Shape optimisation of flexible bi-stable composite structures for damping in rotorcraft

双稳态结构在能量收集和振动阻尼应用中具有巨大的潜力。作为能量收集器的双稳态结构的研究是一个更加发达的领域，该项目旨在通过优化双稳态复合材料壳体的形状来实现两个主要目标，从而将双稳态振动阻尼器带出实验室：使壳体的形状适应现代旋翼机机身和整流罩的有限体积;并且有效地吸收在特定形式的旋翼飞行器中发现的特征频率的频谱上的能量。典型的双稳态结构几何形状包括屈曲梁，悬臂/磁铁组合，并通过双肘杆，但最近的曲壳双稳态振荡器与更复杂的几何形状已被研究。这些髋臼杯允许更大的几何自由度，并将构成本研究的基础。该项目将补充我们中心在建模和测试双稳态结构以及基于压电的能量收集设备方面的现有研究。为了保持该项目的工业重点，列奥纳多S.p.A.位于耶奥维尔的芬梅卡尼卡大学（前芬梅卡尼卡）将在学生的整个学习过程中提供支持。

Bi-stable structures have enormous potential for use in both energy harvesting and vibration damping applications. The study of bi-stable structures as energy harvesters is a much more developed field, and this project aims to take bi-stable vibration dampers out of the lab by optimising the shape of the bi-stable composite shells to accomplish two main goals: to adapt the shape of the shells to fit within the confined volumes of modern rotorcraft fuselages and fairings; and to effectively absorb energy across a spectrum of characteristic frequencies found in a particular form of rotorcraft. Typical bi-stable structure geometries include buckled beams, cantilever/magnet combinations, and snap-through double cantilevers, but recently curved-shell bi-stable oscillators with more complicated geometry have been studied. These shells allow greater freedom of geometry, and will form the basis of this study. This project will complement existing research in our centre in modelling and testing bi-stable structures, and in piezoelectric-based energy harvesting devices. In order to maintain the industrial focus of the project, Leonardo S.p.A. (formerly Finmeccanica) in Yeovil will provide support throughout the student's studies.