Patents Assigned to Rolls-Royce plc
  • Patent number: 7132606
    Abstract: A stator coil assembly comprising a stator coil and a mounting platform for the stator coil. The coil has an earth wrap and is bonded to the mounting platform by a resiliently deformable bonding layer. The bonding layer is an electrical insulator formed from silicone rubber and has a thermal conductivity of at least 0.1 W/mK and an electrical resistivity which is at least equal to that of the earth wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Timothy M S Myers, Geoffrey A Wilkin, Stephen M Husband
  • Patent number: 7131815
    Abstract: A vane provided with at least one spindle, the at least one spindle configured to engage in operation with a support such that in operation the vane pivots about the at least one spindle. The vane is further provided with an electrically operable heater which is communicable with an electrical supply via an electrical connection node located in the at least one spindle. The electrical connection node comprises a female portion and a corresponding male portion. The support is defined by a casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Peter Allford, Gary Olds
  • Publication number: 20060242830
    Abstract: The present invention provided a method of manufacturing a duct for a gas turbine engine or the like from sheet metal material; the method comprising the steps of: fabricating a duct from sheet material (10,12,14) including rolling or folding metal sheet along ruled lines to form a ruled surface geometry approximately corresponding to at least part of a desired irregular final duct geometry; welding corresponding rolled or folded parts of the duct skin together and positioning the duct on a heat treatment fixture (30) having a shape corresponding to the said desired irregular duct geometry; the material of the heat treatment fixture having a greater thermal expansion coefficient than the duct material; heating the duct and fixture substantially to a stress relieving temperature of the duct material such that differential thermal expansion of the duct and fixture at the said stress relieving temperature causes the duct to distort and adopt the shape of the exterior surface of the fixture on which the duct is l
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Richard Green, Peter Frost, Michael Annear
  • Patent number: 7128536
    Abstract: A damped airfoil structure comprises an airfoil having a first wall and a second opposing wall, and vibration damping means for damping relative movement of the first and second wall. The damping means comprises at least two cooperating damping elements, a first damping element mounted to the first wall of the structure and a second damping element mounted to the second wall of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: David A. Williams, Christopher A. Powell
  • Publication number: 20060239852
    Abstract: A nickel alloy composition, having particular utility for forming an oxidation resistant blade tip on a turbine blade, preferably has a composition substantially as defined by the nominal composition Cr 4.5 wt %; Al 6 wt %; Co 4 wt %; Ta 6 wt %; Re 4 wt %; Hf 0.15 wt %; C 0.05 wt %; Si 0.1 wt %; B 0.005 wt %; W 2 wt %; La 0.003-0.005 wt %; and Y 0.003 to 0.005 wt %; the remainder being nickel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE, PLC
    Inventors: Mark Shipton, Robert Broomfield
  • Patent number: 7125010
    Abstract: A work piece holding arrangement (10) includes an array of engagement elements (12) for engaging a work piece. The arrangement (10) also includes an actuator (34) for moving a plurality of the engagement elements (12) into engagement with the work piece, and a deformable clamping member (26) to clamp the engagement elements (12). The clamping member (26) is deformable between a clamping condition in which at least some of the engagement elements (12) are engaged by the clamping member (26) and clamped in respective positions, and a non-clamping condition in which the engagement elements (12) can move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: John Moore, Nabil Gindy
  • Patent number: 7125217
    Abstract: A structural member comprises a main body formed from a cellular material. The structural member may be a casing for a rotary assembly e.g. a fan of a gas turbine engine. The main body may incorporate strengthening ribs and conduits and may have a random or graduated arrangement of different sized cells forming the cellular material. A recess may be defined on the radially inner face of the main body to receive an abradable material suitable for forming a seal with the blades of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Ian C D Care
  • Patent number: 7126075
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electro discharge machining a passage through a work piece using a hollow electro discharge machining electrode and a corresponding flushing agent supplied via the hollow electrode. A backing member is positioned abutting the exit face of the work piece so that at break through the path of the flushing agent is not disrupted. The backing member positioned such that it forms a fluid tight seal with the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Stephen Bailey, Stephen T. Pook
  • Patent number: 7124856
    Abstract: A passive acoustic liner system (50) for attenuating a sound field comprising, in acoustic series, a mode-scattering segment (48) and a sound-absorbing segment (40), wherein the mode scattering segment (48) provides a reactance between ?12 and ?2 ?c and the sound absorbing segment (40) provides a reactance between ?1 and 0 ?c thereby providing a reactance discontinuity such that mode-scattering of the sound field enables the sound-absorbing segment (48) to further absorb the scattered sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Andrew J Kempton, Nicholas J Baker, Alan McAlpine, Jeremy Astley
  • Publication number: 20060231679
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine mounting arrangement for attaching a gas turbine engine to a support structure, such as a pylon of an aircraft, comprises a main mounting member adapted to interconnect the engine with the pylon and transmit loads therebetween under normal engine operating conditions, and an auxiliary mounting member which is capable of interconnecting the engine with the pylon and transmitting loads therebetween in the event of failure of the main mounting member, the auxiliary mounting member being arranged to be substantially unloaded under normal engine operating conditions. The main mounting member includes a first primary load transmission means for transmitting vertical loads between the engine and the pylon and a second primary load transmission means for transmitting thrust and lateral loads between the engine and the pylon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Mark Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 7121758
    Abstract: A joint assembly 80 is provided for limiting an extension of the joint 80 in the direction of a load path derived from an impact comprising. In its simplest form, the joint 80 comprises a first member 40 having a portion 82 and a second member 50 having a portion 84, the portions 82, 84 overlapping one another and arranged generally parallel to one another and secured together via securing means 78. The securing means 78 is disposed through corresponding holes 92, 94 defined by portions 82 and 84. At least one of the overlapping portions 82 or 84 further defines, sequentially in the direction of extension a pocket 102. The securing means 78 comprises a deformable member 152, 178 and at least one of the overlapping portions 82, 84 comprises a wedge-shaped portion 74.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Alison J McMillan, Kevin A White
  • Patent number: 7121096
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine comprising a combustion chamber wall having formed therein at least one hole for admitting air into the combustion chamber and at least one air intake chute aligned with said hole. The air intake chutes are attached to the combustor wall in regions which, during operation, will be regions of low stress concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Michael Westlake, Samuel M. Sampson
  • Patent number: 7121789
    Abstract: An arrangement 22 for mounting a non-rotating component 28 of a gas turbine engine 10, defining a portion of a gas path of the gas turbine engine 10 comprising: a non-rotating component 28 having an opening 23 to a receptacle 25; and a fastener 30 for retaining the non-rotating component 28, comprising a neck portion 34 and a head portion 32, wherein the neck portion 34 of the fastener 30 extends through the opening 23 in the non-rotating component 28 and the head portion 32 is retained, at least partially, within the receptacle 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: William Richards
  • Patent number: 7118329
    Abstract: An unshrouded rotor blade 24 comprising an aerofoil 28, said aerofoil 28 having a leading edge 34, a trailing edge 36, a pressure surface 30 and a suction surface 32, there being provided at a radially outer extremity of the aerofoil 28 a gutter 40 which is wider than the aerofoil 28 adjacent the trailing edge 36 thereof, wherein at least a part of the gutter 40 is offset towards the aerofoil pressure surface 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Peter Jeffrey Goodman
  • Patent number: 7118331
    Abstract: A stator vane assembly for a turbomachine comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged stator vanes (32), the axial position of the stator vanes (32) and/or the pitch angle circumferentially between adjacent stator vanes (32) is varied circumferentially around the stator vane assembly. The stator vane assembly reduces the pressure distortion upstream of the fan outlet stator vanes (32), reduces the circumferential pressure variation and this reduces blade forced response excitation, noise generation and aerodynamic losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Shahrokh Shahpar
  • Patent number: 7118346
    Abstract: A compressor blade (26) comprises an aerofoil (36) and a root (38). The aerofoil (36) comprises a concave wall (40) extending from a leading edge (44) to a trailing edge (46) and a convex wall (42) extending from the leading edge (44) to the trailing edge (46). The aerofoil (36) defines at least one internal chamber (48). The root (38) is connected to the aerofoil (36) and the root (38) has a base (50) remote from the aerofoil (38) and at least one aperture (52) extends from the base (50) to the at least one internal chamber (48) in the aerofoil (36). The dimensions, shape and position of the least one aperture (52) are selected such that the root (38) is deformable. This reduces the weight of the containment region of a fan casing (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Simon Read
  • Patent number: 7117679
    Abstract: In order to allow dual fuel operation, that is to say gas and liquid fuel, a fuel injection arrangement and an assembly are provided in which an injection conduit provides constriction to an airflow towards an outlet. In an assembly a plurality of arrangements including liquid fuel jets are arranged to such that through high angle incidents by the airflow appropriate vaporization and droplet formation is achieved for a fuel/air mixture combustible in a combustor of a turbine engine. At low liquid fuel flow rates below a pre-determined level the liquid fuel is atomized and entrained by the airflow. At high liquid fuel flow rates the fuel splash impinges upon a wash surface to develop a wash film which is again vaporized and atomized about an edge for a fuel/air mixture capable of combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Ian J Toon, Gary Eadon, Andrew C Graham, Allan J Salt
  • Patent number: 7118818
    Abstract: A system comprising a solid oxide fuel cell stack and a gas turbine engine. The stack comprises a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells, each fuel cell comprises an electrolyte, an anode and a cathode. The gas turbine engine comprises a compressor and a turbine with the compressor supplying oxidant to the cathodes. There are means to supply fuel to the anodes and to supply a portion of the unused oxidant from the solid oxide fuel cells to the cathodes. The means to supply a portion of the unused oxidant comprises a combustor and an ejector with the combustor burning a portion of the unused fuel from the solid oxide fuel cells in the portion of the unused oxidant from the fuel cells and is arranged to supply products of the combustor to the oxidant supplied by the compressor to the cathodes to preheat the oxidant supplied by the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Gerard D Agnew, Robert R Moritz, Olivier C Tarnowski, Michele Bozzolo
  • Patent number: 7118321
    Abstract: An air cooled bearing comprising means for imparting a swirl component to the cooling air flowing toward the bearing. By imparting a swirl component to the cooling air the amount of work imparted on the cooling air by the rotating cage and rolling elements of the bearing can be reduced and in some cases substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Timothy E. Macfadyen
  • Publication number: 20060222487
    Abstract: A vane (110, 210) for a gas turbine engine includes an aerofoil part (112, 212) and a sealing part (114, 214) at one end of the aerofoil part. The sealing part defines a cavity (122, 222) and an opening (130, 230) to the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Andy Au