Dynamics analysis and multi-objective optimization for a dry friction damper

Abstract

This paper presents the optimal design of a dry friction damper for a helicopter tail-rotor driveline, focusing on achieving superior vibration suppression around the first critical speed and enhanced component reliability. The optimization is driven by efficient fitness value calculations and response-based assessments of component wear. A detailed model is developed for the damper featuring a double-layer stator with dual rub-impacts, capturing complex interactions through derived semi-analytical solutions that enable precise and efficient dynamic response analysis. To assess durability, a novel wear metric is proposed, based on solution stability and differentiation of rub-impact patterns. Simulations are conducted to analyze multi-stage damping effects, dual rub-impact response characteristics, and parameter influences on these responses. Using a multi-objective optimization framework that incorporates both the semi-analytical solutions and wear metric, Pareto optimal solutions are generated through two metaheuristic algorithms, identifying distinct parameter regions to guide the development of two optimized damper configurations. These parameter recommendations are implemented through targeted adjustments and structural optimization, resulting in dampers that demonstrate significant improvements in both damping performance and wear reduction.