Patents by Inventor Roderick M Townes

Roderick M Townes 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: 20230296032
    Abstract: A turbine arrangement includes a turbine rotor arrangement, a turbine seal arrangement and a turbine outlet stator vane arrangement. Turbine rotor arrangement includes a rotor and a plurality of turbine blades that extend radially. Each turbine blade has a turbine shroud. Turbine seal arrangement is spaced radially around the turbine shrouds. Turbine outlet stator vane arrangement includes radially inner and outer annular members arranged coaxially and a plurality of vanes extending radially between the radially inner and outer annular members. The vanes are arranged downstream of the turbine blades. Liner is spaced radially inwardly from a radially inner surface of the annular member to define a chamber. Turbine shrouds and the upstream end of the liner are arranged such that in operation any leakage flow of gas between the turbine shrouds and the turbine seal arrangement flows into the chamber to manage the temperature of the radially outer annular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: ITP NEXT GENERATION TURBINES S.L.
    Inventors: Roderick M TOWNES, Joseba LEORRI LĂ“PEZ
  • Publication number: 20230272752
    Abstract: A highly efficient gas turbine engine is provided. The fan of the gas turbine engine is driven from a turbine via a gearbox, such that the fan has a lower rotational speed than the driving turbine, thereby providing efficiency gains. The efficient fan system is mated to a core that has low cooling flow requirements and/or high temperature capability, and which may have particularly low mass for a given power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Pascal DUNNING, Roderick M. TOWNES, Michael J. WHITTLE
  • Patent number: 11668246
    Abstract: A highly efficient gas turbine engine is provided. The fan of the gas turbine engine is driven from a turbine via a gearbox, such that the fan has a lower rotational speed than the driving turbine, thereby providing efficiency gains. The efficient fan system is mated to a core that has low cooling flow requirements and/or high temperature capability, and which may have particularly low mass for a given power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Pascal Dunning, Roderick M Townes, Michael J Whittle
  • Patent number: 11591921
    Abstract: A turbine assembly for use with a gas turbine engine includes a bladed wheel assembly and a vane assembly. The bladed wheel assembly is adapted to interact with gases flowing through a gas path of the gas turbine engine. The vane assembly is located upstream of the bladed wheel assembly and adapted to direct the gases at the bladed wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Andrew T. Holt, Roderick M. Townes
  • Patent number: 11466617
    Abstract: A highly efficient gas turbine engine includes the fan of the gas turbine engine driven from a turbine via a gearbox, such that the fan has a lower rotational speed than the driving turbine, thereby providing efficiency gains. The efficient fan system is mated to a core that has low cooling flow requirements and/or high temperature capability, and which may have particularly low mass for a given power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Pascal Dunning, Michael J Whittle, Roderick M Townes
  • Publication number: 20220307448
    Abstract: A highly efficient gas turbine engine is provided. The fan of the gas turbine engine is driven from a turbine via a gearbox, such that the fan has a lower rotational speed than the driving turbine, thereby providing efficiency gains. The efficient fan system is mated to a core that has low cooling flow requirements and/or high temperature capability, and which may have particularly low mass for a given power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Roderick M. TOWNES, Pascal DUNNING, Michael J. WHITTLE
  • Publication number: 20220268216
    Abstract: A highly efficient gas turbine engine is a system wherein the fan of the gas turbine engine is driven from a turbine via a gearbox, such that the fan has a lower rotational speed than the driving turbine, thereby providing efficiency gains. The efficient fan system is mated to a core that has low cooling flow requirements and/or high temperature capability, and which may have particularly low mass for a given power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Roderick M TOWNES, Michael J WHITTLE, Pascal DUNNING
  • Patent number: 11268392
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use with a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil and a spar. The airfoil is formed to define a cavity that extends into the airfoil. The spar is located in the cavity to define a cooling passage that extends around the spar between the spar and the airfoil. The turbine vane assembly includes cooling features to aid heat transfer of the turbine vane assembly during operation in the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventors: Roderick M. Townes, Andrew T. Holt, Michael J. Whittle
  • Patent number: 11193393
    Abstract: A turbine assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine with a turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials. The turbine vane is configured to redirect air moving through a primary gas path of the gas turbine engine. The turbine assembly includes a vane-stage support for holding the turbine vane in place relative to a turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Anthony G. Razzell, Roderick M. Townes, David J. Shepherd, Duncan Forbes
  • Patent number: 11149559
    Abstract: A turbine assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed in this paper. The turbine assembly includes a turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials configured for use in high temperature environments. The turbine assembly further includes a vane-stage support for holding the turbine vane and other components in place relative to a turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Anthony G. Razzell, Roderick M. Townes, David J. Shepherd, Duncan Forbes
  • Publication number: 20210310408
    Abstract: A highly efficient gas turbine engine includes the fan of the gas turbine engine driven from a turbine via a gearbox, such that the fan has a lower rotational speed than the driving turbine, thereby providing efficiency gains. The efficient fan system is mated to a core that has low cooling flow requirements and/or high temperature capability, and which may have particularly low mass for a given power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Pascal DUNNING, Michael J. WHITTLE, Roderick M. TOWNES
  • Patent number: 11066942
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine arranged around an axis. The turbine includes a turbine vane assembly. A method for creating the turbine vane assembly includes fabricating a plurality of turbine vanes comprising ceramic matrix composite material and selecting and arranging the turbine vanes to form a turbine vane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Roderick M. Townes, Andrew Holt
  • Publication number: 20210207528
    Abstract: A highly efficient gas turbine engine is provided. The fan of the gas turbine engine is driven from a turbine via a gearbox, such that the fan has a lower rotational speed than the driving turbine, thereby providing efficiency gains. The efficient fan system is mated to a core that has low cooling flow requirements and/or high temperature capability, and which may have particularly low mass for a given power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Pascal DUNNING, Roderick M. TOWNES, Michael J. WHITTLE
  • Patent number: 11047301
    Abstract: A highly efficient gas turbine engine includes the fan of the gas turbine engine driven from a turbine via a gearbox, such that the fan has a lower rotational speed than the driving turbine, thereby providing efficiency gains. The efficient fan system is mated to a core that has low cooling flow requirements and/or high temperature capability, and which may have particularly low mass for a given power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Pascal Dunning, Michael J Whittle, Roderick M Townes
  • Patent number: 11015458
    Abstract: A turbomachine for a gas turbine engine, comprising: a rotor disc arranged to rotate about a fixed central axis. A plurality of rotor blades connected to the rotor disc, wherein the rotor blades extend within a gas flow path. A rotating annulus is arranged to rotate in a fixed rotational alignment relative to the rotor disc. An outer surface of the rotating annulus is arranged to define part of the boundary of the gas flow path. A gas turbine engine for an aircraft and a method of defining the boundary of a gas flow path within a turbomachine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Roderick M Townes, Neal Carter, Thomas W Martin
  • Patent number: 11008880
    Abstract: A turbine assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed in this paper. The turbine assembly includes a turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials configured for use in high temperature environments. The turbine assembly further includes a vane-stage support for holding the turbine vane and other components in place relative to a turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Anthony G. Razzell, Roderick M. Townes, David J. Shepherd, Duncan Forbes
  • Publication number: 20210123352
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use with a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil and a spar. The airfoil is formed to define a cavity that extends into the airfoil. The spar is located in the cavity to define a cooling passage that extends around the spar between the spar and the airfoil. The turbine vane assembly includes cooling features to aid heat transfer of the turbine vane assembly during operation in the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Roderick M. Townes, Andrew T. Holt, Michael J. Whittle
  • Patent number: 10989112
    Abstract: A highly efficient gas turbine engine is provided. The fan of the gas turbine engine is driven from a turbine via a gearbox, such that the fan has a lower rotational speed than the driving turbine, thereby providing efficiency gains. The efficient fan system is mated to a core that has low cooling flow requirements and/or high temperature capability, and which may have particularly low mass for a given power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Pascal Dunning, Roderick M Townes, Michael J Whittle
  • Patent number: 10975708
    Abstract: A turbine assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed in this paper. The turbine assembly includes a turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials configured for use in high temperature environments. The turbine assembly further includes a vane-stage support for holding the turbine vane and other components in place relative to a turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Anthony G. Razzell, Roderick M. Townes, David J. Shepherd, Duncan Forbes
  • Patent number: 10954802
    Abstract: A turbine assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine with a turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials. The turbine vane is configured to redirect air moving through a primary gas path of the gas turbine engine. The turbine assembly includes a vane-stage support for holding the turbine vane in place relative to a turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Anthony G. Razzell, Roderick M. Townes, David J. Shepherd, Duncan Forbes