Patents by Inventor Lawrence David Foster

Lawrence David Foster 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: 8443612
    Abstract: An engine mounting apparatus having a yoke carrier block and a main mount block, the yoke carrier block being connectable to the main mount block, the main mount block being connected to the engine by at least one engine attachment link for transferring loads from an engine in a normal load path during normal operation of the engine mounting arrangement, characterized in that the yoke carrier block is connected to a further engine attachment link independently of the main mount block, the further engine attachment link being unloaded during normal operation of the engine mounting arrangement and arranged to transfer loads from the engine in the event of a failure of one or more components in the normal load path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Lawrence David Foster
  • Patent number: 8152094
    Abstract: An engine mounting apparatus that includes thrust struts, a balance yoke, and primary and secondary mount blocks. The thrust struts are connected to the balance yoke and the primary mount block has at least one thrust load connection connectable to the balance yoke for transferring thrust loads from an engine during normal operation of the engine mounting apparatus. The engine mounting apparatus is characterized in that the secondary mount block is connected to the balance yoke via at least one thrust load catcher connection, the at least one thrust load catcher connection being arranged to be unloaded during normal operation of the engine mounting arrangement and to transfer the thrust loads from the engine in the event of a failure condition of the primary mount block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Lawrence David Foster
  • Patent number: 8074923
    Abstract: An engine mounting apparatus for attaching an engine to a suspension pylon includes a mounting block, first and second links connectable between the engine and the mount block and first and second fixings connectable between the suspension pylon and the mount block. The apparatus further has a catcher link, located between the first and second links, that is connectable to the engine at a first end and to the suspension pylon at a second end via a third fixing with a clearance between the catcher link and the engine such that no load is transferred between the engine and the suspension pylon in normal operation. The apparatus also has a catcher fixing between the mount block and the catcher link, the catcher fixing having a clearance with respect to the mount block such that no load is transferred between the mount block and the catcher link in normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Lawrence David Foster
  • Publication number: 20090308078
    Abstract: An engine mounting apparatus having a yoke carrier block and a main mount block, the yoke carrier block being connectable to the main mount block, the main mount block being connected to the engine by at least one engine attachment link for transferring loads from an engine in a normal load path during normal operation of the engine mounting arrangement, characterised in that the yoke carrier block is connected to a further engine attachment link independently of the main mount block, the further engine attachment link being unloaded during normal operation of the engine mounting arrangement and arranged to transfer loads from the engine in the event of a failure of one or more components in the normal load path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Lawrence David Foster
  • Publication number: 20090308972
    Abstract: An engine mounting apparatus that includes thrust struts, a balance yoke, and primary and secondary mount blocks. The thrust struts are connected to the balance yoke and the primary mount block has at least one thrust load connection connectable to the balance yoke for transferring thrust loads from an engine during normal operation of the engine mounting apparatus. The engine mounting apparatus is, characterised in that the secondary mount block is connected to the balance yoke via at least one thrust load catcher connection, the at least one thrust load catcher connection being arranged to be unloaded during normal operation of the engine mounting arrangement and to transfer the thrust loads from the engine in the event of a failure condition of the primary mount block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Lawrence David Foster
  • Publication number: 20090266933
    Abstract: An engine mounting apparatus for attaching an engine to a suspension pylon includes a mounting block, first and second links connectable between the engine and the mount block and first and second fixings connectable between the suspension pylon and the mount block. The apparatus further has a catcher link, located between the first and second links, that is connectable to the engine at a first end and to the suspension pylon at a second end via a third fixing with a clearance between the catcher link and the engine such that no load is transferred between the engine and the suspension pylon in normal operation. The apparatus also has a catcher fixing between the mount block and the catcher link, the catcher fixing having a clearance with respect to the mount block such that no load is transferred between the mount block and the catcher link in normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC.
    Inventor: LAWRENCE DAVID FOSTER