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Message about IMU sensor Z axis

Posted by Mesihukka 
Message about IMU sensor Z axis
June 03, 2019 06:27AM
What does IMU Sensor Z axis hangs and released means? A friend of mine got this message on the log mid flight.


RV
Re: Message about IMU sensor Z axis
June 03, 2019 07:28AM
Hello,

this is a issue based on some helicopters (especially TDR2 with a very stiff frame) and thier microvibrations. They can't be monitored - and can't be dampened in a known way.

We have tested this effect extensively on a TDR2 - and it was nothing that could be solved permanantely (i talk about 200 flights in each variation, i have a local buddy here who did all the extensive testing on this heli) when using another NEO, dampening or mounting position. It resists with the heli and its mechanical things like gear, bearings, motor, stiffnes of the frame, tail drive, dampenings etc.

So - unfortunately we can't do anything to solve the initial trigger effect, just watch the sensor and if it hangs - give a message. The 15g z-axis sensor is driven to its end due those microvibs and stucks there. It could possibly also release again in next flight or ground handling as it is mechanical.

So - what we do - and why we can (and others not):

We have 9 sensors inside the NEO - 3 rate sensors as for all VBars already for flight control, then 3 accelerometers with 15g range, then 3 accelerometers with 200g range.

The 15g accelerometers have a factory calibration and are used during power up to calibrate the 200g ones which have no factory calibration. Both sets are used in flight to align the "virtual rescue model" together with the rate sensors (they are mainly used but have always a bit drift) from time to time when flying will permit this.

Now - knowing that a heli has some vibrations in flight - we measured them and found that even a Logo with plastic frame has 13g, a 600 nitro has 43g, a gasser up to 85g vibrations. So we have the 200g sensors in use in flight and fade over to them when the heli starts as the 15g were at the end of their measuring range.

So - if the high range sensors are once calibrated during power up - the rescue is safe.

And here we started to work. We added a "standard initialization" to the rescue panel which gives us the possibility to decide on power up based on a hanging 15g z-Axis sensor. If it hangs - we calculate the z-Value out of x and y (which is very close to a measured result, no noticeable difference in flight when using rescue) - and calibrate the 200g with this result. The swash will bump 3 times then as info for the pilot. If it does not hang - it will do the usual init and bumps 1 time as known.

The only disadvantage now is - you can't turn on the heli more than 45 deg (!!!) off from its "skids down" levelled position - but this won't care 99,999999% of all pilots as we think.

So - using this initilization all is working and no reason for warranty claim or repair - it would possibly shift, but not solve the initial problem.

regards (EN) / Gruss (DE)

Rainer Vetter

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Re: Message about IMU sensor Z axis
June 03, 2019 09:55AM
Hi,

Thanks for the response. Could you briefly explain what "sensor hanging" means? I'm not really familiar with the term/concept.

And just to recap (and to make sure I understood this correctly)

- The reason for the message is vibration in a heli with a very rigid frame
- The only impact is that the heli can't be upside down when the power is turned on
- Otherwise there should be no ill effects on flight performance?
Re: Message about IMU sensor Z axis
June 03, 2019 12:49PM
Hi,

hanging is a misleading translation, sticking would be more appropriate: the sensor elements are micro-mechanics, like the hand on a gauge.
It can indeed stick mechanically at high deflections and adverse vibration at the same time.

And right, if you set to Standard initialization, all is safe.

Case A, all sensors good, normal Init (like Precision initialization), single collective pitch twitch
Case B, z-axis hangs (or sticks), alternative Init using the remaining 5 sensor elements, a mathematical solution, and the assumption "up is up"—and no need for the model to stand exactly upright, we can still initialize the horizon properly

To notify you that B is in effect, there is the triple collective pitch twitch, as a reminder that the helicopter should stand on it's skids, not at an angle or upside down, else the assumption "up is up" would be a wrong one.

Kind regards

Eddi

Born to fly ...
forced to work.
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