What is a yaw damper on an aeroplane and how does it work?

Question

What is a yaw damper on an aeroplane and how does it work?

Answer 1

A yaw damper is a device used on many aircraft (usually jets and turboprops) and railway vehicles to damp (reduce) the rolling and yawing oscillations due to Dutch roll mode. It involves yaw rate sensors and a processor that provides a signal to an actuator connected to the rudder. The use of the yaw damper helps to provide a better ride for passengers, and on some aircraft is a required piece of equipment to ensure that the aircraft stability remains within certification values.

Answer 2

I don't see the connection to Dutch roll,  most people don't even know what Dutch roll is...   yaw damper is simply to smooth out the ride for the passengers by *attempting* to dampen the yawing of the tail of the airplane which can make for an unpleasant ride for those individuals seated in the rear.

As to where it is located and what it is connected through... that is distinctive to every application... i.e. each airplane is different. There are aircraft that have a yaw damper required... and if it is inop, it is a grounding item. I can't for the life of me remember what airplane that was... but it struck me at the time that if it needed a yaw damper THAT badly... something was wrong with the design.  As to "no feedback through the rudder pedals" that is just flat out wrong on the airplanes I have flown. The entire system is connected.. and just because a motor/servo unit is inputting to the rudder doesn't mean my pedals are suddenly out of the loop.  It is actually quite annoying to have your feel near the pedals and feel the yaw damper moving them. There may be some aircraft out there that do not move the pedals when the yaw damper is activated... but I have not seen them. Furthermore, that was one of the self test items during your pre-start checklist was to confirm that the yaw damper was online by SEEING the rudder pedals move.

Sometimes they work great, sometimes they are lousy. Many many times I have turned the d**n thing off because it was jerking the people around in the back more than the turbulence was. The principle is simple enough.. if someone standing next to you started to push on your shoulder, you would instinctively push back to maintain your balance and stability. That is what the yaw damper does, it applies rudder to counter movement and stabilize the aircraft in the bumps.

Answer 3

yep, keeps the pointy end pointing straight ahead. nice flying with your feet flat on the floor.

Answer 4

Romeo has cracked it for you, basically its to maintain stability to ensure a smooth ride.

Answer 5

yaw damper prevents unncessary a/c yawing or prevents dutch roll, these conditions are prevented to avoid making passengers sea sick(puke, vomit). Yaw dampers are controlled by aircraft flight control computers.

Answer 6

The Yaw Damper System provides airplane stabilization about the yaw axis. The Yaw Damper minimizes dutch roll during flight by providing rudder displacement proportional to, and opposing, the yaw rate of the airplane

The Yaw Damper System is engaged by a switch on the flight control module through the AFC accessory unit (or IFSAU). When the system is engaged, a rate gyro in the coupler senses yaw rate of the airplane. The yaw rate signal is processed to generate a command to the rudder power control unit which moves the rudder. The signal is translated from electrical to mechanical in the rudder power control unit by a transfer valve. Position feedback is accomplished by an LVDT. A position indicator in the flight compartment indicates rudder movement due to yaw damper inputs. There is no feedback to the rudder pedals since a series hydraulic actuator is used in the power control unit