Patent · US Expired

Helicoidal propeller pitch control mechanism

US4704067A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 16, 1986
Grant dateNov 3, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 16, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64C11/32
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.