Abstract: A guide vane is adapted to be mounted in an annular fluid-conveying duct of a gas turbine engine, and has an aerofoil part which extends radially across the duct when the guide vane is thus-mounted. On a transverse cross-section relative to the direction of intended fluid flow across the aerofoil part, at least a portion of the aerofoil part is S-shaped.

Abstract: Tip clearance apparatus for a gas turbine engine comprises a shroud ring having curved portions so as to allow eccentric offset and hence asymmetric movement of the shroud. The shroud ring is mounted within a guide also having corresponding curved portions and movement of the shroud ring is controlled by the use of sensors.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine fan blade containment assembly (38) comprising a generally cylindrical, or frustoconical, metal casing (40) has an upstream portion (56), a blade containment portion (54) and a transition portion (58). The upstream portion (56) has a flange (52) connecting the metal containment casing (40) to an axially adjacent casing. The upstream portion (56) of the casing (40) has a greater diameter (D1) than the diameter (D2) of the blade containment portion (54) and the blade containment portion (54) has a greater thickness (T2) than the thickness (T1) of the upstream portion (54). The transition portion (58) connects the blade containment portion (54) and the upstream portion (56) to transmit loads from the blade containment portion (54) to the upstream flange (42).

Abstract: A cooling air flow control device for a gas turbine engine, the cooling air flow control device comprising a component, a cooling passage defined within the component and a shaped memory metal valve, the shaped memory metal valve disposed in the cooling passage to regulate, in use, the flow rate of a cooling air flow supplied, in operation, through the cooling passage wherein the shaped memory metal valve operates by changing shape to control the flow rate of the cooling air flow in response to the temperature of the component.

Abstract: A magnetic clamping system and method for locating and holding a workpiece (6), in particular a non-magnetic workpiece (6) within a machine tool (2) and specifically a numerically laser cutting or drilling machine tool. The system comprising at least one magnet (9), and a fixture structure (7), attached to the machine tool, which cooperates and in use engages and supports a portion of the workpiece (6) mounted upon and within the fixture structure. At least one clamp member (11) made of a magnetic material is disposed opposite and facing the at least one magnet (9) with the magnet (9) so that the portion of the workpiece (6) is sandwiched between a clamp member (11) and the magnet (9). A magnetic attractive force between the clamp member (11) and magnet (9) providing a clamping force to hold the workpiece (6). The magnets (9) preferably permanent neodymium magnets.

Abstract: A syringe includes a needle mounted in a frangible plug at the tip thereof and is equipped with a plunger having a stopper at one end thereof with the end of the plunger having an opening for capturing the end of the needle that projects into the barrel of the syringe to allow the plunger to capture the needle so that when the plunger is retracted the needle will be withdrawn into the barrel of the syringe; the end of the plunger is also equipped with a stopper which is mounted on a section that is connected to the plunger through frangible links whereby when the plunger is withdrawn a selected distance, the links will be severed to retain the plunger and captured needle within the barrel.