Patents Assigned to Rolls-Royce plc
  • Publication number: 20200109796
    Abstract: A controller assembly comprises an electromechanical actuator and a single-stage pneumatic flow switch configured to thermally protect the electromechanical actuator by a supply of cooling fluid. The single-stage pneumatic flow switch is movable between a first mode in which the switch is configured to open a cooling fluid flow passage and a second mode in which the switch is configured to close the cooling fluid flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher A. MURRAY
  • Patent number: 10612780
    Abstract: A combustion chamber arrangement comprises an annular combustion chamber, an outer casing, an inner casing and a stage of outlet guide vanes arranged at the downstream end of the combustion chamber interconnecting the outer casing and the inner casing. The combustion chamber comprises an upstream wall structure, a radially inner cowl is removably secured to a radially inner axially extending flange by fasteners and a radially outer wall structure and a radially outer cowl are removably secured to a radially outer axially extending flange by fasteners. The flange is slidably mounted on the radially inner wall structure. The flange has at least one recess in its radially inner surface and the fasteners are arranged in the recess in the radially inner surface of the flange. The cowl abuts the radially outer surface of the flange and the radially inner wall structure abuts the radially inner surface of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mulcaire
  • Patent number: 10612782
    Abstract: Nozzle for engine has coaxial arrangement of inner pilot and outer mains airblast fuel injectors and intermediate air-swirler passage sandwiched between the outer and inner air-swirler passages of the pilot and mains airblast fuel injectors, respectively. The nozzle has an annular first-splitter wall separating the pilot outer air-swirler passage from the intermediate one. An outer surface profile of the first-splitter wall defines radially inner side of the intermediate air-swirler passage. The nozzle has an annular second-splitter wall separating the intermediate air-swirler passage from mains inner air-swirler passage. An inner surface profile of second-splitter wall defines radially outer side of intermediate air-swirler passage. The outer and inner surface profile of the first and second splitters walls, respectively, have convergent sections facing each other forming convergent portion of the intermediate air-swirler passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Ian James Toon, Robert Anthony Hicks
  • Patent number: 10612398
    Abstract: A method of sealing one or more openings provided in a wall of an aerofoil for a gas turbine engine, the aerofoil comprising at least one cavity which is at least partly filled with a vibration damping material, the method comprising steps to provide a metallic material onto the wall of the aerofoil in order to cover the opening and bond the metallic material to the wall of the aerofoil to seal the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Phillip J. Doorbar
  • Patent number: 10612467
    Abstract: A fuel-oil heat exchange system for an engine having a first fuel line for delivery of fuel to an engine combustor and a second fuel line for delivery of fuel to ancillary engine equipment. The heat exchange system has a first heat exchanger for transfer of heat from an engine oil system to the first fuel line and a second heat exchanger for transfer of heat from the engine oil system to the second fuel line. A control valve is provided for selective control of the oil flow from the engine oil system to the first and second heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Benjamin J Keeler, Paul S McCabe
  • Patent number: 10614259
    Abstract: A method of modelling at least a part of a gas turbine engine, method including: determining whether a first match feature data entity, defining a first location where a first physical feature may associate with another physical feature of a data structure, and a second match feature data entity, defining a second location where the second physical feature may associate with another physical feature of the data structure, satisfy a first matching criterion, the data structure including: a first data entity representing a geometrical shape of the first physical feature, the first data entity being associated with the first match feature data entity; and a second data entity representing a geometrical shape of the second physical feature, the second data entity being associated with the second match feature data entity; and performing relative movement between the first physical feature and the second physical feature within a model using the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Luca Di Mare, Davendu Y. Kulkarni, Gan Lu
  • Patent number: 10612395
    Abstract: An air cooled component for a gas turbine engine including a first wall and a second wall having opposing inner surfaces to define a gap therebetween, and a lattice of intersecting elongate ribs extending longitudinally along the first and second walls and transversely between the inner surfaces of the first and second walls to provide a plurality of cells. One or more portions of the ribs include an aperture to provide a flow path between adjacent cells so that the cells are in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Matthew D Tucker, Simon L Jones
  • Patent number: 10612471
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a fan mounted to rotate about a main longitudinal axis; an engine core, comprising in axial flow series a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine coupled to the compressor through a shaft; a reduction gearbox that receives an input from the shaft and outputs drive to the fan so as to drive the fan at a lower rotational speed than the shaft; wherein the compressor comprises a first stage at an inlet and a second stage, downstream of the first stage, comprising respectively a first rotor with a row of first blades and a second rotor with a row of second blades, the first and second blades comprising respective leading edges, trailing edges and tips, and wherein the ratio of a maximum leading edge radius of the first blades to a maximum leading edge radius of the second blades is greater than 2.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Ian J Bousfield, Duncan A MacDougall
  • Patent number: 10613508
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods of generating a movement profile for a layup procedure are provided. Methods include a movement profile defining relative movement between an applicator head and a tool along a head path for laying up a course of composite material. Method comprise: determining a bond strength profile along the head path; and determining a movement profile based on the bond strength profile, wherein the movement profile includes a variable rate of relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Ashley Barnes
  • Patent number: 10611466
    Abstract: A fluidic device for providing analogue output control includes a main channel, a first control channel, a second control channel, a comparator which receives respective input fluid flows from the main, the first and the second control channels. The first control channel is configured such that the input fluid flow therefrom carries an oscillating pressure wave signal, the second control channel includes a flow regulator controllable to vary the mass flow rate of the input fluid flow from the second control channel, and the main channel is configured such that the input fluid flow therefrom is at a reference mass flow rate. The comparator is configured such that the input fluid flows from the first control and the second control channels act in combination on the input fluid flow from the main channel to produce an output fluid flow from the comparator having a PWM mass flow rate characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Pawel Chmielarczyk, Richard A. Young, Marko Bacic
  • Patent number: 10611022
    Abstract: Methods of controlling a hyper redundant manipulator, the hyper redundant manipulator including: a plurality of sections comprising a first free end section and a second end section; and a base arranged to receive the plurality of sections in a coiled configuration, the base being coupled to the second end section of the plurality of sections, the method comprising: receiving a trajectory for movement of the plurality of sections; determining an error in position and/or orientation relative to the trajectory for one or more sections of the plurality of sections, the error being caused at least in part by the coiled configuration; and controlling movement of the one or more sections using the determined error to compensate for the error in position and/or orientation of the one or more sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: James Kell, Dragos A. Axinte, David I. Palmer, John Billingham
  • Publication number: 20200102968
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine that includes a fan blade having a tip, a root, a pressure side, a suction side, a trailing edge and a leading edge, the fan blade including a laminate body defined by a plurality of plies comprising reinforcement fibres, wherein an angle of the fibres in the plies from the trailing edge to the leading edge at the suction side and/or the pressure side of the blade are arranged such that the laminate body is unbalanced so that, during rotation of the fan blade, the fan blade deforms such that a centre of mass of the blade rotates about a centre of rotation of the fan so as to move the centre of mass towards a balanced position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Matthew THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20200103313
    Abstract: A flow sensor rake assembly for taking flow field measurements in flow machine, such as a compressor or turbine of gas turbine engine. Axial flow machine has rotor arranged to rotate about an axis to interact with fluid flow through the rotor in use, and static annular wall surrounding axis. Annular wall is mounted axially upstream or downstream of rotor to be washed by fluid flow in use. Flow sensor rake has elongate stem having first and second ends and plurality of probes depending therefrom at spaced locations along stem. Elongate stem is mounted to annular wall at first end and depending away from annular wall to the second end. Elongate stem is obliquely angled relative to annular wall when viewed in axial direction and second end of elongate stem is offset in circumferential direction relative to first end. Stem is slanted relative to radial direction with respect to axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Vasileios Kyritsis
  • Publication number: 20200102962
    Abstract: An axial flow turbomachine (102) for producing thrust to propel an aircraft is shown. The turbomachine has an inner duct (202) and an outer duct (204), both of which are annular and concentric with one another. An inner fan (206) is located in the inner duct, and is configured to produce a primary pressurised flow (P). An outer fan (207) is located in an outer duct, and is configured to produce a secondary pressurised flow (S). The outer fan has a hollow hub (208) through which the inner duct passes. A hub-tip ratio of the outer fan is from 1.6 to 2.2 times a hub-tip ratio of the inner fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Giles E. HARVEY
  • Publication number: 20200102911
    Abstract: An axial flow turbomachine (102) for producing thrust to propel an aircraft is shown. The turbomachine has an inner duct (202) and an outer duct (204), both of which are annular and concentric with one another. An inner fan (206) is located in the inner duct, and is configured to produce a primary pressurised flow (P). An outer fan (207) is located in an outer duct, and is configured to produce a secondary pressurised flow (S). The outer fan has a hollow hub (208) through which the inner duct passes. A swept area of the outer fan is from 2 to 20 times greater than a swept area of the inner fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Giles E. HARVEY
  • Publication number: 20200102888
    Abstract: A fuel spray nozzle for a gas turbine engine, the fuel spray nozzle arranged to mix fuel and air and provide the mixture to a combustor of the engine and including: a first fuel supply conduit arranged to provide fuel to be mixed with air in a first ratio; a second fuel supply conduit arranged to provide fuel to be mixed with air in a second ratio, having a lower proportion of fuel than the first ratio; and a staging valve arranged to control the relative proportions of fuel provided through the first fuel supply conduit and the second fuel supply conduit, such that an increase or decrease in the flow in the first fuel supply conduit is accompanied by a corresponding decrease or increase in the flow in the second fuel supply conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Andrew STEVENSON
  • Publication number: 20200102912
    Abstract: An axial flow turbomachine (102) for producing thrust to propel an aircraft is shown. The turbomachine has an inner duct (202) and an outer duct (204), both of which are annular and concentric with one another. An inner fan (206) is located in the inner duct, and is configured to produce a primary pressurised flow (P). An outer fan (207) is located in an outer duct, and is configured to produce a secondary pressurised flow (S). The outer fan has a hollow hub (208) through which the inner duct passes. The outer fan has a diameter of from 2.5 to 3.5 times a diameter of the inner fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Giles E. HARVEY
  • Publication number: 20200102914
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a compressor having a plurality of blades mounted to a hollow, annular compressor drum. The compressor comprises an electric storage device mounted within the hollow compressor drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Stuart MOSS, Douglas M M HERBERT
  • Publication number: 20200102828
    Abstract: An axial flow turbomachine (102) for producing thrust to propel an aircraft is shown. The turbomachine has an inner duct (202) and an outer duct (204), both of which are annular and concentric with one another. An inner fan (206) is located in the inner duct, and is configured to produce a primary pressurised flow (P). An outer fan (207) is located in an outer duct, and is configured to produce a secondary pressurised flow (S). The outer fan has a hollow hub (208) through which the inner duct passes. The inner fan is configured to have, in operation, a rate of rotation of from 3 to 8 times that of the outer fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Giles E. HARVEY
  • Publication number: 20200102910
    Abstract: An axial flow turbomachine (102) for producing thrust to propel an aircraft is shown. The turbomachine has an inner duct (202) and an outer duct (204), both of which are annular and concentric with one another. An inner fan (206) is located in the inner duct, and is configured to produce a primary pressurised flow (P). An outer fan (207) is located in an outer duct, and is configured to produce a secondary pressurised flow (S). The outer fan has a hollow hub (208) through which the inner duct passes. The inner fan is configured to have, in operation, a tip speed of from 1 to 3 times that of the outer fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Giles E. HARVEY