Abstract: An apparatus includes an input coupler configured to receive light excited by a light source. A near-field transducer (NFT) is positioned at a media-facing surface of a write head. A layered waveguide is positioned between the input coupler and the NFT and configured to receive the light output from the input coupler in a transverse electric (TE) mode and deliver the light to the NFT in a transverse magnetic (TM) mode. The layered waveguide comprises a first layer extending along a light-propagation direction. The first layer is configured to receive light from the input coupler. The first layer tapers from a first cross track width to a second cross track width where the second cross track width is narrower than the first cross track width. The layered waveguide includes a second layer that is disposed on the first layer. The second layer has a cross sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the light propagation direction that increases along the light propagation direction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first waveguide core extending along a light-propagation direction and configured to receive light from a light source at a combined transverse electric (TE) mode and a transverse magnetic (TM) mode. A second waveguide core is spaced apart from the first waveguide core and is configured to couple light at a TM mode to the second waveguide core. A near-field transducer (NFT) is disposed at a media-facing surface of a write head, the NFT receiving the light from the first waveguide core or the second waveguide core and heating a magnetic recording medium in response thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first waveguide core extending along a light-propagation direction and configured to receive light from a light source at a combined transverse electric (TE) mode and a transverse magnetic (TM) mode. A second waveguide core is spaced apart from the first waveguide core and is configured to couple light at a TM mode to the second waveguide core. A near-field transducer (NFT) is disposed at a media-facing surface of a write head, the NFT receiving the light from the first waveguide core or the second waveguide core and heating a magnetic recording medium in response thereto.

Abstract: A handgrip device configured to be removably coupled to a bicycle handlebar. The handgrip device may include a first portion that includes an opening with a center axis. The opening may be configured to receive a portion of a handle that includes a center rotational axis such that the center rotational axis is substantially aligned with the center axis of the first portion. The handgrip device may also include a second portion that is coupled to and fixed with respect to the first portion. The second portion may include a proximal end that is coupled to the first portion and a distal end that may extend away from the proximal end. The second portion may also include a first concaved side coupled between the proximal and distal ends. The first concaved side may face a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the first portion.

Abstract: A handgrip device configured to be removably coupled to a bicycle handlebar. The handgrip device may include a first portion that includes an opening with a center axis. The opening may be configured to receive a portion of a handle that includes a center rotational axis such that the center rotational axis is substantially aligned with the center axis of the first portion. The handgrip device may also include a second portion that is coupled to and fixed with respect to the first portion. The second portion may include a proximal end that is coupled to the first portion and a distal end that may extend away from the proximal end. The second portion may also include a first concaved side coupled between the proximal and distal ends. The first concaved side may face a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the first portion.

Abstract: A handgrip device configured to be removably coupled to a bicycle handlebar. The handgrip device may include a first portion that includes an opening with a center axis. The opening may be configured to receive a portion of a handle that includes a center rotational axis such that the center rotational axis is substantially aligned with the center axis of the first portion. The handgrip device may also include a second portion that is coupled to and fixed with respect to the first portion. The second portion may include a proximal end that is coupled to the first portion and a distal end that may extend away from the proximal end. The second portion may also include a first concaved side coupled between the proximal and distal ends. The first concaved side may face a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the first portion.

Abstract: A handgrip device configured to be removably coupled to a bicycle handlebar. The handgrip device may include a first portion that includes an opening with a center axis. The opening may be configured to receive a portion of a handle that includes a center rotational axis such that the center rotational axis is substantially aligned with the center axis of the first portion. The handgrip device may also include a second portion that is coupled to and fixed with respect to the first portion. The second portion may include a proximal end that is coupled to the first portion and a distal end that may extend away from the proximal end. The second portion may also include a first concaved side coupled between the proximal and distal ends. The first concaved side may face a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the first portion.

Abstract: An axial compressor has at least one circumferential row of aerofoil members (30a, 30b, 30c) in which at least one of the two end walls (37) between adjacent blades is given a non-axisymmetric profile, defined by circumferentially-extending sinusoids at a number of axial positions (AA, BB, CC). Corresponding points on the successive sinusoids are joined by spline curves, so that the curvature of the end wall is smooth. This end-wall profiling modifies the boundary layer flow at the wall, reducing or eliminating the corner separation and reversed flow associated with known arrangements.

Abstract: A turbine component such as a turbine blade has a cooling chamber that is tapered. The taper induces and maintains a helical swirl that improves the cooling efficiency of the cooling process and enables the turbine component to operate at higher temperatures.

Abstract: A turbine blade 29 for a gas turbine engine 10 having an axis 20, the turbine blade 29 comprising: an aerofoil 30 including a high pressure surface 36, a low pressure surface 34, a root portion 38 and a tip surface 40 extending transverse from the high and low pressure surfaces 36 and 34, the high and low pressure surfaces 36 and 34 curve from the root portion 38 to the tip surface 40 in a direction that is substantially tangential to the axis 20 of the engine 10; and an air leakage restricting member 32 on the tip surface 40, the air leakage restricting member 32 being configured to substantially prevent leakage of air over the tip surface 40.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine turbine comprises an annular array of nozzle guide vanes and an annular array of turbine blades mounted within its annular casing. An array of radially extending protrusions are positioned axially upstream of said array of said nozzle guide vanes and protruding inwardly from the inner casing wall so as to mix the tangential momentum component of the overtip leakage fluid flow before it reaches the array of nozzle guide vanes.

Abstract: A turbine engine arrangement is provided in which contra rotating shafts 104, 105 are respectively secured to a fan and a gearbox 106 which is also coupled to the shaft 104. In such circumstances the relative rotational speed ratio between the shafts 104, 105 can be determined with a first low pressure turbine 101 secured to the first shaft 104 arranged to rotate at a lower speed but provide high work whilst a second low pressure turbine 102 secured to the second shaft 105 rotates at a higher speed governed by the gearbox 106. By such an arrangement a smaller gearbox 106 may be used as less power is transferred through that gearbox 106 than with previous arrangements. By contra rotation of the turbines 101, 102 a lower flow deflection guide vane assembly 103 may be used and a further stator/guide vane assembly is not required between the turbines 101, 102.

Abstract: A rotor blade tip arrangement is provided in which winglets extend from end of rotor blade aerofoil walls. These winglets incorporate passages which extend to coolant apertures or holes in order to present a coolant flow about the tip of the turbine rotor blade. The winglets define at least an open ended gutter channel in order to inhibit leakage flow across the tip arrangement from a pressure side P to a suction side S. The coolant flow facilitates cooling of the arrangement despite any heating caused by leakage flow across the arrangement. The presented coolant flow may also by impingement cool an adjacent casing segment of an assembly or within a turbine engine.

Abstract: A three shaft ducted fan gas turbine engine (10) has a turbine system comprising a high pressure turbine rotor (32), an intermediate pressure turbine rotor (36) and first and second low pressure turbine rotors (42,44), that straddle intermediate pressure turbine rotor (36). Rotors (42,44) are mechanically connected by a casing (46) that bridges turbine rotor (36) so as to achieve transmission of torque from the first to the second thereof. Rotor (42) also delivers gas flow to the intermediate pressure rotor (36) at a much lower temperature than is experienced by conventional arrangements.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a gas turbine engine includes a blade root (3) and an aerofoil projecting therefrom, the aerofoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge (5), a generally concave pressure surface (2) and a generally convex suction surface (1). The aerofoil shape of the blade varies in section along the length thereof such that: the chord-wise convex curvature of the rear suction surface decreases towards the tip (4) of the blade; the convex curvature of the early to mid suction surface increases towards the tip; the stagger of the aerofoil section increases towards the tip; and the trailing edge (5) is a straight line.

Abstract: A toilet seat includes a substantially rigid lid coupled to a pliant top. The seat seals against the rim of the standard toilet bowl and forms a pressure-adjustable cavity with the bowl and the surface of the water. Once sealed, the seat is pumped to inject air into the cavity, thereby increasing the pressure in the cavity to cause a flush operation. The lid and top each have one way pressure valves permitting air to flow into the cavity as the top is pumped. In another embodiment, the toilet has a standard toilet seat and is connected to a vacuum source via a selectively operable valve. The valve is selectively operable between an open state and a closed state, the open state creating a fluid communication path between the vacuum source and the void volume, the closed state providing a substantially airtight seal between the void volume and the vacuum source.

Abstract: A toilet seat includes a substantially rigid lid coupled to a pliant top. The seat seals against the rim of the standard toilet bowl and forms a pressure-adjustable cavity with the bowl and the surface of the water. Once sealed, the seat is pumped to inject air into the cavity, thereby increasing the pressure in the cavity to cause a flush operation. The lid and top each have one way pressure valves permitting air to flow into the cavity as the top is pumped. In another embodiment, the toilet has a standard toilet seat and is connected to a vacuum source via a selectively operable valve. The valve is selectively operable between an open state and a closed state, the open state creating a fluid communication path between the vacuum source and the void volume, the closed state providing a substantially airtight seal between the void volume and the vacuum source.

Abstract: Casting paper of a desired surface texture or finish for use in the manufacture of artificial leather is produced by heating the polymer coating 1 of a polymer-coated paper 2 to a temperature sufficient to melt the polymer and then cooling the polymer coating from its molten state to a solid state as it passes through a nip between an embossing roll 3 having a surface configuration corresponding to said desired surface texture or finish and a backing roll 4, thereby to impart the surface configuration of the embossing roll to the polymer-coated paper. The polymer is preferably polyolefinic, for example poly (4-methyl-1-pentene) or a polypropylene/polyethylene blend. An anti-curl back-coat, for example of polyvinyl alcohol, can be applied after the embossing operation.