Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Durling
Christopher J. Durling 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).
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Patent number: 10378625Abstract: A ring gear arrangement, including: a ring gear mount including: a ring gear having at least one internal gear for interaction with one or more gear wheels; a ring gear stator; and, a plurality of couplings which locate the ring gear within the gear stator, each coupling having a drive arm connected to the ring gear and a resiliently deformable connection, wherein the drive arm is movable between a first position in which the ring gear is in a rest position and a second position in which the ring gear has undergone some radial or rotational movement relative to the ring gear stator, wherein movement of the drive arm from a the first position to the second position loads the resiliently deformable connection against the ring gear, wherein the resiliently deformable connection biases the drive arm to return to the first position when in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: Christopher J Durling
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Patent number: 9951809Abstract: A rolling-element bearing includes an inner bearing ring and an outer bearing ring. The inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring define an axial direction and a circumferential direction. The rolling-element bearing includes a plurality of rolling elements. The rolling elements are configured to roll circumferentially between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring. The rolling-element bearing includes at least one oil chamber. The oil chamber is between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring. Each oil chamber is defined by the inner bearing ring, the outer bearing ring and an oil chamber housing. The oil chamber housing is fixed to one of the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring. The rolling-element bearing includes at least one duct corresponding to each oil chamber. The at least one duct is for a supply of oil to the corresponding oil chamber. Each duct extends through the bearing ring to which the oil chamber housing is fixed.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: Christopher J. Durling
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Publication number: 20180023676Abstract: A ring gear arrangement, including: a ring gear mount including: a ring gear having at least one internal gear for interaction with one or more gear wheels; a ring gear stator; and, a plurality of couplings which locate the ring gear within the gear stator, each coupling having a drive arm connected to the ring gear and a resiliently deformable connection, wherein the drive arm is movable between a first position in which the ring gear is in a rest position and a second position in which the ring gear has undergone some radial or rotational movement relative to the ring gear stator, wherein movement of the drive arm from a the first position to the second position loads the resiliently deformable connection against the ring gear, wherein the resiliently deformable connection biases the drive arm to return to the first position when in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: Christopher J. DURLING
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Publication number: 20160208850Abstract: A rolling-element bearing includes an inner bearing ring and an outer bearing ring. The inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring define an axial direction and a circumferential direction. The rolling-element bearing includes a plurality of rolling elements. The rolling elements are configured to roll circumferentially between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring. The rolling-element bearing includes at least one oil chamber. The oil chamber is between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring. Each oil chamber is defined by the inner bearing ring, the outer bearing ring and an oil chamber housing. The oil chamber housing is fixed to one of the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring. The rolling-element bearing includes at least one duct corresponding to each oil chamber. The at least one duct is for a supply of oil to the corresponding oil chamber. Each duct extends through the bearing ring to which the oil chamber housing is fixed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: Christopher J. DURLING
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Patent number: 8974140Abstract: A rotational assembly comprises a first shaft having a plurality of circumferentially arranged axially extending outer splines on an outer surface thereof and a second shaft having a plurality of circumferentially arranged axially extending inner splines on an inner surface of an axially extending shaft recess. The first shaft is located with the shaft recess such that the outer splines are engaged with the inner splines. At least one biasing element is also provided which is arranged to rotationally bias the first and second shafts towards one another such that the driving faces of the inner and outer splines are forced together.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Christopher J. Durling
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Patent number: 8740494Abstract: A clamping assembly for clamping a first component in the form of a bearing race to a second component in the form of a shaft, which in use is clamped coaxially with the bearing race. The clamping assembly includes a first member in the form of a first ring having a retaining formation in the form of a thread for retaining the first ring to the shaft, a second member in the form of a segmented second ring, a third member in the form of a third segmented ring, a spacer ring and a locking ring. Each of the segments of the second ring and third ring are pivotable or rollable relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Christopher J. Durling
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Patent number: 8485531Abstract: The invention concerns an oil seal assembly 12, especially for a gas turbine engine, for use in situations, for example, where a shaft passes 2 through the wall of a bearing chamber 10, so that one side of the seal is in a “wet” zone 8 and the other side in a “dry” zone 14. The seal comprises two parts, a relatively stationary annular seal member 32 which runs against the surface 34 of a seal runner 36 carried by the rotatable shaft 2. Both parts of seals of this kind are designed to be a demountable service items. Usually the seal runner 36 is bolted to a flange 16 on the shaft 2. However, problems may arise with oil leakage through the bolt holes formed in the flange 16 and along the bolt threads. In order to solve these problems the invention proposes a double flange arrangement 42, 44, 46 (FIG. 3) in which the seal runner 36 spans both flanges 42, 44 and is secured to the flange 42 in the dry zone 14.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLCInventor: Christopher J. Durling
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Patent number: 8387991Abstract: A sealing assembly provides a seal between a first element and a second element, the first element being movable with respect to the second element, wherein the sealing assembly comprises: a sealing member adjacent to the first and second elements; a first seal portion for providing a first seal between the sealing member and the first element, the first seal portion being arranged in a first direction; and a second seal portion for providing a second seal between the sealing member and the second element, the second seal portion being arranged in a second direction, wherein the first direction is arranged at an angle with respect to the second direction and the sealing member is disposed such that the sealing member is movable relative to the second element in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Christopher J. Durling
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Publication number: 20130045046Abstract: A clamping assembly for clamping a first component in the form of a bearing race to a second component in the form of a shaft, which in use is clamped coaxially with the bearing race. The clamping assembly includes a first member in the form of a first ring having a retaining formation in the form of a thread for retaining the first ring to the shaft, a second member in the form of a segmented second ring, a third member in the form of a third segmented ring, a spacer ring and a locking ring. Each of the segments of the second ring and third ring are pivotable or rollable relative to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Christopher J. DURLING
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Publication number: 20120263523Abstract: A rotational assembly comprises a first shaft having a plurality of circumferentially arranged axially extending outer splines on an outer surface thereof and a second shaft having a plurality of circumferentially arranged axially extending inner splines on an inner surface of an axially extending shaft recess. The first shaft is located with the shaft recess such that the outer splines are engaged with the inner splines. At least one biasing element is also provided which is arranged to rotationally bias the first and second shafts towards one another such that the driving faces of the inner and outer splines are forced together.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Christopher J. DURLING
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Patent number: 7934903Abstract: Fluid release apparatus (26) for the release of fluid from the interior of a rotating and/or pressurized body (16;18;102;104), the apparatus comprising a core member (28) having a chamber wall (44) disposed thereabout so as to define an open chamber (30) about said core member. The apparatus further comprises a chamber closure (48) mounted about said core member (28), said closure being resiliently deformable between an at rest state in which the closure contacts the chamber wall (44) and an actuated state in which the closure is spaced there-from, wherein the chamber has an aperture (32;35;55) for receiving liquid phase fluid from the interior of said rotating body. Upon build up of sufficient liquid in said chamber (30) the closure (48) moves to said actuated state so as to release liquid from the interior of the body.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventor: Christopher J. Durling
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Publication number: 20110068541Abstract: The invention concerns an oil seal assembly 12, especially for a gas turbine engine, for use in situations, for example, where a shaft passes 2 through the wall of a bearing chamber 10, so that one side of the seal is in a “wet” zone 8 and the other side in a “dry” zone 14. The seal comprises two parts, a relatively stationary annular seal member 32 which runs against the surface 34 of a seal runner 36 carried by the rotatable shaft 2. Both parts of seals of this kind are designed to be a demountable service items. Usually the seal runner 36 is bolted to a flange 16 on the shaft 2. However, problems may arise with oil leakage through the bolt holes formed in the flange 16 and along the bolt threads. In order to solve these problems the invention proposes a double flange arrangement 42, 44, 46 (FIG. 3) in which the seal runner 36 spans both flanges 42, 44 and is secured to the flange 42 in the dry zone 14.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Christopher J. DURLING
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Publication number: 20100329776Abstract: A clamping assembly (120) for clamping a first member (108) to a second member (104), the assembly comprising: a first tubular portion (126) comprising first and second threads (130, 132), the first thread (130) being suitable for engagement with a third thread (134) provided on the second member; and a second tubular portion (128) comprising a fourth thread (136), the fourth thread being configured for engagement with the second thread (132) of the first tubular portion, the second tubular portion being configured so as to clamp the first member to the second member; wherein the first and second threads are orientated in the same direction and the thread pitch of the first thread is different to the thread pitch of the second thread.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Christopher J. DURLING
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Publication number: 20100253003Abstract: A sealing assembly (100) for providing a seal between a first element (104) and a second element (106), the first element being movable with respect to the second element, wherein the sealing assembly comprises: a sealing member (102) adjacent to the first and second elements; a first seal portion (108) for providing a first seal between the sealing member and the first element, the first seal portion being arranged in a first direction; and a second seal portion (112) for providing a second seal between the sealing member and the second element, the second seal portion being arranged in a second direction, wherein the first direction is arranged at an angle with respect to the second direction and the sealing member is disposed such that the sealing member is movable relative to the second element in the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Rolls-Royce plcInventor: Christopher J. DURLING
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Publication number: 20100150697Abstract: Fluid release apparatus (26) for the release of fluid from the interior of a rotating and/or pressurised body (16;18;102;104), the apparatus comprising a core member (28) having a chamber wall (44) disposed thereabout so as to define an open chamber (30) about said core member. The apparatus further comprises a chamber closure (48) mounted about said core member (28), said closure being resiliently deformable between an at rest state in which the closure contacts the chamber wall (44) and an actuated state in which the closure is spaced there-from, wherein the chamber has an aperture (32;35;55) for receiving liquid phase fluid from the interior of said rotating body. Upon build up of sufficient liquid in said chamber (30) the closure (48) moves to said actuated state so as to release liquid from the interior of the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Christopher J. Durling