Abstract: A nose cone assembly is provided comprising a nose cone, a support ring on which the nose cone is mounted, and an insulating layer disposed between the nose cone and the support ring, the insulating layer at least partially comprising glass fibres. A composite nose cone is also provided comprising an attachment region A, in which composite fibres are oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the nose cone, and an impact region I, in which composite fibres are oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the nose cone. Also provided is a support ring for a nose cone assembly, the support ring comprising an annular main body and an annular projecting attachment flange, the attachment flange terminating in a plurality of circumferentially spaced attachment tabs, wherein the attachment flange forms with the main body a cross section having at least two C curves.

Abstract: A nose cone assembly is provided comprising a nose cone, a support ring on which the nose cone is mounted, and an insulating layer disposed between the nose cone and the support ring, the insulating layer at least partially comprising glass fibres. A composite nose cone is also provided comprising an attachment region A, in which composite fibres are oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the nose cone, and an impact region I, in which composite fibres are oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the nose cone. Also provided is a support ring for a nose cone assembly, the support ring comprising an annular main body and an annular projecting attachment flange, the attachment flange terminating in a plurality of circumferentially spaced attachment tabs, wherein the attachment flange forms with the main body a cross section having at least two C curves.

Abstract: A nose cone assembly is provided comprising a nose cone 104, a support ring 106 on which the nose cone 104 is mounted, and an insulating layer 110 disposed between the nose cone 104 and the support ring 106, the insulating layer 110 at least partially comprising glass fibers. A composite nose cone is also provided comprising an attachment region A, in which composite fibers are oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the nose cone 104, and an impact region I, in which composite fibers are oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the nose cone 104. Also provided is a support ring 106 for a nose cone assembly, the support ring 106 comprising an annular main body 140 and an annular projecting attachment flange 142, the attachment flange 142 terminating in a plurality of circumferentially spaced attachment tabs 144, wherein the attachment flange 142 forms with the main body 140 a cross section having at least two C curves 160, 162.

Abstract: A mandrel includes a support structure; main sectors carried by the support structure and each having a main forming surface; and intermediate sectors carried by the support structure and each having an intermediate forming surface. The main sectors and intermediate sectors are alternately arranged around the axis. The main sectors are moveable relative to the support structure between a radially inner main retracted position, and a radially outer main forming position. The intermediate sectors are moveable relative to the support structure between a radially inner intermediate retracted position, and a radially outer intermediate forming position. The mandrel further includes drive means for moving the main sectors and intermediate sectors from their respective retracted positions to their respective forming positions. The drive means is configured such that each main sector reaches its main forming position before the adjacent intermediate sectors reach their respective intermediate forming positions.

Abstract: A nose cone assembly 102 is disclosed, comprising a one piece nose cone 104 and a support ring 106 on which the nose cone 104 is mounted. The support ring 106 comprises a plurality of circumferentially distributed resilient attachment tabs 114, via which the nose cone 104 is mounted on the support ring 106. The support ring 106 further comprises a load spreader 122, and each of the resilient attachment tabs 114 is operably connected to the load spreader 122, such that deflections and forces experienced by any one attachment tab 114 are distributed to other attachment tabs 114 via the load spreader 122.

Abstract: An annulus filler for mounting to a rotor disc of a gas turbine engine and for bridging the gap between two adjacent blades attached to the rotor disc. The annulus filler has a body portion including a lid which has a leading edge, a trailing edge and opposing side edges which connect respective ends of the leading and trailing edges. The lid defines an airflow surface for air being drawn through the engine. The annulus filler further has one or more attachment formations which, in use, connect the body portion to the rotor disc. The lid is configured such that the stiffness of the lid under compressive loading exerted on the opposing side edges by sideways blade movement is greater at the leading edge than at the trailing edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aerofoil having an erosion resistant leading edge. The aerofoil comprises an aerofoil main body portion and a leading edge portion. The leading edge portion comprises a plurality of functionally distinct parts, including at least; a first part for resisting abrasion of the leading edge portion, and a second part for resisting a bending force applied to the leading edge portion, and located behind the first part.

Abstract: A fan blade (10) for a turbofan aero engine comprises a blade body including a root (10c) for engagement with a rotor, and a tip, wherein the tip is provided with a winglet (14).

Abstract: An annulus filler is provided for mounting to a rotor disc of a gas turbine engine and for bridging the gap between two adjacent blades attached to the rotor disc. The annulus filler has a body portion defining an airflow surface for air being drawn through the engine. The annulus filler further has a front attachment formation connecting a forward end of the body portion to the rotor disc and which allows rotational movement of the body portion thereabout. The annulus filler further has a rear attachment formation connecting a rearward end of the body portion to the rotor disc. The rear attachment formation comprises a spring element which extends between the body portion and the rotor disc. The spring element expands under operational centrifugal loading such that the rearward end of the body portion moves radially outwardly with the body portion rotating about the front attachment formation.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine nose cone assembly (40) comprises a tapering spinner (42). The tapering spinner (42) has a point (44) at a first end (46) and a circular base (48) at a second end (50). The tapering spinner (42) comprises a carbon fiber containing composite material layer (70), an electrically insulating layer (74) arranged on an inner surface (72) of the carbon fiber containing composite material layer (70), an electrically conducting layer (78) arranged on an inner surface (76) of the electrically insulating layer (74) and an electrically conducting member (80) extends through the first end of the tapering spinner (42) and is connected to the electrically conducting layer (78). This arrangement provides lightning protection for the gas turbine engine nose cone assembly (40).

Abstract: A liner for an interior surface of an engine casing, comprises a number of liner panels disposed radially outwardly of a rotatable component of the engine, such as a fan blade, and the panels are mounted on the interior surface of the casing, wherein each panel is individually adjustable, such that the clearance between the panel and the rotatable component of the engine may be varied individually for each panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuatable seal (14) for an aerofoil blade tip, for providing a seal between the blade tip (12) and an adjacent surface (10) over which the blade tip passes in use. The seal comprises a flexible member that is arranged in use to be mounted on the tip of a rotating aerofoil blade and to flex towards the surface under the action of centrifugal force when the blade rotates. The seal further comprises an actuator means provided on the flexible member and operably arranged in use to deflect at least a portion of the flexible member away from the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aerofoil (20) comprising a leading edge portion (22) and a flexible thin-walled portion (26) that is rearwards of the leading edge portion, defining a cavity (28), and a shape-forming insert (30) for inserting into the cavity. The shape-forming insert at least partly defines the profile of the aerofoil such that changing the shape of the insert changes the profile of the aerofoil.

Abstract: A mandrel includes a support structure; main sectors carried by the support structure and each having a main forming surface; and intermediate sectors carried by the support structure and each having an intermediate forming surface. The main sectors and intermediate sectors are alternately arranged around the axis. The main sectors are moveable relative to the support structure between a radially inner main retracted position, and a radially outer main forming position. The intermediate sectors are moveable relative to the support structure between a radially inner intermediate retracted position, and a radially outer intermediate forming position. The mandrel further includes drive means for moving the main sectors and intermediate sectors from their respective retracted positions to their respective forming positions. The drive means is configured such that each main sector reaches its main forming position before the adjacent intermediate sectors reach their respective intermediate forming positions.

Abstract: An annulus filler for mounting to a rotor disc of a gas turbine engine and for bridging the gap between two adjacent blades attached to the rotor disc. The annulus filler has a body portion including a lid which has a leading edge, a trailing edge and opposing side edges which connect respective ends of the leading and trailing edges. The lid defines an airflow surface for air being drawn through the engine. The annulus filler further has one or more attachment formations which, in use, connect the body portion to the rotor disc. The lid is configured such that the stiffness of the lid under compressive loading exerted on the opposing side edges by sideways blade movement is greater at the leading edge than at the trailing edge.

Abstract: A nose cone assembly 102 is disclosed, comprising a one piece nose cone 104 and a support ring 106 on which the nose cone 104 is mounted. The support ring 106 comprises a plurality of circumferentially distributed resilient attachment tabs 114, via which the nose cone 104 is mounted on the support ring 106. The support ring 106 further comprises a load spreader 122, and each of the resilient attachment tabs 114 is operably connected to the load spreader 122, such that deflections and forces experienced by any one attachment tab 114 are distributed to other attachment tabs 114 via the load spreader 122.

Abstract: A nose cone assembly is provided comprising a nose cone 104, a support ring 106 on which the nose cone 104 is mounted, and an insulating layer 110 disposed between the nose cone 104 and the support ring 106, the insulating layer 110 at least partially comprising glass fibres. A composite nose cone is also provided comprising an attachment region A, in which composite fibres are oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the nose cone 104, and an impact region I, in which composite fibres are oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the nose cone 104. Also provided is a support ring 106 for a nose cone assembly, the support ring 106 comprising an annular main body 140 and an annular projecting attachment flange 142, the attachment flange 142 terminating in a plurality of circumferentially spaced attachment tabs 144, wherein the attachment flange 142 forms with the main body 140 a cross section having at least two C curves 160, 162.

Abstract: An annulus filler is provided for mounting to a rotor disc of a gas turbine engine and for bridging the gap between two adjacent blades attached to the rotor disc. The annulus filler has a body portion defining an airflow surface for air being drawn through the engine. The annulus filler further has a front attachment formation connecting a forward end of the body portion to the rotor disc and which allows rotational movement of the body portion thereabout. The annulus filler further has a rear attachment formation connecting a rearward end of the body portion to the rotor disc. The rear attachment formation comprises a spring element which extends between the body portion and the rotor disc. The spring element expands under operational centrifugal loading such that the rearward end of the body portion moves radially outwardly with the body portion rotating about the front attachment formation.

Abstract: A fan blade (10) for a turbofan aero engine comprises a blade body including a root (10c) for engagement with a rotor, and a tip, wherein the tip is provided with a winglet (14).

Abstract: A gas turbine engine nose cone assembly (40) comprises a tapering spinner (42). The tapering spinner (42) has a point (44) at a first end (46) and a circular base (48) at a second end (50). The tapering spinner (42) comprises a carbon fibre containing composite material layer (70), an electrically insulating layer (74) arranged on an inner surface (72) of the carbon fibre containing composite material layer (70), an electrically conducting layer (78) arranged on an inner surface (76) of the electrically insulating layer (74) and an electrically conducting member (80) extends through the first end of the tapering spinner (42) and is connected to the electrically conducting layer (78). This arrangement provides lightning protection for the gas turbine engine nose cone assembly (40).