Patents by Inventor Neil Humphries

Neil Humphries 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: 8578697
    Abstract: A composite component such as a fan casing liner panel for a gas turbine engine comprises an abradable layer and a layer. The layer is provided with a septum layer, to which the abradable layer is bonded. The septum layer is perforated by holes, which enable air to be extracted from the region between the septum layer and the abradable layer during the process of bonding the components together, for example by a vacuum bonding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Cedric B. Harper, Neil Humphries
  • Patent number: 8186934
    Abstract: Provision of panels within casings can cause problems where retaining bolts require apertures in the casings, which in turn may reduce the structural strength of that casing. By providing a ring within the casing and appropriate retainer elements secured to that ring, which elements in turn appropriately present panels, it is possible to provide a casing assembly which avoids the necessity of drilling or otherwise forming holes in the casing. Dam elements can be provided at each end of the assembly to prevent axial movement and therefore retain panel position within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Neil Humphries
  • Patent number: 7866939
    Abstract: A turbofan gas turbine engine (10) comprises a fan rotor (32) carrying a plurality of radially extending fan blades (34). A fan blade containment assembly (38) surrounds the fan blades (34) and the fan blade containment assembly (38) comprises a generally cylindrical, or frustoconical, metal casing (40). The casing (40) comprises an annular member (54) positioned axially upstream of the tip (37) of the fan blade (34). The annular member (54) extends in a radially inwardly and axially downstream direction from the metal casing (40) towards the tip (37) of the fan blade. A set of cassettes (120) carries fan blade track panels (71B, 71C, 71D). The cassettes (120) are secured to the metal casing (40) by axially extending members (124, 128) on the upstream and downstream ends (122, 126) of the cassettes (120) which locate on the annular member (54) and are secured to inserts (136) on the inner face of the casing (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Cedric B Harper, Michael Creagh, Neil Humphries, Ian G Martindale
  • Publication number: 20090324390
    Abstract: A turbofan gas turbine engine (10) comprises a fan rotor (32) carrying a plurality of radially extending fan blades (34). A fan blade containment assembly (38) surrounds the fan blades (34) and the fan blade containment assembly (38) comprises a generally cylindrical, or frustoconical, metal casing (40). The casing (40) comprises an annular member (54) positioned axially upstream of the tip (37) of the fan blade (34). The annular member (54) extends in a radially inwardly and axially downstream direction from the metal casing (40) towards the tip (37) of the fan blade (34). A set of cassettes (120) carries fan blade track panels (71B,71C,71D). The cassettes (120) are secured to the metal casing (40) by axially extending members (124,128) on the upstream and downstream ends (122,126) of the cassettes (120) which locate on the annular member (54) and are secured to inserts (136) on the inner face of the casing (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Cedric B. Harper, Michael Creagh, Neil Humphries, Ian G. Martindale
  • Publication number: 20090277153
    Abstract: A composite component such as a fan casing liner panel for a gas turbine engine comprises an abradable layer and a layer. The layer is provided with a septum layer, to which the abradable layer is bonded. The septum layer is perforated by holes, which enable air to be extracted from the region between the septum layer and the abradable layer during the process of bonding the components together, for example by a vacuum bonding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Cedric B. Harper, Neil Humphries
  • Publication number: 20080226444
    Abstract: Provision of panels within casings can cause problems where retaining bolts require apertures in the casings, which in turn may reduce the structural strength of that casing. By providing a loose or snug fit ring placed within the casing and appropriate retainer elements secured to that ring which in turn appropriately presents panels it is possible to provide a casing assembly which avoids the necessity of drilling or otherwise forming holes in the casing which may reduce structural strength. The rings, retainers and the panels do not need to be mechanically fixed to the casing although where possible a ring may be secured through bolts in areas of the casing where structural strength is less important. Where there is no bolting between the ring and the casing then dam elements can be provided at each end of the assembly to prevent lateral axial movement and therefore retain panel position within the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: NEIL HUMPHRIES