Abstract: A computer-implemented method of optimizing an automatically meshable shape is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a continuous boundary of the automatically meshable shape, the continuous boundary being defined by a spline formed by two or more spline segments, wherein each segment has a terminal point at each end of the segment; parameterising shape properties of the segments such that selected ones of the shape properties can be varied under operation of an optimization algorithm; linking each segment to its immediately adjacent segments such that the terminal points of the segment remain coincident with the terminal points of its immediately adjacent segments under operation of the optimization algorithm; and using the optimization algorithm to vary selected ones of the shape properties of the segments, whereby the spline defines an adjusted boundary that remains continuous so that the shape remains automatically meshable.

Abstract: A combustion chamber comprises an upstream end wall, at least one fuel injector and at least one seal. Each fuel injector is arranged in a corresponding aperture in the wall. Each seal is arranged in a one of the apertures in the wall and around one of the fuel injectors. Each seal has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The second portion abuts the corresponding fuel injector. The third portion is arranged at the downstream end of the seal and increases in diameter in a downstream direction. The first portion is arranged upstream of the second portion and has a plurality of coolant apertures extending there-through. The coolant apertures extend through the first portion with axial, radial and tangential components. The seals produce better mixing between the coolant and the fuel and air mixture from the fuel injectors to reduce emissions produced in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The ultrasonic inspectability of a supplied part out of which a final component is to be machined is determined by following a set of inspection rules for ultrasonic inspection of the supplied part. The rules determine which parts of the polygon cannot be inspected by a scan at a given ultrasound beam angle (typical beam angles are 0°, +20° and ?20° relative to the perpendicular direction to the edge) along a given edge of the polygon.

Abstract: A method of providing through-thickness reinforcement of a laminated material which includes a matrix material including a step of creating a locally heated zone in the laminated material so as to locally soften the matrix material by focussing a set of at least two energy beams at a location where through-thickness reinforcement is required and a step of inserting a reinforcement element through the thickness of the laminated material at the location of the locally heated zone to through-thickness reinforce the laminated material.

Abstract: An anti-icing system for an engine section stator of a gas turbine engine. The system includes an environmental control system pre-cooler heat exchange system and a conduit. The environmental control system pre-cooler heat exchange system is configured to exchange heat between air bled from a compressor of the engine and bypass duct air. The conduit is configured to exchange heat from the pre-cooler heat exchange system to a heat transfer medium. The conduit is also configured to transfer the heat from the heat transfer medium to the engine section stator.

Abstract: A composite component having a body formed from a plurality of fiber reinforced non-metallic layers. The body includes a delamination region configured so as to permit delamination; and a deflector region configured so as to resist delamination. In the event of delamination, delamination is deflected to and continues to propagate in the delamination region.

Abstract: A planetary gear box assembly, comprises a sun gear and a plurality of planet gears in meshing engagement with the sun gear; the planet gears in meshing engagement with a ring gear which encircles the plurality of planet gears, each planet gear mounted for rotation in a planet carrier by means of a bearing pin wherein a bore in the planet carrier for receiving the bearing pin is parallel. The bearing pin includes a small axially tapered section adjacent one or both ends and the assembly further comprises a tapered sleeve configured to interference fit between a radially inner wall surface of the parallel bore and a radially outer surface of the or each axially tapered section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gear pump having one or more gears with bearing shafts supported by respective pressure-loaded gear pump bearing blocks. Each pressure-loaded bearing block has: a bore adapted to receive the bearing shaft of a gear of the pump; a thrust face at one end adapted to slidingly engage with a side surface of the gear, and an opposing rear face at the other end, the pump being adapted such that, in use, pressurised fluid is supplied to the rear face to provide a hydraulic load urging the thrust face of the bearing block towards the side surface of the gear; and a seal carried by the rear face, the seal, in use, partitioning higher fluid pressure and lower fluid pressure portions of the rear face. The gear pump further has a pressure regulating valve arranged such that, in use, the fluid pressure difference between the higher and lower fluid pressure portions of the rear face of the bearing block is adjustable by the valve to vary said hydraulic load.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for diagnosing a fault condition in an electric machine 4. The method comprises measuring S2 at least one physical parameter generated during operation of the electric machine 4; analysing S4 the or each measured parameter in a frequency domain; and determining S12 whether the electric machine 4 has a stator or rotor winding fault based on a comparison of an amplitude of the or each analysed parameter at a first predetermined frequency and a first threshold amplitude for the first frequency. The at least one physical parameter comprises a sound generated by the electric machine 4.

Abstract: A stator assembly comprises an annular platform (1) defining a boundary of an annulus and a plurality of guide vanes (2) for arranging in a circumferential array on the annular platform (1). The platform (1) includes a circumferential array of slots each slot having, at a first end, walls converging (3) from an annulus facing side towards an opposite side of the platform and then extending parallel (4) towards a second end. One or more cooling holes (5) is arranged in a wall (3,4) of the slot. Each vane (2) includes a root portion (7) which converges in a first region (8) distal to the root end and then extends parallel towards the root end in a second region (9). The root portion (7) is configured to engage in a slot of the platform (1) with the first region (8) abutting a convergent wall portion (3) of the slot and the second region (9) spaced from a parallel wall (4) of the slot.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-spool gas turbine engine, including: a first generator for providing electrical power to an electrical system, the generator being driveably connected to a first spool; a second generator for providing electrical power to the electrical system, the generator being driveably connected to a second spool; a disconnection device for disconnecting the second generator from the second spool; and, a controller configured to selectively operate the disconnection device under predetermined powered engine conditions.

Abstract: A balancing kit and balancing method is provided for balancing a rotating component. The balancing kit comprises a receptacle and a balancing mass. The balancing mass comprises a pin that may be passed through a corresponding slot in a plate of the receptacle during installation. To complete installation, the balancing mass is rotated so that the pin can no longer pass through the slot, and is instead retained in an installed position in which the pin rests on a lower surface of the plate. The balancing mass can be removed by the reverse process.

Abstract: A controlled collapse stub shaft is provided for allowing controlled axial movement of a mainline shaft which joins a fan or compressor to a turbine of a gas turbine engine. A first end of the stub shaft is adapted to be joined to the mainline shaft. A second end of the stub shaft is adapted to be joined to a part of the engine which is axially stationary relative to the controlled axial movement of the mainline shaft. The stub shaft further has an annular body between the first and second ends. The body contains a plurality of axially-spaced circumferential rows of circumferentially-extending slots, inter-slot ligaments being formed between the slots of each row. Successive rows are offset. In this way, the ligaments of the axially forwardmost and rearwardmost rows excepted, each ligament is sandwiched between a forward slot and a rearward slot of its neighboring rows.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of determining a dimension of a gap between an edge of an aerofoil and a surface of an engine casing, the method comprising: receiving data; generating a three dimensional model of the surface of the engine casing from the received data; identifying the edge of the aerofoil in the received data; determining a three dimensional position of a first location along the edge of the aerofoil in the received data using the identified edge; and determining a distance between the determined three dimensional position of the first location and the three dimensional model of the surface of the engine casing using an algorithm.

Abstract: A rotatable arrangement for a gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of blades having an aerofoil profile with a suction side, a pressure side, a leading edge and a trailing edge. A plurality of annulus fillers are provided between adjacent blades. A pressure side seal extends between a blade and an annulus filler on the pressure side of the blade, and a suction side seal extends between the blade and an annulus filler on the suction side of the blade. The suction side seal comprises a blocking member provided at an end of the suction side seal proximal to the trailing edge of the blade, the blocking member being configured to restrict recirculation of flow along the suction side of the blade.

Abstract: A method of classifying a stator winding fault in a brushless synchronous generator includes measuring an electrical parameter of the stator winding and classifying the fault by calculating positive or negative sequence harmonics of the parameter and comparing one or more harmonic component to a threshold.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine 10 is provided with electrical harness rafts 200 comprising electrical conductors embedded in a rigid composite material. The rafts 200 are used to transport electrical signals (which may be, for example power and/or control signals) around a gas turbine engine. Rafts 200 may be connected together and to other components using flexible cables, that may help to accommodate relative movement of the rafts 200, for example through vibration. The rafts 200 are lighter, more compact, and more convenient to handle than conventional electrical harnesses. The rafts 200 may provide a convenient and secure mounting surface for other components/systems of a gas turbine engine, such as EECs and/or fluid pipes.

Abstract: A fuel manifold and fuel injector arrangement has a fuel manifold and at least one fuel injector. The fuel injector has main and pilot fuel nozzles. The fuel manifold has at least one fuel pipe segment and each fuel pipe segment has an outer pipe, an intermediate pipe arranged within the outer pipe and an inner pipe arranged within the intermediate pipe. A thermally insulating medium is provided in a chamber defined between the outer pipe and the intermediate pipe. The chamber between the intermediate pipe and the inner pipe is fluidly connected to a first fuel supply and the chamber within the inner pipe is fluidly connected to a second fuel supply. The at least one pilot fuel nozzle is fluidly connected to the chamber between the intermediate pipe and the inner pipe and the main fuel nozzle is fluidly connected to the chamber within the inner pipe.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a disc having a disc slot and a circumferential groove extending from the slot. A blade having a blade root positioned in the disc slot. The blade root has an integrally formed circumferential protrusion that is received in the circumferential groove of the disc.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a rotor blade, an inner casing and an outer casing, a guide vane, located upstream of the rotor blade and between the inner and outer casing, the guide vane comprising a vane contact member, wherein the guide vane is configured to pivot upon axial displacement of the inner casing relative to either or both of the outer casing and the rotor blade; and, a seal segment located radially outwardly of the rotor blade and mounted for radial displacement relative to the rotor blade; wherein at least a portion of the seal segment axially overlaps, and slidably engages a downstream end of the guide vane so that a pivoting of the guide vane causes the vane contact member to undergo a radially outward displacement which causes a radially outward displacement of at least a portion of the seal segment.