Patents Assigned to Rolls-Royce plc
  • Publication number: 20190054534
    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 at an energy density which is sufficient to only fully fuse a portion of said material to create additional permeability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Andrew D. NORTON, Moataz M. ATTALLAH, Khamis E. ESSA, Sheng LI
  • Patent number: 10208664
    Abstract: Combustion equipment includes annular combustion chamber having an annular upstream wall structure. Annular outer casing surrounds and is spaced from annular combustion chamber and annular inner casing is within and spaced from annular combustion chamber. Ogee shaped annular cowl is positioned upstream of annular upstream wall structure and a stage of compressor outlet guide vanes is positioned upstream of annular cowl. Pre-diffuser extends in downstream direction from stage of compressor outlet guide vanes, pre-diffuser is positioned upstream of cowl. Stage of compressor outlet guide vanes is connected to outer and inner casing. Outer fairing extends radially inwardly from outer casing such that annular outer casing, outer fairing and pre-diffuser define annular outer cavity and outer fairing is spaced from cowl or inner fairing extends radially outwardly from inner casing such that annular inner casing, inner fairing and pre-diffuser define an annular inner cavity and inner fairing is spaced from cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Christopher Armit, Emmanuel Aurifeille, Shahrokh Shahpar, Paul Denman, Christopher Ford
  • Patent number: 10208626
    Abstract: A manifold mounting arrangement comprising: a discrete manifold module; a clevis arrangement having a clevis straddling a flange and pivotally secured to the flange by a clevis pin; and a locking bar configured to be coupled to the clevis and to constrain the manifold module relative to the clevis arrangement in the locality of the locking bar. The invention finds utility for mounting case cooling manifolds to turbine casing for a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Glyn Steel, John R. Howarth
  • Patent number: 10208617
    Abstract: A carrier segment of a carrier section for circumscribing an array of circumferentially spaced turbine blades of a gas turbine engine, the blades being disposed radially inwardly of a turbine casing, the carrier segment including a carrier wall disposed radially inwardly of the casing and radially outwardly of the turbine blades, and the carrier wall including one or more portions facing the casing, wherein at least one of the one or more portions of the carrier wall is provided with one or more impingement apertures therein for passage therethrough of air of a predetermined temperature, heating air, from a feed source into impingement onto the turbine casing. The application of heating air onto the casing during transient stages of enhanced engine power, e.g. during step climbs, results in better matching of radial expansion of the casing relative to the turbine blades, thereby enabling improved blade tip clearance control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Simon Lloyd Jones, Leo V. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10207367
    Abstract: A method of laser processing a component within an assembled apparatus using a boroscope, which includes a working head having first and second ends. A first optical fiber extends through the boroscope to a position between the first and second ends. A second optical fiber extends through the boroscope to the second end. A laser optical fiber extends through the boroscope. At least one lens is arranged between the first and second ends of the working head and a mirror is gimballed to the second end. The laser optical fiber directs laser light transmitted through the laser optical fiber onto the lens and then onto the mirror. A first LED is arranged at a position between the first and second ends of the working head and a second LED is arranged at the second end and an actuator device adjust the position of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: James Kell, Clive Grafton-Reed, Dragos Axinte
  • Publication number: 20190052139
    Abstract: Electrical machine apparatus comprising: a rotor having an axis of rotation and defining a cavity therein; and a conduit positioned within the cavity of the rotor, the conduit comprising an inlet arranged to receive a fluid and an outlet arranged to exhaust the fluid, the inlet having a first radial distance from the axis of rotation and the outlet having a second radial distance from the axis of rotation, the first radial distance being greater than the second radial distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Rory D. STIEGER
  • Publication number: 20190048826
    Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine comprises a fan coupled to a fan drive turbine, the fan being configured to provide a bypass flow (B) and a core flow (A) in use. The engine includes a reduction gearbox which couples the fan to the fan drive turbine and a core compressor arrangement. The core compressor arrangement has a core inlet at an upstream end of a core gas flow passage (A) defined by radially inner and outer walls, and at least a first compressor rotor blade provided at an upstream end of the compressor arrangement. The radially inner wall of the core inlet defines a first diameter (DINLET), and a root leading edge of the first compressor rotor blade defines a second diameter (DCOMP). A first ratio (DINLET:DCOMP) of the first diameter (DCOMP) to the second diameter (DCOMP) is greater than or equal to 1.4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: James M. POINTON, Stephen J. BRADBROOK
  • Publication number: 20190047120
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a part comprises providing a component for cutting and directing a water jet at the component so as to cut the component. The water jet comprises water and abrasive particles that are crystalline solids formed from organic acid or calcium oxalate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Robert J. SMITH, Daniel CLARK
  • Publication number: 20190048887
    Abstract: A fan disc apparatus for a gas turbine engine comprises a fan disc; a first drive arm for connecting the fan disc to a fan drive shaft of the gas turbine engine; and a second drive arm for connecting the fan disc to the fan drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Christopher BENSON, Dale E. EVANS
  • Patent number: 10203023
    Abstract: A gear train comprising: an input shaft; a first sun gear coupled to the input shaft; a plurality of first planet gears engaging the first sun gear; a first ring gear engaging the plurality of first planet gears; and a first planet carrier coupled to the plurality of first planet gears; a second sun gear coupled to the input shaft; a plurality of second planet gears engaging the second sun gear; a second ring gear engaging the plurality of second planet gears; and a second planet carrier coupled to the plurality of second planet gears; and an output member coupled to the first planet carrier at a first torque transfer location and coupled to the second planet carrier at a second torque transfer location, different to the first torque transfer location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: John Richard Webster
  • Patent number: 10202860
    Abstract: A method of constructing the nozzle guide passage may include the steps of: providing a tubular pre-form having a plurality of layers of unconsolidated CMC fibers in which the internal walls of the tubular preform provide either working surfaces which define the main gas path walls of the assembled nozzle vane, or extraneous wall portions which do not provide working surfaces of the assembled nozzle guide vane arrangement; cutting the wall portions to provide one or more flaps which remain attached to the pre-form via a connecting portion of wall; and, displacing the flap from a first pre-cut position, to a second consolidation position to provide one or more ancillary features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Steven Hillier
  • Publication number: 20190039210
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a part comprises providing a component for cutting and directing a water jet at the component so as to cut the component. The water jet comprises water and abrasive particles having a nucleus made from a first substance and a second substance surrounding the nucleus, the first substance being denser than the second substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Daniel CLARK, Michael J. WALLIS, Robert J. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20190040801
    Abstract: Gas turbine core engine located on an engine axis, fan bypass duct surrounding the core engine and terminating in a bypass exhaust nozzle, and a pylon fairing extending across the bypass duct at a given angular position enclosing a pylon for attaching the core engine to an aircraft airframe, the pylon fairing having a leading edge inside the duct at a position upstream of the bypass exhaust nozzle and a trailing edge downstream of the bypass exhaust nozzle. Bypass duct is notionally divided into first and second halves to either side of a plane at 90° to the given angular position and containing the engine axis such that the first half is opposite to the pylon fairing and the second half contains the pylon fairing, and such that at any given axial position the total flow area of the bypass duct is the combined flow areas of the two halves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Richard V. BROOKS, Jeffrey S. GREEN
  • Publication number: 20190045637
    Abstract: A method is provided of producing a rigid raft comprising electrical conductors enclosed in the raft. The method includes: providing a cured, composite material base layer; laying up electrical conductors on the base layer; and overlaying the laid-up electrical conductors with a cover layer, thereby producing a rigid raft in which the electrical conductors are enclosed in the raft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Matthew HOCKING, Steven HARTLEY, Dean G. JONES
  • Patent number: 10196896
    Abstract: A rotor stage (100) of a gas turbine engine (10) comprises a platform (120) from which rotor blades extend. The platform is provided with a circumferentially extending damper ring (200), the damper ring having an engagement surface (210) that engages with a platform engagement surface (110) of the platform (120). In use, the damper engagement surface (210) and the platform engagement surface (110) move relative to each other in a radial direction, in response to diametral mode excitation. This causes friction between the two surfaces, thereby dissipating energy and damping the excitation. The rotor stage (100) is arranged such that the engagement load between the damper engagement surface (210) and the platform engagement surface (110) is a function of the rotational speed of the rotor stage (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Michael F Bryant, Garry M Edwards
  • Patent number: 10196925
    Abstract: An actuation arrangement for effecting actuation of a variable stator vane pivotally mounted on a tubular casing. The actuation arrangement includes: an actuator connector connected to the variable stator vane via an actuating lever; an anchor fixedly mounted relative to the circumference of the tubular casing; an actuator; and a belt extending from the actuator to the fixed pulley. The actuation arrangement further includes a movable pulley movable relative to the tubular casing and connected to the actuator connector. The belt has a loop portion provided between the proximal and distal ends which loops around the movable pulley, the loop portion for transferring forces generated in the belt by the actuator to the movable pulley to effect movement of the movable pulley and actuator connector towards the anchor to effect actuation of the variable stator vane via the actuating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Annegret W. Siebert
  • Patent number: 10196938
    Abstract: The present invention provides a casing assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising a radially inner casing and a radially outer casing. The assembly further comprises an axial mounting arrangement for mounting the inner casing and outer casing in a fixed axial relationship. The axial mounting arrangement allows radial movement of the outer casing relative to the inner casing such that distortion of the inner casing as a result of engine carcass loads on the outer casing is obviated as the inner casing is radially isolated from the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Richard S Booth, Mark J Knight
  • Patent number: 10196901
    Abstract: A component, e.g. an aerofoil component like a turbine-blade or guide-vane, for a gas turbine engine, including first and second walls defining at least one passage for supply of cooling fluid to a portion of the component to be cooled, the portion including a slot via which cooling fluid passes from the passage to exit of slot for effecting cooling of the portion, wherein the slot includes at least one side wall, pair of opposite side walls, each having surface profile defining array of channels for passage of cooling fluid, and surface profile defining each of arrays of channels is undulating with the respective arrays of channels in two side walls being angled with respect to one another. The resulting internal cross-corrugated cooling arrangement promotes enhanced cooling of the trailing edge or other portion of the component by controlling flow rate of cooling air through slot and exhausted therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Tsun H. Wong, Peter T. Ireland, Kevin P. Self
  • Patent number: 10197062
    Abstract: An aero-engine low pressure pump is provided for supplying fuel at a raised pressure to a high pressure pump. The low pressure pump has a pumping mechanism which raises the pressure of fuel flowing though the mechanism. The low pressure pump further has electrical motor which drives the pumping mechanism. The low pressure pump further has a variable frequency motor drive which supplies electrical power to the electrical motor. The variable frequency motor drive measures the electrical power supplied to the electrical motor. The low pressure pump further has a control unit which compares the measured electrical power to a reference power, and, when the measured electrical power is less than the reference power by a predetermined amount, controls the motor drive to increase the power supplied to the electrical motor thereby increasing the pressure rise produced by the pumping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: David Brookes, Martin K. Yates
  • Patent number: 10196981
    Abstract: A component 2 for a bearing, the component 2 comprising a bearing surface 4, wherein the bearing surface 4 is formed so as to be tapered at rest, thereby offsetting deformation of the bearing during an operational condition which generates an induced angle in the bearing surface 4 or an opposing surface of the bearing. A method of manufacturing a bearing is also provided. The method comprises: determining an induced angle of a component 2 of the bearing caused by deformation of the bearing during an operational condition: and providing a surface 4 of the component 2 or an opposing component with a taper at rest so as to offset the induced angle generated during the operational condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Daren R. Ashmore, James A. Plant