Rolls-Royce Holdings

About: Rolls-Royce Holdings is a company organization based out in Derby, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Turbine & Gas compressor. The organization has 4027 authors who have published 6305 publications receiving 80517 citations. The organization is also known as: Rolls-Royce Holdings plc.

Microstructural characterisation and constitutive behaviour of alloy RR1000 under fatigue and creep–fatigue loading conditions

Abstract: Mechanical behaviour of a nickel-based superalloy, RR1000, has been investigated at 650 °C under cyclic and dwell loading conditions. The microstructural characteristics of the alloy have been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the distribution patterns of the dislocations and slip planes have been compared between samples tested under fatigue and creep–fatigue loading conditions. Constitutive behaviour of the alloy was described by a unified constitutive model, where both cyclic plastic and viscoplastic strains were represented by one inelastic strain. The results show that the precipitation state is very stable at 650 °C and only minor differences exist in the dislocation arrangements formed under pure fatigue and combined creep and fatigue conditions. Hence, a unified constitutive model seems to be justified in describing and predicting the constitutive behaviour in both cases.

A composite turbomachine blade

Abstract: A composite turbomachine blade (34) comprises a composite material including reinforcing fibres in a matrix material, the turbomachine blade (34) comprises an aerofoil portion (36), a shank portion (38) and a root portion (40). The aerofoil portion (36) has a leading edge (42), a trailing edge (44). The composite turbomachine blade (34) also has a metallic protective member (52) arranged in the region of the leading edge (42) of the aerofoil portion (36) of the turbomachine blade (34). The metallic protective member (52) is adhesively bonded to the composite material in the region of the leading edge (42) of the aerofoil portion (36) of the composite turbomachine blade (34). The metallic protective member (52) has at least one metallic projection (56, 58) extending from the metallic protective member (52) towards the root portion (40) of the composite turbomachine blade (34). The at least one metallic projection (56, 58) reduces local peak stress levels and increases high cycle fatigue strength in the composite material, the adhesive and the metallic protective member.

The Rise and Fall of the Rotor Blade Strain Gauge

Abstract: In any gas turbine the understanding of the way in which the rotor blades vibrate is essential for both the development and production phases. For many years the standard method of obtaining such data has been with the use of strain gauges in conjunction with radio telemetry units or slip rings. With the complexity of the machine increasing and as the operating environment becomes more and more hostile for such systems, new methods are being investigated that will ultimately lead to a non-intrusive technology being developed. Here we review the progress and pioneers of strain gauge measurement dating back to the 1930s and look at a number of technologies that have tried to displace them from their positions as the mainstay of rotor blade vibration measurement.

Design and Development of a Slender Dual-Structure Continuum Robot for In-Situ Aeroengine Repair

Abstract: In–situ aeroengine maintenance works (e.g. inspection, repair) are highly beneficial as it can significantly reduce currently accepted maintenance cycle which is extensive and costly due to the need to remove engines from the wing of an aircraft. However, feeding in/out via inspection ports and performing a multi-axis movement of an end-effector in a very constrained environment such as aeroengine combustion chamber is a fairly challenging task. This paper presents the design and development of a highly slender (i.e., low diameter-to-length ratio) dual-structure continuum robot with 16 degrees of freedom (DoFs) to provide the feeding motion needed to navigate into confined environments and then perform a required configuration shape for further repair operation. This continuum robot is a compact system and presents a set of innovative mechatronic solutions such as: (i) two-stage tendon-driven structure with bevelled disk design to perform required configuration shape and to provide selective stiffness for the ability of taking high payloads; (ii) various compliant joints to enable different flexibility requirement in each stage; (iii) three commanding cables for each 2- DoF section to minimise the number of actuators with a precise actuation. To be able to achieve the desired configuration shape, a kinematic model has been established and the configuration-cable kinematics has been implemented. Finally, the continuum robot has been built and tested for performing the predefined configuration shape.

Stator vane assembly for a turbomachine

Abstract: A stator vane assembly for a turbomachine comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged stator vanes ( 32 ), the axial position of the stator vanes ( 32 ) and/or the pitch angle circumferentially between adjacent stator vanes ( 32 ) is varied circumferentially around the stator vane assembly. The stator vane assembly reduces the pressure distortion upstream of the fan outlet stator vanes ( 32 ), reduces the circumferential pressure variation and this reduces blade forced response excitation, noise generation and aerodynamic losses.