Abstract: A craft, especially an inflatable dinghy, having a manually operable baler ystem comprising a flexible tube passing through the floor of the craft, a funnel mouth to the free end of the tube, and a non-return valve disposed to prevent water entering the craft by the tube, the tube being long enough to permit the funnel to be raised above the normal outside water level when the craft is floating loaded.

Abstract: A device for measuring externally applied loads on a structural member, such as a support leg of an off-shore installation, comprises one or more flexible fluid-filled cells constrained between the surface of the structural member and a casing capable of transmitting externally applied loads to the structural member through the fluid within the cell(s), the loads applied to the member being derived by monitoring the fluid pressure within the cell(s). Preferably the cell(s) and casing are comprised in a sleeve-like assembly removably mounted upon the structural member and retained in position by friction.

Abstract: An objective for a microscope has a meniscus lens of positive power at one nd of the objective. A lens of negative power is located at the other extremity of the objective. Three intermediate doublets of positive power are located between the first two lenses each formed of a convergent lens cemented to a divergent lens. The meniscus lens situated at the front has focal length between 1.5f and 2.5f. The lens of negative power is a doublet formed of a convergent lens and a divergent lens with a focal length between -8f and -15f. The first doublet located close to the lens of negative power has a focal length between 14f and 18f. The second doublet situated immediately before the first doublet has a focal length between 6f and 8f. The third doublet located between the second doublet and the meniscus lens at the front end of the objective has a focal length between 3f and 4f.

Abstract: A projectile fuze contains a radio receiver, an oscillator, a counter and detonation means activated by an output signal from the counter. After firing the oscillator is started for a unit time period defined by successive signals transmitted to the projectile from a transmitter. The number of oscillations counted in the unit time period is multiplied by the number of unit time periods until detonation, calculated from range data, and transmitted to the projectile to set a counting limit for the counter before it produces an output signal. The signal containing the range data is used to clear the counter and restart the oscillator and may be used to render the radio receiver unresponsive to further signals. The projectile may have a booster or air-brake which is operated in flight by means of a second counter output signal or an output signal from an additional counter.

Abstract: A moulding composition which comprises a polycarbonate polymer, a plasticizer for said polymer, and a finely divided nucleating agent selected from the group consisting of metal salts of polymers carrying lateral carboxylic groups.

Abstract: Control apparatus for regulation of the deceleration of an elevator has a comparator for two currents which are functions of the actual decrease of the velocity and the other of the desired decrease provided by a source and including means controlled by the differential current from the comparator to determine the variation of the speed of the elevator. The source is served by means causing decrease of the current that they elaborate as a function of the available distance and not of time. The invention is applicable to elevators, invalid carriers, freight carriers and similar apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for automatically measuring the resistance and ting up of resistive electrical components, such as the windings of transformers or the coils of motors. The apparatus comprises a bridge circuit fed by a source of D.C. voltage and includes a voltage detector and switching means, the latter enabling the voltage detector to be connected across various points of the bridge circuit so as to produce virtually simultaneous measurements of the heating up of the component under test and of the ambient temperature at the place where the tests and measurements are being preformed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a body of three-dimensional fabric, a method of producing such bodies or parts of various shapes from three-dimensional fabric and also relates to apparatus for industrial performance of this method.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a coating to a submerged surface has a spreader for a coating on the surface to be coated in a progressive manner and during displacement of said spreader parallel to the surface. A given pressure is applied on the spreader to apply the same against the surface. The coating material is continuously supplied to the spreading means in such a way that the displacement of said spreading means forces the water from the surface and the simultaneous application to the surface of the coating.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are mounted on corresponding lead frames by being inserted into apertures of a masking member in a desired registration with the lead frame strip.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an improved apparatus for simultaneously transferring data or commands between several peripheral devices and a central processing unit. The apparatus includes a peripheral control unit which links the central processing unit to several peripheral devices. The peripheral control unit operates as a master with respect to the central processing unit and the peripheral devices in order to increase the capacity of the central processing unit.

Abstract: A measuring system includes a scale grating carried on one of two relatively movable bodies and an index grating carried on the other. The scale grating is illuminated directly in such a way that light passing from it to the index grating is at least partially diffuse. Detector means are provided to respond to the resulting spatially periodic distribution of illumination.

Abstract: Currents greater than predetermined amount are prevented within a circuit arrangement by connecting the electrical supply to at least one conductor via a diode and a transistor, with the diode and the base-collector junction of the transistor in series between the conductor and the supply, and with the emitter connected via a resistor to a point maintained at an appropriate reference potential level, the transistor being in a grounded-base configuration, with the maximum possible collector current defined by the maximum possible emitter current.

Abstract: The space formed between the primary vessel of a sodium-cooled fast reactor and a leak jacket surrounding the vessel is filled with an inert gas which is maintained at a pressure in the vicinity of atmospheric. A vacuum is created within the space formed between the leak jacket and the concrete reactor vault and means are provided for detecting the presence of inert gas within the evacuated space and thus continuously testing the jacket for leak-tightness and mechanical resistance.

Abstract: A fuse device for an automatic emergency shutdown system in fast reactors provides a coupling between a casing tube placed within a fuel can and a series of neutron-absorbing masses held together above the reactor core under normal operating conditions but released in free fall to the lower portion of the casing tube at the level of the reactor core as a result of melting of the fuse when operating characteristics such as temperature or neutron flux attain a level which exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An automatic machine for operating upon a work piece at a predetermined ption with respect to a pre-selected physical feature, for example an edge, of the work piece. The machine scans the work piece and transmits signals corresponding to the co-ordinates of the physical feature to a computer. The computer thereafter controls in accordance with the signals received from the scanning head the position of the operating head, so that the operating head can operate upon the work piece at the pre-determined position with respect to the pre-selected physical feature.

Abstract: A supercritical aerofoil having a large leading edge radius of curvature, a radius of curvature over substantially the whole upper surface appreciably higher than the mean radius over the front half of the lower surface, a concave surface to the rear half of the lower surface, and a thickness/chord ratio of 10- 14%.

Abstract: In a tube-type heat exchanger which produces superheated steam directly while being of the once-through type, the tubes permit recycling of the vapor of the secondary fluid which is circulated within them. A coaxial sleeve mounted within the annular space between an intermediate tube and the pressure tube delimits an annular zone filled with heat-insulating stagnant vapor so as to isolate the vapor produced from the fluid in liquid phase.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling deformation of an elongate member, such as a lattice girder, comprises a torque transmitting member, such as a hollow cylindrical tube, extending for the length of the girder coaxially with its longitudinal axis and fixed at one end to one end of the girder. The cylinder is free to rotate relative to the girder at its other end and is connected by hydraulic actuators to be rotated relative to the girder in response to the measurement of rotation between the ends of the girder. The relative rotation of the tube transmits torque to the fixed end and resists deformation of the girder.

Abstract: Marking apparatus is provided having a reciprocable carrier assembly composed of two parts. One part comprises a motor driven reciprocable carrier, while the other part comprises a movable carrier member which is pivotally supported at one end of the reciprocable carrier. The movable carrier member supports an inking roller and a printing roller and is mechanically coupled to the motor so as to cause the movable carrier member to be positioned, in the course of a first cycle of reciprocation by the reciprocable carrier, such that the inking roller is moved across the entire extent of an impression stamp supported and positioned on a fixed plate, and in the course of a second cycle of reciprocation by the reciprocable carrier, such that the pressure roller is rolled across a document which has been positioned over the stamp between the two cycles of reciprocation. The rolling action of the pressure roller causes the document to be pressed against the stamp to effect the desired marking.