Patents Assigned to Rolls-Royce plc
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Publication number: 20090003748Abstract: A race for a rolling-element bearing is characterised in that the race comprises at least one circumferentially-extending region having a reduced stiffness compared with the remainder of the race. The or each circumferentially-extending region may be thinner than the remainder of the race, and may further comprise a hole or a slot. In a particular preferred embodiment there are two such circumferentially-extending regions, each extending around an arc of approximately 60 degrees in the circumferential direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2006Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Daren R. Ashmore
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Publication number: 20080317602Abstract: A compressor blade (30) comprises a vibration damping coating (54) on a first surface of at least one portion of an erosion resistant material (56). The vibration damping coating (54) comprises a plurality of segments (58). The portion of erosion resistant material (56) and the vibration damping coating (54) are adhesively bonded to the compressor blade (30) such that the vibration damping coating (54) is arranged between the surface (50) of the compressor blade (30) and the portion of erosion resistant material (56).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Martin J. Deakin, John T. Gent, Mark H. Shipton, Joanne M. Shipton
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Publication number: 20080319684Abstract: A method of determining the torque induced in a rotating shaft (51), the shaft (51) having a torsional oscillation frequency that is dependent on the stiffness of the shaft (51), where the torsional oscillation frequency and the stiffness are dependent upon the operating conditions of the shaft (51), the method comprising: measuring (35) the torsional oscillation frequency of the rotating shaft; measuring (39) the twist induced in the rotating shaft (51) by the torque; and using (41) the measured value of the torsional oscillation frequency and the measured value of the induced twist to determine the torque induced in the shaft (51).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: Rolls Royce PLCInventors: Colin J Parrish, James P Roberts, Leighton PJ Tipton
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Patent number: 7467767Abstract: A clamp for securing an element to a structure comprises, a first part and a second part, engageable into a assembled state about the element to be secured. A flexible element is attached to the first part and the second part, which flexible element allows independent movement of the first part and second part when the clamp is not assembled. The clamp further comprises a tensioning mechanism adapted to hold the flexible element taught when the clamp is in the assembled state.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2005Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignees: Rolls Royce PLC, Kirkhill-Ta Co.Inventors: Andrew Mark James Miles, Arthur Peter Frost, Adrian Brewster, Jay Shapiro
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Publication number: 20080309018Abstract: Leaf seal arrangements 1 are known in which a number of leaf seals 2 are presented in a housing 3 in order to create a seal relative to a rotating surface 4. Conventional arrangements 21 have the leaf seals 2 aligned with an axis of rotation for the rotating surface 4, there is symmetrical lift up and blow down of a tip end 5 relative to the surface 4. In such circumstances the arrangement 1 is dependent upon the seal 2 stiffness to achieve designed operational performance. By presenting leaf seals 22 at an askew angle relative to an axis of rotation RR asymmetric deflection is achieved between an inlet side 30 and an exit side 31 such that the inlet and exit flow areas change and therefore lift up/blow down forces can be controlled to achieve a more optimal positioning of a tip end 25 relative to a rotating surface for operational performance with reduced risk of wear upon the leaf seals 22.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: David S. Williams
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Publication number: 20080307910Abstract: A test piece for mechanical property testing, the test piece is generally elongate having two opposing surfaces. Each surface comprises at least one integral loading land. Preferably there are two lands on one surface and one or two on the other for three- or four-point bending testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Paul Anthony Withey
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Publication number: 20080310950Abstract: It is known with regard to particularly cavities below high pressure turbine discs that mixing of hot gas leakage flows through an inner seal with cooling flows can diminish the effectiveness of that cooling flow when presented to other parts for cooling. By providing a path within a wall which is particularly shaped in portions it is possible to provide entrainment of a hot leakage gas flow away from entry into the cavity. Thus, the cooling flow retains a higher cooling effect and maintains its swirling nature in comparison with prior arrangements where mixing with the hot leakage flow occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Colin Young, Guy D. Snowsill
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Patent number: 7465476Abstract: A method for recycling an inert gas evacuated from a material deposition process chamber 10 comprises cooling the evacuated inert gas and recirculating a proportion of the cooled gas to the chamber 10 at a first temperature for use as a cooling gas in the material deposition process 12, and recirculating a proportion of the cooled gas to the chamber 10 at a second temperature for use as a shielding gas in the material deposition process 12, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature. Apparatus 22 for recycling an inert gas is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Daniel Clark, Jeffrey Allen, Justin M Burrows
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Patent number: 7464579Abstract: A calibration block for use in calibrating a thickness gauge having a diameter d, wherein the block has a measurement face and a recess extending inwardly of the block from a face opposite the measurement face, the recess having a maximum transverse dimension at the opposite face which is not less than 3d, and in that the bottom of the recess is inclined relative to the measurement face in all directions from a central region of the bottom of the recess, the measurement face comprising a reference feature, the location of which corresponds to a specific point on the bottom of the recess.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventor: Nicholas Barrington Orchard
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Patent number: 7465512Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of modules and each module comprises an elongate hollow member and one passage extending through the hollow member for the flow of a reactant. Each hollow member has a first flat surface and a second flat surface. At least one of the modules includes a plurality of fuel cells arranged on at least one of the first and second flat surfaces. Each module has a first and second integral feature to provide a spacer and a connection with its adjacent modules. The first integral feature comprises a third flat surface and the second integral feature comprises a fourth flat surface. The third flat surface is arranged at an intersecting angle to the first flat surface and the fourth flat surface is arranged at an intersecting angle to the second flat surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Gary Wright, Nigel T Hart, Gerard D Agnew, Christopher Burrows
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Patent number: 7465149Abstract: It is known there is ingestion of hot gas flow 35 from an annular flow 36 in gas turbine engines. This flow 35 is prevented from attaching to the disc by coolant flow 32 passing through gaps in lock plates 28, 29 by creation of a barrier layer. In order to regulate and enhance this effect spacer protrusions 31 are provided between ends of lock plates 28, 29. In such circumstances the gap 30 is controlled and therefore the rate of leakage flow 32 regulated for best cooling effect. This cooling effect and cooling flow 32 can be further enhanced by providing chutes 39 for presentation of the coolant flow 32.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Jeffrey Alison Dixon, Ivan Lars Brunton, Timothy John Scanlon, Guy David Snowsill
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Publication number: 20080302081Abstract: A method of detecting an ice shedding event in a gas turbine engine, the engine having a rotor comprising a compressor drivingly connected via a shaft to a turbine; the method for detecting an ice shedding event comprising the steps of measuring the temperature at regular intervals and where a temperature drop of at least 20 degrees per second is recorded, producing a signal indicative of an ice shedding event and sending the signal to an indicator device. Advantageously, the engine may then be inspected for damage associated to an ice impact rather than other foreign object ingestion event or fuel flow irregularity. Alternatively, instead of temperature, pressure may be measured and a pressure drop of at least 20 kPa per second is indicative of an ice shedding event.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Robert J. Snell, Steven M. Anthony, Stefania Mandirola, Arthur L. Rowe
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Publication number: 20080306177Abstract: Conventional curable polymers tend to shrink upon curing whilst low shrinkage ultraviolet light curing polymers have a problem with respect to curing below surface areas of a component. By providing light transmitting elements and/or local ultraviolet light source precursors, greater depth of ultraviolet curing can be achieved and therefore enhanced acceptability with regard to component manufacture. The light transmitting elements may be formed by optic fibers or coatings to existing reinforcing fibers or through consideration of the refractive index of the cured and uncured polymer to create light transmission paths through the component. Ultraviolet light source precursors can be activated by heat or a “seed” light exposure or vibration to create localised ultraviolet curing of the polymer thereabout.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Ian Colin Deuchar Care
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Publication number: 20080304975Abstract: A method of attaching particles to a substrate, comprising the steps: providing a substrate having a surface providing an interlayer on the surface which conforms to the surface of the substrate, forming a melt pool in the interlayer, depositing a material within the melt pool, allowing the material to solidify, applying a powder containing dispersed particles to the solidified material, and applying heat to attach the dispersed particles to the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: DANIEL CLARK, JEFFREY ALLEN
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Publication number: 20080300734Abstract: A control system comprises: a plurality of input devices; a plurality of remote output devices; a plurality of dedicated connections and a digital data network interconnecting the plurality of input devices and the plurality of remote output devices. Each one of the plurality of output devices is connected to one of the plurality of input devices by an associated one of the plurality of dedicated connections. Each output device is operable to detect an addressing error in the digital network by comparing a value of a parameter received via its dedicated connection with the value of the same parameter received via the digital data network. Each output device is operable to use a network address dependent upon a value received via its dedicated connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Steven Peers
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Patent number: 7458766Abstract: Efficient cooling of a stage of gas turbine engine turbine blades (36) is achieved by first reducing the pressure of the cooling air after it has been bled from the annulus of the compressor (12) by passing it through a diffuser (30), to a pressure magnitude lower than is required at entry to the turbine blades, then re-pressurizing the bled air up to the required entry pressure, by passing it through a radial compressor defined by a cowl (44) positioned in close spaced, co-rotational relationship with the downstream face of the associated turbine disk (34).Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Geoffrey M Dailey, Guy D Snowsill
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Publication number: 20080290215Abstract: A hollow aerofoil (30) comprises an aerofoil portion (40) having a leading edge (42), a trailing edge (44), a concave pressure surface wall (46) extending from the leading edge (42) to the trailing edge (44) and a convex suction surface (48) extending from the leading edge (42) to the trailing edge (44). The concave pressure surface wall (46) and the convex suction surface wall (48) are integral and define a cavity (50). A plurality of webs (52) extend across the cavity (50) between the concave pressure surface wall (46) and the convex suction surface wall (48). At least one of the webs (52A) extends substantially perpendicularly to the concave pressure surface wall (46) and the convex suction surface wall (48) and at least one of the webs (52B) extends substantially diagonally to the concave pressure surface wall (46) and the convex suction surface wall (48).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Kenneth F. Udall, Jeffrey Allen, Mark W. Turner, James M. Townsend
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Publication number: 20080286116Abstract: An aerofoil for a gas turbine engine comprising a pressure wall and a suction wall and defining leading and trailing edges, the walls define a passage into which is supplied a cooling fluid, an array of cooling holes is provided through at least one of the walls to allow the cooling fluid to flow from an interior surface to an exterior surface. The array of holes comprise two groups, the holes of each group are angled to intersect the holes of the other group and are characterised in that the holes of at least one of the groups comprises two or more holes at different angles to one another to vary the porosity of the wall to account for otherwise varying wall temperatures. This arrangement also allows either less coolant mass flow to maintain a constant metal temperature, or a lower metal temperature for a given coolant mass flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Peter T. Ireland, Anthony J. Rawlinson
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Publication number: 20080284109Abstract: This invention provides a seal assembly for sealing a gap between first and second relatively movable members. The first member is provided with a sealing surface, and the second member is provided with a sacrificial abradable layer that is positioned opposite the sealing surface of the first member. When the seal assembly is in operation the sealing surface of the first member moves relative to, and abrades, the abradable layer of the second member thereby maintaining a seal between the members. The present invention is characterised in that, the second member and the abradable layer comprise the same composite material. The second member and the abradable layer may be co-cured together during manufacture.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Quinten J. Northfield
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Patent number: 7451592Abstract: A turbine engine arrangement is provided in which contra rotating shafts 104, 105 are respectively secured to a fan and a gearbox 106 which is also coupled to the shaft 104. In such circumstances the relative rotational speed ratio between the shafts 104, 105 can be determined with a first low pressure turbine 101 secured to the first shaft 104 arranged to rotate at a lower speed but provide high work whilst a second low pressure turbine 102 secured to the second shaft 105 rotates at a higher speed governed by the gearbox 106. By such an arrangement a smaller gearbox 106 may be used as less power is transferred through that gearbox 106 than with previous arrangements. By contra rotation of the turbines 101, 102 a lower flow deflection guide vane assembly 103 may be used and a further stator/guide vane assembly is not required between the turbines 101, 102.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Mark D. Taylor, Neil W. Harvey
