Modular counter rotating propeller system
First Claim
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1. A counter rotating propeller system comprising:
- a first input shaft rotatable about an axis and driven by a main engine;
a first hub supporting a first plurality of propeller blades, the first hub supported for rotation directly by the first input shaft such that the first hub is rotatable relative to the first input shaft;
a second input shaft supported by the first hub for rotation relative to the first hub and the first input shaft;
a second hub supporting a second plurality of propeller blades, the second hub supported by the second input shaft; and
a planetary gear train driven by the first input shaft, the planetary gear train including a sun gear attached for rotation with the first input shaft, at least one planet gear supported on a planet gear carrier attached to the second input shaft, and a ring gear defined by the first hub, wherein the planetary gear train drives the first hub in a first direction and the second hub in a second direction opposite the first direction.
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Abstract
A self-contained counter rotating turbo prop system is driven by a gas turbine engine through a reduction gearbox. A gear train housed separate from the reduction gearbox provides the counter-rotation of a first and second pluralities of propeller blades. The entire counter-rotating propeller system is disposed within cowlings and is separate from the gas turbine engine and reduction gearbox. The example counter rotating propeller system includes a collective blade angle actuation system that provides for adjustment of blade angle of both the first and second plurality of propeller blades with a single actuator.
24 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A counter rotating propeller system comprising:
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a first input shaft rotatable about an axis and driven by a main engine; a first hub supporting a first plurality of propeller blades, the first hub supported for rotation directly by the first input shaft such that the first hub is rotatable relative to the first input shaft; a second input shaft supported by the first hub for rotation relative to the first hub and the first input shaft; a second hub supporting a second plurality of propeller blades, the second hub supported by the second input shaft; and a planetary gear train driven by the first input shaft, the planetary gear train including a sun gear attached for rotation with the first input shaft, at least one planet gear supported on a planet gear carrier attached to the second input shaft, and a ring gear defined by the first hub, wherein the planetary gear train drives the first hub in a first direction and the second hub in a second direction opposite the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A counter rotating propeller system comprising:
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a first input shaft rotatable about an axis and driven by a main engine; a first hub supporting a first plurality of propeller blades, the first hub supported for rotation directly by the first input shaft such that the first hub is rotatable relative to the first input shaft; a second input shaft supported by the first hub for rotation relative to the first hub and the first input shaft; a second hub supporting a second plurality of propeller blades, the second hub supported by the second input shaft; a planetary gear train driven by the first input shaft for driving the first hub in a first direction and the second hub in a second direction opposite the first direction; an actuator for adjusting an angle of the first and second pluralities of propeller blades disposed within the second hub, the actuator driving a yoke plate axially that in turn rotates each of the second plurality of blades; and a transfer mechanism translating rotation of the second plurality of blades to the first plurality of blades. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification