Simulation of a helicopter’s main gearbox semiactive suspension with bond graphs

Abstract

This paper presents a bond graph model of a helicopter’s semiactive suspension and the associated simulations. The structural and modular approach proposed with bond graph permits a systematic modeling of mechatronic multibody systems. This approach was carried out thanks to the use of the singular perturbation method, which is a variant of penalty formulation. The model is then built as an assembly of components or modules (rigid bodies and compliant kinematic joints) by following the structure of the actual system. The bond graph model of the passive suspension with fixed flapping masses has been verified with another multibody tool for three different excitations (pumping, roll, and yaw). Next, the passive model, augmented with electrical actuators and controllers, is called the semiactive suspension model. Simulations on the semiactive suspension model have been conducted.