Propulsor pitchlock and feather stop

Claim 1

A pitch change actuator system for changing blade pitch on a variable pitch propeller having a hub and a plurality of blades, each blade mounted to the hub for rotation about its longitudinal axis to effect a change in blade pitch, said system comprising: a translating pitch change actuator operatively interconnected to each of the blades whereby axial translation of said pitch change actuator results in a rotation of each of the blades so as to effect a change in blade pitch; and feather stop means for engaging said pitch change actuator to preclude the blades from passing beyond feather during normal operation, said feather stop means being selectively releasable so as to permit said pitch change actuator to drive the blades through feather to a desired reverse pitch, said feather stop means comprising: an elongated flexible member mounted at one end to the hub and extending therefrom in cantilevered fashion and having a first annular shoulder protruding radially outwardly from the cantilevered end of said member and a second annular shoulder protruding radially outwardly therefrom at a location axially spaced from said first annular shoulder, said first annular shoulder providing a feather stop and said second annular shoulder providing a feather latch; and locking means for holding said first annular shoulder in engagement with said pitch change actuator so as to preclude said pitch change actuator from driving the blades through feather when said locking means is selectively positioned in a first locking position relative to said flexible member, said locking means being selectively positionable in a second release position relative to said flexible member whereby said pitch change actuator may pass over said first annular shoulder to drive the blades through feather to the desired reverse pitch.