Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric barrier and torque transfer member between a drive shaft and a driven shaft of a torque transfer assembly. The method includes assembling the drive shaft and the driven shaft in axially adjacent relationship to one another, the drive shaft and the driven shaft each having a recess formed therein such that when the shafts are assembled, the recesses cooperate to define a chamber extending across the interface between the drive and driven shaft and into the interior of both the drive and the driven shaft. The method further includes injecting a dielectric adhesive or resin material into the chamber to fill the chamber and to extend across the interface between the drive and the driven shaft, and curing the dielectric material to form a dielectric barrier between and to provide torque transfer between the drive and the driven shaft.

Abstract: A dielectric insulating insert arranged to be positioned between a drive shaft and a ball shaft of a motorised ball valve assembly. The insert includes a body of dielectric material to form an insulating layer and having opposing sides from each of which extends an engagement portion having a non-circular cross-section and configured to engage, respectively, with the drive shaft and the ball shaft in torque transfer engagement.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a manifold having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a filter housing having a filter medium provided therein, the filter medium defining an inner filter chamber and defining an outer filter chamber between the filter medium and the filter housing, the filter housing being removably attached to the manifold so as to provide a fluid flow path from the inlet into the inner filter chamber, through the filter medium into the outer chamber and out of the outlet. The filter assembly further includes a valve assembly mounted inside the manifold that includes a valve piston and a valve spring arranged in engagement with the valve piston to bias the valve piston into a first position and to compress, in response to a pressure differential across the valve piston exceeding the spring force, to move the valve piston to a second position.

Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric barrier and torque transfer member between a drive shaft and a driven shaft of a torque transfer assembly. The method includes assembling the drive shaft and the driven shaft in axially adjacent relationship to one another, the drive shaft and the driven shaft each having a recess formed therein such that when the shafts are assembled, the recesses cooperate to define a chamber extending across the interface between the drive and driven shaft and into the interior of both the drive and the driven shaft. The method further includes injecting a dielectric adhesive or resin material into the chamber to fill the chamber and to extend across the interface between the drive and the driven shaft, and curing the dielectric material to form a dielectric barrier between and to provide torque transfer between the drive and the driven shaft.

Abstract: A dielectric insulating insert arranged to be positioned between a drive shaft and a ball shaft of a motorised ball valve assembly. The insert includes a body of dielectric material to form an insulating layer and having opposing sides from each of which extends an engagement portion having a non-circular cross-section and configured to engage, respectively, with the drive shaft and the ball shaft in torque transfer engagement.

Abstract: A rotary encoder for a valve comprises a rotatable code plate and an optical detector module comprising one or more optical detectors. The code plate defines a set of voids arranged along a set of one or more concentric circular arcs about an axis of rotation. The voids define an angle-dependent pattern over the set of arcs, the pattern comprising a plurality of distinct sectoral elements (A-O, X). At least two of the sectoral elements, located in non-adjacent sectors of the code plate, are identical, but the pattern is non-repeating over a single full rotation of the code plate about the axis. Each optical detector is aligned with a respective concentric circular arc of the code plate. A controller processes time-varying output signals from the optical detectors to determine successive positions of the rotatable code plate.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) sealing ring is deformed to provide a shape between a radially inner sealing portion and radially outer sealing portion thereof which has at least one peak and at least one trough. When the shape memory behaviour of the SMA is activated, this shape provides a sealing connection between a first and second member.

Abstract: In an airbag arrangement for a front seat passenger in a motor vehicle, an airbag is mounted, in its stowed condition, in a dashboard of the vehicle. The airbag is configured to inflate to a deployed condition interposed between the dashboard and the front seat passenger. The inflated airbag is wider on an upper side, over an impact region nearer the front seat passenger, than on a lower side adjacent the dashboard. The airbag is narrower at an end adjacent the vehicle dashboard than at an end nearer to the front seat passenger.

Abstract: In an airbag arrangement for a front seat passenger in a motor vehicle, an airbag 10 which is mounted, in its stowed condition, in the dashboard 18 of the vehicle, the airbag 10 is so configured that it its inflated, deployed condition in which it is interposed between, the dashboard and the front seat passenger, the inflated bag is wider on its upper side, over an impact region 24C nearer the front seat passenger, than on its lower side adjacent the dashboard, and is narrower at its end adjacent the vehicle dashboard than at its end nearer to the front seat passenger.