Patents by Inventor Robert E. Christie

Robert E. Christie 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: 11519330
    Abstract: A nacelle for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centre line. The nacelle includes an air intake disposed at an upstream end of the nacelle. The air intake includes, in flow series, an intake lip, a throat and a diffuser. The nacelle further includes a protrusion extending radially inward from the air intake downstream of the intake lip. The protrusion extends circumferentially by a protrusion angle (?p) with respect to the longitudinal centre line of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Robert E Christie, David G MacManus, Christopher T J Sheaf
  • Patent number: 11480073
    Abstract: A system and a method of designing a nacelle for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centre line. The nacelle includes an air intake, an internal surface, an azimuthal angle, and a plurality of intake lines. The air intake comprises, in flow series, an intake lip, a throat and a diffuser. The internal surface at least partially defines the air intake. The azimuthal angle is defined about the longitudinal centre line. The intake lines extend along the internal surface of the nacelle at respective values of the azimuthal angle. Each intake line axially defines the air intake along the longitudinal centre line at the respective value of the azimuthal angle. The internal surface of the nacelle between the plurality of intake lines at a given axial location along the longitudinal centre line is analytically defined by an equation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventors: Robert E. Christie, David G. MacManus, Christopher T J Sheaf
  • Patent number: 11415048
    Abstract: A nacelle for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centre line. The nacelle includes an air intake disposed at an upstream end of the nacelle. The air intake includes, in flow series, an intake lip, a throat and a diffuser. The diffuser further includes a diffuser angle (?diff), indicating a degree of divergence of the diffuser relative to the longitudinal centre line. The diffuser angle (?diff) is from about 0 degrees to about 12 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Robert E Christie, David G MacManus, Christopher T J Sheaf
  • Patent number: 11391206
    Abstract: An intake centre fairing for a gas turbine engine includes a body. The body includes an outer surface, an apex point and a base. The apex point is at a first end of the body and the base is at a second end of the body. The base includes a base centre. The body defines a longitudinal axis along its length, a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis. The outer surface of the body is tapered from the base to the apex point along the longitudinal axis. The apex point is radially offset relative to the base centre along the radial direction. The apex point is further circumferentially offset relative to the base centre along the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Robert E Christie, David G MacManus
  • Publication number: 20220145777
    Abstract: A system and a method of designing a nacelle for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centre line. The nacelle includes an air intake, an internal surface, an azimuthal angle, and a plurality of intake lines. The air intake comprises, in flow series, an intake lip, a throat and a diffuser. The internal surface at least partially defines the air intake. The azimuthal angle is defined about the longitudinal centre line. The intake lines extend along the internal surface of the nacelle at respective values of the azimuthal angle. Each intake line axially defines the air intake along the longitudinal centre line at the respective value of the azimuthal angle. The internal surface of the nacelle between the plurality of intake lines at a given axial location along the longitudinal centre line is analytically defined by an equation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Robert E. Christie, David G. MacManus, Christopher TJ Sheaf
  • Publication number: 20210355871
    Abstract: An intake centre fairing for a gas turbine engine includes a body. The body includes an outer surface, an apex point and a base. The apex point is at a first end of the body and the base is at a second end of the body. The base includes a base centre. The body defines a longitudinal axis along its length, a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis. The outer surface of the body is tapered from the base to the apex point along the longitudinal axis. The apex point is radially offset relative to the base centre along the radial direction. The apex point is further circumferentially offset relative to the base centre along the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Robert E CHRISTIE, David G MACMANUS
  • Publication number: 20210355872
    Abstract: A nacelle for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centre line. The nacelle includes an air intake disposed at an upstream end of the nacelle. The air intake includes, in flow series, an intake lip, a throat and a diffuser. The diffuser further includes a diffuser angle (?diff), indicating a degree of divergence of the diffuser relative to the longitudinal centre line. The diffuser angle (?diff) is from about 0 degrees to about 12 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Robert E. CHRISTIE, David G. MACMANUS, Christopher T J SHEAF
  • Publication number: 20210355873
    Abstract: A nacelle for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centre line. The nacelle includes an air intake disposed at an upstream end of the nacelle. The air intake includes, in flow series, an intake lip, a throat and a diffuser. The nacelle further includes a protrusion extending radially inward from the air intake downstream of the intake lip. The protrusion extends circumferentially by a protrusion angle (?p) with respect to the longitudinal centre line of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Robert E CHRISTIE, David G MACMANUS, Christopher T J SHEAF
  • Patent number: 10392971
    Abstract: A nacelle for a turbofan gas turbine engine, having in flow series an intake lip, a diffuser and a fan casing. The diffuser has, in flow series, a main section and a recessed section adjacent to the fan casing. A transition region, such as a step, slope or curve, is provided between the main section and the recessed section. In some arrangements the transition region may be configured to promote flow separation and the formation of a separation bubble in the recessed section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Angus R Smith, Christopher T Sheaf, David G MacManus, Robert E Christie
  • Patent number: 6894089
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a white pigment or extended white pigment surface treated with a silane having at least one functional group capable of reacting with acids and anhydrides, at least one polymeric material and a compatibilizer. Once treated, the pigment has improved processability and dispersibility in polymeric materials. Silanizing the pigment also enhances the brightness (increase whiteness and reduce yellowness) of the pigment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry L. Mei, Louis M. Panzer, Eric R. Pohl, Robert E. Christie, Philbert E. Ramdatt
  • Publication number: 20040048952
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a white pigment or extended white pigment surface treated with a silane having at least one functional group capable of reacting with acids and anhydrides, at least one polymeric material and a compatibilizer. Once treated, the pigment has improved processability and dispersibility in polymeric materials. Silanizing the pigment also enhances the brightness (increase whiteness and reduce yellowness) of the pigment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Henry L. Mei, Louis M. Panzer, Eric R. Pohl, Robert E. Christie, Philbert E. Ramdatt
  • Publication number: 20030027897
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a white pigment or extended white pigment surface treated with a silane having at least one functional group capable of reacting with acids and anhydrides, at least one polymeric material and a compatibilizer. Once treated, the pigment has improved processability and dispersibility in polymeric materials. Silanizing the pigment also enhances the brightness (increase whiteness and reduce yellowness) of the pigment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Henry L. Mei, Louis M. Panzer, Eric R. Pohl, Robert E. Christie, Philbert E. Ramdatt
  • Patent number: 6455158
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the silanization or surface treatment of minerals with alkylsilanes and alkylsilane copolymers. More specifically, the present invention relates to alkylsilane copolymers useful for surface treating pigments or fillers. The alkylsilane copolymers comprise at least two different monomers. The copolymers find particular utility for the surface treatment of white pigments, such as titanium dioxide, for improving the dispersibility and processibility of the pigments when compounded with a polymeric material, in particular, when compounded with polyolefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Crompton Corporation
    Inventors: Henry L. Mei, Louis M. Panzer, Herbert E. Petty, Philbert E. Ramdatt, Robert E. Christie, Juan Alfonso