Carbon Revolution demonstrates light weight helicopter wheel

Automotive one-piece carbon fibre road wheel manufacturer Carbon Revolution has reported the results of virtual validation tests of a light weight wheel designed to fit Australia’s CH-47 Chinook military helicopters.

The company took to social media to report that it had designed a prototype lightweight carbon fibre helicopter wheel (pictured), which was 35 percent lighter than a traditional wheel.

Light weighting aircraft, as for road vehicles, would improve fuel economy, at the same time offering the potential for stronger wheels.

Virtual testing in a Defence Innovation Hub-funded project included finite element analysis (FEA) as well as tests of the wheel’s internal ply architecture.

The next phase of the program will see Carbon Revolution manufacturing prototype wheels for physical testing.

CEO Jake Dingle said on Linkedin that the project demonstrated the lightness and strength of carbon fibre wheels.

Dingle said: “Our concept wheel shows a 35 percent reduction in weight is achievable with potential to achieve a greater reduction.”

The development opens the way for the Geelong, Victoria-based company to expand to the aerospace sector, broadening its potential markets.

There are thousands of Chinooks in service worldwide that could benefit from retrofitting lighter, stronger wheels.

The tandem rotor aircraft was originally designed in 1957 as a heavy lift helicopter, and has been used in numerous conflicts as well as in humanitarian relief missions.

Thirty four Chinooks have seen in Australian service both with the army and air force.

Picture: Carbon Revolution/prototype Chinook wheel (artist’s render)

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