Patent ID: 7611329
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
1. A method of constant-speed synchrophasing of the propellers of the propulsion units of an aircraft, each equipped with an electronic control circuit connected to a communications network of the aircraft, said method comprising the steps of: providing, in each control circuit of a propulsion unit, a clock delivering a clock signal at a frequency representing a rotational speed of the propulsion unit propeller corresponding to said constant speed, keeping the clocks substantially synchronous by communication via the communications network of the aircraft, measuring, in each propulsion unit, an offset between the clock signal and a signal produced from a propeller rotational speed sensor, transmitting information representing the offset measured in a “master” propulsion unit, via the aircraft communications network, to the other or to each of the other “slave” propulsion unit(s) as a propeller phase reference value, and comparing, in the or each of the slave propulsion unit(s), the difference between the measured offset and the propeller phase reference value to a determined propeller phase displacement setpoint value assigned to the slave propulsion unit and, depending on a result of the comparing, applying an instantaneous variation of the propeller rotational speed of the slave propulsion unit as appropriate in order to bring the measured difference to the setpoint value.