Understanding the Nonlinear Dynamics Governing Vertical-Lift Vehicles with Variable-Speed, Fixed Rotors

Authors

Stephanie Vavra, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Micah Busboom, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Aleea Stanford, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Keegan Moore, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

4-2022

Document Type

Presentation

Citation

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Research Days Poster, April 2022.

Comments

Copyright © 2022 by the authors.

Abstract

Problem: Traffic significantly limits travel in urban areas. • The NASA Urban Air Mobility Project is developing an air taxi as an alternative mean of transportation (Fig. 1).

Challenge: Operating rotors at different frequencies may cause the cabin to vibrate at high amplitudes. Such effects are currently unknown.

Objective: Understand the effect of variable speed rotors on passenger comfort.

From the reduced-order modeling simulations, it can be assumed that counteracting the rotor speed in-balances can reduce the displacement and vibrations experienced at the center of the wing. In other words, should a rotor not maintain its optimal operation speed, reducing the motor on the other side of the wing can reduce the vibrations that passengers would experience.