Abstract: A rotating assembly such as a counter-rotating propeller system or a turbofan includes a first rotating part rotatable relative to a second part, the first and second parts mounted on a common axis, a combustion engine arranged to rotate the first part, and an electric motor connected to drive the second part. In a first drive mode, the combustion engine rotates the first part in first direction relative to the axis while the electric motor drives the second part in a second, opposite direction relative to the axis and in a second drive mode, the combustion engine rotates the first part in the first direction and the electric motor does not drive the second part in the second, opposite direction.

Abstract: A system for providing pressure/load control at an end stroke stop is provided. The system includes an actuator housing having an end stroke stop and a first actuator housing side, an actuator piston provided in the actuator housing, wherein the actuator piston is movable along a longitudinal axis (A), the actuator piston having a first piston portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A), and means for regulating the pressure/load control at the end stroke stop provided in the first piston portion, wherein the means for regulating the pressure/load control at the end stroke stop is configured to move from a closed position to an open position when in contact with the first actuator housing side.

Abstract: There is provided a system comprising a brushless DC (“BLDC”) electric motor for a propeller engine and a motor controller. The motor comprises a rotor including one or more permanent magnets and one or more alternator windings, and a stator including one or more stator windings. The controller is configured to apply a first, transient DC voltage to the windings of the stator, wherein the first, transient DC voltage is configured to provide commutation switching for the windings of the stator so as to generate a torque on the rotor. The controller is further configured to apply a second, static DC voltage to the windings of the stator, wherein the second, static DC voltage is configured to induce an electric current in the alternator windings so as to generate an AC voltage in the alternator windings.

Abstract: A propeller component, for example a propeller blade airfoil, includes an external surface exposed in use to an oncoming airstream (A), and a protective polymeric film applied over substantially the entire exposed external surface of the component.

Abstract: An actuator assembly may comprise a screw shaft having a shaft axis; a drive arrangement pivotally supported about the screw shaft axis for driving the screw shaft, e.g., about the shaft axis or along the shaft axis, and a rod mounted to the drive arrangement at a location off the shaft axis for providing a primary function of reacting torque about the shaft axis on the drive arrangement. The rod may comprise a rod axis and provide a load path along the rod axis for reacting torque. The rod may also comprise a device for which provides a secondary function for the actuator assembly based on the load experienced along the load path provided by the rod.

Abstract: A gas distribution assembly for providing gas to an actuator for opening an aircraft door and to an aircraft evacuation slide, the assembly comprising a single common gas supply and valve means for controlling distribution of gas from the common supply between the slide and the door actuator based on door opening position.

Abstract: An actuator assembly may comprise a screw shaft having a shaft axis; a drive arrangement pivotally supported about the screw shaft axis for driving the screw shaft, e.g., about the shaft axis or along the shaft axis, and a rod mounted to the drive arrangement at a location off the shaft axis for providing a primary function of reacting torque about the shaft axis on the drive arrangement. The rod may comprise a rod axis and provide a load path along the rod axis for reacting torque. The rod may also comprise a device for which provides a secondary function for the actuator assembly based on the load experienced along the load path provided by the rod.

Abstract: A propeller blade assembly comprises a propeller blade having a blade root for attaching the propeller blade to a hub. The blade root has a radially outer surface. The assembly further comprises a collar mounted to the blade root. The collar comprises at least two collar segments assembled around the radially outer surface of the blade root. Each collar segment has a radially inner surface, an opposed radially outward surface and first and second circumferential end lugs. The lugs receive fasteners for coupling the collar segments together to form the collar. The collar segments are formed from a flexible plastics material and the radially inner surface of each collar segments engages the radially outer surface of the blade root only over a limited circumferential extent of the collar segment.

Abstract: A de-icing apparatus configured to remove ice from a surface part of an aircraft, the de-icing apparatus comprising a heating layer and a conductive surface extending over, and in heat conductive contact with, the heating layer. The conductive surface defines at least a part of the surface part of the aircraft or an aircraft component. The heating layer comprising heating elements defining substantially closed contour zones, each comprising a periphery formed by the heating elements within which an area is defined; the heating layer and the conductive surface configured such that when power is provided to the apparatus the heating elements which fragment ice formed on the surface part of the aircraft according to the shape of the peripheries of the substantially closed contour zones.

Abstract: A de-icing device is provided for at least one surface portion of a rotor blade liable to be covered with a layer of ice. The device includes: at least one first heating device adapted to permit detachment of at least part of the layer of ice, as well as at least one second heating device including heating elements extending facing only part of the surface portion so as to circumscribe at that location closed-contour zones of the surface portion. The heating elements of the second heating device are adapted to cause breaking of the ice through the thickness of the layer of ice, and the first heating device extends at least partly facing the inside of the closed-contour zones.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a spar for a propeller blade comprises forming a hollow inner core from a composite material, and then braiding carbon fibres around the inner core to form an outer spar structure. The hollow inner core may be formed using an inflatable bladder and a mould defining an outer shape of the spar. This construction avoids the need for a foam core to be provided within the spar.

Abstract: A tank that may be used in combination with an actuating means such as a pneumatic door actuator includes a first, inner, enclosure positioned and enclosed within a second, outer, enclosure, to provide an enclosed chamber between the inner enclosure and outer enclosure. The pressure in the chamber may be measured with a gauge that does not extend into the inner enclosure. The measured pressure may then be monitored and compared in order to detect a change in pressure and thereby also detect a leak through a wall from the inner enclosure. The tank may also be used to inflate and/or deploy an emergency evacuation slide in an aircraft.

Abstract: The system of the present disclosure provides two or more sensors located on two parallel transmission or kinematic paths having different ratios with respect to the actuator position. Each sensor provides a different position measurement output and the difference between the sensor outputs provides a reduced indication of the position of the actuator/moved component. Integrating sensors in the reduction path avoids the need for the reduction gear mechanism.

Abstract: A propeller component, for example a propeller blade airfoil, comprises an external surface exposed in use to an oncoming airstream (A), and a protective polymeric film applied over substantially the entire exposed external surface of the component.

Abstract: A device for supplying electricity to at least one secondary electric load (30) on-board a turbomachine rotor (12) including a main circuit for transmitting main electric power to at least one main on-board electrical load (16), includes a device (15) for rotatably and electrically connecting the stator and the rotor, and at least one secondary circuit for transmitting a secondary electric power including at least one secondary conductor (28) of the stator connected to a secondary electric power source (29) suitable for outputting a secondary power in the form of a power signal with a secondary frequency selected such as to enable selective, interference-free transmission of the secondary power via the rotary electric connection device (15), separately from the main power transmission.

Abstract: An actuator assembly may comprise a screw shaft having a shaft axis; a drive arrangement pivotally supported about the screw shaft axis for driving the screw shaft, e.g., about the shaft axis or along the shaft axis, and a rod mounted to the drive arrangement at a location off the shaft axis for providing a primary function of reacting torque about the shaft axis on the drive arrangement. The rod may comprise a rod axis and provide a load path along the rod axis for reacting torque. The rod may also comprise a device for which provides a secondary function for the actuator assembly based on the load experienced along the load path provided by the rod.

Abstract: A propeller blade assembly comprises a propeller blade having a blade root for attaching the propeller blade to a hub. The blade root has a radially outer surface. The assembly further comprises a collar mounted to the blade root. The collar comprises at least two collar segments assembled around the radially outer surface of the blade root. Each collar segment has a radially inner surface, an opposed radially outward surface and first and second circumferential end lugs. The lugs receive fasteners for coupling the collar segments together to form the collar. The collar segments are formed from a flexible plastics material and the radially inner surface of each collar segments engages the radially outer surface of the blade root only over a limited circumferential extent of the collar segment.

Abstract: A rotating system comprising two or more blades 3 mounted on a hub installed on a rotatable propeller shaft 1, each blade provided with a respective sensor 4 arranged to detect response of the respective blade to harmonic excitation; and the system further comprising means configured to compare the response of the respective blade to that of the other blade(s).

Abstract: Disclosed is a de-icing device for at least one surface portion (8) of a rotor blade (1) liable to be covered with a layer of ice. The device includes: at least one first heating device adapted to permit detachment of at least part of the layer of ice, as well as at least one second heating device including heating elements extending facing only part of the surface portion so as to circumscribe at that location closed-contour zones of the surface portion. The heating elements of the second heating device are adapted to cause breaking of the ice depending on the thickness of the layer of ice, and the first heating device extends at least partly facing the inside of the closed-contour zones.

Abstract: A device for supplying electricity to at least one secondary electric load (30) on-board a turbomachine rotor (12) including a main circuit for transmitting main electric power to at least one main on-board electrical load (16), includes a device (15) for rotatably and electrically connecting the stator and the rotor, and at least one secondary circuit for transmitting a secondary electric power including at least one secondary conductor (28) of the stator connected to a secondary electric power source (29) suitable for outputting a secondary power in the form of a power signal with a secondary frequency selected such as to enable selective, interference-free transmission of the secondary power via the rotary electric connection device (15), separately from the main power transmission.