Disengagement for reverse propeller protection
An engine and propeller control system (EPECS) of an aircraft includes a propeller with a plurality of blades coupled to an aircraft engine. Each of the blades are coupled to an actuator configured to adjust the blades between a first pitch to produce forward thrust and a second pitch to produce reverse thrust. The EPECS further includes a controller configured to control the actuator to invoke the second pitch in response to receiving a reverse thrust command signal. The controller is configured to alert that the reverse thrust command signal is generated prior to landing the aircraft.
1 . An engine and propeller control system (EPECS) of an aircraft, the EPECS comprising:
a propeller coupled to an aircraft engine, the propeller including a plurality of blades, each of the blades coupled to an actuator configured to adjust the blades between a first pitch to produce forward thrust and a second pitch to produce reverse thrust;
a controller configured to control the actuator to invoke the second pitch in response to receiving a reverse thrust command signal,
wherein the controller is configured to alert that the reverse thrust command signal is generated prior to landing the aircraft, and
wherein the controller initiates an engine spool up of the aircraft engine while simultaneously generating an alert that a reverse mode will be automatically initiated after a set time period expires.
2 . The EPECS of claim 1 , wherein the controller delays invoking the second pitch for a set time period after receiving the reverse thrust command signal.
3 . The EPECS of claim 2 , wherein the controller refrains from adjusting the blades from the first pitch to the second pitch in response to cancelling the reverse thrust command signal.
4 . The EPECS of claim 3 , wherein the controller adjusts the blades from the first pitch to the second pitch in response to maintaining the reverse thrust command signal after the set time period expires.
5 . The EPECS of claim 2 , wherein the set time period is about 5 seconds.
6 . The EPECS of claim 1 , further comprising a propeller mode selector in signal communication with the controller, the propeller mode selector configured to operate in a first position to generate a forward thrust command signal and a second position to generate the reverse thrust command signal.
7 . The EPECS of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor configured to detect weight on wheels of the aircraft, wherein the alert is generated based on detection of the weight on wheels.
8 . The EPECS of claim 7 , wherein the alert is generated in response to detecting the weight on wheels.
9 . The EPECS of claim 1 , wherein the alert is generated prior to detecting the weight on wheels.
10 . A method of controlling an adjustable propeller of an aircraft, the method comprising:
coupling a plurality of blades to a propeller, each blade including an actuator configured to adjust the blade between a first pitch to produce forward thrust and a second pitch to produce reverse thrust;
outputting a reverse thrust command signal to invoke the second pitch of the blades;
generating an alert indicating that the reverse thrust command signal is output prior to landing the aircraft,
initiating an engine spool up of an aircraft engine while simultaneously generating a second alert that a reverse mode will be automatically initiated after a set time period expires.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising delaying adjustment of the second pitch for a set time period after outputting the reverse thrust command signal.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising refraining adjustment of the blades from the first pitch to the second pitch in response to cancelling the reverse thrust command signal.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising adjusting the blades from the first pitch to the second pitch in response to maintaining the reverse thrust command signal after the set time period expires.
14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising operating a propeller mode selector in a first position to generate a forward thrust command signal and a second position to generate the reverse thrust command signal.
15 . A method of controlling an adjustable propeller of an aircraft, the method comprising:
selecting a reverse propeller mode to transition an adjustable propeller from a forward thrust position to a reverse thrust position;
generating an alert indicating the reverse propeller mode is selected prior to landing of the aircraft;
delaying transition into the reverse thrust position for a set time period; and
transitioning the propeller from the forward thrust position to a second thrust position in response to the set time period expiring,
wherein transitioning the propeller from the forward thrust position to the second thrust position comprises:
adjusting blades of the adjustable propeller into a flight-idle angle in response to selecting the reverse propeller mode; and
automatically adjusting the blades from the flight-idle angle to a reverse thrust angle in response to the set time period expiring.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising generating the alert prior to detecting weight on wheels of the aircraft.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the set time period is about 5 seconds.