Abstract: A composite structure is provided. The structure is formed of rigid composite material in which particulates or fibers reinforce a polymer matrix. The structure has first and second electrically conductive metallic meshes embedded therein, and respective electrodes electrically connected to the meshes. The first and second meshes are electrically isolated from each other in the composite material so that the meshes can be held at different electrical potentials to each other. In use, an electrical unit can be provided to electrically bridge the first and second meshes such that electrical signals can be transmitted between the electrodes and the electrical unit via the meshes.

Abstract: A composite structure is provided. The structure is formed of rigid composite material in which non-metallic continuous fibers reinforce a polymer matrix. The continuous fibers are electrically conductive. The structure has electrodes electrically connected to the continuous fibers. The composite material contains one or more insulating barriers which electrically divide the structure so that a first portion of the material in electrical contact with one of the electrodes can be held at a different electrical potential to a second portion of the material in electrical contact with the other electrode. In use, an electrical unit can be provided to electrically bridge the first and second portions of the material such that electrical signals can be transmitted between the electrodes and the electrical unit via the continuous fibers.

Abstract: A composite structure is provided. The structure is formed of rigid composite material in which particulates or fibres reinforce a polymer matrix. The structure has first and second electrically conductive metallic meshes embedded therein, and respective electrodes electrically connected to the meshes. The first and second meshes are electrically isolated from each other in the composite material so that the meshes can be held at different electrical potentials to each other. In use, an electrical unit can be provided to electrically bridge the first and second meshes such that electrical signals can be transmitted between the electrodes and the electrical unit via the meshes.

Abstract: A composite structure is provided. The structure is formed of rigid composite material in which non-metallic continuous fibres reinforce a polymer matrix. The continuous fibres are electrically conductive. The structure has electrodes electrically connected to the continuous fibres. The composite material contains one or more insulating barriers which electrically divide the structure so that a first portion of the material in electrical contact with one of the electrodes can be held at a different electrical potential to a second portion of the material in electrical contact with the other electrode. In use, an electrical unit can be provided to electrically bridge the first and second portions of the material such that electrical signals can be transmitted between the electrodes and the electrical unit via the continuous fibres.

Abstract: A method for determining the speed of at least one rotating fan, such as a propeller, through sensing pressure waves generated by the blades of the fan. An apparatus operable to execute the method is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a fan having a hub portion and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the hub portion. The apparatus also includes an engine operable to rotate the fan about an axis of rotation. The apparatus also includes a sensor spaced from the fan along the axis of rotation. The sensor is positioned to sense at least one physical condition that is external of the engine and is changed by rotation of the plurality of blades. The sensor is operable to emit a signal corresponding to at least one physical condition. The apparatus also includes a processor operably engaged with the engine and the sensor. The processor is operable to receive the signal from the sensor and change the operation of the engine in response to the signal to change a speed of the fan.

Abstract: A system is provided for regulating AC electrical power delivered from a source to a load. The system has a voltage regulating device which, in use, is connected at an input side thereof to the source and at an output side thereof to the load. The voltage regulating device is controllable to vary the ratio of voltage amplitudes at the input side and the output side. The system further has a measuring arrangement for measuring the voltage amplitude and the voltage frequency at the input side. The system further has a control device for determining a desired ratio of the voltage amplitudes depending on the measured voltage amplitude and the measured voltage frequency. The control device is adapted to issue an output command to the voltage regulating device, the output command controlling the voltage regulating device to provide the voltage amplitude ratio determined by the control device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas discharge tube (30) of a type that may be used for example in gas turbine engine (10) ignition systems. The gas discharge tube (30) has an envelope (42) containing a gas therein and the envelope has a pair of spaced electrodes (38, 40) for application of an electric potential difference across the gas. An electromagnetic radiation source (44), such as a deep UV light source, is arranged to emit photons (50) into the envelope (42) so as to initiate ionisation of the gas, thereby reducing the potential difference required to cause electrical conductance between the electrodes. The electromagnetic radiation source, which may comprise light emitting diodes, may be selectively controlled.

Abstract: A method for determining the speed of at least one rotating fan, such as a propeller, through sensing pressure waves generated by the blades of the fan. An apparatus operable to execute the method is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a fan having a hub portion and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the hub portion. The apparatus also includes an engine operable to rotate the fan about an axis of rotation. The apparatus also includes a sensor spaced from the fan along the axis of rotation. The sensor is positioned to sense at least one physical condition that is external of the engine and is changed by rotation of the plurality of blades. The sensor is operable to emit a signal corresponding to at least one physical condition. The apparatus also includes a processor operably engaged with the engine and the sensor. The processor is operable to receive the signal from the sensor and change the operation of the engine in response to the signal to change a speed of the fan.

Abstract: A medical signal processing system for processing medical signal data obtained from a human or animal heart, and displaying a graphical representation of the processed data for providing an alert, the system including: a medical signal data input for inputting one or more ECG signals; a graphical display; and a signal processor coupled to said data input and to said display; and wherein said signal processor is configured to: input medical signal data associated with a spatial position in or on said organ; perform at least one measurement relating to said organ using said medical signal data to provide measurement data; determine from said measurement data whether said measurement is normal or abnormal; and display, on a graphical representation of said heart, a graphical indication of an abnormality at said spatial position on a wall of said heart with which said signal data is associated responsive an abnormal to said determination.

Abstract: A multi-faceted circuit design platform facilitates the design of circuits and chips by making it easier for designers to locate and incorporate available virtual component blocks into new designs. The platform provides designers with the necessary support data on the virtual component blocks and allows designers to perform integration and connectivity verification as well as basic functional verification. In addition, the platform may provide other tools and services, e.g., electronic design automation software, computing and processing resources, integrated circuit fabrication, etc. The tools and services may be from internal as well as external sources and may be provided in whole or in part. Further, the platform may facilitate purchase, lease, or other acquisitions of the tools and services offered through it. Access to the platform may be achieved through a variety of applications.

Abstract: A multi-faceted design platform acts as a tool for front-end hardware IC designers who design complex core base System on Chip (SoC). The design platform uses a network such as the Internet to search and gain access to previously designed virtual core blocks. The design platform provides a means to select and transfer all relevant information regarding the selected virtual core blocks and allows the designer to immediately incorporate the virtual core block into the new SoC design. The design platform further generates the appropriate source code files for immediate use with a plurality of known verification tools to verify both the integration and connectivity of the virtual core blocks as well as the basic functionalities of the SoC design.