Influence of Tuned Dampers on Flexure-Aileron Flutter. Parts I-III.

Abstract

Part I - Theoretical Investigation on the Influence of Tuned Damping Devices on Flexure-Aileron Flutter. Part II - Some Further Calculations on the Influence of Tuned Damping Devices on Flexure-Aileron Flutter. Part III - Experiments on the Effect of Tuned Damping Devices on Flexure-Aileron Flutter. In Part I a general theory has been developed for the investigation of the influence of damping devices of various types on flexure-aileron flutter. The numerical applications refer to a large transport aircraft, and they are restricted to the case of a mass-balanced aileron-carried damper. From the diagrams given at the end of the Part it is inferred that this type of damper would be unsatisfactory as a flutter preventive. Part II supplements Part I and gives results for a partly balanced and for a completely balanced aileron-damper system. It is concluded that tuned dampers of these types would also prove unreliable. Part III describes an experimental investigation into the effect on flexure-aileron flutter of a tuned damping device attached to the aileron. The results confirm the theoretical conclusion that the use of an aileron-carried damper would not be a reliable flutter preventive.