Abstract: A rotor for an electrical machine is provided. The rotor comprises: a rotor body; one or more magnets arranged around the rotor body; and a non-magnetic containment sleeve positioned radially outwardly of the one or more magnets. The containment sleeve has axially-alternating solid ring sections and reticulated ring sections.

Abstract: A method of bi-casting a first component (10) to a second component (11), wherein the first component comprises a channel (13) having an opening at a surface of the component, the method comprising inserting a pin (12) into the channel (13) to a closure position to block a cross-section of said channel, positioning the first and second components to be adjacent such that at least one space is defined between the first and second components, pouring liquid bi-cast metal (15) into the at least one space between the first component and the second component such that the first component is joined to the second component by the bi-cast metal and the pin is secured in the closure position.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a heat exchange system or cooling system for a flow machine (10) having a cooling duct (30) with a coolant inlet opening (32) and a closure (34) for selectively opening the inlet opening (32). A component (38) is arranged to be fluid washed by flow along the cooling duct (30). A flow injector (40) is spaced from the closure (34) along the cooling duct (30) and oriented to inject flow into the cooling duct (30) in a direction that creates a negative fluid pressure downstream of the closure (34), wherein the closure (34) is openable in response to said negative pressure. The component may be a heat exchanger (38). The flow injector (40) may be fed by a compressor (14, 15) of the flow machine (10).

Abstract: A tool is provided for use in processing a pre-formed channel within an electrically conductive component in order to reduce and/or inspect local protrusions left on the surface of the channel by the initial channel forming process, the tool comprising: a probe including a stem that is elongate in an axial direction and is configured to be inserted into the channel, and at least one electrode formed on the stem that is electrically isolated from the stem; a DC electric power supply, configured to establish an electric potential between the at least one electrode and the electrically conductive component in which the channel is formed; and an electrolyte solution supply configured to provide a flow of electrolyte solution into the channel.

Abstract: A bush having a neck portion (33) for inserting into an aperture of one or both of two components to be fastened together, a radially extending shoulder portion (34) having a rear face (34a) adjacent the neck portion (33) an opposite front face (34b) and a radially outer face (34c) extending between the rear face (34a) and the front face (34b), one or more ventilation slots (36) provided in the rear face extending from a junction between the rear face (34a) and the neck portion (33) whereby, in use, to provide an escape route for air caught between the bush and a component.

Abstract: A device and method for the setup, alignment and calibration of grinding machines is disclosed. A tool (42c) is described, comprising a bar (44) and a first location feature (48) located on the bar (44) and configured to engage with a first location of a machine. The tool also provides a datum (66) located at a known but variable distance parallel to the bar (44) from the first location feature (48). A method for calibrating a grinding machine using the tool (42c) is also described.

Abstract: Method of operating an engine and electricity generator powered by torque from the engine is provided. The engine has a working-line which is a locus of engine operating points as the engine is throttled. The method includes increasing electrical-load on the generator.

Abstract: An arrangement of electrical machines including: a variable reluctance rotor. The arrangement also including an annular array of stators; each stator configured to function, in conjunction with the rotor, as an electrical machine.

Abstract: A slider for chocking a dovetail root of a blade of a gas turbine engine in a corresponding axially-extending slot in the rim of a disc. The slider, in use, is slidingly inserted in an axially-extending cavity formed in the base of the root and in the disc at the base of the slot to urge the blade radially outwardly and thereby mate flanks of the root to flanks of the slot. The slider is arc-shaped and the cavity is correspondingly arc-shaped. The normal to the plane of the arc of the arc-shaped cavity is substantially perpendicular to the engine axis such that, when inserted in the cavity, the slider also retains the root axially in the slot.

Abstract: A method of applying an electroplated layer to a surface of a polymeric composite material, the method includes the steps of: providing an uncured polymeric composite substrate; positioning a veil layer over a surface of the uncured polymeric composite substrate, the veil layer providing a conductive surface on the uncured polymeric composite substrate, the veil layer having a mat of metal coated fibres consolidated by an organic binder material; subjecting the uncured polymeric composite substrate to a curing cycle to form a cured polymeric composite material in which the veil layer is partially exposed; and applying an electroplated layer to the conductive surface of the cured polymeric composite material.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use in high pressure environments, such as in a gas turbine engine, includes an outer casing, a tubular element within the outer casing and an inner sleeve within the tubular element. The tubular element has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer casing and outer surface of the tubular element define a first annular passage through which a first fluid flow path extends. The inner sleeve and inner surface of the tubular element define a second annular passage through which a second fluid flow path extends. The first annular passage is sealed against the outer surface of the tubular element and the second annular passage is sealed within the inner surface of the tubular element.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine 10 is provided in a fan root to tip pressure ratio, defined as the ratio of the mean total pressure of the flow at the fan exit that subsequently flows through the engine core (P102) to the mean total pressure of the flow at the fan exit that subsequently flows through the bypass duct (P104), is no greater than a certain value. The gas turbine engine 10 may provide improved efficiency when compared with conventional engines, whilst retaining an acceptable flutter margin.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine 10 is provided in which a fan root pressure ratio is no greater than a given value at cruise conditions. The gas turbine engine may provide improved efficiency when compared with conventional engines, whilst retaining an acceptable flutter margin.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine 10 is provided in which a fan having fan blades in which the camber distribution along the span allows the gas turbine engine to operate with improved efficiency when compared with conventional engines, whilst retaining an acceptable flutter margin.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a turbomachine includes a plurality of boroscopes, a device to rotate the rotor of the turbomachine and a processor having reference measurements of the rotor blades and/or reference measurements between the rotor blades and the boroscopes. A boroscope is inserted in a casing aperture upstream of the blades to view the leading edge and a portion of one of the surfaces of each blade as the rotor is rotated. A boroscope is inserted in a casing aperture downstream of the blades to view the trailing edge and a portion of one of the surfaces of each blade as the rotor is rotated. The boroscopes supply the images of each of the blades to the processor. The processor analyses the images of the blades and uses the reference measurements to determine the position and size of any defect on any of the rotor blades.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for classifying defect in component having a monocrystalline structure.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes in axial flow series a fan rotor, a series of outlet guide vanes for guiding flow from the fan rotor; and a bifurcation. The gas turbine engine further includes a substantially annular fluid passageway extending from fan to the bifurcation, the outlet guide vanes being positioned within the passageway. The passageway includes a profiled region positioned upstream of the bifurcation, the profiled region including a first circumferential portion positioned adjacent a second circumferential portion, the first circumferential portion having a first average radial thickness and a second circumferential portion having a second average radial thickness, the first average radial thickness being smaller than second average radial thickness. The profiled region of the passageway is configured to modify the flow through the passageway so as to improve uniformity of a static pressure field from immediately upstream of the bifurcation to just downstream of the fan rotor.

Abstract: A flexible tool comprising: a plurality of rigid members spaced along a longitudinal axis; a plurality of flexible members extending between the plurality of rigid members and being arranged to enable the plurality of rigid members to diverge from the longitudinal axis and define a work volume for the flexible tool, at least some of the plurality of flexible members being unevenly spaced around the longitudinal axis, and/or a physical characteristic of at least some of the plurality of flexible members varying along the longitudinal axis, to cause the work volume and/or stiffness of the flexible tool to be asymmetric relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Method of forming porous structures which are permeable in two or more dimensions. The method comprises forming successive layers of material on top of one another and, for each layer, selectively fusing powdered material according to a geometry having voids to be permeable in one or more dimensions, and selectively eroding material from the layer to create additional permeability.

Abstract: A hyper-redundant manipulator for insertion into an area of interest through an aperture is shown. The hyper-redundant manipulator comprises a plurality of individually-lockable sections, each of which comprise a plurality of segments having positions that are adjustable relative to each other so as to adopt a pose. A respective locking mechanism is located in each section and is configured to switch between a locked condition in which the pose of the segments in the respective section is locked, and an unlocked condition in which the pose of the segments in the respective section is not locked. A plurality of actuators common to all of the sections are provided to adjust the pose of the segments in sections with a locking mechanism in an unlocked condition.