Abstract: A technique for interconnecting electronic components in which interconnection wires are bonded to contacts on a first component without the use of a material other than the materials of the contacts and the wires; the wires are then severed to a desired length of between 2d and 20d, where d is the diameter of the wires, and bonded to contacts on the second component by means of a conductive material such as solder. Preferably, solder is provided as pools located in recesses in a layer of insulting material. The wire may be bonded to the contact on the first component by means of a wire bonder having a bonding head which weakens or severs the wire to the desired length.

Abstract: A method of treating a sample of an alloy which is capable of transforming between martensitic and austenitic phases, to render the alloy pseudoelastic, the method comprising:(a) annealing the alloy at a temperature which is greater than the stress relaxation temperature (T.sub.SR) of the alloy and less than the temperature at which the alloy is fully recrystallized (T.sub.x); and(b) deforming the sample at a temperature which is greater than about the maximum temperature at which the alloy can be made to transform from its austenitic phase to its martensitic phase by the application of stress (M.sub.d), and less than the stress relaxation temperature.

Abstract: An assembly for forming a mechanical connection to an object, such as a tube within a hydraulic system, comprising a transversely heat-shrinkable shape memory alloy collar having an axially facing surface, a ring having an axially facing surface and a device for retaining the ring and the collar coaxially with respect to one another. In use, the collar is caused to shrink so that it engages the external surface of the tube. Force can be applied axially to the object through the collar by means of the ring.

Abstract: A connection to a contact on an electronic component is made by means of a solder preform in the form of a columm, which comprises a solder body at least partially enclosed within a tubular support. The preform is positioned such that its longitudinal axis is approximately parallel to the plane of the contacts at the point at which it is connected thereto.

Abstract: A device for connecting a plurality of elongate objects, wherein a hollow, open-ended tube is provided which is at least partly dimensionally-recoverable, one or more bonding inserts formed from a solid, fusible, thermosetting adhesive located inside the tube for providing a permanent bond between the objects, and one or more barrier inserts located inside the tube to prevent egress of fused thermo-setting adhesive from the connection between the objects when the device is heated.

Abstract: An arrangement for termination of a screened cable comprises:(a) a termination piece for the screen having a hollow, preferably metal, cable entry portion that can be positioned around the wire(s) of the cable, and(b) a dimensionally recoverable hollow article which can be positioned over at least part of the cable entry portion and the proximal part of the cable extending from the cable entry portion.The cable entry portion is provided with a gripping member, for example a thin annular ridge, for gripping the cable screen, placed around the entry portion. After the cable screen has been positioned over the cable entry portion and gripping member, the recoverable article is positioned over the cable and cable entry portion and is recovered to cause the gripping member to grip the cable screen.

Abstract: An electrical connector for forming an electrical solder connection comprises an electrically insulating open-ended sleeve 2 which is preferably heat-shrinkable, a pre-installed conductor 5 e.g. for forming an earth connection or for forming a connection to a pcb, and a quantity of solder 3 for forming an electrical connection between the pre-installed conductor and another conductor that is received in the sleeve. The pre-installed conductor has a region of non-uniform cross-section, for example produced by crimping, that will be contacted by the solder when the connection is formed and which increases the force required to pull the two conductors apart.

Abstract: Sensitive electrode material, e.g. lithium electrode material, protected by a flexible layer of material which is swellable by liquid with which it will come into contact in use, and can thus, for example, act as an electrode separator when assembled in an electrical cell containing such a liquid. The protected electrode material can be processed, e.g. rolled into thin sheets, and can conveniently be fed to automatic cell assembly apparatus.

Abstract: Sensitive material, e.g. lithium electrode material, is provided with a protective layer of fluid-impermeable material, which is subsequantly rendered permeable by altering its physical structure, e.g. by perforation, without altering its composition. The permeable material can act, for example, as an electrode separator when the resulting article is assembled into an electrolytic cell, and the protected material can be processed, e.g. rolled into thin sheets, and conveniently fed to automatic assembly apparatus.

Abstract: A method of forming a sealed connection to a coaxial cable, preferably splicing two or more coaxial cables comprises:(a) forming a connection between the central conductor e.g. a solder or crimp connection;(b) positioning and recovering a heat shrinkable sleeve over the connection, the sleeve containing a shield portion for connecting the shield of the coaxial cables and being provided with quantities of sealing material which will extend beyond the ends of the sleeve after recovery; and(c) recovering a further heat shrinkable sleeve over the connection. Further sealing elements are provided with fuse with the sealing material associated with the other sleeve to form a barrier against ingress of moisture to the electrical connection.The method is particularly suited to the formation of connections that will be subjected to large changes in ambient pressure as may be experienced in aircraft.

Abstract: A device for coupling to an object such as a pipe, particularly for joining pipes together, comprising a tubular sleeve of which at least one end portion has a wall that is weakened to facilitate radial deformation, a shape memory alloy driver having a portion of the sleeve other than the weakened portion positioned in the direction of its recovery, and a collar of a dimensionally heat-recoverable polymeric material having at least part of the weakened portion of the sleeve positioned in the direction of its recovery.Tensile strength or a seal or both between the sleeve and the object is provided by the shape memory alloy driver which deforms the sleeve into sealing contact with the pipes. Relief from transverse strain imposed on the joint between the pipes and the device is provided by the weakened portion of the sleeve which is supported by the collar.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of twisting the conductors of one or more electrical wires, the method comprising:(a) assembling the conductors into a bundle;(b) inserting the bundle of conductors into a wire twister which comprises an elongate body having an axially extending cavity formed therein, the cavity being open at one end and having a substantially closed cross-section with four sides, at least one of the sides of the cavity being inclined to the axis of the body so that the cavity is tapered inwardly away from the open end, the ratio of the length of the longest side to the length of the shortest side at the axial position at which the conductors, when twisted to form a substantially circular array, contact two opposite sides of the cavity being from about 1.0 to about 3.0; and(c) imparting rotation to the wire twister relative to the conductors, while maintaining the conductors in contact with at least two of the sides of the cavity.

Abstract: A polymeric component, for use as a separator in an electrochemical device in which the anode comprises metallic lithium, comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a tertiary plasticizer and a filler that comprises a lithium compound which is substantially insoluble in both the polymer and the plasticizer. The component is rendered porous by deformation which increases its surface area. The porosity can be enhanced by extracting one or both of the plasticizer and the filler.

Abstract: A device for electrically connecting together two wires and sealing the joint comprises a dimensionally-recoverable sleeve having a central solder insert and end adhesive inserts. The adhesive inserts comprise a higher viscosity adhesive that acts as a dam restricting flow of the lower viscosity adhesive.

Abstract: A device for coupling to an object such as a pipe, particularly for joining pipes together, comprising a tubular sleeve of which at least one end portion has positioned on it a collar of dimensionally heat-recoverable polymeric material, and a shape memory alloy driver. Recovery of the driver is arranged to deform one or both of the sleeve and the object into contact with one another. Recovery of the collar is arranged to fill at least partially the radial space between the sleeve and the object so as to provide relief from transverse strain imposed on the joint between the object and the device.

Abstract: The invention provides a mounting assembly comprising an electronic module and a rack for receiving the module. The assembly includes an actuator arranged to cause the module to slide along the rack into engagement with an end stop, and subsequently to actuate means arranged to force a surface of the module against a surface of the rack, for example to make a heat sink link. The actuator preferably comprises a shape memory alloy element.

Abstract: An electrical connector for making connections between first and second sets of conductors, comprising a housing, a plurality of contact pins for connection to respective conductors of each of the first and second sets, and a removable module comprising one or more electronic components which are electrically connected to one or more of the contact pins. The module may comprise components which protect sensitive electrical equipment, connected directly or indirectly to the connector, from a potentially damaging electrical event, for example by comprising a switch which opens to conduct such an event to ground.

Abstract: Melt-extruded polymeric electrolyte material for electrochemical power cells may be coextruded with other components of the cell, notably a lithium metal anode.

Abstract: An article which is rendered waterproof by a microporous membrane of a hydrophobic material, the pores of the membrane in a layer-like region on or towards a surface thereof being plugged with a hydrophilic material, leaving hydrophobic material exposed on the said surface between the pores.

Abstract: A device for applying solder to two opposite faces of an object, such as an array of conductors of a flat electrical cable, in a predetermined location, comprises a support sheet having a line of weakness along which the sheet can be folded to define two arms, each having a free end; a quantity of solder located on a face of each of the arms of the support sheet; and means for controlling flow of the solder, when heated, in a direction perpendicular to the line of weakness. The controlling means may be a strip of a resiliently deformable material.