Helicopter Coning Model/Simulator 2.0
Continue to app
Paid Version
Publisher Description
'Coning' is a simplified helicopter rotor blade model to visually see the effect of rotor speed, lift, blade length and weight on the coning of the blades. This app can help with training in the classroom both in demonstration to show specific effects and also for students to experiment hands-on to gain familiarity with some of the variables that make up the complex nature of rotary flight. Please note that to keep things from getting over-complex this model is for a stationary helicopter with no wind, so does not include any dynamic blade flapping or other cyclic variable movements. The model shows a single blade with its root at the left. The blade is in 3 sections: 1) A rigid strut at the root. The length of this strut is controlled by the 'r' slider and is in metres. 2) A middle section which generates lift. It is modelled as having an evenly distributed mass along its length. The length (in metres) of this section is controlled by the 'b' slider and the total mass (in Kg) by the 'blade mass' slider. The lift along the blade is set with the 3 lift sliders. The lift factor is an arbitrary proportionality factor (per unit length) and is set at the left end (root), middle and right end (tip). A quadratic curve is fitted to these three values and a graph of how the lift proportion varies along the length of the blade is shown at the bottom of the screen. 3) At the tip end is a light string with a tip weight at the end. The length of this string is controlled by the 's' slider (in metres) and the 'Tip mass' slider controls the weight at the end of this string (in Kg). The 'Bits' slider controls how many segments the blade is split up in to during the modelling calculations. Leave this at 1024, but by moving it down you can get a feel that no improvement would be gained by splitting it into more than 1024 sections. Finally, set the RPM of the blade with the 'blade RPM' slider. The picture in the centre of the screen shows the modelled shape of the blade with the given parameters; effectively viewed side on in a physical sense. The readouts above the picture are as follows: Base angle: Is the angel (in degrees) that the root of the blade (mid section) makes with the horizontal. This effectively is the direction of the force holding the helicopter up. Base T: Is the tension (in Newtons) at the root of the blade. Combined with the Base angle you can calculate the upward Lift force the blade is giving (transferred through the root of the blade). Generated Lift: simply combines the Base tension and Base angle to give the total vertical lift effect. Not to be muddled up with: Lift eff: Is Lift effort - the total lift generated along the length of the blade. Due to coning, not all this lift will be directed vertically upwards, but it will give an indication of the drag that must be overcome and therefore the power required. Lift efficiency: gives the Generated Lift as a percentage of Lift effort; effectively the percentage efficiency of converting the left effort into true vertical lift. The more the blades cone the less efficient the Lift effort is (because lift isn't directed vertically upwards), but adding more mass to the blade and tip to prevent coning also counteracts generated lift with added weight so also reduces efficiency. A balance between the two is required. Max ht: Is the maximum height (in metres) the blade reaches vertically, compared to the height of the blade at the root. Disclaimer: Whilst interesting to see and play with, the modelling used makes many simplified assumptions, completely ignores drag effects and any airflow or flapping and the mathematics has not been checked by a 2nd person. It accordingly should not be used to make real predictions and no liability is accepted for any use of these outputs. If interested, please contact the author to request the mathematical modelling behind this App so that you can verify its accuracy and understand its simplifications and limitations yourself.
Requires iOS 5.1.1 or later. Compatible with iPad.
About Helicopter Coning Model/Simulator
Helicopter Coning Model/Simulator is a paid app for iOS published in the System Maintenance list of apps, part of System Utilities.
The company that develops Helicopter Coning Model/Simulator is M Butler. The latest version released by its developer is 2.0.
To install Helicopter Coning Model/Simulator on your iOS device, just click the green Continue To App button above to start the installation process. The app is listed on our website since 2014-07-01 and was downloaded 2 times. We have already checked if the download link is safe, however for your own protection we recommend that you scan the downloaded app with your antivirus. Your antivirus may detect the Helicopter Coning Model/Simulator as malware if the download link is broken.
How to install Helicopter Coning Model/Simulator on your iOS device:
- Click on the Continue To App button on our website. This will redirect you to the App Store.
- Once the Helicopter Coning Model/Simulator is shown in the iTunes listing of your iOS device, you can start its download and installation. Tap on the GET button to the right of the app to start downloading it.
- If you are not logged-in the iOS appstore app, you'll be prompted for your your Apple ID and/or password.
- After Helicopter Coning Model/Simulator is downloaded, you'll see an INSTALL button to the right. Tap on it to start the actual installation of the iOS app.
- Once installation is finished you can tap on the OPEN button to start it. Its icon will also be added to your device home screen.
