Patents by Inventor Jonathan M Gregory

Jonathan M Gregory 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: 11041624
    Abstract: A fuel spray nozzle comprises a fuel passage (1) having at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The outlet is configured for accelerating fuel exiting the fuel passage into a jet. An air swirler (3) is arranged outboard of the fuel passage and converges to a single outlet chamber (5) adjacent the fuel passage outlet(s). The air swirler (3) can be nominally concentrically arranged but have some freedom to move axially or radially or change its angular position. The fuel passage outlets may be arranged symmetrically in an annular configuration. An air passage may be arranged axially within the annular array of fuel passage outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Frederic Witham, Steven P Jones, Jonathan M Gregory, Timothy Minchin, David Clarke, David Steele
  • Patent number: 10677467
    Abstract: An annular air swirler configured to receive a fuel injector in a central bore. The swirler has one or more annular channels, defined by radially facing channel walls and having an inlet for receiving compressed air and an axially distal outlet. The channel walls converge inwardly towards the outlet and swirl vanes extend between opposing faces of the walls. The swirler turns incoming air to create a vortex at the channel outlet. An annular cooling apparatus associated with the air swirler is arranged axially adjacently downstream of the channel outlet(s), and includes a skirt portion radially spaced from a converging portion of the outermost channel wall defining a converging portion of a bowed coolant channel. A radially outwardly extending wall connects with the outermost channel wall and, with a face of the skirt portion, defines a radially outwardly extending portion of the bowed coolant channel adapted for increased heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Frederic Witham, Pierre Hilt, Steven P. Jones, Jonathan M. Gregory, Timothy Minchin
  • Publication number: 20180195726
    Abstract: A fuel injector comprises an elongate fuel passage (31) having an elongate axis (31a) extending from an upstream inlet end to a downstream outlet end. A plurality of outlets (33) is arranged at the outlet end, each outlet extends obliquely with respect to the elongate axis (31a). The elongate fuel passage is defined by an inner skin of a double skinned pipe, the double skinned pipe defines a first annular cavity (34) between the inner skin and an outer skin. The inner skin and the outer skin meet adjacently upstream of the one or more outlets to close an end of the first annular cavity (34). The injector has a nose section (32) at a downstream end, the nose section (32) being convergent and fluted. The flutes (38) are arranged between the outlets (33) and extend towards the downstream end of the nose section (32) whereby to guide an air stream (A) passing over the injector (30) to form single jet at the downstream end of the nose section (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Frederic WITHAM, Steven BALLANTYNE, Jonathan M. GREGORY, Mike OJ CARUSO, Stephen C. HARDING
  • Publication number: 20180195727
    Abstract: A fuel injector comprises an elongate fuel passage (38) having an elongate axis extending from an upstream inlet end to a downstream outlet end. One or more outlets (38a) at an end of the passage extend obliquely with respect to the elongate axis. The elongate fuel passage is defined by an inner skin (35a) of a double skinned pipe, the double skinned pipe defining a first annular cavity (39) between the inner skin (35a) and outer skin (35). The inner skin (35a) and the outer skin (35) meet adjacent the one or more outlets (38a) to close an end of the first annular cavity (39). A second annular cavity (40) is defined by an annular outer wall (40a) extending from downstream of the passage end to a position downstream of the one or more outlets (38a). The fuel passage outlets (38a) emerge at a radially outer surface of the annular outer wall (40a). The annular outer wall (40a) is convergent at a downstream end whereby to define an orifice (40b) centred nominally coincident with the elongate axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Frederic Witham, Steven Ballantyne, Jonathan M. Gregory, Mike OJ Caruso
  • Publication number: 20180195728
    Abstract: A fuel injector comprises one or more elongate fuel passages (802) having an elongate axis extending from an upstream inlet end to a downstream outlet end. One or more outlets (803) are provided at the outlet end and extend obliquely with respect to the elongate axis. The elongate fuel passage is defined by an inner skin of a double skinned pipe, the double skinned pipe defining a first annular cavity (804) between the inner skin and outer skin. The inner skin and the outer skin converge adjacent the one or more outlets (803) to form a nose (808). A bridge is arranged within the fuel passage (802) and upstream of the nose (808), the bridge comprising a plurality of arms (811) extending radially from a centre (812) to a wall of the fuel passage (802), the centre (812) arranged in axial alignment with a centre of the nose (808).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Mike OJ CARUSO, Frederic WITHAM, Jonathan M. GREGORY, Steven BALLANTYNE, James W. MONTGOMERY
  • Publication number: 20170067641
    Abstract: An annular air swirler configured to receive a fuel injector in a central bore. The swirler has one or more annular channels, defined by radially facing channel walls and having an inlet for receiving compressed air and an axially distal outlet. The channel walls converge inwardly towards the outlet and swirl vanes extend between opposing faces of the walls. The swirler turns incoming air to create a vortex at the channel outlet. An annular cooling apparatus associated with the air swirler is arranged axially adjacently downstream of the channel outlet(s), and includes a skirt portion radially spaced from a converging portion of the outermost channel wall defining a converging portion of a bowed coolant channel. A radially outwardly extending wall connects with the outermost channel wall and, with a face of the skirt portion, defines a radially outwardly extending portion of the bowed coolant channel adapted for increased heat exchange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Frederic WITHAM, Pierre HILT, Steven P. JONES, Jonathan M. GREGORY, Timothy MINCHIN
  • Publication number: 20170009995
    Abstract: A fuel spray nozzle comprises a fuel passage (1) having at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The outlet is configured for accelerating fuel exiting the fuel passage into a jet. An air swirler (3) is arranged outboard of the fuel passage and converges to a single outlet chamber (5) adjacent the fuel passage outlet(s). The air swirler (3) can be nominally concentrically arranged but have some freedom to move axially or radially or change its angular position. The fuel passage outlets may be arranged symmetrically in an annular configuration. An air passage may be arranged axially within the annular array of fuel passage outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Frederic WITHAM, Steven P JONES, Jonathan M GREGORY, Timothy MINCHIN, David CLARKE, David STEELE
  • Publication number: 20130047618
    Abstract: A double-wall structure for use in components in gas turbine engines that are exposed to high temperatures has a first wall spaced apart from a second wall. The first wall has a protrusion extending therefrom towards the second wall. The second wall has a cooling fluid orifice, or hole, through which cooling fluid is directed in use towards the protrusion. The protrusion extends across a significant percentage of the gap between the first and second walls. The cooling fluid removes heat from protrusion as it flows over it through convection, thereby cooling the first wall. The cooling fluid is also redirected so as to become more aligned with the first wall as it flows over the protrusion. In some cases, a trench is provided at the base of the protrusion. The cooling fluid causes a vortex to form in the trench, thereby further assisting cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Jonathan M. GREGORY
  • Patent number: 6857272
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine combustor, the combustor having at least two fuel injectors of substantially the same design. All the fuel injectors are in flow communication with a first fuel supply via a first manifold, and some but not all of the injectors are in flow communication with a second fuel supply via a second manifold. During normal operation of the gas turbine engine combustor fuel is supplied to all of the fuel injectors via the first manifold. However, during predetermined engine operating conditions a second fuel supply is used to supply fuel flow in those fuel injectors in flow communication with the second manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Leslie R Summerfield, Jonathan M Gregory, James L Boston, Peter J Harding
  • Publication number: 20030014979
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine combustor, the combustor having at least two fuel injectors of substantially the same design. All the fuel injectors are in flow communication with a first fuel supply via a first manifold, and some but not all of the injectors are in flow communication with a second fuel supply via a second manifold. During normal operation of the gas turbine engine combustor fuel is supplied to all of the fuel injectors via the first manifold. However, during predetermined engine operating conditions a second fuel supply is used to supply fuel flow in those fuel injectors in flow communication with the second manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Leslie R. Summerfield, Jonathan M. Gregory, James L. Boston, Peter J. Harding
  • Patent number: 5167420
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a groove in a glass tube without contacting the glass tube in the groove region. The apparatus includes a pair of chucks for holding opposite ends of the glass tube. The chucks are coupled to a motor for rotating the glass tube about its longitudinal axis. The apparatus further includes one or more torches for noncontact heating of the groove region of the glass tube sufficiently to soften the glass tube in the groove region. The chucks which hold the glass tube are axially movable for stretching and then compressing the glass tube along its longitudinal axis, when the glass tube has been softened in the groove area. The chucks are rotated during heating, stretching and compressing of the glass tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Gregory, Thomas G. Brophy
  • Patent number: 5017208
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a groove in a glass tube without contacting the glass tube in the groove region. The apparatus includes a pair of chucks for holding opposite ends of the glass tube. The chucks are coupled to a motor for rotating the glass tube about its longitudinal axis. The apparatus further includes one or more torches for noncontact heating of the groove region of the glass tube sufficiently to soften the glass tube in the groove region. The chucks which hold the glass tube are axially movable for stretching and then compressing the glass tube along its longitudinal axis, when the glass tube has been softened in the groove area. The chucks are rotated during heating, stretching and compressing of the glass tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Gregory, Thomas G. Brophy
  • Patent number: 4923498
    Abstract: A method for forming a groove in a glass tube without contacting the glass tube in the groove region. The method includes the steps of rotating the glass tube about its longitudinal axis, heating a localized area of the glass tube where a groove is to be formed sufficiently to soften the glass tube in the localized area, stretching the glass tube along its longitudinal axis by a first distance sufficient to cause a reduction in the diameter of the glass tube in the localized area, and compressing the glass tube along its longitudinal axis by a second distance sufficient to produce a groove in the localized area. The glass tube is rotated during the steps of heating, stretching and compressing the glass tube. Heating is preferably performed by directing the flames from one or more torches at the groove area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Gregory