What is a Yaw Damper and how does it work Exactly?

Question

What is the difference between Series & Parallel Yaw Dampers?

Answer 1

A Yaw Damper is used to counter-act Dutch Roll.
Dutch Roll is an inherent characteristic of all swept wing aircraft.
It is noticed by the nose of the aircraft making a constant "figure 8" motion in flight. If unchecked this motion will constantly get larger and more pronounce at higher altitudes and speeds, until the aircraft becomes unstable.
It uses the same servos as autopilot to induce rudder deflection to counter-act this rolling motion.
If the Yaw Damper fails, usually aircraft has to be flown at lower altitudes and slower speeds to be safe.

Answer 2

Yaw Damper

Answer 3

A yaw damper dampens yaw (he he).

It uses accelerometers mounted near the tail to measure how much it is swinging side to side (yaw). It then sends signals to the autopilot which commands the rudder servos to counteract the yaw, keeping the aircraft straight.

The reason an aircraft has a yaw damper is primarily to prevent Dutch Roll, which is an out of phase yawing and rolling motion. For an explanation on Dutch Roll, see the following:

http://www.av8n.com/how/htm/equilib.html#toc187

Since a yaw induces a roll, if you take out the yaw, there is no roll and the plane flies along fat, dumb, and happy.

Answer 4

Yaw Dampers typically use the rudder to minimize yaw caused by turbulence. While in a swept wing aircraft yaw can cause a roll effect, the yaw damper is not explictly trying to minimize this secondary effect.

The damper improves the lateral stability of the aircraft and is usually required to be operational on larger aircraft.

Answer 5

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RE:
What is a Yaw Damper and how does it work Exactly?

Answer 6

Thanks for that question. I am waiting to find out myself. Since yaw is when the front end of an aircraft is swinging side to side I'm guessing it has to be some sort of small movable surface or vane on the outside of the aircraft that is positioned forward in a vertical position. Something like the small vanes seen on the front of the Concorde and the B1 bomber.
I await a more expert answer.