Patents by Inventor Nigel H S Smith

Nigel H S Smith 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: 11149690
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine 10 is provided in a fan root to tip pressure ratio, defined as the ratio of the mean total pressure of the flow at the fan exit that subsequently flows through the engine core (P102) to the mean total pressure of the flow at the fan exit that subsequently flows through the bypass duct (P104), is no greater than a certain value. The gas turbine engine 10 may provide improved efficiency when compared with conventional engines, whilst retaining an acceptable flutter margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: Benedict R. Phelps, Mark J. Wilson, Gabriel Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Nigel H S Smith, Marco Barale, Kashmir S. Johal, Stephane M M Baralon, Craig W. Bemment
  • Patent number: 11085399
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine 10 is provided in which a fan having fan blades in which the camber distribution along the span allows the gas turbine engine to operate with improved efficiency when compared with conventional engines, whilst retaining an acceptable flutter margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventors: Benedict R. Phelps, Mark J. Wilson, Gabriel Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Nigel H S Smith, Marco Barale, Kashmir S. Johal, Stephane M M Baralon, Craig W. Bemment
  • Patent number: 10577937
    Abstract: A fan blade is provided with an aerofoil portion for which, for cross-sections through the aerofoil portion at radii between 15% and 25% of the blade span from the root radius, the average leading edge thickness is greater than the leading edge thickness at the tip. The geometry of the fan blade may result in a lower susceptibility to flutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Mark J. Wilson, Gabriel Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Marco Barale, Benedict Phelps, Kashmir S. Johal, Nigel H S Smith
  • Patent number: 10473112
    Abstract: A fan blade is provided with an aerofoil portion for which, at radii between 20% and 40% of the blade span, the location of the position of maximum thickness along the camber line is at less than a defined percentage of the total length of the camber line. For all cross-sections through the aerofoil portion at radii greater than 70% of the blade span, the location of the position of maximum thickness along the camber line is at more than a defined percentage of the total length of the camber line. The geometry of the fan blade may result in a lower susceptibility to flutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Nigel H S Smith, Mark J. Wilson, Gabriel Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Marco Barale, Benedict Phelps, Kashmir S. Johal
  • Patent number: 7648330
    Abstract: Noise control with respect to rotating machinery such as gas turbine engines is important to meet acceptable operational and environmental constraints. Buzz-saw noise in particular is due to differences in blade to blade geometries both as assembled and due to blade manufacturing tolerance variations. Generally, a plurality of blades rotate within a duct and some noise propagates forwards of the blade assembly. In order to abate such noise an acoustic lining is provided. By consideration of the acoustic attenuation effects of that lining, it is possible to rearrange the blades within the blade assembly such that the overall noise attenuation effects are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Peter J G Schwaller, Nigel H S Smith