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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S42354/01
Title: Active Control Concepts for Handling Qualities, Envelope Protection and Structural Load Alleviation
Principal Investigator: Walker, Dr DJ
Other Investigators:
Padfield, Professor GD
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
BAE Systems Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt National Research Council of Canada
QinetiQ TU Delft Westland
Department: School of Engineering
Organisation: University of Liverpool
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 September 2003 Ends: 31 March 2007 Value (£): 512,365
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Control Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The stability, performance and handling characteristics of helicopters and rotorcraft are largely governed and heavily constrained by aero-elastic degrees of freedom, by the associated structural and vibratory loads, and by the need for pilots to monitor a number of critical limits. More stringent criteria will be applied in the procurement and certification of future rotorcraft, civil and military, and better models and control systems will be part-andparcel of this. Recent research into active control of helicopters concluded that better mathematical models were required if progress was to be made. We propose to develop the necessary models using specialized state-of-the-art multi-body dynamics software and system identification tools. The models will include interaction effects and rotor, inflow and drive-train degrees-of-freedom. We will use them to develop control laws, including rotor state feedback laws, to achieve task-tailored handling qualities, structural load alleviation and envelope protection. The project will make extensive use of piloted simulations using the University of Liverpool's Bibby advanced flight simulator. Airborne testing will also take place on a fly-by-wire research helicopter at the National Research Council of Canada.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.liv.ac.uk