Patents by Inventor Christopher Benson

Christopher Benson 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: 10072525
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a casing, a bonding patch (10, 22) bonded to a surface of the casing, and a liner attached to the bonding patch. The bonding patch (10, 22) comprising a bonding region (12) configured to receive an adhesive for bonding the patch (10, 22) to a surface. A plurality of de-bonding elements (16) is configured to be movable relative to the bonding region (12) in response to an energizing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher Benson
  • Patent number: 10030522
    Abstract: A turbomachine blade comprising a blade tip and a metallic leading edge having a plurality of shear zones angled to the blade tip, wherein the shear strength of the shear zones is less than the shear strength of the remainder of the leading edge, such that in the event of an impact shear is initially initiated at the shear zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher Benson
  • Patent number: 10024178
    Abstract: A device for chocking and retaining a dovetail root of a blade of a gas turbine engine in a corresponding axially-extending slot in the rim of a disc, the root being mounted in the slot by insertion of a leading end of the root into a proximal end of the slot and then sliding the root towards a distal end of the slot. The device includes a first wedging body having a key portion receivable in a keyway formed at the distal end of the slot. The keyway restrains the first wedging body against movement in the axial direction. The first wedging body further has a first angled surface over which a correspondingly angled leading end surface of the root slides when the root is inserted in the slot to urge the leading end of the root radially outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher Benson
  • Patent number: 9951954
    Abstract: A method of lining a turbofan casing (30) with an array (32) of liner modules (34), including the steps of: providing a liner module (34); and providing a coupling element (48) on the casing for interlocking engagement with the liner module to maintain the liner module in position relative to the casing; and interlockingly engaging the liner module (34) and coupling element (48) by progressive movement of the liner module relative to the coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Christopher Benson, Matthew Ashley Charles Hoyland
  • Patent number: 9903229
    Abstract: A joint assembly has first to third end portions of first to third components and an elongate resilient connection member. The first end portion interconnects with the second in a castellated arrangement. The first and second end portions have repeating arrays of first and second, and third and fourth connection portions. The first connection portion is received inward the third, and its first location feature being aligned with a third location feature of the third forming a first cavity portion, and the second connection portion axially distal surface abutting against that of the fourth, with a second location feature of the second connection portion being aligned with a fourth location feature of the fourth connection portion forming a second cavity portion. The first and second cavity portions are aligned forming an annular cavity, with the connection member being receivable within the annular cavity interlocking the first component to the second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher Benson
  • Publication number: 20160265369
    Abstract: A device for chocking and retaining a dovetail root of a blade of a gas turbine engine in a corresponding axially-extending slot in the rim of a disc, the root being mounted in the slot by insertion of a leading end of the root into a proximal end of the slot and then sliding the root towards a distal end of the slot. The device includes a first wedging body having a key portion receivable in a keyway formed at the distal end of the slot. The keyway restrains the first wedging body against movement in the axial direction. The first wedging body further has a first angled surface over which a correspondingly angled leading end surface of the root slides when the root is inserted in the slot to urge the leading end of the root radially outwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher BENSON
  • Publication number: 20160265370
    Abstract: A device for chocking and retaining a dovetail root of a blade of a gas turbine engine in a corresponding axially-extending slot in the rim of a disc includes a retention body having a key portion receivable in a keyway formed in the base of the slot, and a mating portion for mating with a complementary mating portion of the root to prevent relative axial movement between the retention body and the root. The retention body has a lowered position in which the key portion is received sufficiently deeply in the keyway to allow the root to be positioned in the slot without interference from the retention body and also has a raised position in which, after the root is positioned in the slot, a part of the key portion is still received in the keyway while the mating portion mates with the complementary mating portion of the root.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher BENSON
  • Publication number: 20160177744
    Abstract: A turbomachine blade comprising a metallic leading edge having a region having varying fracture resistance in a spanwise direction so as to increase energy absorption by the leading edge in the event of the blade being released from a turbomachine and impacting a casing of the turbomachine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher BENSON
  • Publication number: 20160177779
    Abstract: A turbomachine blade comprising a metallic leading edge having a weakened region extending in a spanwise direction; and a crack initiator for selectively initiating cracking of the metallic leading edge along the weakened region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher BENSON
  • Publication number: 20160177731
    Abstract: A turbomachine blade comprising a blade tip and a metallic leading edge having a plurality of shear zones angled to the blade tip, wherein the shear strength of the shear zones is less than the shear strength of the remainder of the leading edge, such that in the event of an impact shear is initially initiated at the shear zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher BENSON
  • Publication number: 20160177785
    Abstract: A joint assembly includes a first end portion of a first hollow component, a second end portion of a second hollow component, and a first and second resilient connection member. First end portion interconnects with second end portion. First end portion includes a first and second location feature on an outwardly facing surface and axially distally facing surface respectively. Second end portion includes a third and fourth location feature on an inwardly facing surface and axially distally facing surface respectively. First end portion is slidably received inwardly of second end portion, with first location feature being aligned with third location feature to form a first annular cavity, and second location feature being aligned with fourth location feature to form a second annular cavity. First connection member is receivable within first annular cavity, and second connection member is receivable within second annular cavity, to interlock first component to second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Christopher BENSON
  • Publication number: 20160177787
    Abstract: A joint assembly has first to third end portions of first to third components and an elongate resilient connection member. The first end portion interconnects with the second in a castellated arrangement. The first and second end portions have repeating arrays of first and second, and third and fourth connection portions. The first connection portion is received inward the third, and its first location feature being aligned with a third location feature of the third forming a first cavity portion, and the second connection portion axially distal surface abutting against that of the fourth, with a second location feature of the second connection portion being aligned with a fourth location feature of the fourth connection portion forming a second cavity portion. The first and second cavity portions are aligned forming an annular cavity, with the connection member being receivable within the annular cavity interlocking the first component to the second.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Christopher BENSON
  • Publication number: 20160097289
    Abstract: A slider for chocking a dovetail root of a blade of a gas turbine engine in a corresponding axially-extending slot in the rim of a disc. The slider, in use, is slidingly inserted in an axially-extending cavity formed in the base of the root and in the disc at the base of the slot to urge the blade radially outwardly and thereby mate flanks of the root to flanks of the slot. The slider is arc-shaped and the cavity is correspondingly arc-shaped. The normal to the plane of the arc of the arc-shaped cavity is substantially perpendicular to the engine axis such that, when inserted in the cavity, the slider also retains the root axially in the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher BENSON
  • Publication number: 20160076402
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a casing, a bonding patch (10, 22) bonded to a surface of the casing, and a liner attached to the bonding patch. The bonding patch (10, 22) comprising a bonding region (12) configured to receive an adhesive for bonding the patch (10, 22) to a surface. A plurality of de-bonding elements (16) is configured to be movable relative to the bonding region (12) in response to an energising signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher BENSON
  • Publication number: 20150276223
    Abstract: A method of lining a turbofan casing (30) with an array (32) of liner modules (34), including the steps of: providing a liner module (34); and providing a coupling element (48) on the casing for interlocking engagement with the liner module to maintain the liner module in position relative to the casing; and interlockingly engaging the liner module (34) and coupling element (48) by progressive movement of the liner module relative to the coupling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher BENSON, Matthew Ashley Charles HOYLAND
  • Patent number: 8256172
    Abstract: A modular free standing structure and an adjustable footing configured to support the modular free standing structure are described. The structural footing comprises a support member having a support surface configured to provide vertical support to one or more modular platform structures, a base member, and an adjustable leveling mechanism disposed between the support member and the base member, and configured to level adjoining modular platform structures by adjusting a height of the support member relative to the base member about a vertical axis of the structural footing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Benson
  • Patent number: 7937939
    Abstract: A thermodynamic cycle heat engine including a regenerator; a chamber in fluid communication with the regenerator; first and second rotors within the chamber, forming at least a pair of spaces within the chamber; and at least one actuator. The regenerator and the chamber form a portion of a closed space for a working fluid, the actuator is arranged to displace the rotors about an axis of rotation for the rotors, and at least a portion of the actuator is fixedly secured to the rotors. In some aspects, the actuator is arranged to receive energy from the rotors and operate as a generator, or a sensor is arranged to detect a condition associated with operation of the chamber and a controller is arranged to control the actuator responsive to the detected condition. In some aspects, the engine includes a heat exchanger in fluid communication between the regenerator and the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Christopher Benson
  • Publication number: 20090293378
    Abstract: A modular free standing structure and an adjustable footing configured to support the modular free standing structure are described. The structural footing comprises a support member having a support surface configured to provide vertical support to one or more modular platform structures, a base member, and an adjustable leveling mechanism disposed between the support member and the base member, and configured to level adjoining modular platform structures by adjusting a height of the support member relative to the base member about a vertical axis of the structural footing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Benson
  • Patent number: 7284373
    Abstract: A thermodynamic cycle heat engine comprising a regenerator housing with two bi-directional regenerators, compression and expansion chambers connected to different ends of the housing, and a gear train. Each of the bi-directional regenerators comprises a low pressure connection having a first volume and a high pressure connection having a second volume less than the first volume. The bi-directional regenerators, the compression chamber, and the expansion chamber form a closed space for a working fluid. The gear train is disposed within the regenerator housing and comprises a plurality of non-round gears, a center gear group, and two outer gear groups substantially opposed with respect to the center gear group. The gear train oscillatingly rotates rotors in the chambers to create cyclically varying volumes for compression and expansion spaces so that two thermodynamic cycles are completed by the engine for each rotation of the rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Mark Christopher Benson