Patents by Inventor James M. Thornton

James M. Thornton 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: 7669424
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine comprises a casing arrangement defining an aperture and a seal element mounted on the casing arrangement through which a component of the combustor can extend. The seal element comprises a relatively flexible force absorbing portion and a relatively rigid sealing portion. The force absorbing portion is provided between the sealing portion and the casing arrangement. The force absorbing portion is resiliently deformable to absorb force during movement of the casing arrangement. Such resilient deformation restricts transmission of the forces to the sealing portion. The seal element may be configured to carry a seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: James M. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20070151259
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine comprises a casing arrangement defining an aperture and a seal element mounted on the casing arrangement through which a component of the combustor can extend. The seal element comprises a relatively flexible force absorbing portion and a relatively rigid sealing portion. The force absorbing portion is provided between the sealing portion and the casing arrangement. The force absorbing portion is resiliently deformable to absorb force during movement of the casing arrangement. Such resilient deformation restricts transmission of the forces to the sealing portion. The seal element may be configured to carry a seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: James M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 5033658
    Abstract: A tundish (11) has located alongside it an upright support member (20). A cross arm (22) is pivotally mounted on the member (20) with one end of the cross arm (22) overlying the tundish (11). A hydraulic or pneumatic ram (25) is mounted in the member (20) for applying a downward force on the overlying end of the cross arm (24) which mounts a drive means (27) connected to the stem (14) of a rotary valve (12) for controlling the exit of hot or corrosive liquid from the tundish (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Thor Ceramics Limited
    Inventors: James M. Thornton, Peter G. Longley, James F. Houghton
  • Patent number: 4668554
    Abstract: A composite refractory product, for example a subentry nozzle for use in the pouring of molten metal comprises a body of refractory material having therein or thereon a flexible gas-impermeable membrane formed from a compatible refractory material preferably flexible graphite to render at least a portion of said body impermeable to gas. Such a product is manufactured by providing within an isostatic pressing mould a flexible gas-impermeable membrane and particulate refractory materials, said membrane being formed from a refractory material compatible with the particulate refractory material and being suspended or supported in the mould such that following packing of the particulate refractory materials in the mould and isostatic pressure upon the mould a refractory body having the said flexible membrane in or on the body at a predetermined location is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Thor Ceramics Limited
    Inventor: James M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 4356994
    Abstract: The invention relates to the units of a pouring system for uphill teeming. Conventionally, such units are formed by a pouring trumpet having a two-part heavy duty iron casing, and by runners set in channels in a heavy cast iron base plate, requiring skillful assembly on site. When unskilled personnel are utilized there is frequently incorrect assembly and positioning, leading to jointing and cracking, faults which in turn leads to molten metal penetration during pouring with consequent damage to the cast iron casing of the trumpet and the case iron base plate with the inherent danger of a complete break-out. The objective of the invention is to alleviate the problems outlined above, that objective being met by providing the units of a pouring system for uphill teeming each comprising an outer casing, an inner refractory liner and a refractory insulating material between the outer casing and the inner liner, each unit being pre-assembled as a complete unit for delivery to a casting bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Dyson Refractories Limited
    Inventor: James M. Thornton