Module 17

Propeller Systems
Topic 17.3: Propeller Pitch Control
 INTRODUCTION

On completion of this topic you should be able to:

17.3.1 Define the following methods used for propeller speed control
and pitch change including Mechanical and Electrical / Electronic.

17.3.2 Identify components used for propeller feathering and

reverse pitch and define their construction and operation.

17.3.3 State the purpose of propeller over-speed protection devices.

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 2
 PROPELLER GOVERNOR

The governor:

• Boosts engine oil to the propeller

• Controls oil pressure to the propeller

• Senses propeller RPM

The governor is typically mounted on the

engine near the propeller shaft or on the
accessory case.

All governors consist of the following

components:

• A gear type oil pump

• A pilot valve

• Speed sensitive flyweights

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 3
 PROPELLER GOVERNOR
OIL PUMP

The oil boost pump is installed in the base

of the governor.

The boost pump boosts engine oil

pressure to between 180 to 300 psi (12.4
bar to 20.7 bar).

The drive shaft splines mate with the

engine drive gear.

The boost pump is a constant

displacement pump.

A relief valve prevents damage to seals

and other components.

Excessive oil pressure is relieved back to

the inlet side of the boost pump.

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 4
 PROPELLER GOVERNOR
PILOT VALVE

The pilot valve directs oil into and out of

the propeller hub and PCM.

The pilot valve alternately covers and

uncovers oil passages allowing oil to flow
in one direction or the other.

It is located a sleeve inside the governor

drive shaft and extends to the flyweights.

The pilot valve can be positioned by a

lever in the cockpit.

It is also positioned by the governor

flyweights.

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 5
 PROPELLER GOVERNOR
FLYWEIGHTS

In order to maintain a constant RPM the

governor sense engine or propeller shaft
speed.

Speed is sensed by the flyweight assembly.

The flyweights are mounted in the governor

head.

They are driven by the same shaft as the

boost pump.

As the flyweights rotate they tilt inwards or

outwards depending on RPM.

This tilting is due to centrifugal force.

As they tilt the reposition the pilot valve in its

sleeve.
2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 6
 GOVERNOR
SINGLE-ACTING

A single-acting governor supplies oil

pressure to the propeller PCM.

Depending on the propeller type, oil

pressure either increases pitch or
decrease pitch.

The governor pilot valve directs oil into

the PCM or opens to return.

Centrifugal and aerodynamic forces

acting on the propeller move the blades
in the opposite direction.

The governor maintains RPM within the

range of the propeller/engine as set by
the cockpit control.

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 7
 GOVERNOR
SINGLE-ACTING

The governor oil pump boosts engine

oil pressure.

The pilot valve directs governor oil

pressure to or from the PCM.

The flyweights sense engine rpm and

position the pilot valve accordingly.

The speeder spring increases and

decreases pressure acting upon the
flyweights thus varying flyweight
reaction to RPM changes.

The rack and pinion is connected to

the cockpit propeller lever and acts to
vary the tension placed upon the
speeder spring.

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 8
 GOVERNOR
SINGLE-ACTING

Pilot input to the Condition Lever to reduce

propeller RPM:

• The speed adjusting lever and adjusting worm

rotated to decrease pressure acting on the
speeder spring

• The flyweights move outwards under

centrifugal force and reposition the pilot valve

• The pilot valve opens to return oil from the

PCM which allows blade angle to increase

• Propeller RPM decreases

• RPM will continue to decrease until the

governor pilot valve closes off the oil return

• The governor is then said to be on-speed

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 9
 PROPELLER
UNDER SPEED
Pilot input to the Condition Lever to increase
propeller RPM:

The speeder spring is compressed.

With the governor fly weights in under-speed

position:

• Speeder springs opens the pilot valve

• Governor oil pressure is directed to the PCM

• Propeller pitch moves towards fine

• Propeller RPM increases

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 10
 PROPELLER
ON SPEED
Propeller RPM is equal to selected RPM

As propeller RPM is maintained:

• The fly weight force equals the speeder

spring pressure

• The pilot valve closes off oil supply

• Governor oil pressure is trapped in the

PCM

• Propeller pitch is hydraulically fixed

• Propeller RPM is on-speed

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 11
 PROPELLER
OVER SPEED

If propeller RPM increases without Pilot

input:

• Flyweights force overcomes speeder

spring pressure

• The pilot valve opens oil supply

• Governor oil pressure is directed to the

PCM

• Propeller pitch moves towards coarse

Propeller RPM decreases until the

governor returns to on-speed.

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 12
 PROPELLER
UNDER SPEED

If propeller RPM decreases without Pilot

input:

• Speeder spring force overcomes the

flyweights

• The pilot valve opens oil supply

• Governor oil pressure is released from

the PCM

• Propeller pitch moves towards a fine

pitch

Propeller RPM increases until the

governor returns to on-speed.

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 13
 GOVERNOR
DOUBLE-ACTING

Double acting governors are used on

larger propeller such as the Hydromatic.

Governing is the same as a single-acting

governor except that pilot valve directs
boosted oil pressure in two directions.

They supply oil pressure to both sides of a

PCM.

When the pilot valve is positioned to route

oil to one side of the pitch change piston
the opposite side is open to return.

Oil pressure is used to increase pitch and

decrease pitch.

They also control reverse pitch and

feathering.

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 14
 CONCLUSION

Now that you have completed this topic, you should be able to:

17.3.1 Define the following methods used for propeller speed control
and pitch change including Mechanical and Electrical / Electronic.

17.3.2 Identify components used for propeller feathering and

reverse pitch and define their construction and operation.

17.3.3 State the purpose of propeller overspeed protection devices.

2013-01-18
☻ Slide No. 15
 This concludes
Module 17
Propeller Systems
Topic 17.3: Propeller Pitch Control