Patents by Inventor David C. Butt

David C. Butt 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).

  • Patent number: 8350398
    Abstract: An open-rotor gas turbine engine comprising a starter/generator, a first spool and a second spool, the second spool is of a lower pressure than the first spool; wherein the starter/generator is connected to the first and second spools via first and second clutches respectively. The method of operating the open-rotor engine comprises the step of supplying power to the starter/generator to drive the first spool via the first clutch to start the engine and, once the engine is self-propelling, a step of driving the starter/generator from the second spool via the second clutch to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLC
    Inventor: David C. Butt
  • Publication number: 20100133832
    Abstract: An open-rotor gas turbine engine comprising a starter/generator, a first spool and a second spool, the second spool is of a lower pressure than the first spool; wherein the starter/generator is connected to the first and second spools via first and second clutches respectively. The method of operating the open-rotor engine comprises the step of supplying power to the starter/generator to drive the first spool via the first clutch to start the engine and, once the engine is self-propelling, a step of driving the starter/generator from the second spool via the second clutch to generate electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: David C. Butt
  • Patent number: 7698884
    Abstract: A power transmission arrangement comprises a first power transmission member connectable to a first main shaft of an engine. The arrangement also includes a second power transmission member connectable to a second main shaft of the engine and to a third power transmission member. A coupling assembly is provided which has a selectable coupling condition to couple the first power transmission member to the second power transmission member to allow power to be transmitted from the third power transmission member to the first main shaft of the engine via the first power transmission member. The coupling assembly has a decoupling condition to decouple the first power transmission member from the second power transmission member to allow power to be transmitted from the main shaft of the engine to the third power transmission member via the second power transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Alan R. Maguire, David C. Butt, Martyn Richards, Geoffrey E. Kirk, David A. Edwards, Glenn A. Knight
  • Patent number: 7543439
    Abstract: A generator assembly for a gas turbine engine. The assembly includes an electrical generator connected via a first sprag clutch to an accessory gearbox driven by the engine. The generator is also connected by a second sprag clutch to an air turbine connected to engine bleed valves which are selectively open when the engine speed falls below a predetermined level. The clutches are arranged such that the generator is driven at any time by the fastest rotating of the gearbox and turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: David C Butt, Alan R Maguire
  • Patent number: 7527476
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine compressor includes a rotor disc for mounting a plurality of radially extending rotor blades for rotation thereon, an annulus filler for securing to the disc to provide a radially inner airflow surface for air passing through the rotor assembly and a securing arrangement for securing the annulus filler to the rotor disc, the annulus filler being configured such that it is biased into a condition in which the securing arrangement mechanically retains the annulus filler on the disc, but is movable against its bias to allow the annulus filler to be removed from the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: David C. Butt, Kenneth F. Udall
  • Publication number: 20080302082
    Abstract: A power transmission arrangement comprises a first power transmission member connectable to a first main shaft of an engine. The arrangement also includes a second power transmission member connectable to a second main shaft of the engine and to a third power transmission member. A coupling assembly is provided which has a selectable coupling condition to couple the first power transmission member to the second power transmission member to allow power to be transmitted from the third power transmission member to the first main shaft of the engine via the first power transmission member. The coupling assembly has a decoupling condition to decouple the first power transmission member from the second power transmission member to allow power to be transmitted from the main shaft of the engine to the third power transmission member via the second power transmission member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Alan R. Maguire, David C. Butt, Martyn Richards, Geoffrey E. Kirk, David A. Edwards, Glenn A. Knight
  • Patent number: 7418821
    Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine including a first hydraulic pump connected to a starter motor and a second hydraulic pump connected to the high-pressure compressor. The engine being arranged such that during starting the starter motor drives the first pump, to pump hydraulic fluid to operate the second pump as a motor to drive the high pressure compressor. During running the first and second pumps are connected to the aircraft hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: David C. Butt
  • Patent number: D341676
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventors: David C. Butts, Albert A. Werth, Blanche Owczarski