BACKGROUND

Contemporary propeller assemblies may have a means of varying the blade pitch via a pitch control unit (PCU), to optimize efficiency of thrust delivery. In this manner, the propeller may be designed to vary pitch in flight, to give optimum thrust, from takeoff and climb to cruise. Varying the pitch angle may allow the aircraft to maintain an optimal angle of attack or maximum lift to drag ratio on the propeller blades as aircraft speed varies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of controlling a propeller assembly, having a blade, piston end cap, and piston, with a pitch control unit, having a transfer bearing and a blade angle unit, the method comprising: axially moving a transfer tube relative to and circumscribing the transfer bearing, sensing an axial movement of the transfer tube with the blade angle unit, where the blade angle unit comprises a series of coils radially spaced from and circumscribing at least a portion of the transfer tube, and determining a pitch angle of the blade based on the sensed movement of the transfer tube.

In another aspect the disclosure relates to a method of adjusting a pitch angle of a blade with a pitch control unit having a transfer bearing and a blade angle unit, the method comprising: axially moving a transfer tube relative to and circumscribing the transfer bearing, sensing an axial movement of the transfer tube with the blade angle unit, where the blade angle unit comprises a series of coils radially spaced from and circumscribing the transfer tube, determining the pitch angle of the blade based on the sensed movement, and outputting a pitch angle value.

