Magnetic-Control Variable Stiffness and Damping Tail Support for a Wind-Tunnel Aircraft Model

Abstract

To suppress random vibration of aircraft models during wind tunnel tests, a novel magnetorheological elastomer (MRE)-based device with variable stiffness and variable damping (VSVD) is proposed, which is installed on the tail support system. Firstly, the dynamic characteristics of the tail support system are established using finite element model simulation to obtain the vibration mode and stress distribution. Next, the vibration reduction mechanism of the MRE-based tail support system is analyzed by solving a finite element model. Then, the magnetic-controlled VSVD device with an annular sandwich structure is proposed, and the decisive rheology material and structural parameters in relation to the tail support system’s dynamics are determined. Subsequently, the magnetically generated element with multicoils is designed to guarantee a large enough magnetic field, and the optimal structure parameters are obtained. Finally, random wind flow experiments in the wind tunnel and frequency sweep tests in the ground laboratory for the tail support system equipped on the VSVD device are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed device, respectively. The results under 15–200 Hz random excitation indicate the root mean square of acceleration at the centroid of the aircraft model with the VSVD device can be decreased by 46.8% compared to the system without the VSVD device.