Eurocopter enhances cabin comfort for a smoother ride
Eurocopter’s R&D teams are working on several programmes to enhance cabin comfort. To reduce vibrations, Eurocopter has developed an advanced anti-vibration system with torsion spring, also known as the Grand-Comfort Pylon Isolator. The goal of this programme was to develop a new suspension system offering better performance levels at lower costs for Eurocopter’s light helicopters. The system filters the loads transmitted by the struts connecting the main gearbox (MGB) to the airframe, thus reducing helicopter vibration levels. It is comprised of a membrane that links the MGB to the transmission deck and four nearly identical units with flapping masses mounted on the attachment fittings of the MGB struts. Each unit includes an arm supporting the flapping mass and a torsion spring.
During initial laboratory testing, adjustments were made to the system and it was determined that it could filter 99% of the loads. Major modifications had to be made to the transmission deck architecture and to the flight controls, which had to be adapted to the new suspension system’s operating mode. Modifications to the prototype’s transmission system, airframe and sensors also proved necessary. It was only after many months of work and a series of tests that the aircraft with this new system finally took flight. Subsequently, the flight envelope was progressively enlarged in order to fine-tune the characteristics of the flapping masses and the overall system to optimise performance levels. More than 25 flight hours were performed in all, during which the vibration levels were measured at different points throughout the cabin. Eurocopter says the new system cuts vibration levels on the aircraft in half, and also offers reduced weight, greater reliability and less maintenance work.
Eurocopter is also developing an enhanced air-conditioning system based on what is generally standard in the automobile industry, for example featuring automatic temperature regulation, multizone air flow, user-friendly interfaces, rapid demisting and air filtering. The company has defined a standardised range of air conditioning equipment by adopting a modular approach to the system.
An environmental test chamber in the company’s facility can recreate both hot and cold weather conditions to test heating and air-conditioning systems. It has been equipped with the means to develop the required control and command algorithms for heating and cooling functions. The R&D team can simulate climatic conditions with temperatures ranging from -40° to +70°C and humidity levels of up to 95%. It can also evaluate comfort levels at given temperatures and the effectiveness of the demisting system for a representative cabin or cockpit. The attitude of the installation can be modified as well, so the drainage system functions can be checked correctly before moving on to the flight test phase.
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