Patents Assigned to Rolls-Royce plc
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Publication number: 20090117352Abstract: Component fabrication and in particular fabrication by deposition processes for large components is made more convenient by initially depositing a masking deposition layer 2 upon a thin substrate 1 such that subsequently shaped metal deposition techniques can be used. Previously, the relatively thin nature of the substrate 1 has rendered the hot heat plume 11 of the shaped metal deposition technique too intrusive. It will be understood that this heat plume 11 may distort the thin substrate 1. By initial application of a protective masking deposition layer 2, the underlying substrate is protected by that layer 2 from the heat plume 11 generated by the shaped metal deposition process.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2006Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Justin M. Burrows, Jeffrey Allen
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Patent number: 7527874Abstract: A method of forming a vibration damping coating on a metallic substrate, eg a titanium alloy aerospace component, comprises applying to the metallic substrate a coating comprising a spinel having regions of relative oxide or nitride imbalance.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2003Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Mark Henry Shipton, Sophoclis Patsias
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Patent number: 7527476Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine compressor includes a rotor disc for mounting a plurality of radially extending rotor blades for rotation thereon, an annulus filler for securing to the disc to provide a radially inner airflow surface for air passing through the rotor assembly and a securing arrangement for securing the annulus filler to the rotor disc, the annulus filler being configured such that it is biased into a condition in which the securing arrangement mechanically retains the annulus filler on the disc, but is movable against its bias to allow the annulus filler to be removed from the disc.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2005Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: David C. Butt, Kenneth F. Udall
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Patent number: 7527037Abstract: A joint for a gas turbine fuel injector, the joint comprises a housing for supporting a fuel injector, a first tube terminating within the housing and a second tube. The housing at least partially encloses an adaptor having a bore, with one end of the first tube and one end of the second tube being located within opposing ends of the bore. First sealing means are provided between the outside of the first tube and the adaptor bore, second sealing means are provided between the outside of the second tube and the adaptor bore and third sealing means are provided between the outside of the adaptor and the housing. The joint is particularly suitable for conduits carrying a relatively cold fluid mounted in a relatively hot housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2007Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Andrew C Graham, Allan J Salt, Gary Eadon, Ian J Toon
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Patent number: 7528324Abstract: A lead for transmitting an electrical signal within a gas turbine engine, from a node at a first part of the gas turbine engine having a first surface to a second part of the gas turbine engine having a second surface, wherein the first part and the second part are coupled at a compressed joint, wherein the lead comprises: a node on the first surface of the first part; a first interconnect, adhered to the first surface of the first part; and a second interconnect, adhered to the second surface of the second part, wherein the first interconnect and the second interconnect abut at the compressed joint to provide, by their contact, a continuous electrical connection from the node to the second part.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2004Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventor: Anthony B Phipps
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Patent number: 7524163Abstract: A turbine nozzle guide vane 10 with passages 28 leading from a hollow core 32 to respective seal strip slots 20, to deliver cooling air to abutment faces 18 on each end of the vane 10.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Kevin P Self, Mark J Simms
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Patent number: 7523604Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a core engine surrounded by a core casing, at least one C-duct having radially inner and outer walls and a thrust reverser unit; the engine is mounted to an aircraft pylon via at least one thrust member attached to the core engine; the thrust reverser unit is mounted within the outer wall of the C-duct; the C-duct is secured to the core casing via a vee-groove attachment comprising vee-groove and vee-blade parts, the attachment is arranged to transfer loads between the thrust reverser unit and the pylon; wherein one cooperating part of the attachment is mounted to a torsion box mounted on the inner wall of the C-duct.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Alan R Maguire, Kenneth F Udall, Richard G Stretton
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Patent number: 7524161Abstract: A gas turbine engine rotor blade containment assembly (38) comprises a generally cylindrical, or frustoconical, metal casing (40). The metal casing (40) has at least one arched portion (62,64,66) and each arched portion (62,64,66) extends circumferentially around the metal casing (40). Each arched portion (62,64,66) comprises a radially inwardly extending arch (68) in which the trough (74) of the arch (68) is radially inwardly of a straight line (76) interconnecting the axial ends (70,72) of the arch (68). The trough (74) of the arch (68) is radially inwardly of the at least one of the axial ends (70,72) of the at least one arch (68). The arched portions (62,64,66) introduce compressive stresses into the metal casing (40) during a fan blade 34 impact and enable the metal casing (40) to withstand the impact. The fan blade containment assembly (38) is lighter for large diameter turbofan gas turbine engine (10).Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Michael R. Lawson, Sivasubramaniam K. Sathianathan
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Publication number: 20090102095Abstract: A method of correcting the shape of a brittle cast component such as a low pressure turbine blade. The method includes steps of placing the component against a creep mould having a surface defining the desired profile of the component and HIP treating it to creep deform the component to the desired shape whilst consolidating it and removing gas and shrinkage porosity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Wayne E. Voice
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Publication number: 20090100823Abstract: A gas turbine propulsion engine reheat system having a variable area exhaust nozzle comprising a nozzle area control system including means for accelerating increases of nozzle areaType: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: David I. Jones
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Publication number: 20090104030Abstract: An assembly includes a first member and a second member, the first member including a first material composition and the second member including a second material composition. The first and second material compositions each include one or more isotopes of the same element, which are arranged to permit distinguishing between the first and second members or 0 parts thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Alison Jane McMillan
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Publication number: 20090103849Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) comprising a first turbine (19) and a first compressor (13) mounted on a first shaft (26) and a bearing arrangement (52, 34) supporting the shaft (26), the bearing arrangement is subject to a total end load and comprises a fixed bearing (34), a load share bearing (52) and a bearing end load management system (50) that is capable of applying a variable load to the load share bearing to manage total end load between the bearings. The bearing end load management system comprises a static diaphragm (54) that defines part of a chamber (56) and that is coupled to the load share bearing whereby increased pressurisation of the chamber loads the diaphragm which in turn increases the proportion of the total end load on the load share bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Alan R. Maguire
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Publication number: 20090103843Abstract: A number of machines such as gas turbine engines have asymmetric axial loading along a shaft (2, 3, 4). In order to accommodate for this asymmetric loading, known as an end bearing load, a load share bearing (103) is typically provided. However, specifying the fixed bearing (11, 12) becomes increasingly difficult as space and weight considerations are taken into account. In such circumstances providing a combination of a fixed bearing (11, 12) and a load share bearing (103) to achieve an acceptable bearing end load capacity is more acceptable. The proportion of the combination provided respectively by the fixed bearing and the load share bearing can be varied dependent upon operational stage in order to achieve more efficient operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Alan R. Maguire
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Publication number: 20090100838Abstract: A tile for use as part of an inner wall of a gas turbine engine combustor, the tile being provided with deformable cooling pedestals extending into a space between the tile and the outer wall. The pedestals are deformed in contact with the outer wall of the combustor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Michael Lawrence Carlisle, Ian Murray Garry
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Patent number: 7521901Abstract: Use of a common electrical power bus to which a number of electrical power generators and consumers are coupled is well known. Typically, a high electrical capacitance is provided across the bus in order to provide stabilisation in the switching of generators and consumer devices as well as differences in the operational performances of the electrical power generators. Particularly in aerospace applications provision of high capacity electrical capacitors creates problems. By providing a feedback control and an electrical power converter take primary electrical power from an electro-mechanical converter associated with a rotating component of a prime mover, electrical power stabilisation is achieved by applying torque changes through the electromechanical converter to the rotating component of the prime mover such that stored electrical power can then be drawn as required to accommodate transients in electrical power on the bus.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: David R Trainer, John J A Cullen
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Patent number: 7522393Abstract: A conductor element for a superconducting FCL has an elongate superconducting element 18 surrounded by bodies 26a, 26b, which form a thermal mass around the element 18. The thermal mass is in thermal connection with a cooling system, such as a cryogenic system. The bodies 26a, 26b are solid, for example copper. The thermal mass maintains even temperature along the element 18, to improve fault response and recovery. Cooling functions are provided externally of the conductor element and may be by means of conventional cryogenic cooling systems. The element is free of cryogens and robust.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventor: Philip M Sargent
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Publication number: 20090096123Abstract: A manufacturing process that comprises placing an article within a particulate medium (4), the article being provided with a moulded body (8) of small ceramic particles. On application of heat and pressure the small ceramic particles are pushed between the particulate medium (4) to permit localised deformation of the article (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Wayne E. Voice, Nicholas Wain
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Publication number: 20090097963Abstract: A fan outlet guide vane for a gas turbine engine comprises a generally radially-extending internal structural member and at least one surface member securable in use to the internal structural member so as to define an aerofoil. The gas turbine engine includes an annular first structure and an annular second structure, the second structure being radially outward of the first structure so as to define a duct between them, and in use the internal structural member of the vane is secured between the first structure and the second structure. In a preferred embodiment, the surface member or surface members are secured only to the internal structural member, and not to the first or second structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Dale E. Evans
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Patent number: 7516609Abstract: Carbon dioxide recirculating apparatus (20, 120) is disclosed for use in an arrangement having combination means (115) and a path for the flow of a gas through the combustion means (115). The apparatus (20, 120) comprises extraction means (221) for extracting carbon dioxide from a first region of the path downstream of the combustion means (115). It further includes condensing means (26, 30) for condensing the extracted carbon dioxide, and feed means (36, 136) for feeding the condensed carbon dioxide to a second region of the path upstream of the combustion means.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2008Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventor: Gerard D Agnew
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Patent number: 7519215Abstract: A method of selecting a component of optimal design comprising automated steps of a) measuring the periphery of at least part of said component; b) producing a 2D co-ordinate dataset (20) from said measurements; c) processing the 2D co-ordinate dataset (20) so as to produce a representation of characteristics of the periphery of the component; d) assigning a value to the difference between the characteristics of the periphery of the component and characteristics of a component of optimal design; and e) conducting a parametric analysis of the differences between the characteristics of the periphery of the component and the characteristics of a component of optimal design. The method further comprises the step of using the results of the parametric analysis to determine whether the component meets a predetermined criteria for acceptability.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Ian R. Gower