Rotorcraft Health Management Issues and Challenges

This paper presents an overview of health management issues and challenges that are specific to rotorcraft. Rotorcraft form a unique subset of air vehicles in that their propulsion system is used not only for propulsion, but also serves as the primary source of lift and maneuvering of the vehicle. No other air vehicle relies on the propulsion system to provide these functions through a transmission system with single critical load paths without duplication or redundancy. As such, health management of the power train is a critical and unique part of any rotorcraft health management system. This paper focuses specifically on the issues and challenges related to the dynamic mechanical components in the main power train. This includes the transmission and main rotor mechanisms. This paper will review standard practices used for rotorcraft health management, lessons learned from fielded trials, and future challenges. This paper presents an overview of health management issues and challenges that are specific to rotorcraft. Rotorcraft form a unique subset of air vehicles in that their propulsion system is used not only for propulsion, but also serves as the primary source of lift and maneuvering of the vehicle. No other air vehicle relies on the propulsion system to provide these functions through a transmission system with single critical load paths without duplication or redundancy. As such, health management of the power train is a critical and unique part of any rotorcraft health management system. This paper focuses specifically on the issues and challenges related to the dynamic mechanical components in the main power train. This includes the transmission and main rotor mechanisms. This paper will review standard practices used for rotorcraft health management, lessons learned from fielded trials, and future challenges.

[1]  Marianne Mosher,et al.  Detailed Vibration Analysis of Pinion Gear with Time-Frequency Methods , 2013 .

[2]  D. Mba.  The Use of Acoustic Emission for Estimation of Bearing Defect Size , 2008 .

[3]  Navair,et al.  Integrated Mechanical Diagnostic System (IMDSS) Fleet Introduction for U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Helicopters: An Update , 2005 .

[4]  Paul,et al.  Examples of Condition Based Maintenance with the Vibration Management Enhancement Program , 2005 .

[5]  Eric,et al.  Assessing Bearing Health for Helicopter Power Train Systems , 2005 .

[6]  Johnny,et al.  Emerging Results Using IMD-HUMS in a Black Hawk Assault Battalion , 2005 .

[7]  David,et al.  Synchronous Averaging Model for HUMS Application , 2005 .

[8]  Hines,et al.  Effects of Time-Synchronous Averaging Implementations on HUMS Features for UH-60A Planetary Carrier Cracking , 2005 .

[9]  Marianne Mosher.  Results From a New Separation Algorithm for Planetary Gear System Vibration Measurements , 2005 .

[10]  Scott M. Grendahl,et al.  Failure analysis of a Ti-6Al-4V rotating main rotor component from an army helicopter , 2004 .

[11]  Johnny,et al.  Utility of the IMD HUMS in an Operational Setting on the UH-60L Blackhawk , 2004 .

[12]  Augustin,et al.  Achieving HUMS Benefits in the Military Environment - HUMS Developments on the CH-146 Griffon Fleet , 2004 .

[13]  Paul,et al.  Investigation of Automated Rotor Smoothing Using Continuous Vibration Measurements , 2004 .

[14]  E. Bechhoefer,et al.  Setting HUMS condition indicator thresholds by modeling aircraft and torque band variance , 2004, 2004 IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings (IEEE Cat. No.04TH8720).

[15]  Marianne Mosher,et al.  ANALYSIS OF IN-FLIGHT MEASUREMENTS FROM HELICOPTER TRANSMISSIONS , 2004 .

[16]  Marianne Mosher,et al.  Healthwatch-2 System Overview , 2004 .

[17]  Marianne Mosher,et al.  An Exploration of Discontinuous Time Synchronous Averaging Using Helicopter Flight Vibration Data , 2003 .

[18]  R. Friend,et al.  A testbed for data fusion for helicopter diagnostics and prognostics , 2003, 2003 IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.03TH8652).

[19]  Irem Y. Tumer,et al.  Analysis of Triaxial Vibration Data for Health Monitoring of Helicopter Gearboxes , 2003 .

[20]  J. Zakrajsek,et al.  MODELING OF VIBRATION MEASUREMENTS FOR GEAR FAULT AND DAMAGE DETECTION ON AIRCRAFT , 2003 .

[21]  Marianne Mosher,et al.  Evaluation of Standard Gear Metrics in Helicopter Flight Operation , 2002 .

[22]  Harry J. Decker,et al.  Gear Crack Detection Using Tooth Analysis , 2002 .

[23]  Harry J. Decker,et al.  Crack Detection for Aerospace Quality Spur Gears , 2002 .

[24]  Irem Y. Tumer,et al.  An Analysis of Maneuvering Effects on Transmission Vibrations in an AH-1 Cobra Helicopter , 2002 .

[25]  Jean-Marc Pouradier,et al.  An Assessment of Eurocopter Experience in HUMS Development and Support , 2001 .

[26]  Irem Y. Tumer,et al.  An Experimental Comparison of Transmission Vibration Responses from OH-58 and AH-1 Helicopters , 2001 .

[27]  Paula J. Dempsey,et al.  Minimizing Load Effects on NA4 Gear Vibration Diagnostic Parameter , 2001 .

[28]  R. B. Randall.  Bearing Diagnostics in Helicopter Gearboxes , 2001 .

[29]  Paula J. Dempsey.  A Comparison of Vibration and Oil Debris Gear Damage Detection Methods Applied to Pitting Damage , 2000 .

[30]  Irem Y. Tumer,et al.  Experimental Analysis of Steady-State Maneuvering Effects on Transmission Vibration Patterns Recorded in an AH-1 Cobra Helicopter , 2000 .

[31]  James J. Zakrajsek,et al.  Comparison of Interpolation Methods as Applied to Time Synchronous Averaging , 1999 .

[32]  Brian D. Larder,et al.  An Analysis of HUMS Vibration Diagnostic Capabilities , 1997 .

[33]  Raylund Romero,et al.  Feasibility Study of a Rotorcraft Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS): Results of Operator's Evaluation. , 1996 .

[34]  T. Hunt.  Wear Debris Analysis , 1991 .

[35]  James J. Zakrajsek.  An investigation of gear mesh failure prediction techniques. M.S. Thesis - Cleveland State Univ. , 1989 .