Abstract: A screw actuator comprising first and second relatively rotatable members, a screw thread formation in the first member including a helical groove, spherical elements carried by the second member and in rolling engagement in the helical groove to form a ball screw coupling between the first and second members, the groove being of sufficient width to allow the spherical elements to move laterally within the groove, and a brake member carried by the second member and defining a screw thread formation which is received in the groove of the screw thread formation of the first member, the brake member being angularly moveable relative to the second member by rotation of the first member relative to the second member, between a first angular position in which the screw thread formation of the brake member is cooperable with that of the first member, and a second angular position in which the screw thread formation of the brake member is not cooperable with that of the first member.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly is described having a piston which partially defines a fluid chamber in the cylinder from which fluid is expelled through an outlet port of the cylinder by movement of the piston along the cylinder, the assembly including a flow restrictor providing a first restricted flow path between the chamber and port, and also providing an auxiliary restricted flow path of which a first portion communicates with the chamber and of which a second portion extends between the first portion and the port.

Abstract: A detection apparatus for use with a system having a plurality of moveable surfaces, the apparatus comprising a signal transmission apparatus extending across each surface, a signal generator and a signal receiver. The apparatus further comprises a signal interrupter associated with adjacent ones of the surfaces and arranged to interrupt the transmission of a signal along the signal transmission apparatus upon relative movement of the adjacent ones of the surfaces occurring. The invention also relates to a leading edge high lift system of an aircraft wing having a plurality of moveable leading edge high lift surfaces.

Abstract: A control system is provided for use in controlling fuel supply to at least two sets of burners of an engine. The control system comprises two or more fuel pumps, each of the pumps being driven, in use, by a respective variable-speed motor. A control arrangement is provided for controlling the speed of the motors so as to regulate the rate of flow of fuel to each of the sets of burners.

Abstract: A brake assembly of the constant friction type has a rotary transmission shaft fitted with a constant friction brake device including a first set of friction plates carried on the shaft and a second set of friction plates interleaved with the friction plate and mounted on a friction element support. The friction brake device acts on the shaft to apply a braking torque thereto in at least one direction of rotary movement. The friction element support is rotatable relative to the shaft and to a housing of the assembly. A detent mechanism acts between the housing and the friction element support so as to retain the support against rotation below a predetermined braking torque. A signalling means such as a proximity sensor is arranged to be operated when the friction element support moves relative to the housing.

Abstract: A lock for a thrust reverser comprising a retainer member carried by a pivot pin, the pivot pin being angularly moveable between a first position in which the retainer member retains a part of the thrust reverser and a second position in which the said part of the thrust reverser is not retained by the retainer member. The lock further comprises a lock arrangement for retaining the pivot pin in its first position, the lock arrangement comprising a lock member axially moveable between a locked position, in which it cooperates with the pivot pin to prevent movement of the pivot pin from its first position to its second position, and a retracted position, an arrangement for restricting angular movement of the lock member, and a solenoid actuator arranged to control movement of the lock member.

Abstract: A fluid metering valve, for example as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a valve element moveable, axially and angularly, by a drive member, a sensor arranged to monitor the position occupied by a target carried by the drive member, and an adjustment arrangement whereby the axial position of the target can be adjusted relative to the drive member independently of the angular position of the target. A backlash free connection may be provided between the valve element and the drive member, the backlash free connection comprising a projection protruding laterally from one of the drive member and the valve element, the projection being received within a recess associated with the other of the drive member and the valve element, the dimensions of the projection and the recess being such that the projection engages the sides of the recess but is spaced from the base thereof, and biasing means urging the projection towards the base of the recess.

Abstract: An advance arrangement comprising an advance piston slidable within a bore under the action of fuel pressure within a control chamber, a surface associated with the piston being exposed to the fuel pressure within the control chamber. The control chamber communicates, through a restricted flow passage, with a low pressure fuel volume. A valve is operable to vary the restriction to flow formed by the restricted flow passage.

Abstract: A sensor mounting arrangement comprising a mounting component arranged, in use, to carry a moveable part of a sensor. The mounting component is coupled through a first load path to a drive component to move with the drive component. The mounting component includes an opening through which the drive component extends, the drive component defining an abutment surface which is spaced from the mounting component in normal use and is arranged such that, should the first load path fail, the abutment surface is moveable into engagement with the mounting component to transmit movement of the drive component to the part of the mounting component carrying the moveable part of the sensor through a second load path.

Abstract: An injector assembly comprising an injector (3) and a wall (1) having an inner surface (2) defining a cavity receiving the injector (3). A peripheral surface portion of the injector (3) and a corresponding portion of the cavity inner surface (2) are configured to inter-engage such that force applied to the injector (3) in a predetermined direction causes mutually oppositely directed reaction forces perpendicular to the applied force which tend to laterally compress the injector (3), for relieving lateral stress within the injector (3). Additionally, an injector (3) for fitting in a cavity of an injector assembly, the injector (3) including an axially extending portion (10) comprising at least two peripheral irregularities in an otherwise substantially regular lateral cross-section.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly is disclosed of the kind in which a friction pad (3) is applied to one face of a rotatable disc, in which the friction pad is provided with one or more protrusions (8, 9) which project from the leading radial edge in a circumferential direction, the radial thickness (r1) of the projection being small relative to the total radial thickness (R) of the pad, the arrangement being such that in the event of tilting of the pad assembly with respect to the disc, where the brake is in the off position, contact between the protrusion and the disc prevents contact between the rest of the pad and the disc. Preferably, one protrusion is provided at each corner of the pad. This helps to reduce wear of the disc producing judder vibration during braking by reducing disc thickness variation.

Abstract: A rotor for use in an electric machine and a rotary electric machine utilizing such a rotor, the rotor comprising a rotor body provided with a plurality of slots, each slot housing electrical conductors of two independent rotor coils, the conductors being secured in position by an outer wedge member, an inner wedge member being located between the outer wedge member and the conductors, the rotor including pole tips defining load bearing lips located adjacent the radially outer edges of each slot, wherein a part of each coil projects beyond the respective lips in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the coil.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine, the rotor comprising: a rotor body having a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced slots therein; at least one winding conductor disposed in each said slot; and a retainer located in each said slot radially outwardly of the or each said winding conductor for limiting radial outward movement of the or each winding conductor; wherein each retainer has a radially inwardly directed surface configured so as to locate the or each winding conductor in a predetermined position in its respective slot. The invention further resides in a retainer and in a method of manufacturing a rotor.

Abstract: An hydraulic braking system of the brake-by-wire type has an hydraulic pressure source comprising an hydraulic accumulator adapted to be charged by a pump. An accumulator isolating valve is so positioned and biased to correspond to the direction of flow from the accumulator to a solenoid-operated proportional valve. The valve is biased into a closed position in opposition to the flow from the pump to the accumulator.

Abstract: An advance arrangement is described including an advance piston slidable within a bore and defining, with the bore, a control chamber. A restricted passage permits fluid to escape from the control chamber at a controlled rate. A pump supplies fluid to the control chamber, the rate at which fluid is supplied to the control chamber relative to that at which the fluid can escape controlling the position of the advance piston. The pump is independent of a feed pump used to supply fuel to the high pressure pump with which the advance arrangement is used.

Abstract: A valve comprises a valve member which is engageable with a first seating to control communication between first and second ports and a second seating to control communication between second and third ports. The second seating is provided upon a separate seating member.

Abstract: An actuator comprising a drive arrangement arranged to rotate a first drive member, the first member being in screw-threaded engagement with a second member, the second member being in screw-threaded engagement with a third, output member, wherein the screw-threaded engagement between the first and second members is such that, when the first member rotates at a given speed relative to the second member, the second member moves axially relative to the first member at a first speed, the screw-threaded engagement between the second and third members being such that, when the second member rotates at the said given speed relative to the third member, the third member moves axially relative to the second member at a second, higher speed. The invention also resides in an aircraft engine thrust reverser system utilizing one or more of the above actuators for deploying cowls of the system.

Abstract: A fuel injector including a nozzle body having a bore defining a seating, a valve member having a plurality of passages providing fluid communication between the bore and a plurality of outlet openings, the outlet openings defining a first group of openings at a lower axial position on the valve member and a second group of openings at a higher axial position on the valve member. The valve member is slidable within the bore and is engageable with the seating to control fuel flow from the outlet openings. The outlet openings are shaped and orientated such that the sprays formed at the first and second groups of outlet openings do not interfere with one another.

Abstract: A rotatable member for a brake of the liquid cooled type comprises a disc provided on opposite sides with annular braking faces. The disc incorporates a plurality of angularly spaced liquid supply slots which extend through the material of the disc and radially outwards from a position inwardly of the inner peripheral edges of the braking faces. A portion at the inner end of each slot is of a circumferential length greater than the remainder of the slot. The member may comprise a braking member for the brake, or it may be separate from the brake and act as a pump member in the form of a turbo disc.

Abstract: A master cylinder for a vehicle braking system comprises a body (2) with a bore (3) open at the rear end of the body, a reservoir (4), a transverse port (17) in the body opening into the bore (3) and positioned rearwardly of the reservoir, and a passageway defined between the exterior of the body (2) and a sleeve (22) mounted thereon to communicate the transverse port (17) with a chamber (7) of the reservoir. in different disclosed embodiments the sleeve may be integral with the housing of a booster assembled with the master cylinder and an element may be interposed between the sleeve and the master cylinder body and be provided with a tubular extension interconnecting the reservoir with the passageway.