CAIP-VOL-II—PROPELLERS-Important Points
1. As the blade moves through the , air, forces are produced, which are known · as
thrust and torque
2. The geometric pitch of a propeller is the distance which it should move forward
in one revolution without slip
3. The geometric pitch of a propeller is the distance which it should move forward in
one revolution without slip
4. Thrust forces which tend to bend the blades forward in the direction of flight.
5. Torque forces which tend to bend the blades against the direction of rotation
6. Small two-bladed propellers, of suitable profile, are satisfactory for low-powered
piston engines,
7. but for high-powered piston or turbine engines, three, four, or five bladed, or
contra-rotating, propellers are used, and are driven through a a reduction gear to
enable high engine power to be used at efficient propeller speeds.
Propeller Balance
8. A propeller is a rotating mass, and if not correctly balanced can produce
unacceptable vibration
9. An unbalanced condition can be corrected by adding weight to the lighter
blade(s) and/or removing weight from the heavier blade(s).
10. Material may easily be removed from wooden propellers, but metal propellers are
usually balanced by attaching weights to the blade hub· or by adding lead
wool to the hollow blade roots
11. The cause of such unbalance is non-symmetrical disposition of mass within
the propeller, or non-symmetrical mounting of the propeller. Such unbalance
can be corrected by adding balance weights.
TYPES OF PROPELLERS
12. Variable-pitch propellers were originally produced wi\h two blade-angle
settings; a fine pitch to enable full engine speed to be used during take-off and
climb, and a coarse pitch to enable an economical engine speed to be used for
cruising
13. Feathering Propellers.= In order to reduce this drag, the· blades of most
constant speed propellers fitted to multi-engined aircraft are capabIe of being
turned past the normal maximum coarse-pitch setting into line with the
airflow. This is known as the 'feathered' position
14. Reversible-pitch Propellers==the propeller blades may be turned past the
normal fine-pitch setting, to a pitch which will produce thrust in the opposite
direction (reverse thrust).
15. Metal· propellers are usually aluminium alloy forgings, and are anodised and
painted for protection
16. Variable-pitch propellers consist of a number of separate blades mounted in a
central hub. The blades are mounted in the hub in ball or tapered roller bearings,
and the pitch-change· mechanism is attached to the hub and connected to each
blade through rods, yokes or bevel gears.
STORAGE
Installed Propellers
17. Propellers installed on an engine which may be out of use for a period of up to
three months should be kept clean, and should be inspected regularly for
corrosion.
18.The internal parts of a variable-pitch propeller will be protected by
exercising the propeller during weekly engine runs where these are possible
19. if the engine cannot be run, the propeller should be feathered and un
feathered using the feathering pump.
20. If the engine is likely to be out of use for more than three months,
1. The propeller mechanism should be flushed with inhibiting oil, and 2.all
external parts of the propeller should be treated with lanolin or an approved rust
preventative 3. The propeller operating mechanism should be covered with waxed
paper, and all visible parts should be regularly inspected for corrosion
Uninstalled Propellers
21. Uninstalled propellers should be stored in conditions which are clean, dry,
warm, and free from corrosive fumes.
22. Two-bladed propellers are usually stored in racks to permit free circulation of
air, but propellers.
23.Propellers with more than two blades may be stored vertically, on stands, to
minimise the amount of floor space they occupy
24. The external parts of metal propellers should be coated with lanolin or an
approved alternative
25. When a variable-pitch propeller is disassembled for storage, individual mechanical
parts should be immersed in inhibiting oilthen allowed to drain,
26. Bearings should be coated with mineral jelly, and electrical connections should
be smeared with petroleum jelly.
27. All electrical equipment, such as motors and slip rings, should be.thoroughly
cleaned} !he connections .smeared with petroleum jelly,
28. When assembled propellers or pre-loaded blade assemblies are held in storage,
the bearings must be exercised after six months and nine months.
29. At the end of twelve months in storage the
1. bearings must be removed and
2. examined for brinelling and corrosion, and,
3. if they are found to be satisfactory,
4. they should be cleaned, greased, and reassembled on the blade.
30. The Maximum storage period for different· types of propellers—Three Years
31. If the propeller is not retained in the original packing, they will normally require
re-inhibiting every twelve months, and overhauling after three years.
32. Loose rubber components should be stored in the dark in an unstressed
condition, and retained in the manufacturer's packing until required for use
33. All propellers or propeller components retained in storage should be suitably
labelled to show their1. part number,2. modification standard, 3.original date
of storage, and any other details relevarit to the actions taken subsequent to the
original storage date
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K.Unnikrishnan.--------------------