Patents by Inventor Andrew M Rolt

Andrew M Rolt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10371003
    Abstract: The invention concerns an aircraft propulsion system having an engine core within which fuel is combusted to produce an exhaust containing water produced from the combustion of fuel, at least one propulsive fan for generating a mass flow of air which mixes with the exhaust of the engine core, and one or more sensor arranged to sense a condition indicative of vapor trail formation by the exhaust flow from the engine; and a controller arranged to control the ratio of the mass flow of water in the exhaust to the mass flow of air propulsed by the propulsive fan such that the ratio is reduced upon sensing of said condition by the one or more sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Peter Swann, Andrew M Rolt, Paul Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20160376918
    Abstract: The invention concerns an aircraft propulsion system having an engine core within which fuel is combusted to produce an exhaust containing water produced from the combustion of fuel, at least one propulsive fan for generating a mass flow of air which mixes with the exhaust of the engine core, and one or more sensor arranged to sense a condition indicative of vapour trail formation by the exhaust flow from the engine; and a controller arranged to control the ratio of the mass flow of water in the exhaust to the mass flow of air propulsed by the propulsive fan such that the ratio is reduced upon sensing of said condition by the one or more sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Peter SWANN, Andrew M. ROLT, Paul FLETCHER
  • Patent number: 9303526
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for cooling a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The system has first and second flow paths for guiding cooling air received from the compressor of the engine. The routes of both flow paths bypass the combustor of the engine. The system also has a preswirler for receiving the cooling air at the ends of the two flow paths, swirling the cooling air tangentially to the engine axis, and delivering the swirled cooling air to a rotor of the turbine. The first flow path is routed through a heat exchanger which cools the cooling air guided by the first flow path relative to the cooling air guided by the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Adam P. Chir, Andrew M. Rolt
  • Patent number: 8915058
    Abstract: A heat transfer arrangement for a fluid-washed body having first and second ends and a fluid-washed surface extending there-between. The arrangement includes a heat transfer member extending from the first end at least part way along the body towards the second end. A heat source is arranged in use to heat the heat transfer member in the vicinity of the first end of the body. A plurality of thermal control layers are provided on the heat transfer member, each of the layers having a different thermal conductivity and being juxtaposed so as to create a thermal conductivity profile which varies along the length of the member. The arrangement may be used for prevention of icing of an aerofoil body such as a blade, vane or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: David S Knott, Alexis Lambourne, Andrew M Rolt, Cosimo Buffone
  • Patent number: 8833053
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for an aero gas turbine engine. The system has a duct which diverts a portion of a bypass air stream of the engine. A heat exchanger located in the duct receives cooling air for cooling components of the engine. The cooling air is cooled in the heat exchanger by the diverted bypass air stream. After cooling the cooling air, the spent diverted air stream is routed to a tail cone located at the exit of the engine and ejected through a nozzle at the tail cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Adam P Chir, Andrew M Rolt
  • Patent number: 8387248
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided in which heat exchanger shells are formed by electro forming about a mandrel. The shells are attached and joined to provide a heat exchanger module. As the shells are not press formed problems with respect to material elongation to achieve deep grooves in the shells are potentially avoided and shells can be created with more desirable thickness to achieve more efficient heat exchange. Furthermore, reduced shell thickness will also reduce weight and therefore improve the acceptability of heat exchangers in particular applications such as those associated with aerospace and automotive sports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLC
    Inventors: Andrew M. Rolt, Anthony G. Razzell
  • Patent number: 8240365
    Abstract: It is known that corrugated plate heat exchangers can have good thermal and hydraulic performance but limitations with regard to operational pressures whilst conventional tube type heat exchangers can achieve high pressure operation but can have high flow pressure losses due to the configuration of such tubes. By arranging a tube stack comprising respective tubes 2a, 3a arranged in layers typically one upon the other with cross junctions 4 between them and intersticial gaps between tubes it is possible to create swirling spinning motion in the flow possibly inside and at least outside the tubes for improved heat exchange with only limited flow restriction. The swirling flow in the heat exchanger matrix outside of the tubes passes along channels formed by the interconnecting intersticial gaps between the tubes and is guided about those tubes for heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Mitsuru Obana, Andrew M Rolt
  • Patent number: 8166747
    Abstract: A steam injection gas turbine engine having a once-through steam generator (OTSG). A condenser is provided downstream of the OTSG to capture water and is protected from hot flue gasses during startup by a bypass circuit. Optionally, heating the exhaust downstream of the condenser using coolant taken from an intercooler provides plume suppression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Mitsuru Obana, Paul Fletcher, Christopher J B Barkey, Torbjorn O Lindquist, Andrew M Rolt
  • Publication number: 20110296811
    Abstract: A heat transfer arrangement for a fluid-washed body having first and second ends and a fluid-washed surface extending there-between. The arrangement includes a heat transfer member extending from the first end at least part way along the body towards the second end. A heat source is arranged in use to heat the heat transfer member in the vicinity of the first end of the body. A plurality of thermal control layers are provided on the heat transfer member, each of the layers having a different thermal conductivity and being juxtaposed so as to create a thermal conductivity profile which varies along the length of the member. The arrangement may be used for prevention of icing of an aerofoil body such as a blade, vane or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: David S. Knott, Alexis Lambourne, Andrew M. Rolt, Cosimo Buffone
  • Publication number: 20110180245
    Abstract: It is known that corrugated plate heat exchangers can have good thermal and hydraulic performance but limitations with regard to operational pressures whilst conventional tube type heat exchangers can achieve high pressure operation but can have high flow pressure losses due to the configuration of such tubes. By arranging a tube stack comprising respective tubes 2a, 3a arranged in layers typically one upon the other with cross junctions 4 between them and interstitial gaps between tubes it is possible to create swirling spinning motion in the flow possibly inside and at least outside the tubes for improved heat exchange with only limited flow restriction. The swirling flow in the heat exchanger matrix outside of the tubes passes along channels formed by the interconnecting interstitial gaps between the tubes and is guided about those tubes for heat exchange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Mitsuru Obana, Andrew M. Rolt
  • Publication number: 20110162387
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for cooling a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The system has first and second flow paths for guiding cooling air received from the compressor of the engine. The routes of both flow paths bypass the combustor of the engine. The system also has a preswirler for receiving the cooling air at the ends of the two flow paths, swirling the cooling air tangentially to the engine axis, and delivering the swirled cooling air to a rotor of the turbine. The first flow path is routed through a heat exchanger which cools the cooling air guided by the first flow path relative to the cooling air guided by the second flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Adam P. Chir, Andrew M. Rolt
  • Publication number: 20100303616
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for an aero gas turbine engine. The system has a duct which diverts a portion of a bypass air stream of the engine. A heat exchanger located in the duct receives cooling air for cooling components of the engine. The cooling air is cooled in the heat exchanger by the diverted bypass air stream. After cooling the cooling air, the spent diverted air stream is routed to a tail cone located at the exit of the engine and ejected through a nozzle at the tail cone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Adam P. Chir, Andrew M. Rolt
  • Patent number: 7770377
    Abstract: A bypass turbofan engine comprises a first propulsion system and a second propulsion system. The first propulsion system comprises a first fan rotor, a core engine, a first low pressure turbine and a first fan shaft drivingly connecting the first turbine and the first fan rotor. The second propulsion system comprises a second fan shaft drivingly connecting to a second fan rotor and the first propulsion system and arranged so that the first and second shafts are not coaxial with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Andrew M. Rolt
  • Patent number: 7716913
    Abstract: An engine (110, 210) for moving a conveyance (132) through a fluid includes first and second pressure creating means (13, 14) for pressurising an engine airflow, and intercooling means (116, 290, 292) for cooling the engine airflow between the first and second pressure creating means (13, 14). The intercooling means (116, 290, 292) includes a heat exchanger (116) which is arranged to be cooled by a flow of the fluid generated by the relative movement of the conveyance (132) through the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Andrew M Rolt
  • Publication number: 20090044933
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided in which heat exchanger shells are formed by electro forming about a mandrel. The shells are attached and joined to provide a heat exchanger module. As the shells are not press formed problems with respect to material elongation to achieve deep grooves in the shells are potentially avoided and shells can be created with more desirable thickness to achieve more efficient heat exchange. Furthermore, reduced shell thickness will also reduce weight and therefore improve the acceptability of heat exchangers in particular applications such as those associated with aerospace and automotive sports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Andrew M. Rolt, Anthony G. Razzell
  • Publication number: 20070214766
    Abstract: A steam injection gas turbine engine having a once-through steam generator (OTSG). A condenser is provided downstream of the OTSG to capture water and is protected from hot flue gasses during startup by a bypass circuit. Optionally, heating the exhaust downstream of the condenser using coolant taken from an intercooler provides plume suppression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Mitsuru Obana, Paul Fletcher, Christopher J. B. Barkey, Torbjorn O. Lindquist, Andrew M. Rolt
  • Patent number: 7107756
    Abstract: A bypass turbofan engine comprises a first propulsion system and a second propulsion system. The first propulsion system comprises a first fan rotor, a core engine, a first low pressure turbine and a first fan shaft drivingly connecting the first turbine and the first fan rotor. The second propulsion system comprises a second fan shaft drivingly connecting to a second fan rotor and the first propulsion system and arranged so that the first and second shafts are not coaxial with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Andrew M Rolt