Rolls-royce Corporation

Jamie C McGourlay

Donka Novovic

Nabil Gindy

Yan Wang

Michael James Berry

Hassan Ghadbeigi

Kevin Walker

Bhupendra A Prajapati

Nikita Pietrow

A computer implemented method of modelling the degradation of at least a component within an abrasive environment, the method comprising: obtaining a 3D scan of a surface of a component, processing the surface images of the component, determining the surface properties, inputting the data into a trained prediction model, predicting the performance of the component, and simulating the surface evolution over time or use of the component.

Surface assessment

A clamping system for clamping aerofoils. The clamping system has pivotally mounted engagement members that engage the aerofoil mounted on a pivotally mounted arm either side of the pivotal mounting. The arm can pivot as required relative to the item, to accommodate differences in shape in the item, while providing a substantially equal clamping force by both engagement members.

Clamping system

Removal of a soluble part of a core allows provision of relatively complex three-dimensional geometric shapes in a component. Unfortunately previous leaching arrangements have been relatively erratic such that it is difficult to provide consistency of component form over a batch of components formed. By providing a tank combination which comprises typically a number of dip tanks, it is possible to provide consistency in terms of leach solution efficiency upon cores. Generally leaching solution held within the tanks is adjusted through either a prior calibrating adjustment tank or through agitation or other means in the tank such that the effects of saturation ageing of the leaching solution can be homogenised across all cores subject to the leaching process.

Core leaching

Firing of ceramic cores () is important in order to achieve manufacturing processes. These ceramic cores () are generally formed in a 'green' state which has limited mechanical strength and may be distorted during the firing process by non-uniform thermal effects, etc. By providing a tube or containmentwhich is located on a saggar baseand surrounded by firing media, it is possible to achieve an initial pre-firing step whereby the 'green' state coreis located through a stemin an initial partial depthof firing mediain the tube or containmentuntil it achieves a sufficient mechanical strength to enable positional adjustment. Thus, the green core will be pre-fired in a kiln solely supported through the stemand then the core adjusted using a tool such as an engineering rule. There is a positional accuracy between the walls of the tube or containmentand the saggar basebetween all cores and then the tubesfilled and leveled with further firing mediafor the main firing of the corein use.

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Derby, United Kingdom

Jamie C McGourlay