Patents by Inventor Gervas Franceschini

Gervas Franceschini 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).

  • Publication number: 20230287979
    Abstract: A brush seal includes an annular plate assembly defining a radially inner diameter having an inner central axis and a radially outer diameter having an outer central axis. The inner central axis and the outer central axis are spaced apart from each other by an offset, such that the radially inner diameter and the radially outer diameter are eccentric with respect to each other. The brush seal further includes a bristle pack. The bristle pack includes a plurality of bristles defining a bristle bore having a bristle bore central axis. The bristle bore central axis is aligned with the inner central axis and the bristle bore central axis is offset from the outer central axis. Moreover, the brush seal is disposed around a rotating component. The bristle bore central axis is aligned with a component axis of the rotating component and the bristle pack engages with the rotating component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Gervas FRANCESCHINI, Maciej T. PIETRZAK
  • Patent number: 11174944
    Abstract: A brush seal for sealing a leakage gap in an axial flow path between a relatively higher fluid pressure region and a relatively lower fluid pressure region, that includes an outer housing and an inner housing located at least partially within and configured for radial displacement relative to the outer housing, wherein the upstream facing inner surface of the outer housing is free of any protrusion toward the first downstream facing outer contact surface and second downstream facing outer contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Gervas Franceschini
  • Publication number: 20200141497
    Abstract: A brush seal for sealing, in use, a leakage gap between relatively movable parts in an axial flow path between a high fluid pressure region and a relatively lower fluid pressure region, the brush seal comprising: a backing member comprising a first contact member and a second contact member, the first contact member comprising a first contact surface, and the second contact member comprising a second contact surface, wherein the second contact surface is radially displaced from the first contact surface along a radial contact line to define a first chamber opening therebetween; and, a first bristle layer in physical communication with both the first contact surface and the second contact surface along the radial contact line, wherein the first bristle layer is configured between the high pressure region and the backing member; wherein along the radial contact line, a collective contact surface of the backing member between the first bristle layer and the respective contact surfaces is greater than a surface a
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventor: Gervas FRANCESCHINI
  • Publication number: 20200080646
    Abstract: A brush seal for sealing a leakage gap in an axial flow path between a relatively higher fluid pressure region and a relatively lower fluid pressure region. The brush seal may comprise an outer housing and an inner housing located at least partially within and configured for radial displacement relative to the outer housing. The inner housing may comprise a first downstream outer contact member comprising a first downstream facing outer contact surface configured along a first radial contact line. The inner housing may comprise a second downstream outer contact member comprising a second downstream facing outer contact surface configured, and radially spaced from the first downstream facing outer contact surface, along the first radial contact line to define a downstream inner chamber opening therebetween. The inner housing may further comprise a first bristle layer in physical communication with a first upstream facing inner contact surface configured along a second radial contact line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventor: Gervas FRANCESCHINI
  • Publication number: 20200080440
    Abstract: A brush seal for sealing a leakage gap in an axial flow path between a relatively higher fluid pressure region and a relatively lower fluid pressure region. The brush seal may comprise an outer housing and an inner housing located at least partially within and configured for radial displacement relative to the outer housing. The outer housing may comprise a first downstream outer contact member comprising a first upstream facing outer contact surface configured along a first radial contact line. The outer housing may comprise a second downstream outer contact member comprising a second upstream facing outer contact surface configured, and radially spaced from the first upstream facing outer contact surface, along the first radial contact line to define a downstream outer chamber opening of a downstream outer housing chamber therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Gervas FRANCESCHINI, David R. H. GILLESPIE, Andrew K. OWEN
  • Patent number: 9784371
    Abstract: Described is a brush seal for sealing between a first component and a second component which relatively rotate during normal use, comprising: an annular housing which is attached to a first component in use; a plurality of bristles each having a fixed end attached to the housing and a free end, wherein the free ends of at least some of the plurality of bristles contact the second component during normal use to provide a sealing surface, wherein the sealing surface includes a plurality of discontinuities around the circumference of the brush seal for providing hydrodynamic lifting force in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Gervas Franceschini, Terence Valentine Jones, Felix Lepetit
  • Patent number: 9714711
    Abstract: A leaf seal is proposed for effecting a seal between two coaxial and relatively rotating components. The seal has an annular pack of stacked leaves, the pack being mountable to a first one of the components at root portions of the leaves and extending towards the other component such that end edges of the leaves cooperate to define a seal surface of the pack which is presented for air-riding interaction with a surface of the other component during relative rotation between the components such that, in use, a pressure drop is maintained axially across the pack. The seal surface of the pack incorporates a plurality of hydrodynamic lift-generating recesses spaced circumferentially around the pack. Each said recess extends circumferentially across a plurality of adjacent leaves in the pack, each of which leaves being spaced radially from said surface of the other component along at least part of its end edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Gervas Franceschini, David Anthony Edwards
  • Publication number: 20170051834
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement (30) for providing sealing between a first structure (10), e.g. a rotor shaft, and a second structure (15), e.g. a portion of a casing, of an engine, and between first (HP) and second (LP) pressure regions located between the first (10) and second (15) structures, the first pressure region (HP) being at a relatively higher pressure than the second pressure region (LP), and the first structure (10) being moveable relative to the second structure (15) along an axis, wherein the sealing arrangement (30) comprises: a sealing member (20), e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: John R. WEBSTER, Gervas FRANCESCHINI, James R. AUBRY, David R H GILLESPIE, Andrew K. OWEN
  • Publication number: 20160153562
    Abstract: A brush seal includes first and second clamp plates, each clamp plate having an opposed clamping surface, and a bristle pack clamped between the clamping surfaces. The clamping surface of at least one of the clamp plates includes a surface feature extending across the clamping surface, the feature having a protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Gervas FRANCESCHINI
  • Patent number: 9273782
    Abstract: A leaf seal for effecting a seal between two, coaxial, relatively rotating components. The leaf seal has an annular pack of stacked leaves. The pack is mountable to a first one of the components with interleaf gaps formed between working portions of neighbouring leaves. The leaves extend towards the other component such that end edges of leaf working portions are presented for wiping contact with the other component. At least adjacent its end leaf edge, each leaf has a rear section at or adjacent the low pressure side of the pack and a front section which extends from the rear section to the high pressure side of the pack. The rear sections of the leaves are thicker than their respective front sections to reduce the interleaf gaps at the rear sections such that most of the pressure drop across the pack is over the rear sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Ingo Henry Johannes Jahn, Gervas Franceschini
  • Patent number: 9206905
    Abstract: A leaf seal for effecting a seal between coaxials and relatively rotating components. The seal has annular pack of stacked leaves, the pack mountable to first one of components at leaves root portions and extending towards other component end edges of leaves presented for air-riding interaction with other component during relative rotation between components. In use, pressure drop is maintained axially across the pack, which includes first set of leaves arranged around the pack, each to present an end edge at least part in relationship with other component. The pack includes second set of leaves circumferentially interspersed throughout the first set. The first and second sets, leaves help define, around the pack, circumferential spaces between end edges of first set's successive leaves, the spaces create circumferential variation in pressure around the pack contributing to the generation of hydrodynamic lift between pack and other component during relative rotation between components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Gervas Franceschini
  • Publication number: 20150337965
    Abstract: An annular brush seal 502 is disclosed comprising first and second annular clamp plates 504, 506, each clamp plate comprising an opposed annular clamping surface 512, 514, and a pack of radially extending bristles 508 clamped between the clamping surfaces 512, 514 of the clamp plates 504, 506. The clamping surface 512 of at least one of the clamp plates 504 is profiled, such that a separation between the clamping surfaces 512, 514 increases with decreasing radius. A brush seal 102 is also disclosed comprising first and second clamp plates 104, 106, each clamp plate comprising an opposed clamping surface 112, 114, and a bristle pack 108 clamped between the clamping surfaces 112, 114 of the clamp plates 104, 106, wherein the clamping surface 112 of at least one of the clamp plates 104 comprises a linear surface feature 118, 116, 324 extending across the clamping surface 112 and causing a step change in the profile of the clamping surface 112.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventor: Gervas FRANCESCHINI
  • Publication number: 20150323077
    Abstract: A leaf seal for effecting a seal between coaxials and relatively rotating components. The seal has annular pack of stacked leaves, the pack mountable to first one of components at leaves root portions and extending towards other component end edges of leaves presented for air-riding interaction with other component during relative rotation between components. In use, pressure drop is maintained axially across the pack, which includes first set of leaves arranged around the pack, each to present an end edge at least part in relationship with other component. The pack includes second set of leaves circumferentially interspersed throughout the first set. The first and second sets, leaves help define, around the pack, circumferential spaces between end edges of first set's successive leaves, the spaces create circumferential variation in pressure around the pack contributing to the generation of hydrodynamic lift between pack and other component during relative rotation between components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventor: Gervas FRANCESCHINI
  • Patent number: 9121506
    Abstract: This application describes a leaf seal arrangement, including: a first component having a high pressure area and a low pressure area therein; a second component which passes from the high pressure area to the low pressure area; a leaf seal having an array of leaf elements between the high and low pressure areas, each leaf element having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is attached to the first component and the free end defines a sealing surface through which the second component sealably passes, a sealing gap therebetween, and wherein the sealing gap generally converges from the high pressure area toward the lower pressure area. Also described is a method of providing a leaf seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Gervas Franceschini
  • Patent number: 9039014
    Abstract: A seal for sealing between two component parts permits a leakage flow of fluid from an upstream side of the seal to a downstream side of the seal. The seal has a jet-producing formation which produces one or more fluid jets that impinge on and thereby restrict the leakage flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Michael J Pekris, Gervas Franceschini, Terence V Jones
  • Publication number: 20150001809
    Abstract: Described is a brush seal for sealing between a first component and a second component which relatively rotate during normal use, comprising: an annular housing which is attached to a first component in use; a plurality of bristles each having a fixed end attached to the housing and a free end, wherein the free ends of at least some of the plurality of bristles contact the second component during normal use to provide a sealing surface, wherein the sealing surface includes a plurality of discontinuities around the circumference of the brush seal for providing hydrodynamic lifting force in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Gervas FRANCESCHINI, Terence Valentine JONES, Felix LEPETIT
  • Publication number: 20150001805
    Abstract: This application describes a leaf seal arrangement, including: a first component having a high pressure area and a low pressure area therein; a second component which passes from the high pressure area to the low pressure area; a leaf seal having an array of leaf elements between the high and low pressure areas, each leaf element having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is attached to the first component and the free end defines a sealing surface through which the second component sealably passes, a sealing gap therebetween, and wherein the sealing gap generally converges from the high pressure area toward the lower pressure area. Also described is a method of providing a leaf seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Gervas FRANCESCHINI
  • Publication number: 20150001808
    Abstract: A leaf seal is proposed for effecting a seal between two coaxial and relatively rotating components. The seal has an annular pack of stacked leaves, the pack being mountable to a first one of the components at root portions of the leaves and extending towards the other component such that end edges of the leaves cooperate to define a seal surface of the pack which is presented for air-riding interaction with a surface of the other component during relative rotation between the components such that, in use, a pressure drop is maintained axially across the pack. The seal surface of the pack incorporates a plurality of hydrodynamic lift-generating recesses spaced circumferentially around the pack. Each said recess extends circumferentially across a plurality of adjacent leaves in the pack, each of which leaves being spaced radially from said surface of the other component along at least part of its end edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Gervas FRANCESCHINI, David Anthony EDWARDS
  • Patent number: 8844131
    Abstract: A process is provided for forming a leaf-spacer pair for use in a leaf seal which effects a seal between two components. The process includes the steps of: (a) providing a leaf section which maintains, in the leaf seal, wiping contact with one of the components, and a root section from which the leaf section extends and which, in the leaf seal, is fixed relative to the other component, the leaf section and the root section being formed from a first sheet of material of substantially uniform thickness; (b) providing a spacer formed from a second sheet of material, the spacer being physically separate from the leaf section and the root section; and (c) fastening the spacer to the root section to form a leaf-spacer pair in which the spacer overlays the root section and remains fixed relative thereto on handling of the leaf-spacer pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Gervas Franceschini
  • Patent number: 8752288
    Abstract: A first process is provided for forming a stack of leaves for use in a leaf seal which effects a seal between two components. Corresponding processes are provided for forming a leaf-spacer pair and then for forming a stack of leaves from such pairs. Each leaf of the stack has a leaf section which maintains wiping contact with one of the components and a root section which is fixed relative to the other component and from which the leaf section extends. The stack includes a plurality of spacers which interpose between the root sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: David S. Williams, Ingo H. J. Jahn, Gervas Franceschini