초록 ▼

A lightweight counterrotatable propeller system driven by a rotatable shaft is disclosed. The system includes first and second counterrotatable propellers, each propeller including a plurality of blades mounted on first and second hubs, respectively. Each blade is attached to the hub by means of a b

A lightweight counterrotatable propeller system driven by a rotatable shaft is disclosed. The system includes first and second counterrotatable propellers, each propeller including a plurality of blades mounted on first and second hubs, respectively. Each blade is attached to the hub by means of a ball screw which converts centrifugal force on each of the rotating propeller blades into a pitch changing force. Gearing means for operatively connecting the shaft with each propeller are located between the propellers with a carrying member for one of the propellers forming an outer wall which radially bounds the gearing means. Additionally, non-rotating actuating means for changing propeller pitch are operatively connected to the blades of each of said first and second propellers through first and second thrust bearings, respectively.

대표청구항 ▼

An aircraft propeller system comprising: first and second propellers, said first propeller including a plurality of first blades and said second propeller including a plurality of second blades; each of said blades having a radially inner threaded shaft; forward and aft propeller carrier members eac

An aircraft propeller system comprising: first and second propellers, said first propeller including a plurality of first blades and said second propeller including a plurality of second blades; each of said blades having a radially inner threaded shaft; forward and aft propeller carrier members each separately rotatable about a common axis; said forward member including a plurality of first ball screw hubs, each of said first hubs being adapted to mate with one of said first blade shafts; said aft member including a plurality of second ball screw hubs, each of said second hubs, each of said second hubs being adapted to mate with one of said second blade shafts; means in each of said hubs for converting the centrifugal force on each of said propellers when rotating into a pitch changing force; primary nonrotating actuating means for changing the pitch of said first and second blades, said primary means being operatively connected to each of said first blades through a first set of thrust bearings and being operatively connected to said second blades through a second set of thrust bearings; secondary nonrotating actuating means for changing the pitch of either said first or second blades, said secondary means being operatively connected to said blades through said first or second set of thrust bearings, respectively; a sun gear centered on said common axis; means for applying a rotary torque to said sun gear; a planet carrier; a plurality of planet gears supported between said planet carrier and said forward member, said planet gears engaging said sun gear around the periphery of the latter; a ring gear coaxially surrounding said sun gear and in engagement with said planetary gears, said ring gear being mechanically connected to said aft member; whereby said planetary gears and said ring gear are effective to counterrotate said first and second propellers respectively about said common axis; wherein said first set of thrust bearings and said plurality of first hubs are positioned on opposite sides of said planetary gears; and a plurality of fingers each axially journaled in one of said planetary gears, each of said fingers being mechanically connected to a respective thrust bearing of said first set and being adapted to transmit the linear force of the latter to a corresponding one of said first shafts.