Multi-Body Analysis of a Tiltrotor Configuration

The paper describes the aeroelastic analysis of a tiltrotor configuration. The 1/5 scale wind tunnel semispan model of the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft is considered. The analysis is performed by means of a multi-body code, based on an original formulation. The differential equilibrium problem is stated in terms of first-order differential equations. The equilibrium equations of every rigid body are written together with the definitions of the momenta. The bodies are connected by kinematic constraints applied in the form of Lagrangian multipliers. Deformable components are mainly modelled by means of beam elements based on an original finite volume formulation. Multi-disciplinary problems can be solved by adding user-defined differential equations. In the presented analysis, the equations related to the control of the swash-plate of the model are considered. Advantages of a multi-body aeroelastic code over existing comprehensive rotorcraft codes include the exact modelling of the kinematics of the hub, the detailed modelling of the flexibility of critical hub components, and the possibility to simulate steady flight conditions as well as wind-up and maneuvers. The simulations described in the paper include (1) the analysis of the aeroelastic stability, with particular regard to the proprotor/pylon instability that is peculiar to tiltrotors, (2) the determination of the dynamic behavior of the system and of the loads due to typical maneuvers, with particular regard to the conversion from helicopter to airplane mode, and (3) the stress evaluation in critical components, such as the pitch links and the conversion downstop spring.