response have been found.     

基于非线性状态空间辨识的气动弹性模型降阶

高维、非线性气动弹性系统的模型降阶是当前气动弹性力学与控制领域的研究热点之一.然而国内外现有的非线性模型降阶方法仍存在辨识算法复杂、精度有待提高等问题.本研究提出了一种基于非线性状态空间辨识的跨音速气动弹性模型降阶方法. 首先,该方法基于非定常空气动力的单位脉冲响应数据,采用特征系统实现算法对非线性状态空间模型的线性动力学部分进行系统辨识. 其次,引入状态和控制输入的非线性函数, 采用优化算法对非线性函数的系数矩阵进行优化,进而得到考虑非线性效应的空气动力降阶模型.为了验证该降阶模型在预测跨音速气动弹性力学行为的精确性,本文以三维机翼为研究对象,分别从基于非线性降阶模型的气动力辨识、跨声速颤振边界计算和极限环振荡预测三方面进行了算例验证,并与现有的模型降阶方法进行了对比, 进一步说明本文所提出方法的有效性.研究结果表明, 该降阶模型对上述三类问题的计算精度与直接流-固耦合方法相吻合,可用于高效预测飞行器跨声速气动弹性力学行为.      

Nonlinear aeroelastic stability analysis of wind turbine blade with bending–bending–twist coupling

In this study, the nonlinear aeroelastic stability of wind turbine blade with bending–bending–twist coupling has been investigated for composite thin-walled structure with pretwist angle. The aerodynamic model used here is the differential dynamic stall nonlinear ONERA model. The nonlinear aeroelastic equations are reduced to ordinary equations by Galerkin method, with the aerodynamic force decomposition by strip theory. The nonlinear resulting equations are solved by a time-marching approach, and are linearized by small perturbation about the equilibrium point. The nonlinear aeroelastic stability characteristics are investigated through eigenvalue analysis, nonlinear time domain response, and linearized time domain response.     

Identification of Nonlinear Aeroelastic Systems Based on the Volterra Theory: Progress and Opportunities

The identification of nonlinear aeroelastic systems based on the Volterra theory of nonlinear systems is presented. Recent applications of the theory to problems in computational and experimental aeroelasticity are reviewed. Computational results include the development of computationally efficient reduced-order models (ROMs) using an Euler/Navier–Stokes flow solver and the analytical derivation of Volterra kernels for a nonlinear aeroelastic system. Experimental results include the identification of aerodynamic impulse responses, the application of higher-order spectra (HOS) to wind-tunnel flutter data, and the identification of nonlinear aeroelastic phenomena from flight flutter test data of the active aeroelastic wing (AAW) aircraft.     

A time–frequency technique for the stability analysis of impulse responses from nonlinear aeroelastic systems

A time–frequency method is proposed for the analysis of response time histories from nonlinear aeroelastic systems. The approach is based on a time-varying curve-fit of the short time Fourier transform of the impulse response. It is shown that the method can be used in order to obtain a clear picture of the sub-critical stability of a number of aeroelastic systems with a variety of structural and aerodynamic nonlinearities. Additionally, frequency and amplitude information can be obtained for both the linear and nonlinear signatures of the response signals in the sub- and post-critical regions. Finally, it is shown that, given certain types of nonlinear functions, sub-critical damping trends can be extrapolated to predict bifurcation airspeeds.     

Bifurcation of nonlinear internal resonant normal modes of a class of multi-degree-of-freedom systems

The method of multiple scales is applied for constructing nonlinear normal modes (NNMs) of a three-degree-of-freedom system which is discretized from a two-link flexible arm connected by a nonlinear torsional spring. The discrete system is with cubic nonlinearity and 1:3 internal resonance between the second and the third modes. The approximate solution for the NNM associated with internal resonance are presented. The NNMs determined here tend to the linear modes as the nonlinearity vanishes, which is significant for one to construct NNM. Greatly different from results of those nonlinear systems without internal resonance, it is found that the NNM involved in internal resonance include coupled and uncoupled two kinds. The bifurcation analysis of the coupled NNM of the system considered is given by means of the singularity theory. The pitchfork and hysteresis bifurcation are simultaneously found. Therefore, the number of NNM arising from the internal resonance may exceed the number of linear modes, in contrast with the case of no internal resonance, where they are equal. Curves displaying variation of the coupling extent of the coupled NNM with the internal-resonance-deturing parameter are proposed for six cases.     

Combination,principal parametric and internal resonances of an accelerating beam under two frequency parametric excitation

This study analyses the nonlinear transverse vibration of an axially moving beam subject to two frequency excitation. Focus has been made on simultaneous resonant cases i.e. principal parametric resonance of first mode and combination parametric resonance of additive type involving first two modes in presence of internal resonance. By adopting the direct method of multiple scales, the governing nonlinear integro-partial differential equation for transverse motion is reduced to a set of nonlinear first order ordinary partial differential equations which are solved either by means of continuation algorithm or via direct time integration. Specifically, the frequency response plots and amplitude curves, their stability and bifurcation are obtained using continuation algorithm. Numerical results reveal the rich and interesting nonlinear phenomena that have not been presented in the existent literature on the nonlinear dynamics of axially moving systems.     

直升机旋翼/机体动稳定性研究进展

首先对直升机旋翼/机体动不稳定性问题的种类进行了简要概述,包括旋翼挥舞/变距、变距/摆振、挥舞/摆振和挥舞/摆振/变距耦合等孤立旋翼动不稳定性问题,以及直升机地面共振和空中共振等旋翼/机体耦合动不稳定性问题,然后分别从气动力与结构的高精度数值模型、动稳定性的计算分析方法和实验模型测试3 个方面详细介绍了直升机旋翼/机体动不稳定性问题的研究现状,并着重讨论了直升机旋翼/机体动稳定性分析技术最近的主要研究方向:耦合CFD(computational fluid dynamics)/CSD(computational structuraldynamics) 的直升机旋翼气弹动稳定性分析、复合材料旋翼动稳定性分析及其材料不确定性影响、带减摆器的旋翼/机体动稳定性分析和先进直升机构型的旋翼/机体动稳定性分析,最后对直升机旋翼/机体动稳定性研究的发展趋势进行了展望.     

Identification of limit cycles for piecewise nonlinear aeroelastic systems

This paper describes two methods for the analysis of aeroelastic systems with complex piecewise nonlinear structural stiffness. These methods are tested and compared for low speed incompressible and transonic flows. The first technique employed in this paper uses a new application of the analytical solution of linear algebraic systems, the second technique utilises logarithmic and tanh functions to both represent discrete nonlinearities and to act as a switch between different nonlinear areas. The transonic aerodynamic models used are generated using an eigenvalue realisation algorithm (ERA) which produces reduced order models (ROMs) from the pulse responses of time linearised Euler simulations. It is shown that such aerodynamic models are well suited to use with continuation methods. Flutter boundaries and limit cycle oscillations can then be rapidly identified with good accuracy.     

飞行器非线性气动伺服弹性力学

现代飞行器日益呈现结构轻质化、控制系统宽通带和高权限的发展趋势. 因此, 非定常气动力、柔性结构和主动控制系统三者间的耦合力学成为重要的研究领域. 自20世纪80年代起, 航空界开始关注受控飞行器的气动弹性稳定性以及主动控制问题, 但对气动/结构的非线性效应、控制回路时滞对受控飞行器动力学行为的影响规律研究尚不充分. 研究这些影响规律不仅涉及非线性、高维数、多变参数和时滞效应等难题, 而且必须面对空气动力、飞行器结构、驱动机构、控制系统之间的强耦合问题. 其中的前沿难题是: 发展非线性气动伺服弹性动力学建模理论, 揭示上述因素诱发受控气动弹性振动的动力学机理, 开展气动伺服弹性控制风洞实验. 本文针对非线性气动伺服弹性力学所涉及的非线性非定常气动力建模、非线性结构动力学、气动伺服弹性控制律设计、气动伺服弹性实验, 总结相关研究现状和最新进展, 特别是近年来作者学术团队的研究成果, 并对进一步研究给出若干建议.      

Nonlinear airship aeroelasticity

The aeroelastic derivatives for today's aircraft are calculated in the concept phase using a standard procedure. This scheme has to be extended for large airships, due to various nonlinearities in structural and aerodynamic behaviour. In general, the structural model of an airship is physically as well as geometrically nonlinear. The main sources of nonlinearity are large deformations and the nonlinear material behaviour of membranes. The aerodynamic solution is also included in the nonlinear problem, because the deformed airship influences the surrounding flow. Due to these nonlinearities, the aeroelastic problem for airships can only be solved by an iterative procedure. As one possibility, the coupled aerodynamic and structural dynamic problem was handled using linked standard solvers. On the structural side, the Finite-Element program package ABAQUS was extended with an interface to the aerodynamic solver VSAERO. VSAERO is based on the aerodynamic panel method using potential flow theory. The equilibrium of the internal structural and the external aerodynamic forces leads to the structural response and a trimmed flight state for the specified flight conditions (e.g. speed, altitude). The application of small perturbations around a trimmed state produces reaction forces and moments. These constraint forces are then transferred into translational and rotational acceleration fields by performing an inertia relief analysis of the disturbed structural model. The change between the trimmed flight state and the disturbed one yields the respective aeroelastic derivatives. By including the calculated derivatives in the linearised equation of motion system, it is possible to judge the stability and controllability of the investigated airship.     

An improved nonlinear reduced-order modeling for transonic aeroelastic systems

In this study, an improved nonlinear reduced-order model composed of a linear part and a nonlinear part is explored for transonic aeroelastic systems. The linear part is identified via the eigensystem realization algorithm and the nonlinear part is obtained via the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. The impulsive signal is chosen as the training signal for the linear part and the sinusoidal signal is used to determine the order of the linear part. The training signal for the nonlinear part is selected as the filtered white Gaussian noise with the maximal amplitude and frequency range to be designed via the aeroelastic responses. An NACA64A010 airfoil and an NACA0012 airfoil are taken as illustrative examples to demonstrate the performance of the presented reduced-order model in modeling transonic aerodynamic forces. The aeroelastic behaviors of the two airfoils are obtained via computational fluid dynamics to solve the Euler equation and the Navier–Stokes equation, respectively. The numerical results demonstrate that the presented reduced-order model can successfully predict the nonlinear aerodynamic forces with and without viscous flows. Moreover, the presented reduced-order model is capable of capturing the flutter velocity and modeling complex aeroelastic behaviors, including limit-cycle oscillations, beat phenomena and nodal-shaped oscillations at the transonic Mach numbers with high accuracy.     

Post-flutter response of a flexible cantilever plate in low subsonic flows

Numerical simulations on the post-flutter response of a flexible cantilever plate are carried out by establishing a nonlinear aeroelastic model. The present study shows that chaotic movements may exist in the three-dimensional panel flutter problems in case of low subsonic flows. In the analysis, time traces, phase-plane plots, Poincare maps as well as power spectral densities are employed to identify the dynamic behavior of the system. It is observed that the plate undergoes period-1, period-3 and non-periodic motions with the increase of inflow velocity. The post-flutter behavior is dominated by both geometric and aerodynamic nonlinearities. Numerical results show that wingtip vortexes are in fact an important source of aerodynamic nonlinearities, which have not been fully studied before. The study also provides a criterion on how to choose a coupling strategy in the nonlinear aeroelastic simulation of a low-aspect-ratio flexible structure in low subsonic flows when the dominant nonlinear effect is different in the post-flutter response.     

Aeroelastic analysis of large horizontal wind turbine baldes

A nonlinear aeroelastic analysis method for large horizontal wind turbines is described. A vortex wake method and a nonlinear finite element method (FEM) are coupled in the approach. The vortex wake method is used to predict wind turbine aerodynamic loads of a wind turbine, and a three-dimensional (3D) shell model is built for the rotor. Average aerodynamic forces along the azimuth are applied to the structural model, and the nonlinear static aeroelastic behaviors are computed. The wind rotor modes are obtained at the static aeroelastic status by linearizing the coupled equations. The static aeroelastic performance and dynamic aeroelastic responses are calculated for the NH1500 wind turbine. The results show that structural geometrical nonlinearities significantly reduce displacements and vibration amplitudes of the wind turbine blades. Therefore, structural geometrical nonlinearities cannot be neglected both in the static aeroelastic analysis and dynamic aeroelastic analysis.     

EFFECTS OF STEADY ANGLE OF ATTACK ON NONLINEAR GUST RESPONSE OF A DELTA WING MODEL

The effects of a steady angle of attack on the nonlinear aeroelastic response of a delta wing model to a periodic gust have been studied. For the theoretical analysis, a three-dimensional time-domain vortex lattice aerodynamic model and a reduced order aerodynamic technique were used and the structure was modelled using von Karman plate theory that allows for geometric strain–displacement nonlinearities in the delta wing structure. Also, an experimental investigation has been carried out in the Duke wind tunnel using a rotating slotted cylinder gust generator and an Ometron VPI 4000 Scanning Laser Vibrometer measurement system to measure deflections (velocities) of a delta wing test model. The fair to good quantitative agreement between theory and experiment verifies that the present analytical approach has reasonable accuracy and good computational efficiency for nonlinear gust response analysis in the time-domain. The results also contribute to a better physical understanding of the nonlinear aeroelastic response of a delta wing model to gust loads when the steady angle of attack is varied.     

跨音速极限环型颤振的高效数值分析方法

事先建立一个低阶的非线性、非定常气动力模型是开展非线性流场中气动弹性问题研究的一个捷径. 基于CFD方法, 通过计算结构在流场中自激振动的响应来获得系统的训练数据. 采用带输出反馈的循环RBF神经网络, 建立时域非线性气动力降阶模型.耦合结构运动方程和非线性气动力降阶模型, 采用杂交的线性多步方法计算结构在不同速度(动压)下的响应历程, 从而获得模型极限环随速度(动压)变化的特性. 两个典型的跨音速极限环型颤振算例表明, 基于气动力降阶模型方法的计算结果与直接CFD仿真结果吻合很好, 与后者相比其将计算效率提高了1~2个数量级.      

Aeroelastic analysis of helicopter rotor blade in hover using an efficient reduced-order aerodynamic model

This paper presents a coupled flap–lag–torsion aeroelastic stability analysis and response of a hingeless helicopter blade in the hovering flight condition. The boundary element method based on the wake eigenvalues is used for the prediction of unsteady airloads of the rotor blade. The aeroelastic equations of motion of the rotor blade are derived by Galerkin's method. To obtain the aeroelastic stability and response, the governing nonlinear equations of motion are linearized about the nonlinear steady equilibrium positions using small perturbation theory. The equilibrium deflections are calculated through the iterative Newton–Raphson method. Numerical results comprising steady equilibrium state deflections, aeroelastic eigenvalues and time history response about these states for a two-bladed rotor are presented, and some of them are compared with those obtained from a two-dimensional quasi-steady strip aerodynamic theory. Also, the effect of the number of aerodynamic eigenmodes is investigated. The results show that the three-dimensional aerodynamic formulation has considerable impact on the determination of both the equilibrium condition and lead-lag instability.     

Power extraction from aeroelastic limit cycle oscillations

Nonlinear limit cycle oscillations of an aeroelastic energy harvester are exploited for enhanced piezoelectric power generation from aerodynamic flows. Specifically, a flexible beam with piezoelectric laminates is excited by a uniform axial flow field in a manner analogous to a flapping flag such that the system delivers power to an electrical impedance load. Fluid–structure interaction is modeled by augmenting a system of nonlinear equations for an electroelastic beam with a discretized vortex-lattice potential flow model. Experimental results from a prototype aeroelastic energy harvester are also presented. Root mean square electrical power on the order of 2.5 mW was delivered below the flutter boundary of the test apparatus at a comparatively low wind speed of 27 m/s and a chord normalized limit cycle amplitude of 0.33. Moreover, subcritical limit cycles with chord normalized amplitudes of up to 0.46 were observed. Calculations indicate that the system tested here was able to access over 17% of the flow energy to which it was exposed. Methods for designing aeroelastic energy harvesters by exploiting nonlinear aeroelastic phenomena and potential improvements to existing relevant aerodynamic models are also discussed.     

Nonlinear dynamics of an aeroelastic airfoil with free-play in transonic flow

Nonlinear dynamic behaviors of an aeroelastic airfoil with free-play in transonic air flow are studied. The aeroelastic response is obtained by using time-marching approach with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and reduced order model (ROM) techniques. Several standardized tests of transonic flutter are presented to validate numerical approaches. It is found that in time-marching approach with CFD technique, the time-step size has a significant effect on the calculated aeroelastic response, especially for cases considering both structural and aerodynamic nonlinearities. The nonlinear dynamic behavior for the present model in transonic air flow is greatly different from that in subsonic regime where only simple harmonic oscillations are observed. Major features of the responses in transonic air flow at different flow speeds can be summarized as follows. The aeroelastic responses with the amplitude near the free-play are dominated by single degree of freedom flutter mechanism, and snap-though phenomenon can be observed when the air speed is low. The bifurcation diagram can be captured by using ROM technique, and it is observed that the route to chaos for the present model is via period-doubling, which is essentially caused by the free-play nonlinearity. When the flow speed approaches the linear flutter speed, the aeroelastic system vibrates with large amplitude, which is dominated by the aerodynamic nonlinearity. Effects of boundary layer and airfoil profile on the nonlinear responses of the aeroelastic system are also discussed.