Patents by Inventor Christopher Thomas John Sheaf

Christopher Thomas John Sheaf 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: 9885285
    Abstract: A nacelle for a turbofan gas turbine engine is provided. An inner wall of the nacelle defines an air intake which directs air into the fan section of the engine. The intake has, in flow series, an intake lip, a throat and a diffuser. The diffuser has, in flow series, first and second flow conditioning sections over both of which the flow cross-sectional area of the diffuser increases with increasing downstream distance from the throat. In addition, over the second section the nacelle inner wall lies substantially on a surface of an oblique circular cone having an apex which is offset from the centerline of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Mosley, Angus Roy Smith, Christopher Thomas John Sheaf, John Richard Wells
  • Publication number: 20160108811
    Abstract: A nacelle for a turbofan gas turbine engine is provided. An inner wall of the nacelle defines an air intake which directs air into the fan section of the engine. The intake has, in flow series, an intake lip, a throat and a diffuser. The diffuser has, in flow series, first and second flow conditioning sections over both of which the flow cross-sectional area of the diffuser increases with increasing downstream distance from the throat. In addition, over the second section the nacelle inner wall lies substantially on a surface of an oblique circular cone having an apex which is offset from the centreline of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Alan MOSLEY, Angus Roy SMITH, Christopher Thomas John SHEAF, John Richard WELLS
  • Patent number: 8931252
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a rotational axis, an intake and a compressed gas source; the intake includes a lining having a facing which defines an inlet surface and an array of holes; the array of holes includes at least a first set of holes and a second set of holes, the holes of the first set of holes are angled a relative to a radial line and the holes of the second set of holes are angled ? relative to the radial line; the angles ? and ? are different. An active flow control arrangement including a compressed gas supply pipe, a valve arrangement, a controller, a compressed gas distribution pipe may be provided. Compressed gas may be provided to prevent the formation of separation of a main gas flow through the intake and prevent or remove ice accretion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Giles Anthony Richardson, David MacManus, Christopher Thomas John Sheaf
  • Patent number: 8161754
    Abstract: Varying the fan nozzle flow area in a gas turbine engine allows adjustment of the bypass flow for varying operational conditions such as cruise and take off. However, care must be taken with regard to variation in order not to introduce drag or operational susceptibility to failure. By provision of a deformable member having a contiguous surface, which is deformed laterally from a splitter such as a pylon variation in flow area is achieved. A deformable member will be secured through seals to ensure a smooth surface. Actuation may be through a shape memory alloy material or provision of mechanical actuators to cause deformation of the contiguous surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas John Sheaf, Miles Thomas Trumper
  • Publication number: 20080166227
    Abstract: Varying the fan nozzle flow area in a gas turbine engine allows adjustment of the bypass flow for varying operational conditions such as cruise and take off. However, care must be taken with regard to variation in order not to introduce drag or operational susceptibility to failure. By provision of a deformable member having a contiguous surface, which is deformed laterally from a splitter such as a pylori variation in flow area is achieved. A deformable member will be secured through seals to ensure a smooth surface. Actuation may be through a shape memory alloy material or provision of mechanical actuators to cause deformation of the contiguous surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER THOMAS JOHN SHEAF, MILES THOMAS TRUMPER