Advanced Rotorcraft Transmission (ART) Program-Boeing Helicopters Status Report
Abstract:
On May 20, 1988, Boeing Helicopters was awarded a contract by the US Army Aviation Systems Command AVSCOM and the NASA Lewis Research Center to conduct the Advanced Rotorcraft Transmission ART program. The ART program is structured to incorporate key emerging material and component technologies into an advanced rotorcraft transmission with the intention of making significant improvements in the state-of-the-art SOA. Specific objectives of the ART program are 1 Reduce transmission weight by 25 percent relative to SOA trends currently in the range of 0.4 lbhp. 2 Reduce transmission noise by 10dB relative to SOA. 3 Improve transmission life and reliability, while extending Mean Time Between Removal MTBR to 5000 hr. The ART contract requires Boeing Helicopters to select a baseline transmission design that is representative of a SOA production design technology and then compare this design with the advanced configuration being developed during this program. Boeing Helicopters selected a transmission sized for the Tactical Tilt Rotor TTR aircraft which meets the Future Air Attack Vehicle FAAV requirements. Component development testing will be conducted to evaluate the high risk concepts prior to finalizing the advanced transmission configuration. A total of eight advanced technology component tests will be conducted Noise reduction by active force cancellation Hybrid bidirectional tapered roller bearings Improved bearing life theory Transmission lube study with hybrid bearings Precision net forged spur gears High profile contact ratio noninvolute tooth form spurgears Parallel axis gear noise study Surface modified titanium accessory spur gears.