Patents by Inventor Thomas G Mulcaire

Thomas G Mulcaire 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: 10712003
    Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly comprises an annular combustion chamber casing, a combustion chamber, a fuel injector and a tubular seal. The combustion chamber comprises an upstream end wall having an aperture extending there-through. A fuel injector head of the fuel injector is locatable in the aperture in the end wall and the fuel injector head has an axis. The tubular seal is positioned between the fuel injector head and the aperture in the end wall and the tubular seal has a flange and an aperture extends there-through. The tubular seal is movable radially and circumferentially with respect to the axis of the casing. The fuel injector head is locatable in the tubular seal. The aperture in the upstream end wall has a major radial dimension and a minor circumferential dimension relative to the axis of the casing to allow insertion or removal of a lean burn fuel injector head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Thomas G Mulcaire
  • Patent number: 10612780
    Abstract: A combustion chamber arrangement comprises an annular combustion chamber, an outer casing, an inner casing and a stage of outlet guide vanes arranged at the downstream end of the combustion chamber interconnecting the outer casing and the inner casing. The combustion chamber comprises an upstream wall structure, a radially inner cowl is removably secured to a radially inner axially extending flange by fasteners and a radially outer wall structure and a radially outer cowl are removably secured to a radially outer axially extending flange by fasteners. The flange is slidably mounted on the radially inner wall structure. The flange has at least one recess in its radially inner surface and the fasteners are arranged in the recess in the radially inner surface of the flange. The cowl abuts the radially outer surface of the flange and the radially inner wall structure abuts the radially inner surface of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mulcaire
  • Publication number: 20200025003
    Abstract: A rear outer discharge nozzle for a gas turbine engine, the rear outer discharge nozzle forming a loop around an axis and comprising: a first part; a second part wrapped around the first part; and a radial slit, having first and second side walls; wherein the first part is shaped to provide the first side wall of the radial slit, and the second part is shaped to provide the second side wall of the radial slit; and wherein the second part comprises a break, splitting the second part in the axial part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Thomas G MULCAIRE, Prabhu I.S KUMAR, Dasthagiri R THUMMALURU
  • Publication number: 20200024993
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustion arrangement includes an annular combustion chamber, an annular discharge nozzle, an array of turbine nozzle guide vanes and an annular casing. The nozzle is between the downstream end of an outer annular wall of the annular combustion chamber and the array of turbine nozzle guide vanes. The annular casing surrounds the annular combustion chamber, the annular discharge nozzle and the array of turbine nozzle guide vanes. The upstream end of the annular discharge nozzle has an annular axially extending slot and the downstream end of the outer annular wall of the annular combustion chamber locates in the annular axially extending slot in the upstream end of the nozzle. The upstream ends of the radially outer platforms of the turbine nozzle guide vanes are adjacent the downstream end of the annular discharge nozzle and a support structure is connected to the nozzle and the annular casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Prabhu I.S KUMAR, Thomas G. MULCAIRE, Dasthagiri R. THUMMALURU
  • Patent number: 10450896
    Abstract: The manufacture of a casing which has a boss includes providing two canister portions a first defining an outer wall geometry of a casing including a boss and a second defining an inner wall geometry of the casing. The casing is made using known PHIP methods. The second canister portion includes an array of holes or recesses which, when the canister portions are aligned, face a recess on the first canister portion which defines the boss such that in the nett shape COS an array of pedestals is provided aligned with the boss. The dimension from an exposed end of a pedestal to an exposed surface of the boss is sufficient to receive a bolt thread of the minimum length required to secure a component to the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Thomas G Mulcaire, Ian M Garry
  • Publication number: 20190218924
    Abstract: A combustion chamber arrangement comprises an outer casing surrounding an annular combustion chamber, the combustion chamber surrounding an inner casing and a stage of combustion chamber outlet guide vanes arranged at the downstream end of the combustion chamber. The stage of outlet guide vanes interconnects the outer casing and the inner casing. The combustion chamber comprises a radially inner annular wall structure. A sealing ring is mounted on the inner casing which is configured to allow relative radial movement but to restrict relative axial and circumferential movement between the sealing ring and the inner casing. A first seal allows relative axial movement between the sealing ring and the downstream end of the radially inner wall of the combustion chamber. A second seal allows relative axial movement between the sealing ring and the stage of outlet guide vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Thomas G. MULCAIRE
  • Patent number: 10344977
    Abstract: A combustion chamber arrangement has an annular outer wall and an annular inner wall having an upstream row of tiles and a downstream row of tiles. The outer wall has a concave bend which is less than 175°. The downstream end of the upstream tiles and the upstream end of the downstream tiles are adjacent the concave bend. The downstream ends of the upstream tiles are spaced at a greater distance from the inner surface of the annular outer wall than the upstream end of the downstream tiles. The upstream tiles have curved lips extending in a downstream direction which overlap but are spaced radially from the upstream ends of the downstream tiles. The outer wall has a row of apertures to direct coolant onto the outer surfaces of the curved lips and the upstream tiles has a row of apertures extending to the inner surfaces of the curved lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Thomas G Mulcaire, Robert A Hicks, Marcus Foale
  • Publication number: 20180200799
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component (100) having a main part (101) and a projecting feature (104,114), the method comprising providing a shaped void (210) corresponding to the component, locating a pre-formed element (214) in a feature region of the shaped void which corresponds to the projecting feature, locating powder (212) within the shaped void; and forming the element and the powder into the component such that the element creates at least a part of the projecting feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Thomas G. MULCAIRE
  • Publication number: 20180187889
    Abstract: A combustion chamber arrangement comprises an annular combustion chamber, an outer casing, an inner casing and a stage of outlet guide vanes arranged at the downstream end of the combustion chamber interconnecting the outer casing and the inner casing. The combustion chamber comprises an upstream wall structure, a radially inner cowl is removably secured to a radially inner axially extending flange by fasteners and a radially outer wall structure and a radially outer cowl are removably secured to a radially outer axially extending flange by fasteners. The flange is slidably mounted on the radially inner wall structure. The flange has at least one recess in its radially inner surface and the fasteners are arranged in the recess in the radially inner surface of the flange. The cowl abuts the radially outer surface of the flange and the radially inner wall structure abuts the radially inner surface of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Thomas G. MULCAIRE
  • Publication number: 20170276356
    Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly comprises an annular combustion chamber casing, a combustion chamber, a fuel injector and a tubular seal. The combustion chamber comprises an upstream end wall having an aperture extending there-through. A fuel injector head of the fuel injector is locatable in the aperture in the end wall and the fuel injector head has an axis. The tubular seal is positioned between the fuel injector head and the aperture in the end wall and the tubular seal has a flange and an aperture extends there-through. The tubular seal is movable radially and circumferentially with respect to the axis of the casing. The fuel injector head is locatable in the tubular seal. The aperture in the upstream end wall has a major radial dimension and a minor circumferential dimension relative to the axis of the casing to allow insertion or removal of a lean burn fuel injector head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Thomas G MULCAIRE
  • Publication number: 20170241643
    Abstract: A combustion chamber arrangement has an annular outer wall and an annular inner wall having an upstream row of tiles and a downstream row of tiles. The outer wall has a concave bend which is less than 175°. The downstream end of the upstream tiles and the upstream end of the downstream tiles are adjacent the concave bend. The downstream ends of the upstream tiles are spaced at a greater distance from the inner surface of the annular outer wall than the upstream end of the downstream tiles. The upstream tiles have curved lips extending in a downstream direction which overlap but are spaced radially from the upstream ends of the downstream tiles. The outer wall has a row of apertures to direct coolant onto the outer surfaces of the curved lips and the upstream tiles has a row of apertures extending to the inner surfaces of the curved lips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Thomas G MULCAIRE, Robert A HICKS, Marcus FOALE
  • Publication number: 20160369656
    Abstract: The manufacture of a casing which has a boss includes providing two canister portions a first defining an outer wall geometry of a casing including a boss and a second defining an inner wall geometry of the casing. The casing is made using known PHIP methods. The second canister portion includes an array of holes or recesses which, when the canister portions are aligned, face a recess on the first canister portion which defines the boss such that in the nett shape COS an array of pedestals is provided aligned with the boss. The dimension from an exposed end of a pedestal to an exposed surface of the boss is sufficient to receive a bolt thread of the minimum length required to secure a component to the boss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Thomas G. MULCAIRE, Ian M. GARRY
  • Patent number: 9222369
    Abstract: A joint assembly for an annular structure comprises a first annular member having a first radially extending flange and a second annular member having a second radially extending flange. The first and second flanges having a plurality of first and second circumferentially aligned apertures. A plurality of fasteners are provided and each fastener is arranged to extend through a respective pair of the first and second apertures to join the first and second annular members together. The first and second radially extending flanges have a plurality of circumferentially aligned third and fourth apertures. A plurality of members are provided and each member is arranged to extend axially through a respective pair of the third and fourth apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mulcaire
  • Patent number: 8714478
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is supported on an aircraft fuselage by a pylon which carries a mounting ring. The mounting ring is releasably coupled to an engine ring on the casing of the engine, centered on the engine axis. A further member extends from the pylon and is secured to a location on the engine which is axially spaced from the mounting ring. The arrangement enables the engine to be on the pylon in different orientations, to suit different mounting configurations on the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Thomas G Mulcaire
  • Patent number: 8561410
    Abstract: An outlet guide vane structure for a gas turbine engine includes outlet guide vanes supported between inner and outer outlet guide walls. The guide walls form a diffuser aft of the guide vanes. The outer guide wall is secured directly to a compressor casing. A support structure, for example for supporting turbine nozzle guide vanes, is connected to an outer case of the engine at a flange. The support structure includes struts which pass through the outlet guide vane structure to provide a load path by which loads on the support structure are transferred to the outer case independent of the outlet guide vane structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mulcaire
  • Patent number: 8449248
    Abstract: Asymmetric loading within such machines as gas turbine engines can cause distortion of a casing surrounding a rotating assembly. Such distortion may cause rub and therefore inefficient energy usage and shorter operational life. By providing driver arms 112, 212, 312 which extend from radially extending links 113, 213 in a first or high pressure compressor inner casing 101, 201 to a second outer casing 108, compensation for asymmetric loading can be achieved. The casings 101, 201, 108, 208 are presented upon relatively stable bearing supports 102, 110 and therefore, reaction loads are compensated for in order to retain concentricity of the casing 101, 201.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Thomas G Mulcaire
  • Publication number: 20130011253
    Abstract: A joint assembly for an annular structure comprises a first annular member having a first radially extending flange and a second annular member having a second radially extending flange. The first and second flanges having a plurality of first and second circumferentially aligned apertures. A plurality of fasteners are provided and each fastener is arranged to extend through a respective pair of the first and second apertures to join the first and second annular members together. The first and second radially extending flanges have a plurality of circumferentially aligned third and fourth apertures. A plurality of members are provided and each member is arranged to extend axially through a respective pair of the third and fourth apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. MULCAIRE
  • Publication number: 20110315814
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine 2 is supported on an aircraft fuselage by a pylon 10 which carries a mounting ring 6. The mounting ring 6 is releasably coupled to an engine ring 8 on the casing of the engine 2, centred on the engine axis. A further member 12 extends from the pylon 10 and is secured to a location on the engine which is axially spaced from the mounting ring 6. The arrangement enables the engine 2 to be on the pylon in different orientations, to suit different mounting configurations on the aircraft 22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. MULCAIRE
  • Publication number: 20110192166
    Abstract: An outlet guide vane structure 6 for a gas turbine engine comprises outlet guide vanes 18 supported between inner and outer outlet guide walls 20, 22. The guide walls 20, 22 form a diffuser 24 aft of the guide vanes 18. The outer guide wall 22 is secured directly to a compressor casing 10. A support structure 26, 28, for example for supporting turbine nozzle guide vanes 38, is connected to an outer case 12 of the engine at a flange 48. The support structure includes struts 52 which pass through the outlet guide vane structure 6 to provide a load path 64 by which loads on the support structure are transferred to the outer case independent of the outlet guide vane structure 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. MULCAIRE
  • Publication number: 20100254810
    Abstract: Asymmetric loading within such machines as gas turbine engines can cause distortion of a casing surrounding a rotating assembly. Such distortion may cause rub and therefore inefficient energy usage and shorter operational life. By providing driver arms 112, 212, 312 which extend from radially extending links 113, 213 in a first or high pressure compressor inner casing 101, 201 to a second outer casing 108, compensation for asymmetric loading can be achieved. The casings 101, 201, 108, 208 are presented upon relatively stable bearing supports 102, 110 and therefore, reaction loads are compensated for in order to retain concentricity of the casing 101, 201.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. MULCAIRE