Abstract: Apparatus for fatigue or mechanical friction damping measurement testing a specimen the apparatus including a body having opposing arms defining between them a space for receiving the specimen, one of the opposing arms having a fixture for securing the specimen, another of the opposing arms having a further fixture for securing the specimen, the fixture and the further fixture being adjustable to increase or decrease the relative distance therebetween, wherein the body includes an assigned vibration location to which excitation signals are applied during testing.

Abstract: Apparatus for fatigue or mechanical friction damping measurement testing a specimen the apparatus including a body having opposing arms defining between them a space for receiving the specimen, one of the opposing arms having a fixture for securing the specimen, another of the opposing arms having a further fixture for securing the specimen, the fixture and the further fixture being adjustable to increase or decrease the relative distance therebetween, wherein the body includes an assigned vibration location to which excitation signals are applied during testing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for designing vanes that, in use, are expected to be exposed to vibratory loading, in particular rotor or stator vanes for aero engines or turbomachinery. A quantitative characteristic (modeshape) is used which is a measure of correlation between the excitation force to which the vane is to be subjected in use and a vibrational mode of the vane, corresponding to a characteristic frequency of the excitation. The modeshape of the first design is determined. Then the first design is modified to give a second design, by one or more of leaning, sweeping or twisting the blade design, or by altering the local shape of the design, or by altering the material of the design. Then the modeshape of the second design is determined. The design modification gives rise to a reduction in the forced response levels.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for designing vanes that, in use, are expected to be exposed to vibratory loading, in particular rotor or stator vanes for aero engines or turbomachinery. A quantitative characteristic (modeshape) is used which is a measure of correlation between the excitation force to which the vane is to be subjected in use and a vibrational mode of the vane, corresponding to a characteristic frequency of the excitation. The modeshape of the first design is determined. Then the first design is modified to give a second design, by one or more of leaning, sweeping or twisting the blade design, or by altering the local shape of the design, or by altering the material of the design. Then the modeshape of the second design is determined. The design modification gives rise to a reduction in the forced response levels.

Abstract: A containment casing 1 is provided in which tubular composite layers 2, 3 are arranged in an angular staggered relationship to minimise overlap between the interstitial spacing between tubes in each respective layer 2, 3. In such circumstances, with a continuous planar layer 4, 5 on one or both sides, operational integrity is maintained with a lightweight containment casing 1 in comparison with prior arrangements but retaining resistance to fragment penetration.

Abstract: An adaptable fluid-foil comprising at least two panels, the panels are joined at opposing edges, in use, a fluid passes over at least part of one of the panels characterized in that a panel comprises a shape memory element, the shape memory element is arranged to change the shape of the fluid-foil between a first shape and a second shape, so that in use, the first shape is optimal for a first fluid flow condition and the second shape is optimal for a second fluid flow condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for designing vanes that, in use, are expected to be exposed to vibratory loading, in particular rotor or stator vanes for aero engines or turbomachinery. A quantitative characteristic (modeshape) is used which is a measure of correlation between the excitation force to which the vane is to be subjected in use and a vibrational mode of the vane, corresponding to a characteristic frequency of the excitation. The modeshape of the first design is determined. Then the first design is modified to give a second design, by one or more of leaning, sweeping or twisting the blade design, or by altering the local shape of the design, or by altering the material of the design. Then the modeshape of the second design is determined. The design modification gives rise to a reduction in the forced response levels.

Abstract: A method of designing a component that vibrates in use, comprising the steps of, repeatedly: a) analysing (20) a component design to determine a critical vibration mode of the component, wherein the critical vibration mode is the vibration mode at which stress in the component design is maximal; and then b) varying (30, 32) the component design to reduce the stress in the component at the critical vibration mode.