Reduction of Dynamic Response of a Wind Tunnel Sting Mount Using a Hub Damper Unit

This paper presents the design and prototype testing of a hub damper unit for reducing the dynamic response of a wind tunnel sting mount by adding passive damping. Several configurations for the hub damper were examined analytically before choosing the best performing design for prototype hardware development and testing. Fixed base laboratory testing showed that significant damping could be added to the sting mount with the hub damper. Subsequent testing of the hub damper in a wind tunnel confirms enhanced dynamic performance in an operational environment. Limitations in the wind tunnel test setup, however, led this enhanced performance to be less than might have been expected from the fixed base testing.