Hub assembly having a pitch lock system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12480414-B2
Application number	US-202318456817-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 28, 2023
Priority date	Jan 13, 2023
Publication date	Nov 25, 2025
Grant date	Nov 25, 2025

Abstract

A pitch lock system including an outer member having a centerline axis, an inner member located radially inward of the outer member with respect to the centerline axis, and a plurality of clutch elements located between the outer member and the inner member. The pitch lock system has a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the engaged position, the plurality of clutch elements are constrained between the inner member and the outer member such that relative axial direction of the plurality of clutch elements is permitted in only one direction. An engine includes a pitch actuator and the pitch lock system.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A hub assembly comprising:
a hydraulic pitch actuator configured to move in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction; a pitch lock system for preventing the hydraulic pitch actuator from moving in the first direction or the second direction, the pitch lock system comprising:
an outer member having a centerline axis;
an inner member located radially inward of the outer member with respect to the centerline axis;
a plurality of clutch plates located between the outer member and the inner member; and
wherein the pitch lock system has a disengaged position and an engaged position, and, in the engaged position, the relative axial direction of the plurality of clutch plates is permitted in only one direction and the inner member is forced radially inwards to prevent movement of the hydraulic pitch actuator in the first direction or the second direction.

2 . The hub assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the plurality of clutch plates to the engaged position.

3 . The hub assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an on/off chamber that is pressurized in the disengaged position and depressurized in the engaged position.

4 . The hub assembly of claim 1 , wherein, in the disengaged position, the pitch lock system allows movement of the hydraulic pitch actuator in an aft direction and in a forward direction.

5 . The hub assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a gap in the pitch lock system, wherein the gap is open in the disengaged position and closed in the engaged position.

6 . The hub assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a gap between the inner member and the hydraulic pitch actuator, wherein the gap is open in the disengaged position and closed in the engaged position.

7 . The hub assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of clutch plates is at an angle with respect to an axis normal to the centerline axis.

8 . The hub assembly of claim 7 , wherein the angle is greater in the disengaged position than in the engaged position.

9 . A turbine engine comprising:
a core engine including a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section in a serial flow relationship; a hub assembly comprising:
a hydraulic pitch actuator configured to move in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction; and
a pitch lock system for preventing the hydraulic pitch actuator from moving in the first direction or the second direction, the pitch lock system including:
an outer member having a centerline axis;
an inner member located radially inward of the outer member with respect to the centerline axis;
a plurality of clutch plates located between the outer member and the inner member; and
wherein, the pitch lock system has a disengaged position and an engaged position, and, in the engaged position, the relative axial direction of the plurality of clutch plates is permitted in only one direction such that the inner member is forced radially inwards to prevent movement of the hydraulic pitch actuator in the first direction or the second direction.

10 . The turbine engine of claim 9 , further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the plurality of clutch plates to the engaged position.

11 . The turbine engine of claim 9 , further comprising an on/off chamber that is pressurized in the disengaged position and depressurized in the engaged position.

12 . The turbine engine of claim 9 , wherein, in the disengaged position, the pitch lock system allows movement of the hydraulic pitch actuator in an aft direction and in a forward direction.

13 . The turbine engine of claim 9 , further comprising a gap in the pitch lock system, wherein the gap is open in the disengaged position and closed in the engaged position.

14 . The turbine engine of claim 13 , wherein the hydraulic pitch actuator comprises an inner shaft, and the gap is located between the inner shaft and the inner member.

15 . The hub assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner member includes an inner sleeve having a plurality of grooves.

16 . The hub assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer member includes an outer sleeve have a plurality of grooves.

17 . The hub assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer member includes a case extending circumferentially around the plurality of clutch plates.

18 . The turbine engine of claim 9 , wherein the inner member includes an inner sleeve having a plurality of grooves.

19 . The turbine engine of claim 9 , wherein the outer member includes an outer sleeve have a plurality of grooves.

Assignees

• Ge Avio Srl

Inventors

• Altamura Paolo
• Zagato Giulio

Classifications

• B64C11/06 Primary

  for variable-pitch blades · CPC title

• B64C11/40

  automatic · CPC title

• B64C11/385

  comprising feathering, braking or stopping systems · CPC title

• F15B15/02

  Mechanical layout characterised by the means for converting the movement of the fluid-actuated element into movement of the finally-operated member · CPC title

• F05D2260/30

  Retaining components in desired mutual position · CPC title