News

The portable set of equipment for testing the modal properties of helicopter blades in field conditions.

Testing of the portable vibration diagnostic system for TV3-114 engines, VR-14 gearbox and transmission of Mi8 MTV/Mi-8AMT helicopters.

Development and manufacture of a prototype of a collapsible rig for testing the modal properties of helicopter blades.

Installation and performance testing of the TV2-117 engine gearbox test stand.

Modernization of the test rig for aerodynamic unevenness study of compressor blades of the TV2-117 engine.

Participation in the preparation and testing of an experimental setup for studying the ingress of foreign objects into the inlet of a running TV2-117 engine.

The production of a combined vibration test rig for the Ka-26 helicopter has been completed.

Modernization and performance testing of a test bench for planetary gearboxes.

Modernization of the stand for studying the unevenness of gas flow behind the combustion chamber of the TV2-117 engine.

The works on assembling and testing of a multi-channel hardware and software system for automatic measurement of operating helicopter power plant sensor signals.

The operator of An-26 aircraft whose engine was found to have a bearing failure (October 2019) confirmed that it had failed, leading to the rotor seizing.

Modernization has been completed with upgrading the Ka-26 helicopter's power plant components and assemblies to conduct research on the application of vibration diagnostics methods.

In collaboration with cargo air company the pilot application of the Vibropassport™ technology was arranged for bearing diagnosing of AI-24 engines at aircrafts An-26. Our aviation engineers diagnosed deterioration of the turbine bearing of one of tested engines. A more detailed inspection of the engine was recommended to the operator to prevent a possible failure.

In cooperation with D un D centrs, work was carried out on the practical application of the vibration diagnostics system on the TV3-117 engine test bench.

Work has been completed on setting up the test rig based on the TV2-117 helicopter engine with electric drive for gas generator and power turbine.

Research conclusion

ARC together with D un D Centrs has finished research of aircraft engine components dynamic properties for engines vibrodiagnostic technology and complex demonstrator development. The goal was to increase flight safety and aircraft operation effectivity, as well as maintenance cost reduction. This research is a part of a Smart engineering system, transport and energy ICC project.

The result is an aviation engine vibrodiagnostics technology prototype as part of Vibropassport™ concept. The prototype is demonstrated on the aviation engine testing rig in operation mode. Scientific results can be found in the following papers:

• A.Mironov, P.Doronkin, A.Priklonsky, I.Kabashkin, The Role of Advanced Technologies of Vibration Diagnostics to Provide Efficiency of Helicopter Life Cycle, Procedia Engineering, Proc. of the 16th Int. Conference “Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication” (RelStat 2016), 2016, Riga, Latvia.
• A.Mironov, P.Doronkin, A.Priklonsky, V.Badekha, Advanced Vibration Diagnostic Techniques for Overhaul Costs Saving of Helicopter Engines, 42nd European Rotorcraft Forum, Lille, France, 2016.
• Mironov A., Doronkin P., Priklonsky A. (2018) Advanced Vibration Diagnostics for Perspectives of Helicopter Technical Maintenance. In: Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication. RelStat 2017. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 36. Springer, pp. 137-149.

ARC accreditation

Latvian National Accreditation Office has issued Aviation Research Center credentials of conformity to LVS EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories” and other applicable documents requirements in the field of aircrafts and aviation machinery aggregates and components mechanical testing using vibration and other dynamic parameters measurements.

Composite blades testing technique

New composite blades testing technique was developed aiming to mechanical properties identification and characterization in manufactural and industrial application. We plan to offer the new techniques for composite blades condition monitoring in operation. This technique can be used not only in aviation, but also in energy field for wind turbines and in other fields.

Tail rotor balancing system

ARC has developed a helicopter tail rotor dynamic balancing technology for an industrial client from Latvia. In result of projects implementation, we have supplied to the customer a workable system for tail rotor balancing made on the grounds of our facilities.

Aviation Research Center has announced a call for tenders

Within the contract for European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) project Nr. 2012/0009/2DP/2.1.1.3.1./11/APIA/VIAA/032 - “Advanced aviation diagnostics technologies” realization Aviation Research Center in October 2013 has repeatedly announced a call for tenders on buildings construction in accordance with technical project. Tenders offers term is 11.11.2013.

Aviation Research Center has received ERDF funding

Within the contract for European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) project Nr. 2012/0009/2DP/2.1.1.3.1./11/APIA/VIAA/032 - “Advanced aviation diagnostics technologies” realization Aviation Research Center in May 2013 has received the remaining testing rigs: technical maintenance and diagnostics procedures development laboratory, based on aircraft virtual model; turboprop engine experimental research and vibration modeling complex. For delivery of these rigs, a payment request was prepared and in June of 2013 the second payment of 432 163.17 LVL was received from European Union funding.

Aviation Research Center has prolonged the contract with VIAA

On 29 of May 2012 Aviation Research Center has concluded a contract with State Education Development Agency (VIAA, Lat.) to realize European Regional Development Funds(ERDF) project Nr. 2012/0009/2DP/2.1.1.3.1./11/APIA/VIAA/032 - “Advanced aviation diagnostics technologies”. In March 2013 ARC and VIAA came to an agreement and prolonged terms of the project realization until 31 December 2013.

Aviation Research Center has received ERDF funding

On 29 of May 2012 Aviation Research Center has concluded a contract with State Education Development Agency (VIAA, Lat.) to realize European Regional Development Funds(ERDF) project Nr. 2012/0009/2DP/2.1.1.3.1./11/APIA/VIAA/032 - “Advanced aviation diagnostics technologies”. In November 2012 ARC received helicopters drive train monitoring technologies research and testing rig, as well as experimental laboratory for virtual reality models design for aviation equipment diagnostics and maintenance. In December 2012, after the delivery of the system, a payment request was prepared and in end of 2012 the second payment of 524 488.36 LVL was received from European Union funding.

Aviation Research Center has received ERDF funding

On 29 of May 2012 Aviation Research Center has concluded a contract with State Education Development Agency (VIAA, Lat.) to realize European Regional Development Funds(ERDF) project Nr. 2012/0009/2DP/2.1.1.3.1./11/APIA/VIAA/032 - “Advanced aviation diagnostics technologies”. In July 2012 ARC has received 2 testing rigs – main rotor hub and blade modal testing and research system, as well as working machinery bearings condition monitoring methods work-out and research system. In August 2012 a payment request was prepared and in September the first payment of 168 698.96 LVL was received from European Union funding.

Aviation Research Center has requested first payment.

On 29 of May 2012 Aviation Research Center has concluded a contract with State Education Development Agency (VIAA, Lat.) to realize European Regional Development Funds(ERDF) project Nr. 2012/0009/2DP/2.1.1.3.1./11/APIA/VIAA/032 - “Advanced aviation diagnostics technologies”. On August 3 2012 ARC has put in documentation about the progress for the reporting period (27.04.2012 – 31.07.2012) and a request in VIAA for payment of total 240 998.52 LVL, 168 698.96 LVL from which are requested from the European Union funding. During this period 2 testing rigs were delivered - main rotor hub and blade modal testing and research system, as well as working machinery bearings condition monitoring methods work-out and research system.

Aviation Research Center has made a contract with VIAA

On 29 of May 2012 Aviation Research Center has concluded a contract with State Education Development Agency (VIAA, Lat.) to realize European Regional Development Funds(ERDF) project Nr. 2012/0009/2DP/2.1.1.3.1./11/APIA/VIAA/032 - “Advanced aviation diagnostics technologies”.