Flutter Control of a Two-Degrees-of-Freedom Airfoil Using a Nonlinear Tuned Vibration Absorber

The influence of a nonlinear tuned vibration absorber (NLTVA) on the airfoil flutter is investigated. In particular, its effect on the instability threshold and the potential subcriticality of the bifurcation is analyzed. For that purpose, the airfoil is modeled using the classical pitch and plunge aeroelastic model together with a linear approach for the aerodynamic loads. Large amplitude motions of the airfoil are taken into account with nonlinear restoring forces for the pitch and plunge degrees-of-freedom. The two cases of a hardening and a softening spring behavior are investigated. The influence of each NLTVA parameter is studied, and an optimum tuning of these parameters is found. The study reveals the ability of the NLTVA to shift the instability, avoid its possible subcriticality, and reduce the limit cycle oscillations (LCOs) amplitude.