Abstract: A non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material is provided. The device includes a chamber for receiving a consumable including aerosol-generating material to enable the non-combustible aerosol provision device to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. The device further includes an adjustment mechanism to allow a user to adjust a dimension of the chamber to allow the chamber to accommodate, one at a time, each of a plurality of consumables having different sizes.

Abstract: A non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material included in a consumable, the non-combustible aerosol provision device having: a receptacle for receiving the consumable; and an adaptor configured to adapt the non-combustible aerosol provision device by varying an effective length of the receptacle such that each of a plurality consumables of different lengths, which are individually receivable in the receptacle, when received in the receptacle for use, protrude from the non-combustible aerosol provision device by substantially equal amounts.

Abstract: A non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material in a consumable is disclosed. The non-combustible aerosol provision device includes a retention apparatus configured to hold in position, one at a time, each of the plurality of consumables comprising aerosol-generating material of different sizes.

Abstract: An anti-ballistic barrier system with a top shield support, a bottom shield support, and an anti-ballistic shield. A first extendable connector may extend between the anti-ballistic shield and the top shield support. Similarly, a second extendable connector may extend between the anti-ballistic shield and the bottom shield support. A polyester shield cover may extend over the anti-ballistic shield. A top mounting bracket attaches the top shield support to a vertical structure and a bottom mounting bracket attaches the bottom shield support to the vertical structure. The anti-ballistic shield is movable between a retracted position in which the anti-ballistic shield is wrapped around the top shield support and the bottom shield support is detached from the bottom mounting bracket and an extended position in which a majority of the anti-ballistic shield is unwrapped from the top shield support and the bottom shield support is engaged with the bottom mounting bracket.

Abstract: A composite for use in a flexible pipe body, said composite comprising: a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer that is bonded to the first polymer layer, and filler particles that extend from the first polymer layer into the second polymer layer, whereby the particles are partially embedded in both the first and second polymer layers.

Abstract: An outlet cover assembly with electrical connection to couple to a receptacle. The cover assembly may include a cover plate having an electrical load and at least one intermediate connector coupled to the electrical load, an intermediate plate having at least one receptacle connector extending from the intermediate plate and an electrical connection point coupled to the at least one receptacle connector. The receptacle connector may be placed in electrical contact with an electric supply of the receptacle and delivers current to the electrical connection point when coupled to the receptacle. The intermediate plate is coupled between the receptacle and the cover plate with the intermediate connector of the cover plate engaging the electrical connection point of the intermediate plate to supply power to the electrical load coupled to the cover plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for at least partially repairing a defect in a tubular composite layer. The apparatus comprises a plurality of independently movable abutment elements (3820) each supported in a spaced apart relationship via a respective one of at least one support member (3810). Each abutment element is associated with a respective drive axis along which the abutment elements are movable and the drive axes of all abutment elements extend outwardly from a common centre point.

Abstract: An outlet cover assembly with electrical connection to couple to a receptacle. The cover assembly may include a cover plate having an electrical load and at least one intermediate connector coupled to the electrical load, an intermediate plate having at least one receptacle connector extending from the intermediate plate and an electrical connection point coupled to the at least one receptacle connector. The receptacle connector may be placed in electrical contact with an electric supply of the receptacle and delivers current to the electrical connection point when coupled to the receptacle. The intermediate plate is coupled between the receptacle and the cover plate with the intermediate connector of the cover plate engaging the electrical connection point of the intermediate plate to supply power to the electrical load coupled to the cover plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a composite layer of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a layer inspection station comprising at least one sensor, located down stream of and in an in-line configuration with an extrusion station or pultrusion station or winding station or deposition station for providing a tubular composite layer over an underlying substantially cylindrical surface via a continuous process. The inspection station automatically and continuously determines if at least one parameter of the tubular composite layer satisfies a respective predetermined condition in at least one region of the tubular composite layer as the tubular composite layer is transported proximate to the inspection station and indicates in real time at least one of a type, size and/or location of a defect in the tubular composite layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a composite layer of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a layer inspection station comprising at least one sensor, located down stream of and in an in-line configuration with an extrusion station or pultrusion station or winding station or deposition station for providing a tubular composite layer over an underlying substantially cylindrical surface via a continuous process. The inspection station automatically and continuously determines if at least one parameter of the tubular composite layer satisfies a respective predetermined condition in at least one region of the tubular composite layer as the tubular composite layer is transported proximate to the inspection station and indicates in real time at least one of a type, size and/or location of a defect in the tubular composite layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for at least partially repairing a defect in a tubular composite layer. The apparatus comprises a plurality of independently movable abutment elements (3820) each supported in a spaced apart relationship via a respective one of at least one support member (3810). Each abutment element is associated with a respective drive axis along which the abutment elements are movable and the drive axes of all abutment elements extend outwardly from a common centre point.

Abstract: An estimation method utilizing a pair of target-directional models 106 and 108 includes the steps 160 and 164 of decoding an input 142 utilizing the first and the second models 106 and 108, thereby producing k-best hypotheses 162 and 166 from each of the first and the second models 106 and 108; calculating a union of the k-best hypotheses, and re-scoring 168 each of the best hypotheses in the union utilizing the first and the second models; and selecting a hypothesis 144 with the highest score.

Abstract: A composite for use in a flexible pipe body, said composite comprising: a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer that is bonded to the first polymer layer, and filler particles that extend from the first polymer layer into the second polymer layer, whereby the particles are partially embedded in both the first and second polymer layers.

Abstract: An automated checkout call-forward (ECF) system comprises a queuing area for channelling customers, which leads to one or more checkouts. Each checkout comprises a service area and each checkout can be in either an available condition to accept a new customer, or in an unavailable condition. An indicator is capable of directing a customer to an available checkout. A sensor system is capable of detecting and providing output parameters indicative of the presence of one or more customers in the queuing area and the presence of one or more customers in the service area of each checkout. The automated ECF system is configured to identify any available checkouts based on interpreting the sensor output parameters and to instruct the indicator based on the identified available checkouts.

Abstract: An optical external modulator includes an optical waveguide having a first interferometer section and a second interferometer section formed on an electro-optic substrate. An electrode structure disposed on the substrate transmits an RF drive signal that is applied to the first and second interferometer sections in series. A reflector optically coupled to the substrate redirects light away from the first interferometer section to the second interferometer section and provides an optical fold region that introduces an optical time delay between the first and second interferometer sections. The optical time delay is used for at least partially compensating for a velocity mismatch between the light and the RF drive signal.

Abstract: An optical external modulator includes an optical waveguide having a first interferometer section and a second interferometer section formed on an electro-optic substrate. An electrode structure disposed on the substrate transmits an RF drive signal that is applied to the first and second interferometer sections in series. A reflector optically coupled to the substrate redirects light away from the first interferometer section to the second interferometer section and provides an optical fold region that introduces an optical time delay between the first and second interferometer sections. The optical time delay is used for at least partially compensating for a velocity mismatch between the light and the RF drive signal.

Abstract: An optical digital external modulator having a cascaded arrangement of interferometers is provided. The optical modulator includes an electrode structure for applying an electric field to each interferometer in the cascade and biasing circuitry coupled to the electrode structure for biasing each interferometer at a predetermined bias point. In particular, each predetermined bias point is selected to be above quadrature and for providing improved transmission performance of digital data signals. Preferably, the modulator has a reflective design that helps to increase the modulation bandwidth, lower the drive voltage, and reduce size.

Abstract: A micro-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a differential delay of n bit periods, where n is an integer number, and thermal bias control is useful as a spectral filter in front of a differential detection system to accomplish a balanced receiver. The interferometer may also be arranged as a Michelson interferometer or a dual-plate interferometer.

Abstract: An optical digital external modulator having a cascaded arrangement of interferometers is provided. The optical modulator includes an electrode structure for applying an electric field to each interferometer in the cascade and biasing circuitry coupled to the electrode structure for biasing each interferometer at a predetermined bias point. In particular, each predetermined bias point is selected to be above quadrature and for providing improved transmission performance of digital data signals. Preferably, the modulator has a reflective design that helps to increase the modulation bandwidth, lower the drive voltage, and reduce size.

Abstract: A micro-optical delay element for a time-division multiplexing scheme is disclosed wherein two light beams are provided to a beam splitter/combiner (BS/C) in the absence of optical fibre. At least one beam exiting a modulator is collimated and reaches the (BS/C) unguided as a substantially collimated beam.