Abstract: A turbine secondary air system seal arrangement (62). The arrangement comprises a first seal land (70) facing radially inwardly; a second seal land (80) facing radially outwardly; and first labyrinth seal teeth (76) directed radially outwardly to seal against the first seal land (70). Also second labyrinth seal teeth (78) directed radially inwardly to seal against the second seal land (80). The first seal land (70) is configured to move radially relative to the second seal land (80) or the first seal teeth (76) are configured to move radially relatively to the second seal teeth (78) to accommodate differential movement of the lands (70, 80) and teeth (76, 78) during use of the seal arrangement (62).

Abstract: A system for applying a tensile load to a component includes a failsafe structure, a principal part of which is configured to act in compression during application of the load to the component, but which includes a mechanical fuse configured to act in tension during application of the load to the component. The mechanical fuse being configured to fracture upon the application of a predetermined tensile force thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for firing a ceramic component e.g. a ceramic core, within a firing receptacle containing firing powder. The method comprises using a shaping element to shape and/or define an upper surface of a first portion of firing powder at a predetermined height within the firing receptacle. The ceramic component is subsequently placed on the upper surface of the first portion of firing powder e.g. within a depression formed using the shaping element and covered with a second portion of firing powder. The shaping element may comprise a gridded/meshed plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for use in an electroetching or electrodeposition process in which material is etched from or deposited onto the surface of an electrically conductive component. The apparatus comprises a support for supporting the component within a tank containing an electrolytic solution; and a first-polarity electrode arranged to be located within the tank and immersed in the electrolytic solution and shaped to surround at least a part of the component in a contactless manner. In use, an electric field produced by the first-polarity electrode results in an electric variance between at least a part of the component and a second-polarity electrode having a polarity opposite to that of the first-polarity electrode. An electroetching and an electrodeposition process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A combustion chamber comprises an upstream ring structure, a downstream ring structure and a plurality of circumferentially arranged combustion chamber segments. Each combustion chamber segment extends the full length of the combustion chamber. Each combustion chamber segment comprises a frame structure and at least an inner wall and the frame structure and the inner wall are integral. An upstream end of each combustion chamber segment is secured to the upstream ring structure and a downstream end of each combustion chamber segment is mounted on the downstream ring structure. The combustion chamber segments are manufactured by additive layer manufacture. The combustion chamber segments have a stiff frame structure which carries the structural loads, the thermal loads, surge loads and flameout loads and the frame structure distributes loads into adjacent components.

Abstract: A tool for machining an object comprising: a first part including a rotatable member, the rotatable member being rotatable to cause rotation of a machine tool; a second part; a joint coupling the first part and the second part to enable relative movement between the first part and the second part; and a sensor to sense an object to be machined.

Abstract: A method to determine inertia of components of a rotating shaft system. The shaft system includes a shaft coupling a turbine to drive the rotation and a load to be driven by the rotation. The method includes steps to: apply a feedback to a forcing input to the shaft system; measure resonant frequency of the shaft; iterate steps 1.a) and 1.b) for different feedbacks; plot resonant frequency squared against gain; and determine inverse of gradient from the plot to give inertia of the turbine. Also a method to determine shaft stiffness using the inertia of the turbine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blade assembly comprising: a hub which is rotatable about an axis; at least one blade having an aerofoil portion and a root, wherein the root is coupled to the hub using a primary retention device which prevents radial separation of the root and hub in normal use; and, a secondary retention device which comprises an annular catcher having a restriction through which the root portion cannot radially pass, the restriction being located radially outwardly and radially spaced from the root part during use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retention device for applying a radial force to a component (e.g. a rotor blade) within a slot (e.g. on a rotor disc). The device comprises a body having an outer surface for facing the component. The outer surface comprises a recess having a recess base with a first ramped surface extending from a lower end proximal a first lateral end of the body to an upper end. The device further comprises a spring element having a contact surface for contacting the component and a first mounting portion for mounting the spring element on the first ramped surface such that the first mounting portion is slidable along the first ramped surface towards the upper end to increase the spacing of the contact surface above the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the performance of a fluid heat exchanger for use with an engine includes a heat exchanger having a first fluid flow path therethrough and a second fluid flow path therethrough, a first temperature sensor positioned in the first fluid flow path at an exit from the heat exchanger, a second temperature sensor positioned in the second fluid flow path at an entry to the heat exchanger, a processor and an alert generator. The processor is adapted to receive a first temperature measurement value from the first temperature sensor, and a second temperature measurement value from the second temperature sensor, the processor being further adapted to calculate a temperature difference between the first and second temperature measurement values. The alert generator is adapted to generate an alert signal to a user, the alert signal being generated if the temperature difference is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes a nozzle body having a longitudinal axis. An elongated annular air passage is defined within the nozzle body. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart axially extending swirl vanes is disposed within the annular air passage. Each swirl vane has an axially swept cross-sectional profile along the radial extent thereof.

Abstract: A containment case for a gas turbine including: a cylindrical outer casing extending about an axis and having a radially outer and a radially inner surface; a coaxially arranged cylindrical inner skin formed of a harder material than the outer casing joined to the inner surface of the cylindrical outer casing; and an array of ribs extending radially from the inner skin towards the axis. The case for can have the coaxially arranged cylindrical inner skin formed of a harder material than the outer casing joined to the inner surface of the cylindrical outer casing by a galvanic isolation layer.

Abstract: A fluid intake including first and second ducts and a particle separation spinner defining an interface between the first and second ducts is disclosed. Spinner includes flow passages passing from first duct side of the spinner to second duct side of the spinner and splitter bodies separating the flow passages. Flow passages and splitter bodies are arranged in thread-like screw manner about spinner. In use, the spinner is spun about an axis of rotation, axis and direction of rotation being such that, from static frame of reference with respect to first duct, splitter bodies and flow passages have a component of movement towards a main travel direction of a fluid flow incident towards spinner from first duct. Splitter bodies are arranged such that they oblige fluid in the fluid flow to follow a convoluted path if it is to pass from first duct to second duct via the flow passages.

Abstract: A bladed disc for use in a turbine engine comprises: a central cob portion; a main diaphragm attached to, and extending around, the cob portion; a rim surrounding the main diaphragm; and two rows of blades attached to the rim.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pipe for transferring powder material from a reservoir to a container e.g. prior to hot isostatic pressing. The pipe comprises a continuous outer wall and a concentric continuous inner wall enclosed within and spaced from the outer wall. The spacing between the inner and outer walls defines a flow channel extending from an inlet to an outlet. The radial cross sectional area of the outlet is greater than the cross sectional area of the inlet.

Abstract: This invention concerns cooling, specifically for electrical interface devices containing electrical coils (8,108,208,408,508) used in thermally challenging environments such as within gas turbine engines. A force cooled coil cap (2,102,302,402) or bobbin (202,502) has a first surface to be located immediately adjacent or in contact with the coil (8,108,208,408,508) and a chamber (6,106,206,306,406?,506?) through which a coolant (14,114,214,314,414,514) can flow.

Abstract: An apparatus, for example for a pitch change mechanism, includes a cylinder having a magnetic portion defining an annular array of features extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, the cylinder rotating in use and able to translate longitudinally. There is a sensing arrangement including a stationary magnetised core and two coils connected in series and wound around the core. In use, the cylinder rotates and current is induced in the coils. Monitoring equipment is arranged to calculate rotational speed of the cylinder from the frequency of the current and to calculate longitudinal position from the relative amplitude of the current in each coil. Also a method.

Abstract: An electrical raft (200) is provided that has electrical conductors (252) embedded in a rigid material (220). The electrical raft is provided with an electrical connector (700). The electrical connector (700) is mounted in the electrical raft (200) at a mounting angle (730). The mounting angle is set such that the electrical conductors (252) can be connected to the electrical connector without having to turn through an angle or a radius of curvature that would subject them to excessive bending stress. Similarly, the mounting angle means that any conductors (766) that may be connected to the electrical connector (700) do not have to turn through an angle or a radius of curvature that would subject them to excessive bending stress. Furthermore, mounting the electrical connector (700) at the mounting angle (730) may allow the assembled electrical raft (200) to be more compact.

Abstract: An electrical raft 200 is provided that has electrical conductors 252 embedded in a rigid material 220. The electrical raft 200 may have other embedded components, such as embedded fluid pipes 210. The electrical raft 200 is provided with a raft map 400 that indicates the location and/or path of components embedded in the electrical raft 200. The raft map 400 can be used to identify the positions of the embedded components, and may also be provided with active elements, such as LEDs, which may be used to indicate an operating state of the systems/components embedded in the electrical raft 200. The raft map 400 may be useful in assembly, repair and fault diagnosis, for example.

Abstract: A panel mounting system comprises a panel, a foundation and a plurality of hangers connecting the panel to the foundation. The panel comprises a plurality of first attachment points, and the foundation comprises a plurality of second attachment points. The panel is constrained by the plurality of hangers such that movement of each first attachment point relative to the corresponding second attachment point is constrained to a plane that is normal to the surface of the panel at the first attachment point, and is aligned with the direction of thermal expansion of the panel at the first attachment point.