Patent classifications
B64C11/385
PROPELLER ASSEMBLY AND PITCH CONTROL UNIT
A variable pitch propeller assembly operatively coupled with an engine and methods for controlling the pitch of a plurality of propeller blades thereof is provided. In one example aspect, the variable pitch propeller assembly includes features for combining overspeed, feathering, and reverse functionality in a single secondary control valve. The secondary control valve is operable to selectively allow a controlled amount of hydraulic fluid to flow to or from a pitch actuation assembly such that the pitch of the propeller blades can be adjusted to operate the variable pitch propeller assembly in one of a constant speed mode, a feather mode, and a reverse mode.
DUAL ACTUATOR HYDRAULIC PITCH-LOCK PROPELLER SYSTEM
A system is provided. The system includes a dual piston actuator and valves. The dual piston actuator includes a primary actuator and a protection actuator. The primary and protection actuators move to increase and decrease a pitch of propellers of an aircraft with respect to a supply of first and second mediums. The valves include a first check valve, a second check valve, and a third valve. The third valve operates between a first mode and a protection mode. The second medium is directed to the primary and protection actuators through the first and second check valves by the third valve when the third valve is operating in a protection mode.
Turbomachine module comprising a rotor supporting pitchable blades
A turbomachine module includes a rotor supporting variable pitch blades, and an inner annular shaft, a blade pitch control device, a device for feathering at least one blade comprising at least one gas generator placed between a body and a movable member. The control device and the feathering device are situated radially between the shaft and the blades, the movable member is coupled with the at least one blade and capable, under the action of the gas generated and/or released by the generator, of being moved into a reference position wherein it entails a feathered position to the at least one blade.
Method of controlling a propeller with two-position solenoid
A method for controlling an aircraft propeller is provided that comprises obtaining a measurement of a speed of the propeller, comparing the propeller speed to a first threshold, responsive to determining that the propeller speed exceeds the speed threshold, outputting a valve control signal for opening a two-position solenoid valve coupled to the propeller, the two-position solenoid valve configured for controlling fluid flow to and from the propeller to control propeller blade angle, computing a rate of change of the propeller speed, comparing the rate of change of the propeller speed to a second threshold, and responsive to determining that the rate of change of the propeller speed is below the second threshold, outputting the valve control signal for closing the two-position solenoid valve. A system for controlling an aircraft propeller and an aircraft propeller control assembly are also provided.
Spring-loaded link
An exemplary spring-loaded link for an aircraft including a spring interposed between a first and a second rod, the spring, when compressed, urging the first rod and the second rod away from each other.
Fan module with variable pitch blades
Fan module with variable-pitch blades for a propulsion system that includes: a rotor supporting the blades, and including an internal shaft and an external shroud, defining between them a space; a pitch control device (22) of the blades that includes a load transfer bearing; a feathering device of the blades; said feathering device includes at least one lever that is articulated around a fixed axis (A) in relation to the rotor, where said lever features a first end located outside said space and a second end located inside said space, and where a flyweight is fastened to the first end and the second end is coupled to said bearing.
System and method for feathering an aircraft propeller
A system and method for feathering an aircraft propeller are provided. A first feather solenoid and a second feather solenoid each comprising at least one solenoid coil and a solenoid valve coupled to the actuator and to the at least one solenoid coil are provided. At least one controller is configured to selectively energize and de-energize the at least one solenoid coil. The solenoid valve of the first feather solenoid is configured to be activated when the at least one solenoid coil of the first feather solenoid is energized and the solenoid valve of the second feather solenoid is configured to be activated when the at least one solenoid coil of the second feather solenoid is de-energized. The solenoid valve is configured to, when activated, modulate the supply of hydraulic fluid to an actuator for adjusting a blade pitch of the propeller towards a feather position.
TURBOMACHINE MODULE FOR A VARIABLE PITCH BLADE PROPELLER AND TURBOMACHINE COMPRISING IT
A turbomachine module with a longitudinal axis, the module comprising: a rotary casing rotatable around the longitudinal axis and arranged to carry a propeller provided with a plurality of blades; a system for changing the pitch of the blades of the propeller comprising: a control, and a mechanism for varying the pitch of the blades of the propeller connecting these blades to the control, wherein the control comprises a rotary actuator comprising a control body and a reference body which is integral with the rotary casing, and wherein the mechanism for varying the pitch comprises a synchronization ring which is driven in rotation around the longitudinal axis by the control body and which is guided in rotation on the rotary casing, the synchronization ring being connected to the blades.
Rotor brake
A brake unit comprises said rotor disc rotatable about a central axis of rotation and a first brake pad mounting element having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal outer, side, surface extending there between, wherein a first brake pad is provided at said first end of said first brake pad mounting element and positioned facing a first face of said rotor disc. The first brake pad mounting element comprises a first locking feature provided on its outer, side, surface. The brake unit further comprises first locking element that pivots about pivot and that is movable about said pivot axis so that a locking feature of said locking element can come into contact with, or be moved away from said outer, side, surface of said first brake pad mounting element.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROPELLER RESPONSE ENHANCEMENT DURING TRANSITION FROM GROUND TO FLIGHT CONFIGURATION FOR A TURBOPROPELLER ENGINE
An electronic control system (35) for a turbopropeller engine (2) having a gas turbine (20) and a propeller assembly (3) coupled to the gas turbine (20), the control system (35) implementing a propeller control unit (PEC) to control propeller operation based on a pilot input request, via generation of a driving quantity (I.sub.p) for an actuation assembly (29) designed to adjust a pitch angle () of propeller blades (10). The control unit engages a mechanical lock determining a minimum flight value for the pitch angle during a flight operating mode, and disengages the mechanical lock and controls the pitch angle below the minimum flight value, up to a minimum ground value lower than the minimum flight value, during a ground operating mode; the propeller control unit, during a transition from the ground operating mode to the flight operating mode, engages the mechanical lock, thereby causing an increase of the pitch angle towards the minimum flight value independently from the control action. In particular, the control unit anticipates the increase of the pitch angle in a time period (T) before the mechanical lock engagement due to transition from the ground operating mode to the flight operating mode.