Preloaded retention assembly for aircraft propeller blade retention

A propeller blade retention assembly for use with a propeller having a hub rotatable about a propeller axis, said hub defining a cavity containing a lubricating fluid, said propeller blade retention assembly comprising:

• a receiving means for mounting the blade to the hub;
• means for interfacing said receiving means with the hub, wherein said receiving means is positioned in said means for interfacing and is integral with the blade and non-integral with said means for interfacing and wherein said receiving means and said means for interfacing define an inboard and outboard relief area for facilitating assembly of said retention means;
• a retention means for retaining said receiving means to said means for interfacing, said retention means comprising:
• angular contact ball bearing assemblies for facilitating relative rotational motion between said receiving means and said means for interfacing, wherein said angular contact ball bearing assemblies include unitary, non-split races, wherein said angular contact ball bearing assemblies include an outboard ball bearing assembly including outboard rolling elements and an inboard ball bearing assembly including inboard rolling elements;
• and a member having a unitary outboard, non-split race defining a portion of said outboard ball bearing assembly and threads;
• and
• means for preloading said retention means prior to centrifugal loading during propeller blade operation, wherein said means for preloading comprises a preload nut for engagement with said threads, and wherein said member is capable of generating a retention preload when said outboard race and said outboard rolling elements are loaded against said inboard ball bearing assembly by engaging said means for preloading with said threads, said retention means further comprising at least two static seals positioned between said member and said preload nut and between said preload nut and said means for interfacing for sealing the cavity.