Aeroservoelastic Models for Design, Testing, Flight Test Clearance and Validation of Active Flutter Suppression Control Laws

Kurzfassung

One of the main objectives of the EU funded project FliPASED, was to mature the technology of Active Flutter Suppression (AFS). At the end of the project, such an AFS system was designed, implemented and successfully demonstrated in flight. The flutter control laws suppressed a classical symmetric wing bending-torsion flutter mechanism of the demonstrator aircraft and extended the flight envelope by over 10% beyond open loop flutter speed. This paper addresses the aeroservoelastic model development from design to the final test flight during the course of the project. Mathematical models were involved throughout the development axis of the demonstrator and the AFS system. The wing design was supported with flutter analyses. Models for control law synthesis of the primary flight control as well as the flutter control function were provided. Software and Hardware in the loop (SIL/HIL) simulations were set up to validate the control law design. Data from ground tests was used to update the simulation models. In particular the availability of data from the ground vibration test substantially improved the prediction of the open loop flutter speed. The updated models were then used for flight test clearance of the active flutter control laws. Online and post-flight data analysis validated the models and showed excellent agreement. A formalized modelling process for generating consistent simulation and analysis models for various design applications in the field of aeroservoelasticity and their the specific requirements is presented.