Nonlinear vibration response of a helicopter supercritical tail rotor drive shaft equipped with a dry friction damper

Purpose The supercritical design of tail rotor drive shaft has attracted more attention in helicopter due to its high power–weight ratio and low maintenance cost. However, there exists excessive vibration when the passes through critical frequency. Dry friction damper is equipment applied suppress vibration. In order figure out damping mechanism dry improve efficiency, dynamic model shaft/damper system established based on Jeffcott model. Design/methodology/approach typical frequency response studied bifurcation diagrams, amplitude-frequency characteristic curves waterfall spectrum. transient responses under sweeps are also obtained. Findings results show that changes from periodic no-rub motion quasi-periodic rub-impact motion, then synchronous full annular rub-impact, finally, back motion. slip ring improves stability system. Besides, effects parameters including force, coefficient, initial clearance capacity studied. It observed significantly varying three respectively. mainly affected by force clearance. Originality/value Presented provide guidance for damper.