Abstract: A power supply arranged to charge a smoothing capacitance via a resistive element for soft-starting in the event that one or more conditions for normal operation are not complied with is arranged to detect that a voltage across at least part of the smoothing capacitance exceeds an excess voltage threshold and, responsive to the detecting, interrupt charging of the smoothing capacitance via the resistive element for soft-starting.

Abstract: Conducting emission suppression in a power circuit for an electric motor comprises a negative temperature co-efficient resistor and capacitor connecting one of the power lines to ground. The NTC resistor is self-stabilising so that changes in the load current are automatically compensated for.

Abstract: A circuit for monitoring the operation of an electric motor comprises means for deriving a motor signal indicative of a relatively low frequency characteristic of the motor commutation current (for example the back EMF ripple) by rejecting the high frequency components which are mainly the result of the commutation events. The circuit also includes means for producing a pulse from the low frequency characteristic which has a duration related to the motor speed.

Abstract: A composite article and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The composite article includes a matrix formed of a mixture of glass particles and a cured polymer, and a layer of cured polymer material that is substantially free of the glass particles, said layer being formed on at least one surface of the cast article whereby the glass particles are not surface exposed on the at least one surface.

Abstract: A computer system for providing an offer on a web page to a user comprises a memory and a processing circuit. The memory is configured store user registration data and user attribute data for a user registered to use a web site. The processing circuit is configured to receive a request from a client device to access a web page on the web site. The request is received during a session in which the registered user is not logged in to the web site. The processing circuit is configured to receive an anonymous user ID for the user, to match the anonymous ID with the user registration data for the registered user, to select an offer for the user based on user attribute data for the registered user, and to transmit the offer to the client device.

Abstract: A composite article and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The composite article includes a matrix formed of a mixture of glass particles and a cured polymer, and a layer of cured polymer material that is substantially free of the glass particles, said layer being formed on at least one surface of the cast article whereby the glass particles are not surface exposed on the at least one surface.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly and method is configured to apply coherent jets of coolant in a tangential direction to the grinding wheel in a grinding process, at a desired temperature, pressure and flowrate, to minimize thermal damage in the part being ground. Embodiments of the present invention may be useful when grinding thermally sensitive materials such as gas turbine creep resistant alloys and hardened steels. Flowrate and pressure guidelines are provided to facilitate optimization of the embodiments.

Abstract: A method of producing a complex shape in a workpiece includes the steps of: i) grinding a workpiece at a maximum specific cutting energy of about 10 Hp/in3·min with at least one bonded abrasive tool, thereby forming a slot in the workpiece; and ii) grinding the slot with at least one mounted point tool, thereby producing the complex shape in the slot. The bonded abrasive tool includes at least about 3 volume % of a filamentary sol-gel alpha-alumina abrasive grain having an average length-to-cross-sectional-width ratio of greater than about 4:1 or an agglomerate thereof. A method of producing a slot in a metallic workpiece having a maximum hardness value of equal to, or less than, about 65 Rc includes the step of grinding the workpiece with a bonded abrasive tool at a material removal rate in a range of between about 0.25 in3/min·in and about 60 in3/min·in and at a maximum specific cutting energy of about 10 Hp/in3·min.

Abstract: The invention provides novel 1,2-diphenylethene derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, the process for production of these compounds and their pharmaceutical composition and the use of these compounds as modulators of T-cells, neutrophils, macrophages and their associated cytokines as agents for treating immune, inflammatory and auto-immune diseases.

Abstract: A sonochemical reactor provides an environment for processing chemicals, waste products and the like. The reactor utilises a closely packed transducer arrangement. The transducer spacing is such that cross-coupling enhances the insonification region of fluid within the reaction chamber whilst avoiding undesirable longitudinal modes. The arrangement is particularly suited to continuous flow operation.

Abstract: A radar controlled automatic target illumination system for marine and other moving vessels. A radar system operably connected to the vessel produces an electronic signal corresponding to an azimuth of a target relative to, and in proximity to the vessel. An array of lights are connected to the vessel, each light being aimed outwardly in a different lighting sector, the sectors being adjacent one to another around the vessel, each of said lights, when automatically activated, illuminating one lighting sector. An electronic processor is operably connected between the radar system and the array of lights for the automatic selective activation of one or more of the lights to illuminate the target within a corresponding lighting sector which the radar system has identified.

Abstract: A process for producing fuel pellets is described. The pellets are obtainable from a particulate carbon-based material and a binder, the process comprising the following steps: admixing the material and binder, and agglomerating the so-formed mixture by tumbling. The tumbling action, such as in a rotary drum, serves to agglomerate the particles and bind the mixture into the pellets, usually with a variable size distribution. No mechanical compression force is required, and with the binders used, the process can be carried out at ambient temperature. The process provides a simple but efficient process for using waste carbon-based materials, and forming a useable fuel product, which is easily transportable and efficiently combustible. Rotating drum or pan agglomerators are relatively low cost to build, and are capable of very high tonnage throughputs. Customised products can be produced and the process enhances the economics of ash and sulphur removal in coal upgrade plants.

Abstract: A method of producing a complex shape in a workpiece includes the steps of: i) grinding a workpiece at a maximum specific cutting energy of about 10 Hp/in3·min with at least one bonded abrasive tool, thereby forming a slot in the workpiece; and ii) grinding the slot with at least one mounted point tool, thereby producing the complex shape in the slot. The bonded abrasive tool includes at least about 3 volume % of a filamentary sol-gel alpha-alumina abrasive grain having an average length-to-cross-sectional-width ratio of greater than about 4:1 or an agglomerate thereof. A method of producing a slot in a metallic workpiece having a maximum hardness value of equal to, or less than, about 65 Rc includes the step of grinding the workpiece with a bonded abrasive tool at a material removal rate in a range of between about 0.25 in3/min·in and about 60 in3/min·in and at a maximum specific cutting energy of about 10 Hp/in3·min.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for indicating relative positions of elements in a surgical apparatus. The indicating elements can include electrical circuitry that provides means for activating visual, audible or tactile indicators, thereby alerting the user that an event has occured with respect to the instrument.

Abstract: An actuator (12) is disclosed for example for controlling gas flow in a gas turbine engine. The actuator (12) comprises a first portion (14) having shape memory properties, and a second portion (16) formed of substantially the same material as the first portion and having reduced shape memory properties relative to the first portion. The first portion (14) is movable from a first position to a second position at a temperature above the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material of the first portion (14). The second portion (16) is arranged to urge the first portion (14) from the second position to the first position at a temperature below the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material.

Abstract: A medication cart a includes a housing mounted on four posts at corners of the housing with a generally horizontal counter top at the top of the housing and a plurality of drawers in the housing underneath the counter top having locations therein for containing medications and for containing data charts relating to medications to be dispensed to a number of patients. The housing is mounted on a base with a plurality of ground wheels for movement by an operator over the ground to different locations to service a series of patients with the medications. A lifting mechanism for lifting the housing relative to the base is defined by four threaded rods each extending generally upwardly between the base and the housing with a lower end of each rod attached to the base and an upper end extending into a respective post. A nut on each rod is connected to the housing such that rotation of the rods causes axial movement of the nut along the rod and lifting of the housing relative to the base.

Abstract: A method for joining components comprises locating a region, such as an end region 24, of a shape memory alloy (SMA) material component 10 adjacent to a further component 12, and generating localised plastic deformation of the aforesaid region to create a joint between the components 10, 12. The localised plastic deformation of the shape memory alloy material component 10 is preferably generated by applying a shock load to the shape memory alloy material component 10.

Abstract: A device (10) for use in the verification of handwriting, comprising: a body (12) having a surface (11) over which a writing instrument (8) is moved during the generation of a piece of handwriting; a transducer (14) for transducing stress-wave activity in the body (12) to an analogue time varying signal (15); and digitizing means (22) for converting the analogue time varying signal (15) into a digital signal (27, 31, 11), the digitizing means (22) comprising a sampler (22) arranged to under-sample the analogue time varying signal (15).

Abstract: A wall mounted vertical, gravity fed dispensing container for use with a blister pack includes a pair of perforated sheets defining a holder portion for receiving and supporting the blister pack while holding the blister pack parallel to the wall. The holder portion is formed as a separate element which can be snapped into the container. The two sheets are hinged at the bottom. Behind the holder portion is a catching container fixed to the holder portion and to the wall such that medication expelled from the blisters through the openings by a manually movable punch is caught in the catching container. A bottom wall of the catching container converges the medications to a bottom chute with a manually movable press lever operating a flap valve to discharge the medications into a cup. A front door covers the holder and the blister pack and contains a receptacle for the punch.

Abstract: An antenna for microwave tumor ablation provides coaxial antenna conductors surrounded by an insulated sleeve of length and size promoting destructive interference of axial microwave energy passing inside and outside of the sleeve to limit the tail of SAR power toward the skin.