Control assembly for controllable pitch propeller

Claim 1

In combination with a propeller having a hub and at least one radial blade mounted thereon for angular movement to vary the pitch of the blade, said hub including fluid pressure actuated means operatively associated with the blade and hub to control the pitch of the blade, the propeller hub being driven by a power shaft, and means retaining said propeller hub on the shaft that improvement comprising connector means operatively associated with the hub for rotation therewith and in communication with the fluid pressure means for controlling the pitch of the propeller blade, a supply conduit for pressurized fluid engaged with the connector means for relative movement to enable the supply conduit to be stationarily supported from an adjacent structure, said connector means including a tubular sleeve operatively associated with the hub and in rigid relation thereto, means operatively connecting the supply conduit and tubular sleeve to enable relative movement therebetween, said means connecting the tubular sleeve and supply conduit including ball and socket means connecting the conduit to the sleeve for universal angular movement and providing communication between the conduit and the interior of the sleeve, said ball and socket including a passageway perpendicular to the conduit and communicating therewith with the other end of the perpendicular passageway communicating with the relatively movable surfaces of the ball and socket to enable discharge of fluid pressure between the relatively movable surfaces, said conduit adapted to convey hydraulic fluid pressure having lubrication characteristics whereby relative movement between the ball and socket will be lubricated by the hydraulic fluid.