For me it is not enterily clear what the patent is about.
Having engines in this configuration is not new, the A10 has something similiar and I did a post on it some time ago. It is being studied by both Boeing and Airbus for some time.
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...ghlight=keesje
Also the fact that a third engine might be handy for e.g. the 370-500 seat segment is clear IMO. Housing that third engine in a smart way gives various design options as we discussed some time before.
120 klbs seems a kind of practical limit for big turbofans. A bigger engine would be hard to break even for RR or GE, they already have an issue on the GE90. Apart from that it seems I've heard of a bit more then statiscally comfortable big twin incidents lately. Maybe it's not the final solution for all requirements.. h
ttp://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=296974&highlight=keesje
Maybe Airbus is picking up some defensive patents for the A350-1000 - A380-800 gab?
The 747-8i doesn't seem a runaway success from where I am sitting and the 777-300ER is doing fine, but has little competition in a booming market..
GE is keeping Airbus away from their 80+ klbs engines. A350-1100 & -1200 XWB three holers? Who makes a sketch?