Eye-Catching Innovations In Jet Engine Technology, Part 2: Noise Reduction

Continuing my series of short blog posts on developments in jet engine technology revealed by 2023 patent application publications, I turn to Rolls-Royce (R-R).

It's interesting to note that there is some emphasis on hybrid electric engine technology in R-R's 2023 published patent applications. The technology combines gas turbine engines and electrical machines and is similar to the use of hybrid systems in the automotive sector. It's an approach which is seen as an important development on the road to the 2050 net zero target for airlines. It's exciting to see R-R making progress in this space and working to protect its innovations with patent applications.

It is however another 2023 published R-R patent application (EP4155211) that stands out to me for its combination of innovation and simplicity. The patent application concerns exploitation of a realisation that, perhaps counter intuitively, noise from a gas turbine engine does not increase consistently as