Method and system for integrated pitch control mechanism actuator hydraulic fluid transfer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11221017-B2
Application number	US-201916532905-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 6, 2019
Priority date	Feb 12, 2016
Publication date	Jan 11, 2022
Grant date	Jan 11, 2022

Abstract

The variable pitch propeller assembly includes a hub. The variable pitch propeller assembly also includes a plurality of propeller blade assemblies spaced circumferentially about the hub. Each of the plurality of propeller blade assemblies configured to rotate a respective propeller blade. The variable pitch propeller assembly also includes a hydraulic fluid port assembly integrally formed and including at least three hydraulic fluid ports configured to receive respective flows of hydraulic fluid from a stationary hydraulic fluid transfer sleeve. The variable pitch propeller assembly also includes a pitch actuator assembly coupled in flow communication with at least three hydraulic fluid ports through respective hydraulic fluid transfer tubes. The pitch actuator coupled to the plurality of propeller blade assemblies to selectively control a pitch of the propeller blades. The pitch actuator assembly includes a travel stop configured to limit a rotation of at least one of the pitch actuator assemblies.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of operating a variable pitch fan selectively controlled using an integrated pitch control mechanism (PCM) actuator assembly, the PCM actuator assembly including a stationary to rotary fluid transfer assembly and a PCM actuator assembly formed as an integral device, said method comprising:
channeling a plurality of flows of hydraulic fluid between a source of modulated hydraulic fluid and a stationary transfer member of the stationary to rotary fluid transfer assembly;
directing the plurality of flows of hydraulic fluid across a gap between the stationary transfer member and a rotatable transfer member of the stationary to rotary fluid transfer assembly;
channeling the plurality of flows of hydraulic fluid to an actuation cavity of the PCM actuator assembly; and
selectively moving an actuation member of the PCM actuator assembly based on relative pressures of the plurality of flows of hydraulic fluid.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein directing the plurality of flows of hydraulic fluid across a gap between the stationary transfer member and a rotatable transfer member comprises directing at least three flows of hydraulic fluid across the gap.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the at least three flows includes an increase pitch flow, a decrease pitch flow, and a drain.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said PCM actuator assembly is coupled to a plurality of propeller blade assemblies to selectively control a pitch of the propeller blades assemblies.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said PCM actuator assembly comprises a travel stop configured to limit a rotation of at least one of said PCM actuator assembly or said plurality of propeller blade assemblies.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein selectively moving an actuation member of the PCM actuator assembly based on relative pressures of the plurality of flows of hydraulic fluid comprises selectively moving a linear actuation member configured to translate an axial movement driven by at least one of said hydraulic fluid flows into a rotation of a fan blade about a pitch axis of rotation.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein selectively moving an actuation member of the PCM actuator assembly based on relative pressures of the plurality of flows of hydraulic fluid comprises selectively moving a rotary actuation member configured to translate a circumferential movement driven by at least one of said hydraulic fluid flows into a rotation of a fan blade about a pitch axis of rotation.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Niergarth Daniel Alan
• Zatorski Darek Tomasz
• Kroger Christopher James

Classifications

• B64C11/38 Primary

  fluid, e.g. hydraulic · CPC title

• F04D29/325 Primary

  for axial flow fans (blade mountings F04D29/34, blades F04D29/38) · CPC title

• Y02T50/60

  Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft · CPC title

• F04D29/384

  characterised by form · CPC title

• F04D29/362

  during rotation · CPC title