A gas turbine engine includes a fan section, a compressor section, and a turbine section. The fan section has a plurality of vane assemblies spaced circumferentially about an engine axis. The vane assemblies each include an airfoil extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, a control rod extending through the airfoil, and a mechanism driven by the control rod to change the shape of the airfoil. A vane system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.

A gas turbine engine includes a fan section, a compressor section, and a turbine section. The fan section has a plurality of vane assemblies spaced circumferentially about an engine axis. The vane assemblies each include an airfoil extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, a control rod extending through the airfoil, and a mechanism driven by the control rod to change the shape of the airfoil. A vane system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.

The invention relates to a method for controlling the speed and the power of a turbine engine propeller, wherein at least two operating modes are implemented: —one operating mode, called “speed mode”, in which the pitch (β) of the propeller is controlled as a function of the desired propeller speed, while the fuel flow is controlled as a function of the desired torque; the other operating mode, called “β mode”, in which the fuel flow is controlled as a function of the desired propeller speed, the pitch (β) of the propeller being set to a limit angle (βmin) that limits the pitch of the propeller in the two operating modes, the pitch angle (βmin(t)) being continuously computed and updated during a flight on the basis of parameters relating to the flight conditions estimated in real time.

The invention relates to a method for controlling the speed and the power of a turbine engine propeller, wherein at least two operating modes are implemented: —one operating mode, called “speed mode”, in which the pitch (β) of the propeller is controlled as a function of the desired propeller speed, while the fuel flow is controlled as a function of the desired torque; the other operating mode, called “β mode”, in which the fuel flow is controlled as a function of the desired propeller speed, the pitch (β) of the propeller being set to a limit angle (βmin) that limits the pitch of the propeller in the two operating modes, the pitch angle (βmin(t)) being continuously computed and updated during a flight on the basis of parameters relating to the flight conditions estimated in real time.

A fan assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a fan disk, a trunnion, an actuation device, a fan blade, and a counterweight assembly. The trunnion is mounted to the fan disk. The actuation device is operably coupled to the trunnion. The fan blade is rotatably attached to the fan disk. The counterweight assembly includes a link arm, a lever arm, a hinge, and a counterweight. The link arm is connected to the trunnion, to the actuation device, or to both. The link arm is configured to drive rotation of the trunnion relative to the fan disk. The hinge is pivotably connected to the lever arm. The lever arm is connected to the link arm and is disposed to rotate about a connection point of the lever arm and the hinge. The counterweight is mounted to the lever arm at a location spaced from the hinge.

A propeller control unit (PCU) has: a pitch angle actuator; a valve operable to selectively fluidly connect the pitch angle actuator with a source of oil for controlling pitch angles of blades of a propeller and with a drain line for draining oil out of the pitch angle actuator for feathering the blades; and a bypass line having an inlet hydraulically between the valve and an inlet of the drain line, the bypass line having an outlet hydraulically between the inlet of the drain line and an outlet of the drain line.

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.

An electronic controller for an engine and a propeller, a control system and related methods are described herein. The control system comprises the controller having a first channel and a second channel independent from and redundant to the first channel. Each channel comprises a control processor configured to receive first engine and propeller parameters and to output, based on the first engine and propeller parameters, at least one engine control command and at least one propeller control command. Each channel also comprises a protection processor configured to receive second engine and propeller parameters and to output, based on the second engine and propeller parameters, at least one engine protection command and at least one propeller protection command. The control system comprises sensors for measuring the parameters of the engine and/or the propeller and effectors configured to control the engine and the propeller.

An electronic controller for an engine and a propeller, a control system and related methods are described herein. The control system comprises the controller having a first channel and a second channel independent from and redundant to the first channel. Each channel comprises a control processor configured to receive first engine and propeller parameters and to output, based on the first engine and propeller parameters, at least one engine control command and at least one propeller control command. Each channel also comprises a protection processor configured to receive second engine and propeller parameters and to output, based on the second engine and propeller parameters, at least one engine protection command and at least one propeller protection command. The control system comprises sensors for measuring the parameters of the engine and/or the propeller and effectors configured to control the engine and the propeller.

A method (600) for testing control logic for a propeller driven by a gas turbine engine of an aircraft includes overriding (602) a signal indicating the aircraft is operating in a ground mode. The method can further include testing (604) minimum pitch protection logic when the signal is overridden; determining (606) the gas turbine engine is operating at a ground fine setting; restoring (608) the signal to an original state in which the signal indicates the aircraft is operating in the ground mode; modifying (610) pitch protection logic; determining (614) the propeller is operating at an overspeed condition; and testing (616) the propeller overspeed protection logic. In addition, the method can also determine (612) the propeller is operating at a low pitch condition when the gas turbine engine is operating at the ground fine setting.