Development of the UK National Rotor Rig for Aeroelastic Testing of Rotary Wings

Abstract

The development of a novel propeller rig for testing in stalled conditions is described in the present paper. The rig is the outcome of the recent adaptation of the ARA UK national rotor rig, undertaken at the University of Glasgow in the framework of the EPSRC funded MENtOR project. The rig allows for testing of a 1.25 m diameter propeller at tip Mach scaled conditions and pitch angles up to 40°. Blades are instrumented with seven full strain gauge bridges to monitor flap bending, lead-lag bending and torsion. Loads acting on the hub can be measured by means of a rotating shaft balance, and data is transferred from the rotating to the stationary frame of the rig by means of a telemetry system. This paper details the development, features and capabilities of the rig whilst also providing practical insight to considerations of integrating a complex rig into an existing wind tunnel. Sample results of a tiltrotor blade set at a stalled condition will be presented also.