US 11,866,151 B2
System and method for detecting propeller malfunction
Jagoda Krzywon, Longueuil (CA)
Assigned to PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP., Longueuil (CA)
Filed by PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP., Longueuil (CA)
Filed on Dec. 23, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/132,220.
Prior Publication US 2022/0194555 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B64C 11/30 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 11/301 (2013.01) [B64C 11/30 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for detecting fixed pitch operation of a variable pitch propeller of an engine, the method comprising:
outputting a command signal for maintaining a rotational speed of the propeller at a reference speed;
obtaining an actual value of at least one of the rotational speed and a blade angle of the propeller;
assessing, from the actual value, whether an expected change in the at least one of the rotational speed and the blade angle of the propeller has occurred in response to the command signal;
determining a period of time for which the expected change in the at least one of the rotational speed and the blade angle of the propeller has not occurred;
comparing the period of time to a pre-determined duration; and
responsive to determining that the period of time exceeds the pre-determined duration and determining that the expected change in the at least one of the rotational speed and the blade angle of the propeller has not occurred in response to the command signal, detecting operation of the propeller at fixed pitch and outputting an alert accordingly.