Patents Assigned to Rolls-Royce plc
  • Patent number: 9840927
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a component having an internal cavity and an array of pedestals extending into the cavity includes; defining external and core geometries of the component; using a powder-bed additive layer manufacturing method, building the component from a plurality of layers laid on a first-plane; and removing excess powder from the core in a first powder extraction direction along the first-plane. The core geometry is adapted for improved powder removal; including a main core passage, an array of pedestals extending into the passage and passage wall extending from the first-plane, one or more pedestals coinciding with the passage wall, having a cross-section in a plane parallel to the first-plane which is altered with respect to the cross-section of non-coinciding pedestals to extend a face of the pedestal which faces away from the powder extraction direction to intersect the passage wall at an obtuse angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Matthew D Tucker
  • Patent number: 9841031
    Abstract: A compressor disc for a compressor of a gas turbine engine includes a circumferentially extending groove for receiving blade roots of a plurality of compressor blades. The circumferentially extending groove includes a planar surface offset into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Paul Dennis Clarke
  • Publication number: 20170350934
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the health of a semiconductor power electronic switch such as an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is provided. The method having the steps of: measuring one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of: a rate of change of voltage ( dV dt ) across the switch; a rate of change of current ( di dt ) through the switch, a charge present on a gate of the switch (QG), a peak overshoot voltage (VPO) across the switch, and a peak overshoot or reverse recovery current (IRR) through the switch; and estimating the health of the switch based on the measured parameter(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Mohamed Halick Mohamed SATHIK, Chandana Jayamapathi GAJANAYAKE, Shantha Dharmasiri Gamini JAYASINGHE, Amit Kumar GUPTA, Rejeki SIMANJORANG
  • Publication number: 20170348818
    Abstract: Vibratory treatment apparatus including a first receptacle arranged to receive media for vibratory treatment of the article, the first receptacle defining a first aperture; and a first valve positioned at the first aperture of the first receptacle, the first valve being arranged to allow passage of the article there through and to prevent the flow of media through the first aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicants: ROLLS-ROYCE plc, ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG, ROLLS-ROYCE MARINE AS
    Inventors: João Paulo Siqueira CEZARIO, Chow Cher WONG, Dennis TAN CHENG CHEH, Wei Chuen Wallace ONG, Goetz G. FELDMANN, Ampara ARAMCHAROEN, Kok Li TAN, Chao Yen LIEW
  • Publication number: 20170348809
    Abstract: A vibropeening apparatus comprises a main frame, an enclosure receivable within the main frame, a rotary drive mechanism, and an article to be vibropeened. The enclosure defines an internal volume, the internal volume accommodating a vibropeening bed. The article is positioned within the internal volume, and the rotary drive mechanism is to configured to impart a rotary motion to the enclosure within the main frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicants: ROLLS-ROYCE plc, ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: Ampara ARAMCHAROEN, Goetz G FELDMANN, Chow Cher WONG, Paul BARROWMAN, Swee Huat ANG
  • Publication number: 20170350272
    Abstract: A condensation irradiation system is disclosed comprising an electromagnetic radiation emitter mounted on a locating structure, the locating structure being arranged in use to position the radiation emitter so as radiation emitted therefrom travels through a condensation detection region adjacent an upstream side of a gas turbine engine fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Matthew BAIRD, Adriano PULISCIANO, Graham WATSON
  • Publication number: 20170350683
    Abstract: A method of producing a component having an in use gas washed surface, including: obtaining a reference-component having a reference shape with in use gas washed surface; determining performance-sensitivity-distribution for the reference-component, the performance-sensitivity-distribution having plurality of points, each point indicative of a performance factor for the reference-component; identifying plurality of zones on the reference-component performance-sensitivity-distribution, each zone including at least one plurality of points; setting geometric-tolerance for each zone; manufacturing a component according to the reference-component; machining the manufactured-component outer surface so the manufactured-component surface is within predetermined geometric-tolerance for each reference-component corresponding zone; additionally/alternatively; measuring the manufactured-component geometry to determine whether the manufactured-component is within geometric-tolerance for each corresponding plurality of refe
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Simon BATHER, Giulio ZAMBONI
  • Patent number: 9835047
    Abstract: A test blade for use in a blade-release test in which the blade is mounted on a rotatable hub and at least a portion of the blade is released therefrom by the action of a controlled explosion. The blade has a root portion for mounting on said rotatable hub and the root portion comprises a radially inner surface having a channel extending at least partly along or proximal the camber line. The channel is for receiving at least one explosive charge and at least one detonator which may be contained within a charge carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Christopher M Whitehead, Ewan F Thompson, Paul J Mason, Jeremy N Turner
  • Patent number: 9835046
    Abstract: A fan containment system for fitment around an array of radially extending fan blades mounted on a hub in an axial gas turbine engine, including: a fan case having an annular casing element for encircling an array of fan blades and an annular fan track liner lining a radially inner side of the casing element, including a first fan track liner panel positioned circumferentially adjacent a second fan track liner panel. An engagement arrangement engages the first fan track liner panel to the second, extending along at least a portion of adjacent sides of the liner panels, and is configured and the liner panels are shaped such that axial movement of the first fan track liner panel by a distance less than the length of the engagement arrangement, being measured in a direction parallel to the adjacent sides of the liner panels, disengages the first liner panel from the second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Julian Mark Reed
  • Patent number: 9835332
    Abstract: A combustion chamber arrangement including an outer wall and an inner wall spaced from the outer wall and the outer wall supports the inner wall. The inner wall including at least one row of circumferentially arranged tiles. At least one tile in the at least one row of tiles having an L, or V, shaped downstream end and the downstream end of the tile in the row of tiles having a first portion extending from the downstream end of the tile towards and sealing with an inner surface of the outer wall and a second portion extending from the first portion in a downstream direction and away from the inner surface of the outer wall. The first portion of the downstream end of the tile having a plurality of apertures to supply coolant over an inner surface of the second portion of the downstream end of the tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Lisa Jane Jopp, Nathan Thomas Willis
  • Publication number: 20170342970
    Abstract: An axial piston pump has a rotor rotatable around an axis relative to a swashplate; one or more pistons movable within one or more respective sleeves; a fluid inlet port for the inflow of low pressure fluid, and a fluid outlet port for the outflow of high pressure fluid; and a floating element axially positioned between, on the one side, the inlet and outlet ports and, on the other side, a sealing surface of the rotor. Surfaces of the floating element defining an inlet chamber and the outlet chamber are configured such that, in use, the low pressure fluid and the high pressure fluid act on the defining surfaces to produce a net axial force which the axially slidable floating element applies to the rotor to seal the floating element to the sealing surface of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Andrew SYSKA
  • Publication number: 20170341173
    Abstract: Electrical discharge machining apparatus comprising: a first housing defining an aperture for receiving a dielectric fluid; a resilient member defining one or more apertures for receiving one or more electrodes therein; and a second housing defining one or more apertures for receiving the one or more electrodes, and a surface to cause compression of the resilient member to hold the one or more electrodes when the first housing and the second housing are brought together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: James LILBURNE, Liam A. MCMANUS, Sophie C. ANDREW, JunLong LEE
  • Patent number: 9829037
    Abstract: Load sharing stacked bearing structure including first bearing having a first inner race, first outer race and first set of roller elements housed between first inner race and first outer race and a second bearing having a second inner race, second outer race and second set of roller elements housed between second inner race and the second outer race. A housing surrounds the first and second bearings. First compliant element is provided with the first compliant element connected between the housing and the first outer race. The first compliant element, first outer race and housing define at a pressure chamber. The first outer race axially slidable relative to the second outer race such that an increase in pressure in pressure chamber causes a change in axial spacing between the outer races. This induces an additional axial load on the bearings which helps balance thrust load sharing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Stephen Gallimore, Paul Fletcher, Philip Peters
  • Patent number: 9829047
    Abstract: A shaft clamp assembly has first, second and third members. Each member has respective first and opposite second ends, and an annular body extending between the ends. The second member has a radially outwardly extending flange at its first end, and a radially inwardly extending flange at its second end. The third member also has a radially inwardly extending flange at its second end. The first, second and third members are disposed concentrically in sequence, with a threaded portion of the first member being threadingly engaged with a corresponding threaded surface on the shaft, the second end of the first member presses against the second end flange of the second member, the first end flange of the second member presses against the first end of the third member and the second end flange of the third member presses against the object to thereby secure the object to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Christopher John Durling
  • Patent number: 9827655
    Abstract: Tool for extracting annular carbon face seal from bore of equipment which seal is installed. Tool has extraction-tube for insertion into bore at entrance so, when extraction-tube is fully inserted into bore, multi-legged collet formed at distal-end of extraction-tube located within seal and proximal-end of extraction-tube accessible at entrance of bore. Tool has elongate-member extending along central passage of extraction-tube. Wedge element provided at distal-end of elongate-member located at mouth of collet. Proximal-end of elongate-member accessible at proximal-end of extraction-tube. Tool has support for reacting axial extraction force applied to extraction-tube to equipment. Tool has first-actuator at proximal-end of elongate-member. Tool configured so first-actuator causes wedge element to be pulled into collet, thereby expanding collet and causing to grip inner surface of seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Thomas Reginald Owens, James Mark Walter
  • Patent number: 9828869
    Abstract: A thrust demand signal is provided to a processor of a gas turbine engine and is modified, according to growth time constants of a rotor and/or a casing of the engine, in order to control the rotational speed or the rate of change of rotational speed of the engine so as to prevent contact between the rotor and the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Marko Bacic, Glenn Alexander Knight, Parag Vyas, Sean Patrick Ellis
  • Patent number: 9830747
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the health of a gas turbine engine of at least a pair of engines of an aircraft for example. The method comprising the steps of: a) obtaining steady state readings from predetermined sensors on the engines; b) calculate a percentage difference of the steady state readings from a unique engine linear synthesis model for each engine; c) compare the difference between the percentage differences for each engine and d) where this difference exceeds a predetermined value issue a warning as to an engine health problem. Maintenance of the engine can therefore be advantageously scheduled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: David Apps, Timothy M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170333990
    Abstract: A powder bed additive layer manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a component, the apparatus including a base plate including a set of axes X, Y, Z and a first re-coater blade. The base plate includes a build surface for receiving powder, and the build surface includes a non-planar surface profile for complementing the shape of a component non-planar surface. The first re-coater blade has a blade profile that corresponds with a non-planar surface profile of the build surface. The first re-coater blade is configurable such that it can traverse across the build surface, for providing a layer of powder having a consistent depth across the non-planar build surface during the manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Ian M GARRY
  • Publication number: 20170334029
    Abstract: A fixture for locating a straight edge of a curved surface of a part and holding the part in a fixed position during performance of a machining operation on the straight edge is described. The fixture includes: one or more supports for seating a convex curved surface of the part, one or more detachable end stops arranged to extend in a plane orthogonal to that in which the supports sit and against which, in use, the straight edge can be aligned, and a clamp arranged, in use, to push the convex curved surface against the supports such that the straight edge contacts the supports without obstruction of the straight edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: George DURRANT, Alistair BUCHANAN, Christopher P. GIBSON
  • Publication number: 20170335856
    Abstract: A composite component comprising fibres embedded in a matrix material. A plurality of pins extend through the matrix material. Each pin of the plurality of pins comprises a hollow bore such that the bore of each pin defines a plurality of holes in the composite component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: James K. LANDER, Robert C. BACKHOUSE