Prototype test stand for testing insolated rotor systems

The article discusses assumptions for a prototype test stand designed for testing rotors in the conditions of work at their nominal speed, in particular gyrocopter and helicopter rotors. In the work presents an overview of similar solutions of test stand presented in the available literature and solutions proposed by companies, such as Swangate International or Luftfahrttechnik GmbH. Beyond these solutions the article also contains test stand used so far at the Institute of Aviation, these solutions were prepared for testing one type of rotor (for example: only for gyroplane rotors). The article provides the steps of designing a new test stand, which one of the basic assumptions is that it will be a universal test stand, giving the possibility to test different types of rotors. The article discusses two concepts of the stand with electric engine as a drive, gives the advantages and disadvantages of each concept, and indicates the selected solution. In addition to design and applied drive solution of the stand, the measuring part and data acquisition were also discussed. Moreover, the article focus on the advantages of rotor testing using the presented solution, as well as problems encountered during tests, in particular related to construction free vibrations and resonance. Vibration and resonance of the test stand are very important aspect of the entire design process, because it affects the quality and safety of the tests.