Structural Coupling and Whirl-Flutter Stability with Pilot-in-the-Loop

Abstract

This paper investigates structural coupling problems for tiltrotors, considering not only the interaction of the flight control system with the flexible structure but also the potentially adverse effects on the aeroservoelastic stability that may be caused by the pilot's involuntary, high-frequency, biodynamic response. The investigation is focused on the analysis of the side effects that could appear at high speed in the airplane flight regime, where the whirl flutter boundaries may be significantly reduced. A detailed tiltrotor model, representative of the Bell XV-15 and of a flight control system has been built and joined with a pilot biodynamic model acting on the power-lever and on the center stick, available in the literature. Additionally, a modified version of the XV-15 using differential collective pitch for yaw control in airplane mode instead of rudder has been investigated to show the effect of different yaw control designs. The stability analyses presented demonstrate that the structural coupling analysis and the flutter boundaries for tiltrotors must be evaluated not only considering the closed loop created by the flight control system but also the effect of involuntary pilot response. Sensitivity analyses examine the most critical parameters impacting tiltrotor aeroservoelastic stability. Finally, the employment of notch filters as a means of prevention is discussed.