System and method for propeller feedback ring position detection

An aircraft engine comprising:

• a propeller rotatable about a longitudinal axis and having blades with an adjustable blade angle;
• a feedback ring coupled to the propeller to rotate with the propeller and to be displaced along the longitudinal axis with adjustment of the blade angle;
• an engagement member configured to moveably engage the feedback ring and to be displaced along a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis with displacement of the feedback ring;
• a sensor comprising a first member coupled to the aircraft engine and a second member coupled to the engagement member, the first member stationary and the second member moveable relative to the first member along the longitudinal direction as the engagement member is displaced, the sensor configured to generate a sensor signal indicative of a longitudinal position of the second member relative to the first member;
• and
• a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and to determine an axial position of the feedback ring along the longitudinal axis based on the longitudinal position of the second member relative to the first member.

A method for determining an axial position of a feedback ring of a propeller of an aircraft engine, the propeller rotatable about a longitudinal axis and having an adjustable blade angle and the feedback ring rotatable with the propeller, the method comprising:

• displacing a moveable sensor member relative to a stationary sensor member, the stationary sensor member coupled to the aircraft engine and the moveable sensor member displaceable relative to the stationary sensor member along a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis as the feedback ring is displaced along the longitudinal axis;
• receiving a sensor signal indicative of a longitudinal position of the moveable sensor member relative to the stationary sensor member;
• and
• determining the axial position of the feedback ring along the longitudinal axis based on the longitudinal position of the moveable sensor member relative to the stationary sensor member as obtained from the sensor signal.