Dynamic Behavior and Passive Vibration Control of a Flexible Tip-Loaded Support Arm System with Bracing Struts and Tailored Particle Impact Dampers

Electric Vertical Takeoff Landing (eVTOL) aircraft feature heavy electric motors, battery packs, and rigid fixed-pitch rotors supported on flexible arms. Under substantial time-varying aerodynamic loads associated with variable rotor speeds and, with low intrinsic damping, such lightweight arms respond in bending and torsion at relatively high levels. In this paper, two methods of reducing vibration response in the operating frequency range are explored, one based on damping, the other on stiffness. A tailored particle impact damper system was evaluated experimentally to address near-periodic vibration over a range of frequencies. A forced torsional response test showed consistent 50% vibration reduction, with a 5% mass penalty. To stiffen the system, a cross-braced strut approach linked two arms such that the natural frequencies of their torsion modes would be increased beyond the rotor operating frequency range. A finite element model was developed and validated for a representative eVTOL configuration. Validation was conducted using a scale model aluminum beam set. The addition of a cross-braced strut efficiently stiffened the system, increasing its natural frequency by almost 120%, thus greatly reducing resonant torsional vibration within the operating range. Both approaches to vibration reduction for variable-speed eVTOL aircraft merit continued consideration and research.