Patents by Inventor Andrew Swift
Andrew Swift has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20210383547Abstract: There is described a method of generating data indicative of a condition of an internal organ, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of images representing the internal organ; receiving landmark data associated with a selected image of the plurality of images; processing the landmark data and the selected image to extract a region of interest in the plurality of images; and processing the region of interest in the plurality of images to generate data indicative of a condition of the internal organ.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2019Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Haiping Lu, Andrew Swift
-
Patent number: 11066959Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine includes an engine core including a turbine, a compressor, a core shaft connecting the turbine to compressor, and a core casing surrounding the engine core. A fan is located upstream of the engine core and fan casing surrounds the fan. A gearbox receives input from the core shaft and outputs drive to rotate the fan. A single plane support structure connects the core and fan casing. The support structure includes an inner ring, outer ring and plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending struts connecting the inner and outer ring. The inner ring including a torsion box and a gearbox and fan support structure is connected to the torsion box. A front and rear mount are configured to connect the gas turbine engine to the aircraft, wherein the front mount is coupled to the torque box and the rear mount is coupled to the core casing.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: Andrew Swift
-
Patent number: 10830151Abstract: A coupling arrangement for a gas turbine engine. The arrangement comprises first, second and third members. The first member has a first threaded mating surface extending in a first direction (X) and a flange extending in a direction generally normal to the first direction (X). The second member has a second threaded mating surface extending in the first direction (X) and a flange extending in a direction generally normal to the first direction (X), the flanges of the first and second members engaging against one another. The third member has a third threaded mating surface configured to engage against the first threaded mating surface, and a fourth threaded mating surface configured to engage against the second threaded mating surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Andrew Swift, Stewart T. Thornton
-
Publication number: 20200040845Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine includes a compressor system including a low pressure compressor coupled to a low pressure shaft, and a high pressure compressor coupled to a high pressure shaft. An inner core casing is provided radially inwardly of compressor blades of the compressor system. A fan is coupled to the low pressure shaft via a reduction gearbox. The high pressure compressor includes an outer core casing arrangement provided radially outwardly of compressor blades of the high pressure compressor, the inner and outer core casing arrangements defining a core working gas flow path therebetween; and the outer core casing arrangement includes a first and a second outer core casing spaced radially outward from the first outer core casing. At an axial plane of an inlet to the high pressure compressor, the second outer core casing has a radius greater than 0.25 times a radius of the fan.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: Andrew SWIFT
-
Publication number: 20200032674Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine includes an engine core including a turbine, a compressor, a core shaft connecting the turbine to compressor, and a core casing surrounding the engine core. A fan is located upstream of the engine core and fan casing surrounds the fan. A gearbox receives input from the core shaft and outputs drive to rotate the fan. A single plane support structure connects the core and fan casing. The support structure includes an inner ring, outer ring and plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending struts connecting the inner and outer ring. The inner ring including a torsion box and a gearbox and fan support structure is connected to the torsion box. A front and rear mount are configured to connect the gas turbine engine to the aircraft, wherein the front mount is coupled to the torque box and the rear mount is coupled to the core casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: Andrew SWIFT
-
Publication number: 20200003129Abstract: The invention relates to a gas turbine engine, in particular an aircraft engine, comprising: a turbine connected via an input shaft device to a gearbox device having a sun gear, a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears attached thereto, and a ring gear, the sun gear is connected to the input shaft device, the planet carrier or the ring gear is connected to a propulsive fan via an output shaft device of the gearbox device, with an inter-shaft bearing system being positioned radially between the input shaft device and the planet carrier of the gearbox device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Dominic BONIFACE, Andrew SWIFT, Stewart THORNTON, Paul SIMMS, Glenn KNIGHT, Geoff HUGHES
-
Publication number: 20190360359Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) for an aircraft is disclosed. The gas turbine engine (10) comprises a mechanical power converter (42) arranged to receive an input drive (44) and produce an output drive (46). The output drive (46) has the same rotational direction as the input drive (44). The gas turbine engine further comprises a stationary supporting structure arranged to provide a stationary support for the mechanical power converter (42). The stationary supporting structure comprises one or more structural support aerofoils (24a-24h). A method (100) of supporting a mechanical power converter (42) in a gas turbine engine (10) is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Matthew J. WILLSHEE, Andrew SWIFT
-
Publication number: 20190360403Abstract: A coupling arrangement for a gas turbine engine. The arrangement comprises first, second and third members. The first member has a first threaded mating surface extending in a first direction (X) and a flange extending in a direction generally normal to the first direction (X). The second member has a second threaded mating surface extending in the first direction (X) and a flange extending in a direction generally normal to the first direction (X), the flanges of the first and second members engaging against one another. The third member has a third threaded mating surface configured to engage against the first threaded mating surface, and a fourth threaded mating surface configured to engage against the second threaded mating surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Andrew SWIFT, Stewart T. THORNTON
-
Patent number: 10393068Abstract: A gas turbine engine, including: a low pressure spool having a low pressure compressor and a low pressure turbine connected by a low pressure shaft; a reduction gear train having a sun gear, a carrier having a plurality of planet gears attached thereto, and a ring gear, wherein one of the sun gear, carrier or ring gear is connected to the low pressure shaft, and another of the sun gear, carrier and ring gear provides an output drive; a propulsive fan mounted fore of the gear train; a fan shafting arrangement comprising a fan shaft which is connected to the output drive of the gear train and a fan support shaft which passes through center of the gear train along the axis of rotation of the gearbox and fan, wherein the fan shafting arrangement is rotatably supported by at least two axially separated bearings.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Andrew Swift, Stewart T Thornton, Paul Simms, Glenn A Knight
-
Patent number: 10294872Abstract: Disclosed is a gas turbine engine comprising: a low pressure spool having a low pressure compressor and a low pressure turbine connected by a low pressure shaft; a reduction gear train having a sun gear, a carrier having a plurality of planet gears attached thereto, and a ring gear, wherein the sun gear is driveably connected to the low pressure shaft, and either of carrier and ring gear provides an output drive connected to a propulsive fan; wherein the connection between the low pressure shaft and the sun gear includes a flexible drive shaft having serially connected concentrically nested first and second input shafts between the low pressure shaft and sun gear.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Stewart T. Thornton, Andrew Swift
-
Publication number: 20180030901Abstract: Disclosed is a gas turbine engine comprising: a low pressure spool having a low pressure compressor and a low pressure turbine connected by a low pressure shaft; a reduction gear train having a sun gear, a carrier having a plurality of planet gears attached thereto, and a ring gear, wherein the sun gear is driveably connected to the low pressure shaft, and either of carrier and ring gear provides an output drive connected to a propulsive fan; wherein the connection between the low pressure shaft and the sun gear includes a flexible drive shaft having serially connected concentrically nested first and second input shafts between the low pressure shaft and sun gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Stewart T. THORNTON, Andrew SWIFT
-
Patent number: 9726032Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor assembly that is rotationally coupled to a shaft. The engine includes a radial diffuser assembly coupled to a shroud of the compressor assembly and positioned to receive compressed air from a centrifugal impeller. The radial diffuser assembly includes a first arcuate wall and a second wall, and a near axial diffuser coupled to the radial diffuser assembly and positioned to receive the compressed air from the radial diffuser assembly. The gas turbine includes a gas seal coupled between the second wall and a wall of the near axial diffuser, the gas seal configured to prevent the compressed air from passing through the seal while allowing relative motion between the radial diffuser assembly and the near axial diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignees: Rolls-Royce American Technologies, Inc., Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Robert A. Ress, Jr., Andrew Swift
-
Patent number: 9683488Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor assembly that is rotationally coupled to a shaft, the compressor assembly having a centrifugal impeller and a shroud covering a bladed portion of the centrifugal impeller. The compressor assembly includes a diffuser that is attached to the shroud via a pair of flanges, the diffuser including a strut that is mounted through an aft-extending leg to a base of an intercase. A sealing assembly is attached to the diffuser and is attachable to a transition duct that is positioned to receive air from the diffuser. The sealing assembly is configured to prevent air from passing through the sealing assembly while allowing relative motion to occur between the transition duct and the diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Ress, Jr., Andrew Swift
-
Publication number: 20170081973Abstract: A gas turbine engine, including: low pressure spool having low pressure compressor and low pressure turbine connected by low pressure shaft; reduction gear train having sun gear, a carrier having a plurality of planet gears attached thereto, and a ring gear, wherein the sun gear, carrier or ring gear is connected to the low pressure shaft, and another of the sun gear, carrier and ring gear provides an output drive; a propulsive fan mounted fore of the gear train; a fan shafting arrangement comprising a fan shaft connected to the output drive of the gear train via a coupling, wherein the coupling includes a connection point to the fan shaft at a first end, and a connection point to the gear train at a second end wherein the first and second end are axial separated and radially separated and the axial separation is greater than the radial separation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Andrew SWIFT, Stewart T THORNTON, Paul SIMMS, Glenn A. KNIGHT
-
Publication number: 20170082065Abstract: A gas turbine engine, including: a low pressure spool having a low pressure compressor and a low pressure turbine connected by a low pressure shaft; a reduction gear train having a sun gear, a carrier having a plurality of planet gears attached thereto, and a ring gear, wherein one of the sun gear, carrier or ring gear is connected to the low pressure shaft, and another of the sun gear, carrier and ring gear provides an output drive; a propulsive fan mounted fore of the gear train; a fan shafting arrangement comprising a fan shaft which is connected to the output drive of the gear train and a fan support shaft which passes through centre of the gear train along the axis of rotation of the gearbox and fan, wherein the fan shafting arrangement is rotatably supported by at least two axially separated bearings.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Andrew SWIFT, Stewart T. THORNTON, Paul SIMMS, Glenn A. KNIGHT
-
Publication number: 20170002869Abstract: A drive shaft assembly comprising a first shaft and a second shaft is disclosed. The second shaft is axially translatable from an engaged configuration with the first shaft at one limit of its travel to a disengaged configuration from the first shaft at the opposite limit of its travel. Engagement of the first and second shafts is via cooperating helical splines provided thereon. The helical splines give rise to a disengaging axial force on the second shaft in a fault condition in which a driving torque is applied from one of the first and second shafts to the helical splines in a rotational direction tending to unscrew the helical splines. Consequently when the second shaft is in the engaged configuration the disengaging axial force translates the second shaft to the disengaged configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Wen Yao LEE, Anthony H. SIMPSON, Pranav AGGARWAL, David P. SCOTHERN, Andrew SWIFT
-
Patent number: 8851849Abstract: A pitch change apparatus is provided for a propeller assembly having a row of propeller blades which rotate around an axis of the assembly. The apparatus has a unison ring which is coaxial with the propeller assembly. The unison ring is movable to drive respective mechanisms for varying the pitch of the blades. The apparatus further has a plurality of pitch lock assemblies circumferentially distributed around the unison ring. Each pitch lock assembly has a free state which allows movement of the unison ring and a locked state which prevents or limits movement of the unison ring and thus prevents or limits variation of the pitch of the blades. The pitch lock assembly moves from the free to the locked state when the assembly receives a signal to lock the blades.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Andrew Swift, Antony Morgan
-
Patent number: 8845291Abstract: An engine arrangement has a gear assembly that drives a first propeller assembly. The gear assembly is driven by a power drive shaft that joins to the gear assembly at a first side. The engine arrangement has a static conduit that extends along a longitudinal internal cavity of the power drive shaft. The conduit penetrates the gear assembly such that a portion of the conduit projects from an opposing second side of the gear assembly. The engine arrangement has one or more first fluid supply lines routed along the static conduit between a hydraulic pressure power source and the first hydraulic actuator. A first hydraulic rotating coupling is mounted to the projecting portion of the static conduit. The first fluid supply lines fluidly communicate with the first hydraulic actuator via the first rotating coupling.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Andrew Swift, Antony Morgan
-
Publication number: 20140255181Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor assembly that is rotationally coupled to a shaft. The engine includes a radial diffuser assembly coupled to a shroud of the compressor assembly and positioned to receive compressed air from a centrifugal impeller. The radial diffuser assembly includes a first arcuate wall and a second wall, and a near axial diffuser coupled to the radial diffuser assembly and positioned to receive the compressed air from the radial diffuser assembly. The gas turbine includes a gas seal coupled between the second wall and a wall of the near axial diffuser, the gas seal configured to prevent the compressed air from passing through the seal while allowing relative motion between the radial diffuser assembly and the near axial diffuser.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Ress, JR., Andrew Swift
-
Publication number: 20140248142Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor assembly that is rotationally coupled to a shaft, the compressor assembly having a centrifugal impeller and a shroud covering a bladed portion of the centrifugal impeller. The compressor assembly includes a diffuser that is attached to the shroud via a pair of flanges, the diffuser including a strut that is mounted through an aft-extending leg to a base of an intercase. A sealing assembly is attached to the diffuser and is attachable to a transition duct that is positioned to receive air from the diffuser. The sealing assembly is configured to prevent air from passing through the sealing assembly while allowing relative motion to occur between the transition duct and the diffuser.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicants: Rolls-Royce PLC, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Ress, JR., Andrew Swift