Propeller governor
Encyclopedia
A propeller governor senses the speed of an aircraft engine
and changes the propeller blade
angle to maintain a selected RPM regardless of the operational conditions of the aircraft.
it became apparent that it is necessary to improve performance
. One of the influential factors was the propeller design in relation to the most efficient blade angle. The first propellers were fixed pitch and if the propeller blade angle is set to give good take off and climb performance, the propeller would be inefficient in cruising flight
because the blade would be at too low an angle. It was apparent, that the blade angle needs to be adjustable.
A constant-speed propeller was needed along with a device that would change the propeller blade angles according to varying flight conditions. Using this system of control an aircraft can obtain an acceptable amount of efficiency during all flight conditions. This device was the propeller governor, or a propeller control unit.
Aircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
and changes the propeller blade
Propeller (aircraft)
Aircraft propellers or airscrews convert rotary motion from piston engines or turboprops to provide propulsive force. They may be fixed or variable pitch. Early aircraft propellers were carved by hand from solid or laminated wood with later propellers being constructed from metal...
angle to maintain a selected RPM regardless of the operational conditions of the aircraft.
History
In the history of development of aircraftAircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
it became apparent that it is necessary to improve performance
Performance
A performance, in performing arts, generally comprises an event in which a performer or group of performers behave in a particular way for another group of people, the audience. Choral music and ballet are examples. Usually the performers participate in rehearsals beforehand. Afterwards audience...
. One of the influential factors was the propeller design in relation to the most efficient blade angle. The first propellers were fixed pitch and if the propeller blade angle is set to give good take off and climb performance, the propeller would be inefficient in cruising flight
Flight
Flight is the process by which an object moves either through an atmosphere or beyond it by generating lift or propulsive thrust, or aerostatically using buoyancy, or by simple ballistic movement....
because the blade would be at too low an angle. It was apparent, that the blade angle needs to be adjustable.
A constant-speed propeller was needed along with a device that would change the propeller blade angles according to varying flight conditions. Using this system of control an aircraft can obtain an acceptable amount of efficiency during all flight conditions. This device was the propeller governor, or a propeller control unit.