Abstract: An intermediate casing for use in a gas turbine engine comprises inner and outer casing walls 2, 4, a support plate 6, supporting an axial end of each of the casing walls 2, 4, a splitter 8, and an array of vanes 10. At least one of the casing walls 2, 4, the support plate 6, the splitter 8 and the array of vanes 10 is formed from at least one blank of sheet material, such as steel. The formation of one or more components of the assembly from a flat blank of material provides a significant reduction in manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A method of repairing a damaged abradable coating (48) on a surface (46) of a shroud (44) in an assembled gas turbine engine (10) comprises inserting a boroscope (60) through an aperture (52) in the casing (50) of the compressor (26) of the gas turbine engine (10). The boroscope (60) is arranged to carry a conduit (62). The boroscope (60) and hence the conduit (62) are directed to the damaged abradable coating (48) on the surface (46) of the shroud (44). A liquid abradable glue (64) is supplied through the conduit (62) and the liquid abradable glue (64) is directed onto the surface (46) of the shroud (44) in the compressor (26) of the gas turbine engine (10) to repair the damaged abradable coating (48).

Abstract: Location rings 3, 23 are generally known to present a sealing ring 2, 12 in combustor parts of a gas turbine engine. The location rings 3, 23 act to present the sealing rings 2, 12 such that fuel spray nozzles are appropriately presented towards the combustor whilst these location rings 3, 23 are more susceptible to wear than a panel 4, 24 within which the arrangement 1, 10 is secured. Previously location rings 3 have been located by dedicated bolts 6 provided in drilled and tapped apertures in the panel 4. Each bolt 6 is typically spot welded to provide a lock feature such that upon repair and overhaul it is necessary to remove a heat shield 5 and then remove the spot welds before disassembly. By integrating the heat shield 25 with location ring 23 portions it is possible to utilize the existing heat shield retainer positions as fixing points 19 with associated rail or strap elements 16, 17 such that through overlap along retainer edges 26, 27 a desired retained configuration is achieved.

Abstract: A method which permits the transformation of non-stationary response measurements into stationary data for analysis is provided. Many standard analysis techniques, particularly for oscillatory responses, are based on stationary data, and the method allows these techniques to be performed on originally non-stationary data. The method may be a method of processing oscillatory response data from a resonant system including: obtaining data measuring an oscillatory response of the system; estimating the variation in natural frequency of a mode of said response; filtering the data around a selected frequency to obtain a filtered response; determining a carrier signal whose frequency variation with respect to time is equal in magnitude to said estimated variation in natural frequency; and modulating the amplitude of said carrier signal using said filtered response to obtain a modulated carrier signal. A corresponding system for processing oscillatory response data is also provided.

Abstract: Provision of panels within casings can cause problems where retaining bolts require apertures in the casings, which in turn may reduce the structural strength of that casing. By providing a loose or snug fit ring placed within the casing and appropriate retainer elements secured to that ring which in turn appropriately presents panels it is possible to provide a casing assembly which avoids the necessity of drilling or otherwise forming holes in the casing which may reduce structural strength. The rings, retainers and the panels do not need to be mechanically fixed to the casing although where possible a ring may be secured through bolts in areas of the casing where structural strength is less important. Where there is no bolting between the ring and the casing then dam elements can be provided at each end of the assembly to prevent lateral axial movement and therefore retain panel position within the casing.

Abstract: A pipe for carrying a fluid, having a longitudinal axis and defining a radial aperture for release of a jet of fluid having a radial direction component ?, the aperture having an aspect ratio greater than 2 and arranged with its elongate axis within 30 degrees of the longitudinal axis and having area greater than 0.2 the cross-sectional area of the pipe, the fluid jet having an angle ? between 30 and 80 degrees from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Use of composite structures in assemblies for components such as vanes in a gas turbine engine has advantages in terms of weight, but can have problems with regard to stress and strain in operational use. Such problems with regard to stress and strain occur particularly about fillets. By providing reinforcing blocks 5 which extend across at least part of the fillet displacement of stress and strain can be achieved in order to extend component life.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) comprises a plurality of modules (12). Each module (12) comprises an elongate hollow member (14). Each hollow member (14) has at least one passage (32) extending longitudinally through the hollow member (14) for the flow of reactant. Each hollow member (14) has two parallel flat surfaces (16,18). At least one of the modules (12A, 12B, 12C) includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells (20). The solid oxide fuel cells (20) are arranged on the flat surfaces (16,18) of the modules (12A, 12B, 12C). At least one end (34) of each module (12) is connected to an end (36) of an adjacent module (12) to allow reactant to flow sequentially through the modules (12). The arrangement of the modules (12) provides compliance in the solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) and thermal and mechanical stresses in the solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) are reduced.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a high energy beam with a material source, the method comprising the steps of: using the high energy beam to provide an aperture, depositing material from the material source towards the aperture for a selected length of time and collecting the material which passes through the aperture, and adjusting the position and/or alignment of the material source relative to the high energy beam dependant on a comparison of the amount of material collected with a predetermined value.

Abstract: A friction welding process providing a workpiece having a weld surface, and a second workpiece having a weld surface. The workpieces being welded together at respective weld surfaces. Oscillatory motion is affected to the workpieces such that one weld surface moves across the other, thereby raising the temperature at the weld surfaces to create a weld interface. The oscillatory motion is ceased and the weld surfaces cool to weld the workpieces together at the interface. The workpiece has an extending portion, and the weld surface is provided on the extending portion. The extending portion includes an apex region, which engages the second workpiece's weld surface. A side face extends from the apex region to provide a gap between the side face and the second workpiece's weld surface. The gap allows weld flash material to pass from the weld interface through said gap.

Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine including a first hydraulic pump connected to a starter motor and a second hydraulic pump connected to the high-pressure compressor. The engine being arranged such that during starting the starter motor drives the first pump, to pump hydraulic fluid to operate the second pump as a motor to drive the high pressure compressor. During running the first and second pumps are connected to the aircraft hydraulic system.

Abstract: Powder metallurgy techniques are utilised to form components and in particular titanium components in moulds. By the nature of the powder forming process, closed surfaces are created in the powder formed component, particularly when hot iso-static pressing techniques are utilised. In order to create surface texturing, and in particular entrant features, a mould lining is associated such that it reciprocates the shape of an underlying mould. The mould lining incorporates surface discontinuities such as holes, slots, spots or folds which result, once the moulded material is formed, in entrant features which can be utilised to enhance bonding through adhesives or other surface features beneficial to a component.

Abstract: A ceramic seal segment for a shroud ring of a rotor of a gas turbine engine, the ceramic seal segment positioned radially adjacent the rotor and characterized by being a hollow section that defines an inlet and an outlet for the passage of coolant therethrough.

Abstract: A firtree profile, for example on a component of a gas turbine engine, is formed in a two-stage process. In one stage, an intermediate profile is formed, for example by a mechanical machining operation such as grinding. Subsequently, in a second stage, loaded flanks 16, 18 of the profile are formed by an electric discharge machining operation performed on the intermediate profile. Alternatively, the electric discharge machining operation may be performed first to create the intermediate profile, and subsequently transition regions, such as fillets 24, 28, may be formed in a mechanical or chemical material removing operation. In the resulting profile, surfaces, such as the loaded flanks 16, 18, which must be finished to tight tolerances, but which are subjected to relatively low bending stresses, are formed by the electric discharge machining operation, which leaves a re-cast layer 36.

Abstract: An aerofoil assembly comprising a plurality of rotatable blades. A damping member is disposed between at least two of the blades, each of the at least two blades having an aerofoil portion, a stem portion and a root portion. A recess is provided on two cooperating stem portions with a first shelf extending from a first end of each recess, and a second shelf extending from a second end of each recess to define a compartment. When the blades are aligned the damping member is held on one side of the shelves within the compartment. The damping member is provided with a projection at one corner and a projection on a diagonally opposite corner, the longitudinal distance between ends of the projections being greater than the distance between edges of the first and second shelf.

Abstract: A method of determining the lift generated by a lift-generating member, the lift-generating member being coupled to a component within the lift load path with the lift load path component experiencing strain as a result of the lift generated by the lift-generating member; characterised in that the method comprises the steps of: g) Coupling at least one strain measurement means to the lift load path component; h) Obtaining strain measurements from the at least one strain measurement means; and i) Calculating the lift generated by the lift-generating member from the at least one strain measurements.

Abstract: A component of an electric machine 46, the component comprising a core 10; two or more teeth 14 extending radially therefrom; at least one electromagnetic winding 12, each winding 12 around at least one of the teeth 14; wherein the core 10 having a cooling arrangement including at least one cooling insert 48 located between adjacent windings 12 and whereby in use a cooling fluid being arranged to flow through the at least one cooling insert 48 to facilitate heat transfer and dissipation from the electromagnetic windings 12. The cooling inserts providing improved cooling, structural support to the windings, and electrical insulation between the windings and the core.

Abstract: A control system for lift-generating means, the control system comprising: detector means for detecting at least one parameter from which stall may be calculated; scaling means for determining a scale factor dependent on the or each detected parameter; and multiplier means for multiplying an incoming lift demand signal by the scale factor to provide an outgoing lift demand signal.

Abstract: A tool has a flange attached to an engine housing. A primary cam is rotated to advance segments into the housing and a second rotational cam causes the segments to turn relative to each other as they are being inserted into the housing. This causes the segments to follow a predetermined path as they extend into the housing to bring a sensor at the end of the segments into a sensing position.

Abstract: A variable reluctance electric machine comprising a rotor and a stator; the stator having two or more electromagnetic windings and the rotor having a plurality of salient poles, the salient poles defining axially extending cooling fluid channels; wherein the salient poles and the cooling fluid channels are circumferentially skewed along at least a part of their length whereby in use the cooling fluid channels impel cooling fluid in a substantially axial direction towards the electromagnetic windings and the stator to facilitate heat transfer and dissipation from the windings.