Propeller blade pitch angle feedback from actuator rotation

A propeller control system for controlling a blade pitch angle, the propeller control system comprising:

• a propeller blade extending from a blade base, the propeller blade being configured to rotate around a longitudinal axis to generate thrust for the propeller blade and rotate around a pitch change axis to adjust the blade pitch angle of the propeller blade, wherein the pitch change axis extends through a center point of the blade base;
• a trunnion pin operably connected to the blade base at a location offset from the center point of the blade base;
• a yoke plate operably connected to the trunnion pin;
• an actuator configured to move the yoke plate linearly along the longitudinal axis of the propeller blade to rotate the trunnion pin and the propeller blade around the pitch change axis;
• a transfer tube operably connected to the yoke plate, the transfer tube being free to rotate around the longitudinal axis as the actuator moves the yoke plate linearly along the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a differential gear train mechanically connected to the transfer tube.

A method for controlling a blade pitch angle of a propeller blade, the method comprising:

• activating an actuator operably connected to a yoke plate;
• translating, using the actuator, the yoke plate along a longitudinal axis when the actuator is activated, the yoke plate being operably connected to a trunnion pin;
• rotating, using the yoke plate, the trunnion pin around a pitch change axis of the propeller blade when the yoke plate is translated, the trunnion pin being operably connected to a blade base of the propeller blade at a location offset from a center point of the blade base;
• rotating, using the trunnion pin, the blade base around the pitch change axis when the trunnion pin is rotated, wherein the pitch change axis extending through the center point of the blade base and the propeller blade extending from the blade base;
• rotating, using the blade base, the propeller blade around the pitch change axis to adjust the blade pitch angle of the propeller blade when the blade base is rotated;
• and
• rotating, using the yoke plate, a transfer tube around the longitudinal axis of when the yoke plate is translated, the propeller blade being configured to rotate around the longitudinal axis to generate thrust for the propeller blade;
• and
• rotating a differential gear train using the transfer tube, the differential gear train being mechanically connecting the transfer tube.

A method for controlling a blade pitch angle of a propeller blade, the method comprising:

• activating an actuator operably connected to a yoke plate;
• translating, using the actuator, the yoke plate along a longitudinal axis when the actuator is activated, the yoke plate being operably connected to a trunnion pin;
• rotating, using the yoke plate, the trunnion pin around a pitch change axis of the propeller blade when the yoke plate is translated, the trunnion pin being operably connected to a blade base of the propeller blade at a location offset from a center point of the blade base;
• rotating, using the trunnion pin, the blade base around the pitch change axis when the trunnion pin is rotated, wherein the pitch change axis extending through the center point of the blade base and the propeller blade extending from the blade base;
• rotating, using the blade base, the propeller blade around the pitch change axis to adjust the blade pitch angle of the propeller blade when the blade base is rotated;
• rotating, using the yoke plate, a transfer tube around the longitudinal axis when the yoke plate is translated, the propeller blade being configured to rotate around the longitudinal axis to generate thrust for the propeller blade;
• and
• determining, using a blade angle sensing system, the blade pitch angle in response to a rotational direction and a rotational magnitude of the transfer tube relative to a propeller hub.