Research on starting clutch control strategy of unmanned helicopter

A method is explored to realize automatic control of starting clutch. The clutch control requirements are determined based on the dynamics characteristics research of an unmanned helicopter clutch, and the analysis of clutch engagement process effect on transmission impact and belts life. The rotating speed of clutch driving pulley and driven pulley are selected as basic input parameters. The starting clutch engagement control is divided into three stages. The three stages are fast engagement before rotor rotates, slow engagement and fast engagement after synchronization in turn. Subsection algorithm is adopted in fast engagement before rotor rotates. PID algorithm is adopted in slow engagement. The automatic control of starting clutch engagement at various operating conditions is realized in this way. The experimental results indicate that this control strategy can fit the changes of clutch parameters. It is proved that this clutch control strategy has met the autonomous control requirements of unmanned helicopter.