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1. INTRODUCTION
Helicopter main rotor is a type of fan that is used to
generate both the aerodynamic lift force that supports the
weight of the helicopter, and thrust which counteracts
aerodynamic drag in forward flight. Each main rotor is
mounted on a vertical mast over the top of the helicopter,
as opposed to a helicopter tail rotor, which is connected
through a combination a drive shafts and gearboxes
along the tail boom. A helicopter's rotor is generally
made up of two or more rotor blades. The blade pitch is
typically controlled by a swash plate connected to the
helicopter flight controls.
2. HOW IT WORKS
Rotors give the helicopter its lifting capacity in much
the same way as wings do for an airplane. The rotors can
be viewed as rotary wings (fig.1). In contrast to fixed
wings, rotors are much thinner and more flexible and,
due to the high rotational speeds they achieve, the
structural forces upon them are significant, and rotors
must be able to cope with these. Another important
aspect of rotor design requires account to be taken of the
fact that they move about a lot. This movement is not
only in the plane of rotation, but the rotors also lead and
lags in this plane and flap up and down.
Fig. 5 CH 47 Helicopter.
Fig. 3 Tail Rotor.
3. 3 Intermeshing
The twin-rotor synchropter is a system with two
rotors that mesh into each other, much like a gearwheel.
Like the tandem rotor, this configuration doesn't need a
tail rotor because the torque is compensated for by the
opposite rotation of the rotors. This system was
developed during the early days of helicopter flying but
fell into disuse (fig.6).
3. ROTOR TYPES
3. 1 Single main rotor
The most common configuration is the combination
of one main rotor and one tail rotor. The tail rotor
compensates for the torque that is produced by the main
rotor. The tail rotor also controls the helicopter along the
vertical axis during hover flight. (Fig. 4)
3. 2 Tandem
The tandem rotor (or twin-rotor) configuration is used
mainly with large helicopters. Because of the opposite
rotation of the rotors, the torque of each single rotor is
neutralized. The construction of the control system is
much more complicated compared to a helicopter with a
30 JUNE 2011 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 1 JIDEG
3. 4 Coaxial
One rotor is located on top of the other. The two
rotors turn in opposite directions. Depending on which
Fig. 9 Airfoil.
A higher lift/drag ratio is possible with nonsymmetrical versions. Due to the greater internal forces
occurring in these types of blades, they only came into
existence when the appropriate composite materials were
developed. These can cope with the high internal strain,
while their weight is kept low.
5. MY OWN DESIGN
Fig. 7 Ka 52 Helicopter.
4. BLADE DESIGN
The blades of a helicopter are ,,wings which produce
aerodynamic force, when are exposed at relative motion
of air on their surface. The relative motion of the engine
hub, produce this relative movement, both forward,
sideways and back. The blades are designed to geometry
adapted to different flight conditions.
4. 1Types of blades
In the figure 8 some types of blades are presented.
4. 2 Airfoils
The single most important rotor design parameter is
its lift/drag ratio, which should be as high as possible
(this ratio depends on the design of the aerofoil).
a)
b)
6. REFERENCES
[1] Zarioiu, Gheorghe, (1975). Aviatia moderna, Editura
Scrisul Romanesc, Bucuresti, Romania.
[2] www.wikipedia.com
[3] www.helistart.com
Author:
Eng. Cristian Andrei IONESCU, University
Politehnica of Bucharest, Faculty of Aerospace
Engineering, Email :ionescucristianandrei@yahoo.com.