Patents Assigned to Rolls-Royce Corporation
  • Patent number: 7784448
    Abstract: An anti-flow interruption system is configured to provide a supply of fuel in the event of a fuel flow interruption from a fuel tank. The anti-flow interruption system includes a reservoir, a reservoir conduit, and a vapor bleed system. The reservoir conduit has an end disposed at the bottom of the reservoir and another connected to a fuel pump. The vapor bleed system includes a vapor bleed conduit and a vapor bleed restrictor. One end of the vapor bleed conduit is attached to the top of the reservoir and the other end is connected to the fuel pump. The vapor bleed restrictor is disposed in the vapor bleed conduit between the fuel pump and the reservoir. If fuel flow is interrupted and results in vapor being present in the reservoir, liquid fuel remaining in the reservoir continues to be supplied to the fuel pump while the vapor bleed system removes the vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen G. Murray
  • Patent number: 7779890
    Abstract: A system for producing cast components from molten metal. One form of the present invention includes a system for the precision pouring of molten metal within a casting mold. The precision pouring system is driven by a pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Frasier, M. Eric Schlienger, Patrick A. Vessely
  • Patent number: 7753172
    Abstract: A lubrication scavenge system is disclosed herein. The lubrication scavenge system includes a structure disposed for high-speed rotation about an axis. The lubrication scavenge system also includes a sump housing with an inwardly-facing surface substantially encircling the structure for receiving and directing lubricant expelled from the structure. A volume is defined between the structure and the inwardly-facing surface. The lubrication scavenge system also includes an open cell metal foam body disposed in the volume and tightly encircling the structure to substantially reduce windage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: John H. Munson
  • Publication number: 20100159136
    Abstract: A static chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process may be used to deposit a coating including a ?-Ni+??-Ni3Al phase constitution over a substrate. A static CVD process is performed in a closed system that may include the substrate, and coating material and an activator. The ?-Ni+??-Ni3Al coating may be modified by one or more additional elements, including, for example, Hf, Y, Zr, Ce, La, Si, Cr, Pt, or additional elements present in the substrate. A static CVD process may include co-deposition of two or more elements, and may also include sequential static CVD steps, each of which is performed in a closed system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Kang N. Lee, Michael Cybulsky, Wiliam J. Brindley
  • Publication number: 20100136349
    Abstract: A multilayer thermal barrier coating (TBC) may include a plurality of layers selected to provide properties to the multilayer TBC. For example, a multilayer TBC may include a first layer deposited over a substrate, a second layer deposited over the first layer and a third layer deposited over the second layer. The first layer may be selected to provide thermal cycling resistance, the second layer may be selected to provide low thermal conductivity and the third layer may be selected to provide at least one of erosion resistance and CMAS degradation resistance. The multilayer TBC may also include two layers, or more than three layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Kang N. Lee
  • Publication number: 20100129673
    Abstract: A reinforced coating may include an oxide matrix and a reinforcement. In some embodiments, the reinforcement may include at least one of SiC and Si3N4. The reinforced coating may be deposited over a substrate, which may include a superalloy, ceramic or ceramic matrix composite (CMC). The reinforced coating may be deposited over the substrate alone or in combination with one or more additional oxide layers and/or a bond coat. The reinforced coating may be deposited using plasma spraying, physical vapor deposition, cathodic arc deposition, chemical vapor deposition, slurry dip coating, sol-gel coating, electrophoretic deposition, or another suitable deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Kang N. Lee
  • Publication number: 20100127496
    Abstract: An electrical machine is embedded into the compressor assembly of a gas turbine engine. An electrical system interface module distributes electrical current to and from the embedded electrical machine for starting the gas turbine engine and for operating accessory components. Accordingly, the gas turbine engine and accessory components can be started and operated without a power-takeoff shaftline and without an external accessory gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: PHILIP BURKHOLDER, RIGOBERTO J. RODRIGUEZ, STEVEN GAGNE, KENNETH M. PESYNA
  • Publication number: 20100129636
    Abstract: An abradable coating may include a rare earth silicate. The abradable coating may be deposited over a substrate, an environmental barrier coating, or a thermal barrier coating. The abradable coating may be deposited on a gas turbine blade track or a gas turbine blade shroud to form a seal between the gas turbine blade track or gas turbine blade shroud and a gas turbine blade. The abradable coating may also include a plurality of layers, such as alternating first and second layers including, respectively, a rare earth silicate and stabilized zirconia or stabilized hafnia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Cybulsky, Kang N. Lee, Raymond J. Sinatra
  • Publication number: 20100057957
    Abstract: A reconfigurable FADEC includes a reconfigurable CPU configured for performing digital computing functions. A reconfigurable MSPD communicates with the CPU and is configured for performing analog I/O functions. A data bus is coupled to the CPU and the MSPD. The data bus is configured for connecting the CPU and the MSPD to an external connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Mitchell Smilg, James Ernst, Robert Zeller
  • Publication number: 20100024427
    Abstract: A precision counter-swirl combustor that includes an annular combustor having a forward end, an aft end opposite the forward end, and an interior. The aft end being proximal to a gas turbine. The combustor further includes a fuel inlet and swirler operatively connected to the forward end and at least one air inlet. The air inlet is equipped with a chute that extends into the interior of said combustor. The combustor is secured to a fixed structure proximate the forward end of the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHARLES B. GRAVES, William G. Cummings
  • Patent number: 7648588
    Abstract: The application contemplates a steel body having a hardened case portion and a core portion. The case portion has a hardness of at least Rc 50 and is substantially free of continuous phase grain boundary carbides. The steel body is formed of Pyrowear 675 which is a stainless steel material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen N. Hammond, Udayan Trivedi, Thomas L. Doubts, Douglas C. Steckbauer
  • Publication number: 20090289232
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine and method of fabrication includes a gas turbine engine with a structure having movable portions and static portions. At least a portion of the structure includes a composite material having an electrically conductive path formed from carbon nanotubes configured for conducting electrical signals therealong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: EDWARD CLAUDE RICE
  • Patent number: 7607523
    Abstract: The invention provides a lock mechanism and method for selectively coupling two concentric shafts rotatable about a common axis. The lock mechanism includes a locking ring assembly movable along an axis of rotation of two rotatable shafts between a locked position to transmit rotation between the two shafts and an unlocked position. The lock mechanism also includes a first locking portion extending radially from the locking ring assembly and circumferentially about the axis of rotation for engaging a first of the two shafts. The lock mechanism also includes a second locking portion extending radially from the locking ring assembly opposite the first locking portion and circumferentially about the axis of rotation for engaging a second of the two shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Stanford Clemens, Kelby Hassenzahl
  • Publication number: 20090226613
    Abstract: A method for making an oxidation resistant article, including (a) depositing a layer of a Pt group metal on a substrate to form a platinized substrate; and (b) depositing on the platinized substrate layer of Pt group metal a layer of a reactive element selected from the group consisting of Hf, Y, La, Ce and Zr and combinations thereof to form a surface modified region thereon, wherein the surface modified region includes the Pt-group metal, Ni, Al and the reactive element in relative concentration to provide a ?-Ni+??-Ni3Al phase constitution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicants: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gleeson, Bingtao Li, Daniel J. Sordelet, William John Brindley
  • Patent number: 7568968
    Abstract: A method of determining a position of a coolant nozzle relative to a rotating grinding wheel removing material from a work-piece and an apparatus for practicing the method are disclosed. The method includes the step of disposing a coolant nozzle having a base and a distal end for adjustable movement relative to the grinding wheel and the work-piece. The distal end of the coolant nozzle can be moved in a first plane normal to an axis of the grinding wheel along a first arcuate path centered on a pivot axis at the base. The distal end can also be moved by moving the pivot axis in the first plane along an orbit centered on the grinding wheel axis. The method also includes the step of selecting a position of the distal end along the first arcuate path. The method also includes the step of projecting a second arcuate path in the first plane centered on the grinding wheel axis and having a radius extending to the position of the distal end along the first arcuate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Iain Pilkington
  • Patent number: 7551977
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for producing ceramic item from a photocurable ceramic filled material by stereolithography. The method compensates for the anisotropic shrinkage of the item during firing to produce a dimensionally accurate item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: M. Eric Schlienger, Nina Bergan French, Michael D. Baldwin, Michael Maguire, Paul Withey
  • Patent number: 7531217
    Abstract: A method for making an oxidation resistant article, including (a) depositing a layer of a Pt group metal on a substrate to form a platinized substrate; and (b) depositing on the platinized substrate layer of Pt group metal a layer of a reactive element selected from the group consisting of Hf, Y, La, Ce and Zr and combinations thereof to form a surface modified region thereon, wherein the surface modified region includes the Pt-group metal, Ni, Al and the reactive element in relative concentration to provide a ?-Ni+??-Ni3Al phase constitution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignees: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Gleeson, Bingtao Li, Daniel J. Sordelet, William John Brindley
  • Patent number: 7526911
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel metering valve is configured to move within an operating position range having a first end position for establishing a first fuel flow rate, a second end position for establishing a second fuel flow rate, and an intermediate position located between the first and second end positions for establishing a third fuel flow rate. The first and second fuel flow rates are either both higher than or both lower than the third fuel flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew C. Pickard, Christopher Jack, Colin Richard Barnfather
  • Patent number: 7469777
    Abstract: A wear indicating friction disc assembly includes at least two friction discs and may include a plurality of clamping assemblies positioned around a circumference of the friction discs to clamp at least two of the friction discs together. At least one of the clamping assemblies may include a wear indicating washer with a wear indicating portion extending into a portion of one at least one of the friction discs. A height of the wear indicating portion is set to engage the opposing friction member at a predetermined wear level of the friction disc assembly and to emit a detectable signal upon sliding engagement with the opposing friction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip S. Burkholder, Andrew D. Copeland
  • Patent number: 7418993
    Abstract: A system for producing cast components from molten metal. One form of the present invention includes a system for the precision pouring of molten metal within a casting mold. The precision pouring system is driven by a pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Frasier, M. Eric Schlienger, Guy Allen Brady, Matthew T. Kush, Patrick A. Vessely