WILJAM FLIGHT TRAINING

Chapter 8.5
Engine Torque Measurement
Introduction
The power produced by a propeller is proportional to the torque, which can best be described as
the turning moment produced by the propeller about the axis of the output shaft.
The power being produced by a turbo-propeller engine is indicated on the flight deck by a
torque meter. The torque meter system forms part of the engine itself, and is usually built in
with the reduction gear assembly between the output shaft and the propeller shaft.
Torque Meter
A typical torque meter system is illustrated below:In this system the helical gears, driven by the engine shaft, create an axial thrust, and oil
pressure, acting on a number of pistons, resists this axial thrust, which is in turn directly
proportional to the torque. This value is then transmitted to a suitably calibrated indicator dial.
One advantage of this type of torque measuring device, as fitted on a turboprop aeroplane, is
that the system can also be used to operate the propeller-feathering device if the torque meter
oil pressure suddenly reduces due to a power failure. On some aeroplanes it is additionally
used to automatically operate the water injection system that boosts the take-off power when
operating at high altitude/ high temperature aerodromes.
The system on the next page is alternatively based on the principle of the tendency for some
part of the reduction gear to rotate, and is resisted by pistons working in hydraulic cylinders,
which are secured to the gear casing. The pressure being created by the pistons is then
transmitted to a pressure gauge on the flight deck.

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Torque may also be sensed by an electrical strain gauge system. A strain gauge is a fine
insulated conductor wire bonded to a component. When strain is applied, ie. deflection under
load, the resistance of the wire changes, and this can be measured in a Wheatstone Bridge
circuit.
Negative Torque Sensing
The Negative Torque Sensing (NTS) system, as shown on the next page, is designed to
prevent the propeller driving the engine, eg. in the in-flight idle power setting, during a lean fuel
schedule, or temporary fuel interruption, or due to air gusts momentarily acting on the propeller.
The NTS device takes its signal from the torque indicating system, and at a specified torque the
NTS will activate the propeller control system, which will cause the propeller blades to coarsen
until the torque value rises above a specified value. This system is therefore a blade
coarsening system, and not necessarily a feathering system.
During negative torque the gear ring will close the NTS valve, and oil pressure will be fed to the
feather valve, which in turn will force it to the right. Oil will then be released from the propeller
hub, and will allow the feathering spring to coarsen the blades. When positive torque is
reapplied to the gear wheel, the NTS valve will open, thereby releasing the oil, which will allow
the feather valve to move to the left, and will allow normal propeller operation to be resumed.
When the NTS is activated the torque meter will fluctuate, which will tend to indicate engine
failure, and manual feathering should be carried out.

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