Hartzell Propeller Inc.

Trw Limited

Earl W Jones

Donald C Stackhouse

Loy D Pace

Dennis S Zimpfer

Darold L Neff

An aircraft propeller has adjustable pitch blades which are reset from a low pitch in-flight idle position to a lower pitch ground idle position by a beta feedback and reset mechanism. The reset mechanism includes a set of cam elements supported for movement in response to rotation of the blades and positioned to engage a follower plate adjustably mounted on the beta feedback control rods.

Aircraft propeller assembly with blade pitch reset for ground idle

A propeller hub supports a plurality of adjustable pitch propeller blades which are rotated by a hydraulic cylinder and control system between a feather position and a reverse position through low and high pitch positions. The reverse pitch position is precisely set by axially adjusting a tubular sleeve threadably connected to the hydraulic cylinder and having an inner end surface forming a stop for the piston within the cylinder. The feather position is precisely set by axially adjusting lock nuts mounted on a threaded end portion of the piston rod projecting forwardly beyond the forward end of the sleeve. The hub also encloses feedback control rods which carry externally adjustable nuts providing for pilot control of the blade pitch into the reverse position.

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Piqua, OH, United States of America

Earl W Jones