5. Discussion
Propeller Rotation Frequency and its harmonics can be seen in
all analysed vibration spectrums. The existence of 1st, 2nd, 3rd
and 4th harmonic and appropriate sub-harmonics are obvious.
Also, vibration acceleration magnitudes are the highest on the fundamental
PRF and its harmonics in all flight modes. In theory and
during practical work of piston propelled planes the highest level
of vibrations and noise is expected from BPF. For installed six cylinder
engine during every crankshaft revolution there are three
internal combustions, also there is increase in 3 X PRF that require
dampening via engine rubber mountings/absorbers. The research
has been conducted on the prototype plane, with respectful working
time in extremely complex and discerning flying conditions,
and as such there is possibility for degradation of mechanical characteristics
on engine and its rubber mountings/absorbers (pistoncylinder
clearances; misalignments, mechanical wear and tear,
etc.). The above stated (possible) damages may increase vibrations
at subharmonics and higher harmonics, also they will require to be
looked at from an aspect for a high precision engine. However, this
aspect was not the research priority.
Lasta aircraft was built with a six-cylinder piston engine, and
therefore 3rd PRF harmonic coincides with the engine firing frequency.
The propeller is equipped with two blades, so the BPF coincides
with 2nd PRF harmonic. Matching 2nd harmonic crankshaft
rotation frequency with aerodynamic vibration from the blades
resulted in a significantly increased acceleration magnitude on this
frequency. Mechanical engine vibrations and aerodynamic propeller
vibrations overlap on all higher even harmonics too.
Fig. 11 shows the vibration accelerations on the seat in 1st test
without an absorber during three analysed flight modes.
Vibration accelerations on the seat, without an absorber, are the
highest at 2nd harmonic during all flight modes. Aircraft climbing
has the greatest contribution to vibration accelerations on the seat
in the direction of X axis. Dissipation of acceleration values in the
direction of Y axis, due to flight profile changes, is small, meaning
that impact of flight profile is practically negligible in the Y direc
tion. Engine operation on RLP has the largest impact on vibration
accelerations in Z axis. Magnitudes of vibration accelerations on
the seat, measured in 1st test, during 1st harmonic, in all flight
modes are given in Table 7.
During 1st harmonic, the lowest vibration acceleration values
were measured on the seat. Horizontal flight and climb have made
the largest contribution to the intensity of vibrations on the seat in
X axis. Engine operation on RLP contributed the most to the intensity
of vibrations on the seat in Y axis. In the direction of Z axis horizontal
flight has the greatest impact on the intensity of vibrations
at 1st harmonic. Magnitudes of vibration accelerations on the seat,
measured in 1st test, during 2nd harmonic are given in Table 8.
Table 9 shows vibration accelerations on the seat, measured in
1st test, during 3rd harmonic.
Engine operation on RLP has the largest contribution to vibration
accelerations on the seat, in 1st test, during 3rd harmonic, in
X axis. In the Y direction horizontal flight has the greatest impact.
Engine operating on RLP contributes the most to vibrations in the
direction of Z axis. Magnitudes of vibration accelerations on the
seat, in 1st test, during 4th harmonic are given in Table 10.
Engine operating on RLP has the largest contribution to vibration
accelerations on the seat, during 4th harmonic, in X and Z
axes. Climb has the dominant impact on vibration accelerations
in Y axis. Evaluation of effectiveness of vibration damping on the
seat in the directions of Y and Z axes, using a rubber absorber, is
made by comparing data of vibration during selected harmonics,
on the seat during flight regimes without the absorber, and with
the absorber built in under the seat supporting beam. Data of
vibration acceleration in the direction of Z axis, as function of
PRF, during both tests, on the seat, are presented in Fig. 12 and
Table 11.Analysis of effectiveness of vibration damping on the seat with
an installed absorber, in the direction of Z axis, shows the
following:
- While the engine operates on RLP, vibrations on the seat with
an installed absorber are damped during 1st harmonic by
18.19% and during 2nd harmonic by 70.20%. Vibrations during
3rd and 4th harmonic are higher on the seat with an absorber.
Throughout climb, vibration damping on the seat with an
absorber is more efficient than vibration damping on the seat
without an absorber: during 1st harmonic by 31.72%, 2nd harmonic
by 61.22% and 3rd harmonic by 25.33%. Vibration accelerations
during 4th harmonic are higher on the seat with an
absorber.
- Throughout horizontal flight, the seat with an absorber damps
vibr