Patents by Inventor David P. Scothern
David P. Scothern 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: 11905887Abstract: Multi-engine aircraft power and propulsion systems and methods of restarting an engine of a multi-engine aircraft during fight are provided. One such method comprises: determining a condition to the effect that a flame in the combustion equipment of the second gas turbine engine has been extinguished; responsive to the determination, supplying electrical power from the electrical energy storage system to one or more of the electric machines of the second gas turbine engine and operating said one or more electric machines as motors to limit a reduction in a speed of the one or more spools of the second gas turbine engine following extinguishment of the flame in its combustion equipment; and restarting the second gas turbine engine by relighting the combustion equipment of the second gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Gareth E Moore, Paul R Davies, Stephen M Husband, David R Trainer, David P Scothern, Luke George, Douglas M M Herbert
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Patent number: 11879413Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine includes a heat exchanger module, and a core engine. The core engine includes an intermediate-pressure compressor, high-pressure compressor, and high and low-pressure turbines. The high-pressure compressor rotationally connects to the high-pressure turbine by a first shaft, and the intermediate-pressure compressor rotationally connects to the low-pressure turbine by a second shaft. The heat exchanger module fluidly communicates with the core engine by an inlet duct. The heat exchanger module includes a central hub and multiple heat transfer elements extending radially from the hub and spaced in a circumferential array, for heat energy transfer from a first fluid within the elements to an inlet airflow passing over a surface of the elements prior to airflow entry into an inlet to the core engine. The gas turbine engine further includes a first electric machine rotationally connected to the first shaft, and positioned downstream of the heat exchanger module.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Paul R Davies, Gareth E Moore, Stephen M Husband, David R Trainer, David P Scothern, Luke George
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Publication number: 20230182920Abstract: A twin-engine aircraft power and propulsion system including first and second propulsive gas turbine engines, each having combustion equipment and a first and second spool; first, second, third, and fourth electrical power generation sub-systems including electric machines respectively mechanically coupled with the first spool of the first propulsive gas turbine engine, the second spool of the first propulsive gas turbine engine, the first spool of the second propulsive gas turbine engine, and the second spool of the second propulsive gas turbine engine; and first, second, third, and fourth power channels respectively connected with distribution sides of the first electric machine, second electric machine, third electric machine, and fourth electric machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Gareth E MOORE, Paul R DAVIES, Stephen M HUSBAND, David R TRAINER, David P SCOTHERN, Luke GEORGE, Douglas M M HERBERT
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Publication number: 20230184128Abstract: A gas turbine engine for an aircraft comprises, in axial flow sequence, a compressor module, a combustor module, and a turbine module. The gas turbine engine further comprises a first electric machine that is rotationally connected to the turbine module, and an electrical energy storage unit. The gas turbine engine is configured to generate a maximum dry thrust T (N). The first electric machine is configured to generate a maximum electrical power PEM1 (W). The electrical energy storage unit has an energy storage capacity E (Wh), a maximum charge rate C (h?1), and a maximum discharge rate D (h?1). The electrical energy storage unit is configured to store electrical energy that may be generated by the first electric machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Paul R. DAVIES, Gareth E. MOORE, Stephen M. HUSBAND, David R. TRAINER, David P. SCOTHERN, Luke GEORGE
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Publication number: 20230182917Abstract: Multi-engine aircraft power and propulsion systems and methods of starting the engines of multi-engine aircraft disclosed, including supplying electrical power from an electrical power source to electric machines of the a first gas turbine engine and operating electric machines as motors to drive rotation of spools of the first gas turbine engine; starting the first gas turbine engine by lighting combustion equipment of the first gas turbine engine; operating the electric machines of the first gas turbine engine as generators to extract mechanical power and generate electrical power from spools of the first gas turbine engine; transferring the electrical power to electric machines of a second gas turbine engine and operating the electric machines as motors to drive rotation of spools of the second gas turbine engine; and starting the second gas turbine engine by lighting combustion equipment of the second gas turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Gareth E. MOORE, Paul R. DAVIES, Stephen M. HUSBAND, David R. TRAINER, David P. SCOTHERN, Luke GEORGE, Douglas M. M. HERBERT
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Publication number: 20230184163Abstract: A gas turbine engine for an aircraft comprises, in axial flow sequence, a compressor module, a combustor module, and a turbine module, with a first electric machine being rotationally connected to the turbine module. The first electrical machine is configured to generate a maximum electrical power PEM1 (W), and the gas turbine engine is configured to generate a maximum shaft power PSHAFT (W); and a ratio R of: R = ( Maximum ? Electrical ? Power ? Generated = P E ? M ? 1 ) ( Maximum ? Shaft ? Power = P S ? H ? A ? F ? T ) is in a range of between 0.005 and 0.020.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Paul R. DAVIES, Gareth E. MOORE, Stephen M. HUSBAND, David R. TRAINER, David P. SCOTHERN, Luke GEORGE
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AIRCRAFT POWER AND PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF OPERATING AIRCRAFT POWER AND PROPULSION SYSTEMS
Publication number: 20230182918Abstract: Aircraft power and propulsion systems and methods of operating the systems, one method includes: operating electric machines of gas turbine engines as generators to extract mechanical power from spools and generating electrical power therefrom; meeting an electrical power demand of a plurality of electrical loads connected with an electrical system by supplying the plurality of electrical loads with electrical power generated by the electric machines; determining when there is an electrical system and/or the gas turbine engine fault and an amount of electrical power generated by the power and propulsion system is reduced to a lower level; and responsive to the determination: during a time period ?T, controlling the plurality of electrical loads reducing the electrical power demand; and during the time period ?T, meeting at least part of the electrical power demand of the plurality of electrical loads by discharging the electrical energy storage system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Gareth E MOORE, Paul R DAVIES, Stephen M HUSBAND, David R TRAINER, David P SCOTHERN, Luke GEORGE, Douglas M M HERBERT -
Publication number: 20230184171Abstract: Multi-engine aircraft power and propulsion systems and methods of restarting an engine of a multi-engine aircraft during fight are provided. One such method comprises: determining a condition to the effect that a flame in the combustion equipment of the second gas turbine engine has been extinguished; responsive to the determination, supplying electrical power from the electrical energy storage system to one or more of the electric machines of the second gas turbine engine and operating said one or more electric machines as motors to limit a reduction in a speed of the one or more spools of the second gas turbine engine following extinguishment of the flame in its combustion equipment; and restarting the second gas turbine engine by relighting the combustion equipment of the second gas turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Gareth E. MOORE, Paul R. DAVIES, Stephen M. HUSBAND, David R. TRAINER, David P. SCOTHERN, Luke GEORGE, Douglas M M. HERBERT
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Publication number: 20230184130Abstract: Aircraft power and propulsion systems, aircraft comprising such power and propulsion systems, and methods of restarting a gas turbine engine of such power and propulsion systems during flight are provided. One such aircraft power and propulsion system comprises: a propulsive gas turbine engine comprising a plurality of spools, combustion equipment, one or more electric machines mechanically coupled with one or more of the spools and an electrically-powered fuel pump for delivering fuel to the combustion equipment; an electrical system connected with the one or more electric machines and the electrically-powered fuel pump, the electrical system comprising an energy storage system; and a control system configured to: responsive to a determination to the effect that a flame in the combustion equipment has been extinguished, control the electrical system to supply electrical power from the energy storage system to the fuel pump during an engine restart attempt.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Gareth E. MOORE, Paul R. DAVIES, Stephen M. HUSBAND, David R. TRAINER, David P. SCOTHERN, Luke GEORGE, Douglas M M HERBERT
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Publication number: 20230167786Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine includes a heat exchanger module, and a core engine. The core engine includes an intermediate-pressure compressor, high-pressure compressor, and high and low-pressure turbines. The high-pressure compressor rotationally connects to the high-pressure turbine by a first shaft, and the intermediate-pressure compressor rotationally connects to the low-pressure turbine by a second shaft. The heat exchanger module fluidly communicates with the core engine by an inlet duct. The heat exchanger module includes a central hub and multiple heat transfer elements extending radially from the hub and spaced in a circumferential array, for heat energy transfer from a first fluid within the elements to an inlet airflow passing over a surface of the elements prior to airflow entry into an inlet to the core engine. The gas turbine engine further includes a first electric machine rotationally connected to the first shaft, and positioned downstream of the heat exchanger module.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: June 1, 2023Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Paul R. DAVIES, Gareth E. MOORE, Stephen M. HUSBAND, David R. TRAINER, David P. SCOTHERN, Luke GEORGE
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Publication number: 20230167785Abstract: A gas turbine engine for an aircraft comprises, in axial flow sequence, a compressor module, a combustor module, and a turbine module, with a first electric machine being rotationally connected to the turbine module. The first electrical machine is configured to generate a maximum electrical power PEM1 (W), and the gas turbine engine is configured to generate a maximum dry thrust T (N); and a ratio S of: S=(Maximum Electrical Power Generated=PEM1)/(Maximum Dry Thrust=T) is in a range of between 2.0 and 10.0.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: June 1, 2023Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Paul R DAVIES, Gareth E MOORE, Stephen M HUSBAND, David R TRAINER, David P SCOTHERN, Luke GEORGE
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Patent number: 11407517Abstract: A hybrid aircraft propulsion system. The system comprises a gas turbine engine comprising a compressor, a combustor, one or more turbines, a shaft coupled to one of the turbines, and a bypass fan mechanically driven by the shaft. The system further comprises an electrical generator mechanically coupled to the shaft, and an auxiliary propulsor mechanically coupled to an electric motor and electrically coupled to the electric generator. At maximum power, the gas turbine engine is configured to produce a turbine entry temperature at maximum power between 1800 Kelvin and 2000 Kelvin, the engine comprises a fan bypass ratio of between 4:1 and 13:1, and the generator is configured to absorb between 10% and 60% of the mechanical power generated by the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: David P Scothern
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Patent number: 11293345Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising: an engine core comprising a compressor; a compressor bleed valve in communication with the compressor and configured to release bleed air from the compressor; at least one component provided at the inlet of the engine core having a de-icing conduit, configured to receive the bleed air; and a flow controller, configured to provide bleed air to the de-icing conduit of the at least one component in response to either or both of a requirement to de-ice the component and a requirement to release bleed air from the compressor to optimise operation of the core.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: David P. Scothern, Steven P. Culwick, Shane Perera, Edward J. Spalton
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Patent number: 11085521Abstract: An auxiliary oil supply apparatus for a rotating device (50, 51), the rotating device comprising a primary oil supply (52), a rotating component (50) and a static component (51) situated radially outwardly of a centre of rotation of the rotating component (50) and arranged to collect oil (58) held radially outwardly from the rotating component (50) as the rotating component rotates. The auxiliary oil apparatus comprises a scoop (56) associated with the rotating component (50) and is responsive to a change in a known parameter to move between a first position in the static component (51) to a second position between the static component (51) and the centre of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: David A. Edwards, David P. Scothern
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Patent number: 11078838Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine compressor. The engine comprises a compressor having an environmental control system bleed port having an outlet in fluid communication with an aircraft environmental control system air duct, and an air turbine starter configured to rotate a compressor shaft of the gas turbine engine. The air turbine starter has an inlet in fluid communication with the environmental control system air duct via an air turbine valve. The method comprises determining a surge margin of the compressor, and where the surge margin of the compressor is determined to be below a predetermined minimum surge margin, opening the air turbine valve to supply air to the air turbine.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Inventors: Craig W. Bemment, David P. Scothern
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Patent number: 10961863Abstract: An electrical power generator system has: an input shaft for receiving a rotary input drive; plural output shafts connected by respective gear shifting arrangements to the input shaft thereby providing different gear ratios between the input shaft and each output shaft; and plural electrical generators powered by rotation of the respective output shafts, electrical power outputs of the generators being combined to supply a total power to a load. The input shaft operates over a range of rotation frequencies, and the gear shifting arrangements are configured to shift the gear ratios between the input shaft and the output shafts such that the output shafts operate over a narrower range of rotation frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: David P. Scothern
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Patent number: 10935125Abstract: A fluid transfer coupling comprises a first shaft assembly a second shaft assembly, and a seal assembly. The first shaft assembly comprises a first shaft and an annular fin attached to the first shaft, the annular fin having one or more internal passages extending therethrough. Each internal passage connects a centre portion of the first shaft to a radially outwardly facing side of the annular fin. The second shaft assembly comprises a second shaft and an annular trough extending radially outwardly of the second shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Inventors: David P. Scothern, Stephan Uhkötter
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Patent number: 10850857Abstract: The present disclosure concerns the detection of ice within a system. More specifically, but not exclusively, the disclosure concerns the detection of ice accretion within a gas turbine engine. The apparatus and method relies on heating a first region (38) of a component (44) and comparing the measured temperature of the first region (38) with a second temperature value, possibly measured at a distinct second region (40) of the component (44).Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: David P. Scothern
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Patent number: 10837311Abstract: A valve monitoring apparatus has a system to determine a state of a valve. The system determines a fluid flow first pressure at a first location within a gas turbine engine, and a second pressure of a compressed fluid at a second location within the engine when the valve is in the first position; and compares the first and second pressures to determine the valve state. The system is arranged to command the valve to move from the first position towards a second position; determine the second pressure of the compressed fluid at the second location; compare the pressure at the second location when the valve is in the first position to the pressure at the second location when the valve has been commanded to move towards the second position; and, determine whether the valve has moved from the first position towards the second position when commanded to do so.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: David P Scothern
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Patent number: 10753393Abstract: A bearing arrangement comprising a shaft with a recess in its end, a bearing housing, an annular first bush comprising an inner first portion and an inner second portion and a second bush that engages the recess of the shaft. The first bush bears against the bearing housing. The shaft engages the inner first portion of the first bush. The second bush engages the inner second portion of the first bush.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventor: David P. Scothern