Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for a cartridge-type animal stunner comprising an elongated stunner housing having a muzzle and a breech with a cartridge chamber for receiving an explosive charge. A captive penetrating-type stunning rod capable of being propelled forward is received in the bore. The stunning rod has an opening throughout the entire length thereof. Upon placement of the housing forward end against an animal and activation of a trigger, a firing pin moves to impact a cartridge in the cartridge chamber, causing explosion of the cartridge. The stunning rod is propelled forward to penetrate the animal head to a brain. Simultaneously, a portion of combustion products from explosion of the cartridge travel into the stunning rod opening at a rearward end, along the length of the rod, and out of the stunning rod forward end into the animal brain to cause rapid lethal damage thereto.

Abstract: A pneumatic animal stunner for stunning an animal for later processing uses sensor technology to measure the speed of a stunning rod disposed in the stunner housing as it is driven forward via pneumatic forces. At least one sensor may be disposed in a nose connected to a front end of the housing, in the housing, or in a tail end of the housing. The at least one sensor communicates with a receiver that can process and display the speed data collected from the at least one sensor as the stunning rod drives forward. The receiver can be disposed on the housing of the stunner, or may be a separate component from the stunner. The data may be sent from the at least one sensor to the receiver via a wireless or wired connection. Multiple methods of measuring the stunning rod speed may be employed.

Abstract: An actuation arrangement for effecting actuation of pivotable vane, for example, variable inlet guide vane in gas turbine engine. The actuation arrangement includes an actuator having a support plate and pivotable plate. The pivotable plate is fixedly connected to pivotable vane and pivotable plate and pivotable vane are pivotable about a pivot axis. The actuator further includes at least one actuation element having a length extending from support plate to proximal a transverse edge portion of pivotable plate substantially perpendicular to pivot axis. The or each actuation element is fixedly connected to each of the support and pivotable plates and formed of a material that changes dimension upon application of external energy. Thus, upon application of external energy, for example, heat, a change in length of the or each actuation element occurs such that change in length effects pivoting of pivotable plate and pivotable vane about the pivot axis.

Abstract: An actuation arrangement for effecting actuation of pivotable vane, for example, variable inlet guide vane in gas turbine engine. The actuation arrangement includes an actuator having a support plate and pivotable plate. The pivotable plate is fixedly connected to pivotable vane and pivotable plate and pivotable vane are pivotable about a pivot axis. The actuator further includes at least one actuation element having a length extending from support plate to proximal a transverse edge portion of pivotable plate substantially perpendicular to pivot axis. The or each actuation element is fixedly connected to each of the support and pivotable plates and formed of a material that changes dimension upon application of external energy. Thus, upon application of external energy, for example, heat, a change in length of the or each actuation element occurs such that change in length effects pivoting of pivotable plate and pivotable vane about the pivot axis.