Equations of motion for a rotor blade, including gravity, pitch action and rotor speed variations

This paper extends Hodges-Dowell's partial differential equations of blade motion, by including the effects from gravity, pitch action and varying rotor speed. New equations describing the pitch action and rotor speeds are also derived. The physical interpretation of the individual terms in the equations is discussed.

The partial differential equations of motion are approximated by ordinary differential equations of motion using an assumed mode method. The ordinary differential equations are used to simulate a sudden pitch change of a rotating blade. This work is a part of a project on pitch blade interaction, and the model will be extended to include an aerodynamic model and be used for analysis of basic properties of pitch blade interaction.