Analytical Model of Elastomeric Lag Damper Kinematic Coupling and Its Effect on Helicopter Air Resonance in Hover

For an elastomeric lag damper with nonlinear properties and kinematic couplings, its differential equation about equilibrium position was derived in a rotating frame. The equation was then transformed into a non-rotating frame by multi-blade transformation and incorporated into the rotor/airframe differential equations for eigen analysis. The effects of damper steady displacement and kinematic couplings on helicopter air resonance in hover were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the elastomeric damper can increase helicopter dynamic stability; however, its available damping will decrease as its steady displacement increased. For the notional rotor system, the damper steady displacement will decrease when kinematic couplings are introduced, and hence the regressive lag modal damping can be increased.