Engineers from Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU) have successfully mastered the process of improving the tail transmission test benches for Mi-8 and Mi-26 helicopters.
According to Yuri Pankrats, Associate Professor of the Department of Electric Drive and Automation of Industrial Installations at NSTU-NETI, Candidate of Technical Sciences, there are a large number of enterprises in Russia that manufacture and maintain airplanes, helicopters, cars, tractors, etc. Test benches are important equipment at these enterprises, and therefore there is a constant need for their repair and modernization.
"It is often impossible to simply take and replace a failed unit or some component of a test stand, since it is in conjunction with other devices and it is necessary to replace it with a similar unit. And, in turn, these similar units or components are no longer manufactured by manufacturing plants. And then it is necessary to change all the equipment in the complex, and this is very expensive. We have accumulated extensive experience in designing such stands, developed and implemented new technologies. Over the past few years, we have designed five new helicopter tail transmission test stands and repaired and upgraded the same number of stands," said Yuri Pankrats.
He gave an example of the importance of using a transmission test bench: after repairing the transmission, it is necessary to adjust the gaps between its elements, check the build quality by the contact spot. All checks must be performed at full load and at full speed, in addition, the verification technology provides overload modes for rotational speed and torque. To perform these works, transmission manufacturers require testing and running—in on special stands, rather than on the helicopters themselves. So, if the tests were carried out on a helicopter and during its flight the transmission would jam due to a defective part or incorrect assembly, this could lead to an emergency landing or even a disaster.
The work on improving the tail transmission test benches of the Mi-8 helicopters lasted about a year, and the Mi-26 helicopter for more than two years. Prior to this, preparatory work was done: the terms of reference were agreed with the customer, the cost of components was assessed, and suppliers of electrical products were found. As a result, the university's engineers completed the modernization of the test stand at another Russian Helicopters holding company.
"We have set ourselves the goal of expanding the production of test equipment and are moving confidently according to the planned plan. We are conducting research in this area and training specialists. We work with aviation enterprises, as well as automotive plants, oil and mining enterprises," said Denis Kotin, Head of the Scientific Department of NSTU-NETI.