Patents Assigned to Rolls-Royce
  • Publication number: 20240117533
    Abstract: A woven structure formed by warp and weft tows A, E of fiber reinforcement material includes: a plurality of multi-warp stacks SA, each including a plurality of warp tows A which are in superposition along a longitudinal extent of the warp stack SA, a plurality of multi-weft stacks SE, each including a plurality of weft tows E which are in superposition along the stack SE, wherein one or more multi-warp stacks SA and/or one or more multi-weft stacks SE has an embedded taper structure, including: an embedded tow A1, A2, E1, E2 which has a terminal portion M1, M2 disposed between two locally outermost tows A0, E0 of the respective stack SA SE, the terminal portion M1, M2 terminating at a taper position D1 D2 along the respective path of the stack SA SE; and a method for manufacturing a composite component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Christopher D. JONES, Adam J. BISHOP, Sarvesh DHIMAN, Ian BUCK
  • Patent number: 11952942
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core engine casing and a bypass duct defined between a nacelle and the core engine casing. The gas turbine engine further includes a plurality of diverter fences pivotally coupled to the core engine casing. Each diverter fence is pivotable relative to the core engine casing about a pivot axis, which is circumferentially and obliquely inclined with respect to a principal rotational axis. Each diverter fence is configured to move between a first position in which an outboard edge is disposed adjacent to a casing outer surface, and a second position in which the outboard edge is radially spaced apart from the casing outer surface, such that each diverter fence radially extends outwards from the casing outer surface into the bypass duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Vasileios Pachidis, David J Rajendran
  • Patent number: 11951528
    Abstract: The disclosure describes example systems and techniques for controlling microstructure of a superalloy substrate by controlling temperature during forging and using multiple die forging stages to formation of grain boundary phases of the superalloy, and components formed by such example systems and techniques. The method includes heating a substrate to within a forging temperature range. The substrate includes a nickel-based superalloy, and the forging temperature range is below an eta phase solvus temperature of the substrate. The method includes applying a plurality of die forging stages to the substrate to form a component preform. The method includes maintaining the substrate within the forging temperature range during application of the plurality of die forging stages and cooling the component preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Paul Fuesting, Gangshu Shen, Eugene Sun
  • Patent number: 11952139
    Abstract: A voltage controlled aircraft electric propulsion system includes an electric propulsion system. The voltage controlled aircraft electric propulsion system may include electric propulsors providing thrust for the aircraft. In hybrid systems, a gas turbine engine may also be included. The electric propulsion system may include at least one electric generator power source, at least one propulsor motor load, and at least one stored energy power source, such as a battery. The propulsor motor load may be supplied power from a power supply bus. The voltage of the power supply bus may be adjusted according to an altitude of the aircraft while maintaining a substantially constant current flow to the propulsor motor load. Due to the adjustment to lower voltages at increased altitude, insulations levels may be lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Schenk, David Loder, David Trawick
  • Patent number: 11955754
    Abstract: In examples of the disclosure, a device may be couple an electrical load to a power source. The device may have a first coupling configured to couple to the power source and a second coupling configured to couple to the electrical load. The device may have a plurality of strands electrically disposed between the first coupling and the second coupling. Each of the plurality of strands may have a coating having a resistivity greater than 1.8×10?8 ?-m and less than 1 ?-m and a center conductor wrapped, at least in part, by the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: David Loder
  • Patent number: 11954408
    Abstract: A method of designing a modified aerofoil shape, the method comprising the steps of: determining a plurality of resonant frequencies of a baseline aerofoil shape; determining that one of the resonant frequencies falls within a predetermined range of frequencies; providing a plurality of aerofoil sections defining the baseline aerofoil shape; and defining a modified aerofoil shape by displacing at least one of the plurality of aerofoil sections relative to its baseline position in the baseline aerofoil shape until one of the plurality of resonant frequencies previously falling within the range of frequencies is shifted outside the range of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Martin Rose, Stuart Marshall
  • Patent number: 11952317
    Abstract: An example article includes a substrate and a barrier coating on the substrate. The barrier coating includes a matrix including a rare-earth disilicate extending from an inner interface facing the substrate to an outer surface opposite the inner interface. The barrier coating includes a graded volumetric distribution of rare-earth oxide rich (REO-rich) phase regions in the matrix along a direction from the inner interface to the outer surface. The graded volumetric distribution defines a first volumetric density of the REO-rich phase regions at a first region of the matrix adjacent the outer surface. The graded volumetric distribution defines a second volumetric density of the REO-rich phase regions at a second region of the matrix adjacent the inner surface. The second volumetric density is different from the first volumetric density. An example technique includes forming the barrier coating on the substrate of a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Ngunjoh Lawrence Ndamka, Li Li, Stephanie Gong, Ann Bolcavage, Taylor K. Blair, Robert Golden
  • Patent number: 11952945
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an aircraft includes a first gas turbine engine, first thermal bus, first heat exchanger, one or more first ancillary systems, vapour compression system, one or more second ancillary systems and second heat exchanger. A waste heat energy generated by a first gas turbine engine, and a first ancillary system, transfers to the first heat transfer fluid. A waste heat energy generated by a second ancillary system transfers to a second heat transfer fluid, and the second heat exchanger transfers the waste heat energy from the second heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid. The waste heat energy generated by a second ancillary system transfers to the first heat transfer fluid, and the first heat exchanger transfers the waste heat energy to a dissipation medium. The waste heat energy transferred to the second heat transfer fluid ranges from 20 kW to 300 kW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Paul R Davies, Alexander T Joyce, David A Jones
  • Publication number: 20240110512
    Abstract: A heat management system includes a fuel tank storing a fuel; a first heat exchanger thermally coupled to the fuel tank; a hydraulic pump for circulating a hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic circuit including first and second hydraulic lines fluidly coupled to the first heat exchanger and the hydraulic pump, such that the first heat exchanger brings the hydraulic fluid and the fuel into a heat exchange relationship; an oil circuit; and a second heat exchanger thermally coupled to the oil circuit and at least one of the first and second hydraulic lines, such that the second heat exchanger brings the hydraulic fluid and the oil into a heat exchange relationship, thereby allowing heat transfer between the fuel and the oil via the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Mark P. Reid
  • Publication number: 20240113642
    Abstract: A closed-loop control device includes: the closed-loop control device which is configured for: detecting a generator frequency (fG) of the generator as a controlled variable; determining a control deviation (ef) as a difference between the generator frequency (fG) which is detected and a target generator frequency (fsoll); determining a target torque (Msoll) as a manipulated variable for controlling an internal combustion engine as a function of the control deviation (ef); using a control rule for determining the target torque (Msoll); and adapting the control rule—which is used to determine the target torque (Msoll)—as a function of at least one adaptation variable, the at least one adaptation variable being selected from a group consisting of the generator frequency (fG) which is detected, a target torque variable, and a generator power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Dölker
  • Publication number: 20240110531
    Abstract: A closed-loop control device, for closed-loop control of a power assembly including an internal combustion engine and a generator having an operative drive connection to the internal combustion engine, includes: the closed-loop control device which is configured for: detecting a generator power (PG) of the generator as a controlled variable; determining a control deviation (eP) as a difference between the generator power (PG) which is detected and a target generator power (Psoll); determining a target speed (nsoll) as a manipulated variable for controlling the internal combustion engine as a function of the control deviation (eP); using a control rule for determining the target speed (nsoll); and being operatively connected to an open-loop control device of the internal combustion engine in such a way that the target speed (nsoll) can be transmitted by the closed-loop control device to the open-loop control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Dölker
  • Publication number: 20240110510
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine for an aircraft includes: an engine core; a fan; turbomachinery bearings; a power gearbox; and a heat management system for providing lubrication and cooling to the power gearbox and turbomachinery bearings, at least one air-lubricant heat exchanger to dissipate a first amount of heat to a first heat sink, and at least one fuel-lubricant heat exchanger to dissipate a second amount of heat to a second heat sink, wherein the heat management system is configured to provide a first amount of heat and a second amount of heat such that a ratio of a first proportion of heat generated by the gearbox and the turbomachinery and dissipated to air at 85% of a core shaft maximum take-off speed at an environment temperature of ISA +40° C. to the first proportion at an environment temperature of ISA ?69° C. is in the range of from 1.5 to 4.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Andrea MINELLI
  • Publication number: 20240110511
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine for an aircraft includes: an engine core including a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor, wherein the core shaft has a core shaft maximum take-off speed in the range of 5500 rpm to 9500 rpm, preferably in the range of 5500 rpm to 8500 rpm; a fan; turbomachinery bearings; a power gearbox adapted to drive the fan at a lower rotation speed than the turbine; and a heat management system configured to provide lubrication and cooling to the gearbox and turbomachinery bearings, and including a pipe assembly adapted to provide a lubricant flow to the gearbox and turbomachinery bearings, at least one air-lubricant heat exchanger to dissipate a first amount of heat to a first heat sink, and at least one fuel-lubricant heat exchanger to dissipate a second amount of heat to a second heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Andrea MINELLI
  • Publication number: 20240114790
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generator system comprising a thermoelectric generator, a vortex tube for receiving a compressed gas from a flow input and separating the compressed gas into a hot flow exiting a first output and a cold flow exiting a second output, a sensor system for determining a first parameter, a second parameter, and a third parameter, the third parameter being indicative of a temperature of a third fluid flow, a radiator system comprising a first and second heat exchangers disposed on opposing sides of the thermoelectric generator; a tube system to separately direct the hot, cold, and third fluid flows towards a switch arrangement configured to be moveable between a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration, with a control unit for controlling the switch arrangement based on the first, second, and third parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Jia LI, Seok Woo LEE, Vincent B. Gill
  • Publication number: 20240110517
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine for an aircraft including: a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a fan; turbomachinery bearings; a power gearbox; and a heat management system configured to provide lubrication and cooling to the gearbox and turbomachinery bearings. The method includes operating the heat management system to provide a first amount of heat and a second amount of heat such that a first proportion of heat generated by the gearbox and the turbomachinery and dissipated to air at 85% of a core shaft maximum take-off speed is in the range of from 0.25 to 0.70; and operating the fan at cruise condition to provide a fan pressure ratio in the range of from 1.35 to 1.43.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Andrea MINELLI
  • Publication number: 20240110516
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine for an aircraft including: a compressor stage; a bleed air line diverted from the compressor stage; and a thermoelectric generator system, the thermoelectric generator system including a thermoelectric generator; a vortex tube and a radiator system, the vortex tube including a flow input fluidically connected to the bleed air line to receive an input of compressed gas from the bleed air line, wherein the vortex tube is configured to separate the compressed gas into a hot flow discharged from a first output of the vortex tube, and a cold flow discharged from a second output of the vortex tube; the radiator system including a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger disposed on opposing sides of the thermoelectric generator; and at least one of the hot flow is directed to the first heat exchanger, and the cold flow is directed to the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Jia LI, Seok Woo LEE, Vincent B. Gill
  • Publication number: 20240110483
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary disc balancing simulation mass for balancing a rotary disc configured to support a set of rotary components, wherein the rotary disc balancing simulation mass is configured to be attached to the rotary disc and configured to simulate the mass of two or more of the rotary components. Also disclosed are balancing simulation apparatus, and methods of balancing a rotary disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: John M. HARRISON
  • Publication number: 20240110508
    Abstract: A geared gas turbine engine includes a heat management system configured to provide lubrication and cooling to a power gearbox and turbomachinery bearings, and including a pipe assembly adapted to provide a lubricant flow to the power gearbox and turbomachinery bearings to remove the heat generated by the power gearbox and turbomachinery bearings, an air-lubricant heat exchanger to dissipate a first amount of heat, and a fuel-lubricant heat exchanger to dissipate a second amount of heat wherein the heat management system is configured to provide the first amount of heat and the second amount of heat such that at cruise conditions a proportion of heat generated by the gearbox and the turbomachinery and dissipated to air is in the range of from 0.35 to 0.80.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Andrea MINELLI
  • Publication number: 20240110513
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine for an aircraft includes: an engine core including a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a fan including a plurality of fan blades and arranged upstream of the engine core; turbomachinery bearings; a power gearbox adapted to drive the fan at a lower rotation speed than the turbine; and a heat management system configured to provide lubrication and cooling to the power gearbox and turbomachinery bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Andrea MINELLI
  • Publication number: 20240110514
    Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine includes: an engine core including a compressor, combustor, turbine, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a fan including fan blades and arranged upstream of the engine core; turbomachinery bearings; a power gearbox to drive the fan at a lower rotation speed than the turbine; and a heat management system providing lubrication and cooling to the power gearbox and turbomachinery bearings, and including a pipe assembly adapted to provide a lubricant flow to the power gearbox and turbomachinery bearings to remove the heat generated by the power gearbox and turbomachinery bearings, at least one air-lubricant heat exchanger to dissipate a first amount of heat to a first heat sink, and at least one fuel-lubricant heat exchanger to dissipate a second amount of heat to a second heat sink, wherein the first heat sink is air and the second heat sink is fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Andrea MINELLI