DYNAMIC COMPENSATION AND FORCE CALIBRATION TECHNIQUES FOR A STATIC AND DYNAMIC THRUST MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

An electrodynamic actuator and a solenoid-driven impact device were used separately for dynamic force excitation of an experimental thrust stand. Electronic compensation techniques were used to eliminate load cell signal distortions caused by the dynamic-force-induced transient response characteristics of the thrust stand structure. It was determined that proper compensation circuit adjustments could be made when using either the electronically and mechanically simple impact device or the more complex actuator. For the conditions of this particular study, identical dynamic force measurement accuracies wer e possible following either of two procedures, (1) dynamic time domain force calibration with the electrodynamic actuator or (2) dynamic compensation adjustments with dynamic force excitation furnished by the impact device followed by a static deadweight force calibration. Prepared in cooperation with ARO, Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn.