Patents by Inventor Kenneth Udall

Kenneth Udall 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: 20080060342
    Abstract: A flow reverser comprising a sleeve having a first part and a second part to define a flow path and axially separable from each other about a conjunction formed by a respective profile edges for the first part and the second part, the profile edges in a stowed position overlapping, the reverser characterised in that in a deployed position a nozzle part of each profile edge define together a nozzle jet and a reverser part of one edge profile is adjacent to a core to provide an effective flow deflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Kenneth Udall
  • Publication number: 20070128040
    Abstract: Previous retention arrangements have suffered from fretting or high contact stresses as a result of rolling between members retained by a retainer ring in the form of a split ring. In order to address these problems a retainer arrangement is provided in which a retainer is arranged at an inclined angle relative to a mounting axis for members such as a coverplate and mounting disc. In such circumstances, in view of the angular presentation of the retainer, distribution of axial thrust loads can be aligned and through shaping of the retainer in terms of symmetry it will be understood centrifugal loads can be balanced as required. Typically, the retainer as indicated will be a split ring and the retainer for assembly and disassembly will be moved in a displacement direction consistent with the inclined angle so that the retainer enters a recess to allow disassembly or assembly of the members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Udall
  • Publication number: 20070084218
    Abstract: A static structure is provided such as that used as an engine structure 30 within a gas turbine engine. A structure 30 comprises a hub or core 33 with a concentric ring or casing 32. The hub 33 and casing 32 are secured together through spoke or vane elements 31 which are sloped axially and tangentially relative to a principal axis X-X. In such circumstances any roll torque reaction caused by differentially rotating hub and ring motions is retained by the tangential inclination of the spokes or vanes whilst axial sloping of these spokes or vanes 31 and axially sloping of the struts 34 creates bracing in the direction of the principal axis X-X. In such circumstances essentially robust triangles are formed radially and longitudinally respectively each comprising spokes or vanes 31 and struts 34 secured at axially spaced locations on the hub or core 33.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Udall
  • Publication number: 20060088419
    Abstract: A rotor stage (13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19) of a gas turbine engine (10) comprises an annular retaining plate (38) capable of preventing axial movement of blades (30). The retaining plate (38) is secured to the disc (32) via a bayonet arrangement (49). A locking assembly (48) is provided to prevent relative rotation between the disc (32) and the retaining plate (38). The locking assembly (48) comprises a locking plug (50) configured in a generally Y-shaped cross section having a channel portion defined by arms (56), which engage upstream and downstream of the retaining plate (38) and a leg part (58) configured to span between bayonet parts (40 and 42), thereby preventing relative rotation between the disc (32) and the retaining plate (38). The assembly (48) further comprises a securing plate (52) configured to span between circumferentially adjacent castellations (40) thereby preventing the locking plug (50) disengaging the disc (32) and retaining plate (38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Brian Hermiston, Andrew MacNamara, Kenneth Udall, Ian Care
  • Publication number: 20060038066
    Abstract: An engine mounting assembly for an engine, e.g. a gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of carrying arrangements. Each carrying arrangement comprises a rear load absorbing assembly. Each load absorbing assembly provides a rear mounting point for an engine carrier. Each carrying arrangement further comprises first and second stabilising members extending forwardly from the rear mounting point of the rear load absorbing assembly to first and second spaced forward mounting points for an engine carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth Udall, Richard Stretton
  • Publication number: 20050265847
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine compressor includes a rotor disc for mounting a plurality of radially extending rotor blades for rotation thereon, an annulus filler for securing to the disc to provide a radially inner airflow surface for air passing through the rotor assembly and a securing arrangement for securing the annulus filler to the rotor disc, the annulus filler being configured such that it is biased into a condition in which the securing arrangement mechanically retains the annulus filler on the disc, but is movable against its bias to allow the annulus filler to be removed from the disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: David Butt, Kenneth Udall
  • Publication number: 20050263643
    Abstract: A cowl structure (18) for a gas turbine engine (10) comprises an outer skin (26) defining a first path for a load applied to the engine (10). The cowl structure (18) includes an inner skin (24) defining a second path for the load. The inner and outer skins (24, 26) are constructed such that a major proportion of the load is transmitted along the first path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Stretton, Kenneth Udall
  • Publication number: 20050218263
    Abstract: A landing arrangement for an aircraft comprises an aircraft support assembly (22) to support the aircraft (10) when the aircraft is on the ground. The aircraft support assembly (2) is movable between a first ground engaging condition (22b) in which the aircraft nose (24) is spaced above the ground by a first distance (X) and a second ground engaging condition (22C) in which the aircraft nose (24) is spaced above the ground by a second distance (Y). The second distance (Y) is less than the first distance (X).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Udall