Purpose of the Laboratory
The Rotor Technologies Laboratory's purpose is to conduct experimental and theoretical studies on rotorcraft and rotor system blades using next-generation structural and smart material applications to enhance performance and improve design.
Rationale for Establishment of the Laboratory
The laboratory was established within the scope of the R&D Project titled "Numerical and Experimental Studies for Reducing Unwanted Vibrations and/or Increasing Efficiency in Helicopter Blades," supported by the Rotary Wing Technology Center (TUSAŞ-DKTM) operating within the Turkish Aerospace Industry and the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), and led by Dr. Özge Özdemir, to conduct relevant research on reducing vibration and/or increasing performance in actively controlled blades using smart materials, conduct necessary experiments, and train researchers with sufficient knowledge in the structural and aerodynamic analysis of helicopter rotor systems, as well as to develop the necessary manpower in these areas with advanced technology. However, the Rotor Technologies Laboratory's mission is not limited to smart materials and active control.
Mission of the Laboratory
The Rotor Technologies Laboratory (RTL) has the mission of reducing vibration or improving performance on scaled helicopter main and tail rotor blades, developing next-generation blade designs, and developing and implementing innovative technologies in the main and tail rotors and their supporting subsystems. The Rotor Technologies Laboratory's areas of expertise include traditional rotor systems, innovative rotor systems featuring actively controlled/shape-shifting blades using smart materials, rotor systems with next-generation blades incorporating different geometric applications (using axially graded materials, providing a tapering ratio, using different cross-sections along the blade axis, etc.), main and tail rotors and their supporting subsystems, and the support of these subsystems with electric/hybrid systems.
Research and Application Areas
Studies and experiments conducted at the Rotor Technologies Laboratory (RTL) include design studies on rotorcraft and rotorcraft system blades, smart material and composite material applications, and studies on blade performance enhancement.
Opportunities
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Name (Brand-Model)
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Purpose of Use
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Reason for purchase
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Basic Workshop Equipment
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Used for simple production, assembly/disassembly and measurement operations.
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To perform the installation of machinery and equipment in the laboratory.
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AC Motor, Motor Driver and Encoder
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It is used to obtain controlled rotational movement.
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Pal is used as the movement source of the test stand.
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RC 700 Helicopter Blades (6 pieces)
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It is used to calibrate the Pal test stand.
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It was purchased to perform the initial calibration of the pal test stand in the laboratory.
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Torque Sensor, Thrust Sensor and Amplifiers (2 pieces)
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It is used to measure torque and thrust values and make these values observable.
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It was taken to measure the thrust and torque values produced by the test blades.
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Safe Test Room
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It is used to create a safe testing area during testing in rotor testing systems.
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It was produced to be placed inside the pal test stand in the laboratory and to prevent any dangerous situations that may occur.
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Pal Test Stand
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It is used to experimentally obtain the performance data of the rotor blades in the suspension state.
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It was produced in order to obtain the thrust and torque data produced by helicopter blades in the blade state.
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Slipring (20 channels gold to gold)
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Used for electrical conduction on rotating systems.
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It was used for electrical conduction between the rotating equipment and the fixed equipment of the test stand.
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PCI Card, BNC Connector Block and SHC Cable
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It is used to receive data from test systems and process this data.
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It was used to collect and process data from the torque and thrust sensors located at the stand.
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APA 200M Piezoelectric Actuator (2 pieces) and Piezoelectric Driver
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Piezoelectric Actuator is used to achieve high frequency linear motion. Piezoelectric Driver is used to control the movements of Piezoelectric Actuators.
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Piezoelectric Actuators are used to provide rotational motion to the flaps on the blades. Piezoelectric Drives are used to control the flap movements on the blades.
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Composite Production Equipment
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It is used in the production of composite materials.
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It will be used for the production of carbon fiber blades.
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Prusa i3 MK3S 3D Printer
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It is used to produce complex 3D geometric models.
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It will be used for the production of some parts of the test stand and its blades.
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Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscope and DG812 Signal Generator
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An oscilloscope is used to measure electrical values such as voltage, frequency, and current. A signal generator is used to generate electrical impulses in the form of square, triangular, or sine waves.
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The oscilloscope will be used to measure the signal sent to the piezoelectric material. The signal generator will be used to generate the signal that will excite the piezoelectric material during the tests.
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Computer Systems
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It is used for modeling and simulation of experimental applications before the experiment, as well as for obtaining and processing data from the experimental setup.
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It is used for modeling and simulation of laboratory experiments. It is also used to collect and process data from the experimental setup.
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Rotary Encoder
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It is used to measure the position change of a shaft that makes a rotational movement.
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It will be used to measure the angle changes of the flaps on the blades.
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Conducted Experiments
Performance tests on new generation helicopter blades and rotary wing systems, design and applications of intelligent control systems with piezoelectric materials.
Finished Projects
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Development of an Aeroelastic Analysis Code for Active Flap and Active Torsion Controlled Helicopter Blades, Research Project
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R&D Project
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TUSAŞ Rotary Wing Technology Center and Undersecretariat for Defense Industries
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2015-2016
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Conducting Numerical and Experimental Studies to Reduce Unwanted Vibrations/Increase Efficiency in Helicopter Blades with Innovative Technology Approaches
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R&D Project
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TAI and the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries
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2017-2019
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Ongoing Projects and Contribution to Education
- BAP Projects
- The Rotor Technologies Laboratory aims to provide support for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral theses on topics within its scope of expertise, with design, analysis, production, and experimental activities related to the thesis topic. This is intended to cultivate a resource of researchers and engineers with expertise in these areas.
Researcher Information
Responsible Faculty Member: Assoc.Prof.Dr. Özge Özdemir
Technician: Murat Tarhan
Graduate Students:
Merve Şahin, PhD Student, ITU Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Graduate Program
Hüseyin Ural, Research Assistant, PhD Student, ITU Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Graduate Program