Patents Assigned to Rolls-Royce plc
  • COMBUSTION CHAMBER ASSEMBLY AND A COMBUSTION CHAMBER SEGMENT
    Publication number: 20180031238
    Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly comprises a combustion chamber and a plurality of nozzle guide vanes. Each nozzle guide vane comprises an inner platform, an outer platform and an aerofoil. The combustion chamber comprises an annular wall which includes at least one box like structure. An outer wall of each box has a plurality of apertures for the supply of coolant into the box and the interior of the box is divided into at least two regions. The upstream end of each box has apertures to supply coolant from a first region of its interior onto an inner surface of the inner wall to form a film of coolant. The downstream end of each box has apertures to supply coolant from a second region of its interior onto a surface of the inner or outer platform of the nozzle guide vanes to form a film of coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Stephen C. HARDING
  • FIBRE COMPOSITE MATERIAL INSPECTION METHOD
    Publication number: 20180031624
    Abstract: A method of determining the position of a defect (32) within a fibre composite article (10) comprising a plurality of electrically conductive fibres (14) embedded within a non-conductive matrix (15). The method comprises providing an array of spaced electrical contacts (12a-k) in electrical contact with fibres (14) of the article (10); conducting an electrical current between two or more spaced electrical contacts (12a-k) of the array to determine a measured electrical profile of the article comprising measurements of at least one of electrical resistance, inductance, capacitance and self-resonant frequency of the article; and comparing the electrical profile with a nominal electrical profile representative of an undamaged article to determine the presence of a defect within the article. To be accompanied when published by FIG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Alexis LAMBOURNE
  • GAS TURBINE ENGINE COMPRISING AN ADJUSTABLE SPINNER
    Publication number: 20180030894
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed comprising a compressor and an intake leading to the compressor, the compressor having a spinner, at least part of the spinner being adjustable to alter the size of the smallest flow area provided within the intake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Howoong NAMGOONG
  • Manufacture of hollow aerofoil
    Patent number: 9879545
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow aerofoil component for a gas turbine engine includes using a capping panel to cover a pocket in a pocketed aerofoil body. During manufacture, the outer surface of the capping panel is located relative to the pocketed aerofoil body. This ensures that the outer surface of the capping panel is located as accurately as possible. This means that the capping panel can be made to be as thin as possible, which in turn reduces weight and material wastage. Once the capping panel has been located in position, it may be welded to the aerofoil body in order to produce the hollow aerofoil component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Steven Aleksy Radomski, Clive Grafton-Reed, Ian Crowston, Andrea Lelio Maurizio
  • Pnuematic system for an aircraft
    Patent number: 9879610
    Abstract: A pneumatic system 131 for use with gas turbine engines 10 and aircraft 100. The pneumatic system 131 comprises a first engine core compressor bleed offtake in the form of an engine handling bleed offtake 140, and a second engine core compressor bleed offtake in the form of first and second cabin bleed offtake 132, 134, the handling bleed being configured to supply higher pressure air than the cabin offtakes 132, 134. The system 131 comprises a turbocompressor 144 comprising an air compressor 148 driven by a turbine 146. The handling bleed offtake 140 is in fluid communication with the turbocompressor air turbine 146 to thereby drive the air turbine 146, and the cabin bleed offtakes 132, 134 are in fluid communication with the turbocompressor air compressor 148 such that air from the offtakes 132, 134 is compressed by the turbocompressor air compressor 148.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Thierry Moes
  • Method of testing
    Patent number: 9880068
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes by which fatigue testing can be carried out by altering the vibrational characteristics of a component, but without physically altering the component itself. In particular the invention provides a method of performing high-cycle fatigue testing on a component, the method including the steps of: attaching one or more masses to the component to alter the stress distribution of the component under vibration; and carrying out high-cycle fatigue testing by exciting the component at a low fundamental frequency of the component. The component can then be tested at a low frequency, which is easier to excite, but fail in a position of the component characteristic of a more complex modeshape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Ian Richard Gower, Michael Frederick Bryant
  • Axial flow machine cooling system
    Patent number: 9879603
    Abstract: This invention concerns a system for cooling components in a gas turbine engine, the gas turbine engine including a compressor for driving a primary gas flow to a combustor and a turbine arranged to be driven by combustion gases from the combustor, wherein the system includes: an annular cooling flow passage arranged for fluid communication between the compressor and the turbine, the flow passage having a first inlet arranged to receive gas from the primary gas flow downstream of compressor, and a second inlet located upstream of the first inlet, wherein the annular cooling flow passage has at least one internal wall for guiding airflow from the first inlet towards the airflow from the second inlet, the airflow from the first and second inlets coalesce within the annular flow passage prior to passing along the passage in a direction from the compressor to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Alan Robert Maguire, Timothy John Scanlon, Colin Young
  • MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A GEAR BOX
    Publication number: 20180023676
    Abstract: A ring gear arrangement, including: a ring gear mount including: a ring gear having at least one internal gear for interaction with one or more gear wheels; a ring gear stator; and, a plurality of couplings which locate the ring gear within the gear stator, each coupling having a drive arm connected to the ring gear and a resiliently deformable connection, wherein the drive arm is movable between a first position in which the ring gear is in a rest position and a second position in which the ring gear has undergone some radial or rotational movement relative to the ring gear stator, wherein movement of the drive arm from a the first position to the second position loads the resiliently deformable connection against the ring gear, wherein the resiliently deformable connection biases the drive arm to return to the first position when in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher J. DURLING
  • AIR COOLED COMPONENT FOR A GAS TURBINE ENGINE
    Publication number: 20180023415
    Abstract: An air cooled component for a turbine stage of a gas turbine engine, comprising: a main body having radially inner main gas path wall and a cooling chamber, the main gas path wall separating the main gas path of the turbine stage and the cooling chamber; at least one flange extending from the main body; a cooling cavity enclosed within the flange; and, an inlet conduit extending between and fluidically connecting the cavity and cooling chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Mark J. SIMMS, Edward J. SMITH
  • Method and apparatus for monitoring and analyzing vibrations in rotary machines
    Patent number: 9874472
    Abstract: Vibration amplitudes are recorded as a function of rotation speed and of frequency and the data is analyzed to estimate a noise floor amplitude threshold for each of a plurality of different speed and frequency sub-ranges. On the basis of training data known to be normal speed-frequency areas which contain significant spectral content in normal operation are deemed “known significant spectral content”, so that during monitoring of new data points which correspond to significant vibration energy at speeds and frequencies different from the known significant spectral content can be deemed “novel significant spectral content” and form the basis for an alert. The estimation of the noise floor is based on a probabilistic analysis of the data in each speed-frequency area and from this analysis an extreme value distribution expressing the probability that any given sample is noise is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Lionel Tarassenko, David A Clifton, Dennis King, Steven P King, David J Ault
  • Electrical coupling unit
    Patent number: 9876315
    Abstract: A coupling unit has an electrical-connector for push-fit electrical connection in the coupling unit axial direction to a mating electrical-connector of a unit. The electrical-connector and mating electrical-connector have engagement formations permitting push-fit connection only when the electrical-connector is in predetermined rotational alignment about axial direction with the mating electrical-connector. The coupling unit has a backshell in fixed rotational relationship with the electrical-connector and extending rearwardly therefrom to house, in use, one or more leads extending rearwardly from the electrical-connector. The coupling unit has coaxial actuation sleeve surrounding the backshell. The actuation sleeve axially moves to effect push-fit connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Richard Edward Mellor, Redland Sanders
  • Surface mountable, toroid magnetic device
    Patent number: 9875838
    Abstract: A surface mountable, toroid magnetic device is provided, the device having a potting filling the central hole of the toroid. The potting extends axially beyond the base of the toroid to form a contact surface which, in use, contacts a mounting body for the device. Heat generated by the device flows by conduction through walls of the toroid defining the central hole into the potting and then through the contact surface into the mounting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: David Brookes
  • Cutting tool
    Patent number: 9873154
    Abstract: A cutting tool (10) comprises a shank (12) for receiving a cutting insert (14) and a block (16) for delivering a flow of fluid to the cutting insert (14). Fluid is delivered to the cutting insert (14) through a fluid passageway (18) that extends through the shank (12) and the block (16). The block (16) is pivotable mounted on the shank (12). The block (16) pivots about screw (22) between a first and a second position. In the first position the block (16) is held in sealing arrangement with the shank (12) to allow the passage of a coolant through the fluid passage (18) to the cutting insert (14). In the second position the block (16) has moved to allow removal of the cutting insert (14) from the shank (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Ian J. Baker, Stephen I Heathberglen
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PARTICLE INJECTION MOULDING
    Publication number: 20180015532
    Abstract: A die for moulding a core by a PIM process, the core having at least one internal feature, the die including; a first die part defining a first portion of an outer surface of the core; a second die part defining a second portion of the outer surface of the core; and an internal feature forming element for defining the surface of an internal feature of the core; wherein the internal feature forming element incorporates a temperature control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Aleksander M. CENDROWICZ
  • VARIABLE STATOR VANE MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20180017080
    Abstract: A variable vane mechanism for adjusting the angle of stator vanes in a gas turbine engine is provided. The mechanism has a circumferentially extending drive ring that is driven by an actuator, and a guide surface that is radially inside the drive ring. The mechanism also has a centralising pin that is connected to the drive ring and also in slidable contact with the guide surface so as to be movable with the drive ring relative to the guide surface. The centralising pin allows both the drive ring to be connected to a stator vane (via a lever) in order to adjust the angle of the vane, and the radial position of the drive ring to be adjusted to ensure accurate and repeatable operation of the mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Edward A. WALTERS
  • SENSOR FAULT DETECTION METHOD
    Publication number: 20180016935
    Abstract: A method of determining a faulty sensor of a sensor array of a gas turbine engine (10), the sensor array comprising at least first, second and third sensors (A, B, C), the method comprising the steps of: a. measuring a first set of sensor outputs (S1A, S1B, S1C) prior to engine startup from each sensor (A, B, C), and calculating a first difference (S1A-S1B, S1A-S1C, S1B-S1C) in the measured value for each sensor pair (A; B, A;C, B;C); b. after a period of time, measuring a second set of sensor outputs (S2A, S2B, S2C) prior to engine startup from each sensor (A, B, C), and calculating a second difference (S2A-S2B, S2A-S2C, S2B-S2C) in measured value for each sensor pair (A;B, A;C, B;C); c. calculating a further difference ((S1A-S1B) -(S2A-S2B), (S1A-S1C)-(S2A-S2C), (S1B-S1C)-(S2B-S2C)) between the calculated first and second differences for each sensor pair (A; B, A;C, B;C); and d.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: David P SCOTHERN
  • GEARED GAS TURBINE ENGINE AND A GEARBOX
    Publication number: 20180016938
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a gearbox comprises a sun gear, an annulus gear, a plurality of planet gears and a carrier. The sun gear meshes with the planet gears and the planet gears mesh with the annulus gear. The planet gear carrier comprising a first ring, a second ring spaced axially from the first ring and a plurality of circumferentially spaced axles extending axially between the first ring and the second ring. Each planet gear is rotatably mounted on a respective one of the axles and the axles are arranged at a first radius. At least one of the first ring and the second ring comprises a metal matrix composite material ring and the metal matrix composite ring comprises a ring of reinforcing fibres and the ring of reinforcing fibres having a second radius greater than the first radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Phillip J. DOORBAR, Jason J. MADGE
  • ROTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A TURBOMACHINE AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20180016920
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a turbomachine includes a hub, a plurality of first blades, and a plurality of second blades. The hub includes an axis of rotation, a first face and an opposite second face, with each of the first face and the second face being normal to the axis of rotation. Each of the first blades includes a first blade root portion, and each of the second blades includes a second blade root portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Jae-Hoon CHUNG
  • ASSEMBLY FOR SUPPORTING AN ANNULUS
    Publication number: 20180016941
    Abstract: The annulus is bound by an inner hub wall and an outer casing and includes a support structure, the support structure bearing the inner hub wall; at least one spigot passing through the hub wall and at least one strut arranged to pass through the spigot of the inner hub wall and across the annulus. The strut has a first end having an abutment arm extending to form an abutment shoulder. Alignable holes pass through the abutment arm and the spigot and these holes are configured to receive a cross pin which is in turn configured to fit snugly through the holes. The configuration is such that, the abutment rim and abutment shoulder are located radially inwardly of the holes and cross pin and outside of the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Stephen MCDONAGH
  • GEARED GAS TURBINE ENGINE AND A GEARBOX
    Publication number: 20180010525
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a gearbox comprising a sun gear, an annulus gear, a plurality of planet gears and a carrier. The carrier comprises a primary structure and at least one reinforcing structure. The primary structure comprises a first material and the at least one reinforcing structure comprises a second material. The primary structure includes a first ring, a second ring spaced axially from the first ring and a plurality of circumferentially spaced axles extending axially between the first ring and the second ring. Each planet gear is rotatably mounted on a respective one of the axles by a bearing. The reinforcing structure is secured to the primary structure and the reinforcing structure comprises a particulate reinforced material or a fibre reinforced material. The reinforcing structure increases the stiffness of the carrier and reduces the weight of the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Jason J. MADGE