Patents by Inventor Peter Beecroft

Peter Beecroft 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: 20230230488
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling optimisation of trajectory for a vehicle, the method comprising: determining a trajectory for the vehicle using: an algorithm; a vehicle model defining path constraints for the vehicle through space; a propulsion system model defining parameters of a propulsion system of the vehicle; an objective function defining one or more objectives; and controlling output of the determined trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Derek S. WALL, Andrew R. MILLS, Peter A. BEECROFT, Marko BACIC, Romain GUICHERD
  • Publication number: 20230146869
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling optimisation of derate for a propulsion system of a vehicle, the method comprising: determining a derate for the propulsion system of the vehicle using: an algorithm; a vehicle model defining path constraints for the vehicle through space; a propulsion system model defining parameters of the propulsion system; an objective function defining one or more objectives; and controlling output of the determined derate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Derek S. WALL, Andrew R. MILLS, Peter A. BEECROFT, Marko BACIC, Romain GUICHERD
  • Publication number: 20220306315
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for indicating damage to an aircraft, the computer-implemented method comprising: receiving data indicating an occurrence of damage to an aircraft and severity of the damage; determining information to present to an operator of the aircraft using the received data, the information being dependent on the severity of the damage; and controlling an output device to provide the determined information indicating the occurrence of damage to an operator of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Peter A. BEECROFT, Stefano LORETI, Dongfeng SHI
  • Publication number: 20220309846
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining damage to an aircraft, the computer-implemented method comprising: (i) receiving first data from a first sensor, the first data comprising values for a first parameter of an aircraft; (ii) determining whether damage has occurred to the aircraft using the values of the first data; (iii) receiving second data from a second sensor, the second data comprising values for a second parameter of the aircraft; (iv) determining whether damage has occurred to the aircraft using the values of the second data; and (v) controlling output of a signal comprising data indicating the occurrence of damage to the aircraft using an occurrence of damage determined at step (ii) and/or an occurrence of damage determined at step (iv).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Peter A. BEECROFT, Stefano LORETI, Dongfeng SHI
  • Publication number: 20220291683
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for controlling the operation of aircraft, particularly electric or hybrid electric aircraft, are described. One such method, which may be implemented on a Flight Management System (FMS) of the aircraft, comprises: obtaining flight path data for the aircraft, the flight path defining a three-dimensional path from an origin to a destination; receiving weather data indicative of weather conditions along the flight path; and determining an amount of energy required to fly the aircraft along the flight path. The determination uses an aircraft energy usage model whose inputs include the flight path data and the weather data. Based on the determination and a comparison with an amount of stored energy available to the aircraft, the FMS may validate the flight path for flight or reject the flight path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Marko BACIC, Peter A. BEECROFT
  • Publication number: 20220292991
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for controlling the operation of aircraft, particularly electric or hybrid electric aircraft, are described. One such method, implemented on a Flight Management System (FMS) of an aircraft, comprises: receiving, by the FMS, weather data indicative of weather conditions around the aircraft; and selecting, by the FMS, based on the received weather data, one of a plurality of different pre-defined FMS profiles, each FMS profile corresponding to a different range of weather conditions and defining a different set of aircraft operating parameters. The aircraft may be flown under the control of the FMS using the selected FMS profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Marko BACIC, Peter A BEECROFT
  • Publication number: 20220292987
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for controlling the operation of aircraft, particularly electric or hybrid electric aircraft, are described. One such method, which may be implemented on a Flight Management System of the aircraft, comprises: receiving weather data indicative of weather conditions between a flight origin and a flight destination of the aircraft; and determining, using a constrained optimization method and a weather data dependent aircraft energy usage model, a three-dimensional flight path for the aircraft from the origin to the destination. The constrained optimization method may determine a flight path constrained by, amongst other things the energy required by an Environmental Control System of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Marko BACIC, Peter A BEECROFT
  • Publication number: 20220090515
    Abstract: A system and a method for determining a high oil consumption in a gas turbine engine of an aircraft are provided. The method includes determining one or more engine and aircraft conditions. The one or more engine and aircraft conditions includes at least one of an oil quantity, an oil temperature, an oil pressure, an engine speed, an aircraft altitude, and an aircraft attitude. The method further includes determining a trend in oil conditions based on at least the one or more engine and aircraft conditions. The trend in oil conditions provides at least one of a rate of consumption of oil or a time duration of remaining oil. The method further includes determining the high oil consumption based on a comparison of the trend in oil conditions with a threshold or a comparison model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Peter A BEECROFT, Dongfeng SHI, Daniel CUTTING, James A COOKE
  • Publication number: 20210049924
    Abstract: A vehicle simulator including: a base; a plurality of moveable components; and one or more physical and/or power connectors for coupling the components to the base. The components are positionable on the base with the connectors coupling the components to the base in a first arrangement to simulate a first vehicle type. The components are moveable to and positionable on the base with the connectors coupling the components to the base in a second arrangement different to the first arrangement to simulate a second vehicle type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Peter A BEECROFT, Andrew WALLACE, Clive J. SOUTHERNWOOD, Dominic HARGREAVES
  • Patent number: 10520911
    Abstract: A control system for a machine comprising a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules comprises a controller operable to control operation of the machine. Memory stores machine data for use by the controller. Communication means are operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and the memory. The memory includes a plurality of memory modules associated with respective machine modules. Each of the memory modules is replaceable with the respective associated machine module and independently of other memory modules. The communication means is operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and a replacement memory module associated with a replacement machine module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Peter Beecroft
  • Publication number: 20190338707
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a compressor assembly for a gas turbine engine. The compressor assembly comprises a compressor having a compressor stage with a plurality of rotor blades mounted on the rim of a rotor disc within a core air flow path. There is a purge channel extending from a radially inner purge gas source to at least one radially outer outlet at the rim of the compressor stage. The purge channel comprises at least one swirl element and/or at least one orifice for swirling/deflecting a purge gas flowing within the purge channel. In use, a flow of purge gas exits the outlet(s) at least partly in the direction of the core air flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Peter A. Beecroft, Gareth M. Armstrong, Bharat R. Koli, Alastair D. Walker
  • Patent number: 10240536
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed including a bifurcation fairing located in a bypass duct of the gas turbine engine and traversing the radial extent of the bypass duct. The bifurcation fairing has a delivery conduit inlet leading to a delivery conduit extending inside the bifurcation fairing, the delivery conduit being arranged in use for delivery of bypass air to one or more components of the gas turbine engine. A diverter conduit has a diverter conduit inlet from the delivery conduit upstream of the delivery conduit reaching the one or more components of the gas turbine engine. The diverter conduit has an outlet to a location other than the one or more components of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Adam MacGregor Bagnall, Peter Beecroft, Richard Geoffrey Stretton, Philip Geoffrey Woodrow, Stephane Michel Marcel Baralon, Angus Roy Smith
  • Patent number: 10174681
    Abstract: A gas bleed arrangement for a gas turbine engine. The gas bleed arrangement includes an annular casing defining a main gas flow path. The annular casing has a plurality of bleed ducts each defining a respective bleed flow path. The arrangement further includes a blocking element having at least one aperture. The blocking element is moveable to align the at least one aperture at least partly between the main gas flow path and at least one of the bleed flow paths to control fluid communication between the main gas flow path and the at least one of the bleed flow paths through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Peter Beecroft
  • Patent number: 9854282
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a method of adaptive video streaming includes receiving, by a server, a request for a video segment from an end user device and determining, by the server, a plurality of variables, the plurality of variables including at least one of a download time of a previously requested video segment by the end user device, a fullness of a buffer at the end user device and a size of the buffer. The method further includes determining, by the server, a rate of the requested video segment based on one or more of the determined plurality of variables and sending, by the server, the requested video segment at the determined rate to the end user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: Alcatel Lucent, Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Grinshpun, David Faucher, Sameer Sharma, Viorel Craciun, Peter Beecroft, Ingrid Van De Voorde
  • Patent number: 9771873
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including an outlet guide vane and a bifurcation fairing is disclosed. The outlet guide vane is located in a bypass duct of the gas turbine engine downstream of a fan and is of aerofoil form. The bifurcation fairing traverses the radial extent of the bypass duct and has an upstream end that blends into a trailing edge of the outlet guide vane. The bifurcation fairing includes a scoop protruding outwards from its side corresponding to a pressure side of the upstream outlet guide vane. The scoop includes a forward facing inlet leading to a delivery conduit extending inside the bifurcation fairing for delivery in use of bypass air to one or more components of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Peter Beecroft, Richard Geoffrey Stretton, Philip Geoffrey Woodrow, Stephane Michel Marcel Baralon, Angus Roy Smith
  • Publication number: 20160357170
    Abstract: A control system for a machine comprising a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules comprises a controller operable to control operation of the machine. Memory stores machine data for use by the controller. Communication means are operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and the memory. The memory includes a plurality of memory modules associated with respective machine modules. Each of the memory modules is replaceable with the respective associated machine module and independently of other memory modules. The communication means is operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and a replacement memory module associated with a replacement machine module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Peter BEECROFT
  • Patent number: 9459594
    Abstract: A control system for a machine comprising a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules comprises a controller operable to control operation of the machine. Memory stores machine data for use by the controller. Communication means are operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and the memory. The memory includes a plurality of memory modules associated with respective machine modules. Each of the memory modules is replaceable with the respective associated machine module and independently of other memory modules. The communication means is operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and a replacement memory module associated with a replacement machine module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Peter Beecroft
  • Publication number: 20160265442
    Abstract: A gas bleed arrangement for a gas turbine engine. The gas bleed arrangement includes an annular casing defining a main gas flow path. The annular casing has a plurality of bleed ducts each defining a respective bleed flow path. The arrangement further includes a blocking element having at least one aperture. The blocking element is moveable to align the at least one aperture at least partly between the main gas flow path and at least one of the bleed flow paths to control fluid communication between the main gas flow path and the at least one of the bleed flow paths through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Peter BEECROFT
  • Publication number: 20160150255
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a method for enabling a network based rate determination for adaptive video streaming includes receiving, by a server, a request for a video segment from an end user device and determining, by the server, a plurality of variables, the plurality of variables including at least one of a download time of a previously requested video segment by the end user device, a fullness of a buffer at the end user device and a size of the buffer. The method further includes determining, by the server, a rate of the requested video segment based on one or more of the determined plurality of variables and sending, by the server, the requested video segment at the determined rate to the end user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Edward GRINSHPUN, David FAUCHER, Sameer SHARMA, Viorel CRACIUN, Peter BEECROFT, Ingrid VAN DE VOORDE
  • Publication number: 20150330309
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed including a bifurcation fairing located in a bypass duct of the gas turbine engine and traversing the radial extent of the bypass duct. The bifurcation fairing has a delivery conduit inlet leading to a delivery conduit extending inside the bifurcation fairing, the delivery conduit being arranged in use for delivery of bypass air to one or more components of the gas turbine engine. A diverter conduit has a diverter conduit inlet from the delivery conduit upstream of the delivery conduit reaching the one or more components of the gas turbine engine. The diverter conduit has an outlet to a location other than the one or more components of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Adam MacGregor BAGNALL, Peter BEECROFT, Richard Geoffrey STRETTON, Philip Geoffrey WOODROW, Stephane Michel Marcel BARALON, Angus Roy SMITH