Patents by Inventor Stephen Nicholson

Stephen Nicholson 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: 6739049
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gas turbine engine fan blade (10) comprises forming three metal workpieces (50,52,54). A metal slab (30) is upset forged at both ends (32,34) to produce a metal block (40) with increased thickness (42,44) extending from opposite surfaces (36,38). The metal block (40) is cut in an inclined path to form two of the metal workpieces (50,52). The metal workpieces (50,52,54) are assembled into a stack (56) so that the flat surfaces (38,42,46,48) are in mating abutment. Heat and pressure is applied across the thickness of the metal workpieces (50,52,54) to diffusion bond the metal workpieces (53,52,54) together to form an integral structure (100). The integral structure (100) is hot creep formed and superplastically formed to produce the required aerofoil shape and the thickened end is machined to form the blade root (26). The method enables thinner metallic workpieces with better microstructure to be used and increases the yield of metallic workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Stephen Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20030154586
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gas turbine engine fan blade (10) comprises forming three metal workpieces (50,52,54). A metal slab (30) is upset forged at both ends (32,34) to produce a metal block (40) with increased thickness (42,44) extending from opposite surfaces (36,38). The metal block (40) is cut in an inclined path to form two of the metal workpieces (50,52). The metal workpieces (50,52,54) are assembled into a stack (56) so that the flat surfaces (38,42,46,48) are in mating abutment. Heat and pressure is applied across the thickness of the metal workpieces (50,52,54) to diffusion bond the metal workpieces (53,52,54) together to form an integral structure (100). The integral structure (100) is hot creep formed and superplastically formed to produce the required aerofoil shape and the thickened end is machined to form the blade root (26). The method enables thinner metallic workpieces with better microstructure to be used and increases the yield of metallic workpieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6183603
    Abstract: This invention relates to calendering systems. Such structures of this type, generally, employ the use of hard and soft nips to provide excellent smoothness without gloss mottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Nicholson, Steven Herman Parker, Domenick Larry Raschella, Sharon Rae Stampfl
  • Patent number: 5916419
    Abstract: This invention relates to calendering systems. Such structures of this type, generally, employ the use of hard and soft nips acting on a heated roll to provide excellent smoothness without gloss mottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Nicholson, Steven Herman Parker, Domenick Larry Raschella, Sharon Rae Stampfl
  • Patent number: 5284551
    Abstract: To protect the paper machine fourdrinier screen, deckle blades are fabricated with a soft polymer (polytetrafluoroethylene) lower edge having little adhesive affinity for either papermaking fiber or traditional plastic bonding compounds. Necessary structural rigidity is contributed to the assembly by a mechanical cladding of suitably stiff polymer plates that are adhesively bonded to a compatible plastic mounting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Beran, Stephen Nicholson, Mark A. Taylor