Abstract:
Blade pitch is changed by an actuator that is responsive to the relative rotation of two input members. Blade pitch is not changed when the members are rotated at the same speed. However, blade pitch is changed in one direction when a braking torque is applied to one member, and blade pitch is changed in an opposite direction when a braking torque is applied to the other member.
Abstract:
An arrangement for the adjusting of rotor blades of a propfan turboprop engine equipped with two counter-rotating propfan rotors has a number of double-toothed planet wheels which are fastened in a rotatably disposed web. The web is supported on the side of the housing by planet members disposed on one of the propfan rotors. The two toothings of the planet wheels are in operative connection with ball spindle adjusting rings. Using an adjusting motor, a relative movement of the web can be achieved with respect to the housing, whereby the blades of two counter-rotating rotor blade rings can be swivelled. According to the invention, an adjustment of rotor blades will also be possible when no stationary housing parts are available for the support.
Abstract:
A variable pitch arrangement to enable reverse pitch settings of fan blades to be achieved without the leading and trailing edges of adjacent fan blades abutting each other comprises two sets of fan blades and two sets of actuators. The two sets of fan blades are rotatably mounted on the fan rotor, and arranged circumferentially on the fan rotor. The blades in the first set of fan blades are arranged alternately circumferentially with the blades in the second set of fan blades. There are equal numbers of blades in each set of fan blades. The two sets of actuators act independently of each other on the two sets of fan blades such that the pitch of the blades in the first set and the pitch of the blades in the second set are varied in a phased relation to prevent fouling of the blades. Initially one set of blades varies pitch quickly while the other set of blades varies pitch slowly, and then the first set of blades varies pitch slowly while the other set of blades varies pitch quickly.
Abstract:
A mechanical pitch lock includes a pitch lock screw (60) that simultaneously rotates within an actuator (42) while the actuator moves to change the pitch of a propeller blade (16). While rotating simultaneously with the motion of the pitch actuator, the pitch lock screw maintains a longitudinal position allowing the actuator to move. If the pitch lock screw does not rotate simultaneously with the actuator, the pitch lock screw moves longitudinally with the actuator until it abuts a projection 66 thereby preventing further movement by the actuator.
Abstract:
An apparatus for varying the pitch of propulsor blades of a gas-turbine engine by eccentrically driven gears. A first gear is coaxially coupled to one of the propulsor blades whereby angular displacement of the first gear with respect to an engine center-line causes angular displacement of the propulsor blade. A second gear is rotatably coupled to the first gear with one of the first gear and second gear being a first internal gear and the other being a first mating gear. The first internal gear is eccentrically disposed with respect to the first mating gear and has more teeth than does the first mating gear. A third gear is rigidly coupled to the second gear. A fourth gear is rigidly coupled to a rotating structure of the engine and rotatably coupled to the third gear with one of the third gear and fourth gear being a second internal gear and the other being a second mating gear. The second internal gear is eccentrically disposed with respect to the second mating gear. The blade pitch mechanism also includes a mechanism for eccentrically revolving the second and third gears with respect to the first and fourth gears respectively, whereby the first gear is angularly displaced with respect to the fourth gear.
Abstract:
A pitch control mechanism for propellers uses an elongated flat strip twisted into a helicoidal. The helicoidal is longitudinally slidable within a hollow propeller shaft. A cup-shaped cylindrical control ring coaxially mounted with respect to the front transverse surface of the propeller shaft is supported by an inner bearing ring permitting both longitudinal and rotational movement of the control ring relative to the propeller shaft. The control ring has a rectangular slot in its disc-shaped front face which fits conformally over the transverse cross section of the helicoidal. Longitudinal motion of the helicoidal therefore causes rotation of the control ring. Propeller blades are fastened to support rods terminating in downward extending, bifurcated fork-like support structures. The front tine of each fork is rotatably supported in a radial hole in the control ring, while the rear tine is rotatably supported by an axial hole in the propeller shaft. Rotation of the control ring relative to the propeller shaft causes rotation of each propeller blade support rod about its own axis, effecting uniform change in pitch of each propeller blade.
Abstract:
A propeller module for an aero gas turbine engine comprises two contra-rotating propellers driven by a reduction gearbox positioned axially between the propellers.Pitch change mechanisms operated by a pitch change power unit are provided to change the pitch of the propeller blades. The pitch change power unit is positioned in the hub of the second multi-bladed propeller and is remote from the first multi-bladed propeller. The first and second pitch change mechanisms are mounted on the reduction gearbox. The first pitch change mechanism comprises first pitch change gears which are rotatably mounted on a carrier of the reduction gearbox by spindles which extend axially through planet gears of the gearbox. The second pitch change mechanism comprises second pitch change gears rotatably mounted on the carrier.
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling pitch variations of the blades of a propeller. A first planetary gearset includes a sun gear, a ring gear and at least one planetary gear meshed with the sun and ring gears, the sun gear being statically grounded. A second planetary gearset is stacked in concentric juxtaposition with the first planetary gearset and includes a sun gear, a ring gear and at least one planetary gear meshed with the sun and ring gears. The planetary gears of the respective gear sets are coupled for conjoint orbiting about their respective sun gears. A main rotor drive input is coupled to the ring gear of the second planetary gearset. A blade actuator output is coupled to the ring gear of the first planetary gearset to be rotated thereby. A selectively operable differential drive input is coupled to the sun gear of the second planetary gearset, whereby inoperation of the differential drive input effectively grounds the sun gear and permits the main rotor drive input and the blade actuator output to rotate at the same speed. Selective operation of the differential drive input to rotate the sun gear of the second planetary gearset effects a differential speed between the rotor drive input and the blade actuator output.
Abstract:
A pitch-change apparatus for a ducted thrust fan having a plurality of variable pitch blades employs a rotatable ring bearing a plurality of camming members, and each of the plurality of blades is connected with a pitch-change horn engaged by one of the camming members. The ring and camming members rotate coaxially about a hub axis with the blades and rotate about the hub axis relative to the blades to collectively change blade pitch. The rotatable ring, the camming members and the pitch-change horns develop a variable mechanical advantage, and the pitch horns are connected with their respective blades so that the minimum mechanical advantage corresponds with the low-load, feathered pitch position of the blades and greater mechanical advantages correspond with the higher load, forward and reverse pitch positions of the blades.
Abstract:
A turbofan engine is provided with an actuator for varying the fan pitch angle by rotating individual fan blades within apertures in an associated fan disc. The actuator includes a shaft, a sleeve circumscribing the shaft, and a casing receiving both the shaft and the sleeve. Means between the casing and the blade shank rotate the blade (to change its pitch) in response to relative rotation between the casing and the shaft. In order to lock the fan blades in selected pitches between pitch changes, a pitch lock is provided which utilizes a locking piston and a thrust collar cooperating respectively with the casing and the shaft and incorporating interlocking releasable teeth. The locking piston is biased by spring means into a locking relationship with the thrust collar so that if pressure is lost in a main actuating cylinder (within which both the locking piston and an actuator piston are disposed), a fail-safe pitch locked status is assumed by the fan. In order to sense the pitch angle, means are provided for reading the axial position of the actuator piston and, hence, the pitch angle of the fan at any given instant.