DSS Application Note MicroVib II Aircraft Analyzer

AN-MV2-B47 Rev XX - 29 Nov 2005 (draft #3) Helicopter Track and Balance

BELL MODEL 47 (ALL MODELS)

HELICOPTER TRACK AND BALANCE
Dynamic Solutions Systems, Inc., San Marcos, Ca. (760) 598-4000 - sales@dssmicro.com
Applications Support (714) 898-7087 - applications@dssmicro.com
Product Support (760) 598-4000 - support@dssmicro.com
Training Support (715) 233-9838 - training@dssmicro.com

Rotor Track & Balance Equipment Requirements

MFR P/N DESCRIPTION QTY
M/R T/R
DSS 1300 MicroVib II Aircraft Analyzer 1 1
DSS 1014 or 1460 Accelerometer, 20mv/g 2 1
DSS 1008-X Accelerometer Bracket 2 1
DSS 1096-X Accelerometer Cable 2 1
DSS 1097-X Photo- Tach Cable 1 1
DSS 1015 Photo- Tach 0 1
DSS 1017 Reflective Tape (roll) 0 1
DSS 1010 Rotor Protractor 1 1
DSS 1377 Electronic Scale 1 1
DSS 1428 Tab Tool Set, Universal 1 0
MicroTracker Tracking Accesories
DSS 1145-X MicroTrak Optical Tracker 1 0
DSS 1102 or 1450 4x4 Signal Mux w/ Optical Adaptor 1 1
Strobe Tracking Accesories
DSS 1115 4x4 Signal Mux w/ Strobe Adaptor 1 1
DSS 1076 Strobe Power Cable 1 0
C-H 135M-10,11 or 12 Strobe Tracker 1 0
C-H 3387 Tip Targets 1 0
Optional Equipment
DSS 1091 MicroBase Database System Software 1
DSS 1311 Serial Cable, MicroVib II to PC 1
DSS 1224 Printer Interface 1
DSS 1352 Printer Interface Cable 1

Copyright 1993-2005, Dynamic Solutions Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved AN-MV2-B47-1
 I. Main Rotor Track And Balance
Main Rotor Track And Balance Equipment Installation
NOTE: When mounting vibration sensors, make sure that the vibration sensors sensitive axis is aligned
with the intended measurement direction. The sensitive axis always parallels the sensor mounting bolt
axis. In some sensors, the electrical connector exits in-line with the sensitive axis, while in others, the
connector exits at a right angle to the sensitive axis. Do not assume that the sensors electrical connector
orientation relates to its sensitive axis.
A. Lateral Sensor: Attach the lateral vibration sensor
to the standard BH location at the top of the rear
cabin bulkhead using bracket 1008. The sensitive
axis of the vibration sensor should point to the left.
Connect and route cable 1096 to signal mux CH:1.
B. Lateral Sensor (alternate location): The lateral
vibration sensor may also be mounted behind the
cabin bulkhead pointing right as shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1 - M/R Lateral Sensor (ALT) NOTE: If using this alternate location, the lateral
tach offset must be changed by 180 degrees.
C. Vertical Sensor: Attach the vertical vibration sensor
to the standard BH location under an attachment
screw on the right side of the instrument console
using bracket 1008. The sensitive axis should point
down as shown in Fig. 2. Connect and route cable
1096 to signal mux CH:2.
D. Photo-Tach: Attach the Photo-Tach to the upper
Fig. 2 - M/R Vertical Sensor
portion of the left pitch control rod using bracket
1009 as shown in Fig. 3.
E. Reflective Tape: Swing the main rotor until the
Target blade is located at the front of the aircraft as
shown in Fig. 5. Attach a 1" x 1.5" piece of reflective
tape 1017 to the side of the swashplate as shown in
Fig. 4.
F. Photo-Tach Alignment: Check the Photo-Tach
beam and tape alignment by powering up the
Fig. 3 - M/R Photo-Tach MicroVib II Analyzer and turning the rotor until the
reflective tape passes through the photo sensors
light beam. When the tape passes through the light
beam, the photo sensor pilot light will illuminate to
indicate a valid reflection. The pilot light will also
blink. The higher the rate the greater the strength
of the reflection.
G. Magnetic Pickup (optional): If using a magnetic
pickup and interrupter in place of the photo-tach, be
sure to adjust the mag pickup to interrupter gap to
Fig. 4 - M/R Reflective Tape .050.

AN-MV2-B47-2 Copyright 1993-2005, Dynamic Solutions Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved
 H. Strobe: If using a Strobe, install tip targets on all four blades. When installing tip
targets, use care to insure that an equal amount of weight (i.e. tip targets, mounting
hardware, etc.) is added to each blade.
I. MicroTracker: If using the MicroTracker, attach the MicroTracker to the signal mux. Tip
targets are not required when using the MicroTracker

Main Rotor Track And Balance Equipment Setup

A. Download Group File: Visit www.dssmicro.com, download and install the latest B47
group file into your MicroVib II Aircraft Analyzer.
B. Create New History File: Press MODE then CONTROL PANEL then NEW HISTORY
FILE. Select the B47 group file and then press SELECT GROUP FILE.
C. Modify History Filename: When you are prompted to modify the History Filename you
must choose to either use the suggested filename or enter one which is easier to
remember (such as the aircraft registration or serial number). When satisfied with the
History Filename, press OK. The new History File will be automatically loaded into the
Analyzers memory.
D. Verify Tasks: Select PROP ROTOR BALANCE and press START ANALYSIS. Press
TASK and verify the following tasks are set up:
GND LT (100% on ground)
9 Track pattern - Correct with PC Link adjustment.
9 Lateral vibration - Correct with mass and/or sweep adjustment (if needed).
HOV VT (Hover in ground effect)
9 Track pattern - Correct with PC Link adj.
9 Vertical vibration -Save for reference only.
HOV LT (Hover in ground effect)
9 Lateral vibration - Correct with mass and/or sweep adjustment.
50KT VT (50kt level flight)
9 Track pattern - Save for reference only.
9 Vertical vibration - Correct with tab adj.
80KT VT (800kt in level flight)
9 Track pattern - Save for reference only.
9 Vertical vibration - Correct with tab adj.
E. Main Rotor Definition: Refer to the main rotor depiction in Fig. 5 for locations and
angles.
F. Strobe Tracking: When checking blade track using a signal mux which supports strobe
tracking, press TRACK OPTS and select TWO BLADE ROTOR followed by START
ANALYSIS.
G. MicroTracker Tracking: When checking blade track using a signal mux which supports
the MicroTracker press TRACK OPTS and select TWO BLADE ROTOR. If desired,
measure the distance from the MicroTracker operator to the rotor blade tips and enter
that value in inches under SET TRACK DISTANCE then press START ANALYSIS.

Copyright 1993-2005, Dynamic Solutions Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved AN-MV2-B47-3
 Main Rotor Track & Balance Procedure
A. Ground Tests Bell 47 Main Rotor
(viewed from above)
1. Select task GND. Run up the aircraft to 100% on the ground
Target
and check track. Rotation (360)
Forward
2. Adjust the main rotor track using pitch link adjustment for
the best ground track possible. Continue adjusting the ground Target Aft
(Sweep)
track until blade spread is less than .5 inches. (90)

B. Hover Track
1. Select task HOV VT. Hover the aircraft and check track. Target Weight
(360)
2. Make additional pitch link adjustments until the hover track
is less than .5 inches.
C. Preliminary Hover Balance
1. Select task HOV LT. Hover the aircraft and collect lateral Reflective
Tape Blank Weight
vibration (minimum 5 avgs). If the lateral vibration is above .2 (on swashplate)
(180)

in/s, correct the balance using Weight and Sweep. Continue

correcting the balance until the lateral vibration is below .2 in/s.
Blank Aft
(Sweep)
2. Either Blade Sweep is used to correct chordwise balance. (270)
Enter blade sweep in flats.
Example: If the Analyzer suggests sweeping the blank blade (180)
aft 0.50 flats, you should sweep the blank blade aft, flat and Blank
enter +.50 for the Blank aft adjustment. Figure 5
3. Select task HOV VT. Collect a vertical vibration reading for
reference only.
D. In-Flight Track
1. Select task 50KT VT. Fly at 50kts straight and level. Check track and collect
vertical vibration (minimum 5 avgs).
2. Select task 80KT VT. Fly at 80kts straight and level. Check track
and collect vertical vibration (minimum 5 avgs). Optical Tracker
Blade Identification
3. On the first vertical correction, you should generally make a trim tab (tracker pointed forward)

correction based on the track picture. Enter the trim tab adjustment into
both 50KT VT and 80KT VT tasks.
Example: If the target blade (360) is low in the track picture and you
TARGET BLANK
bend the tab on the target blade up 1.0 degree - then on tasks 50KT
Figure 6
VT and 80KT VT you will enter an adjustment of +1.0 at the target
blade (360) location. Thereafter, the solution displayed will be in degrees of tab
adjustment.
4. On subsequent vertical corrections, you can utilize the displayed solution to adjust the
tabs directly. The solution will always be split between adjacent blades. Press the SPLIT
key to change the affected blades.
5. Repeat track and vibration readings using tasks 50KT VT and 80KT VT. Continue
correcting track until vertical vibration is below .2in/s.

AN-MV2-B47-4 Copyright 1993-2005, Dynamic Solutions Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved
 E. Final Hover Balance
1. Select task HOV LT. Hover the aircraft and collect lateral vibration (minimum 5 avgs).
2. If the hover lateral is above .2 in/s correct the balance using blade weight. Continue
correcting the balance until the vibration level is below .2 in/s.

II. Tail Rotor Balancing

Tail Rotor Equipment Installation
A. Vibration Sensor and Photo-Tach: Sandwich the
Photo-Tach bracket 1009 between the Vibration
Sensor and bracket 1008. Attach the Vibration
sensor and Photo-Tach to the right side of the tail
rotor gearbox using the 1:00 gearbox stud. The
sensitive axis of the vibration sensor should point
forward in line with the tail boom as shown in Fig.
7. Connect and route cable 1096 to signal mux
CH:4. Connect and route cable 1097 to signal mux
CH:D.
B. Align Photo-Tach: Align the photo-tach so that the Figure 7
light beam is parallel with the tail rotor output shaft T/R Vibration Sensor & Photo-Tach
and strikes the tail rotor when the blade passes
through the 10:00 portion of its rotation as shown in
Fig. 8.
C. Attach Reflective Tape: Attach a piece of reflective
tape (recommended size: 1" x 1.5") to one of the tail
rotor blade grips. Choose the location carefully so as
to insure that the tape passes through the Photo
Tach beam as it rotates.
D. Check Alignment: Verify the Photo Tach and tape
alignment by powering up the MicroVib II and
turning the rotor until the reflective tape passes
through the photo sensors light beam. When the
tape passes through the light beam, the photo
sensor pilot light will illuminate to indicate a valid Figure 8
T/R Photo-Tach & Reflective Tape
reflection.

Copyright 1993-2005, Dynamic Solutions Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved AN-MV2-B47-5
 Tail Rotor Balance Equipment Setup
A. Create New History File: If needed, create a new history file using the procedure from
the Main Rotor Track and Balance section.
B. Verify Task: Select PROP/ROTOR BALANCE and press START ANALYSIS. Press
TASK and verify the following task is set up:
T/R BAL (100% ground run)
9 Tail rotor vibration - Correct with mass adj.
C. Tail Rotor Definition: Refer to the tail rotor depiction Figs. 9 & 10 for locations and
angles.

Tail Rotor Balance Procedure

NOTE: When using the rotor protractor to verify weight locations, the rotation arrows must be observed.
This tail rotor turns clockwise so the protractor's red side must be used.
A. Ground Balancing
1. Balance at 100%: Select task T/R BAL. Run the aircraft at 100% RPM and stabilize.
2. Collect Vibration: Collect Tail Rotor vibration (minimum 10 avgs).
3. Adjust Weights: Adjust the rotor using the solution displayed in the Solution
Calculator.
4. Enter Changes: Enter actual weight changes into the Solution Calculator.
5. Repeat: Repeat until the vibration is below .2 in/s.
Bell 47 Tail Rotor

Rotation

Reflective Tape
(behind blade)
TARGET
(360)

LOC C LOC A
(90) (270)

LOC B
(180)

Figure 9

Figure 10
T/R Weight Locations

AN-MV2-B47-6 Copyright 1993-2005, Dynamic Solutions Systems Inc. All Rights Reserved