Abstract: A centrifugal filter is described with a disassemblable cleaning rotor having a fluid flow directing member comprising an annular member which is removably located by its outer periphery by a sealing member and a base member.

Abstract: Hydrostatic journal bearing assemblies are described which include a housing member having a generally circular bore therethrough, a journal bearing member having a bore therethrough for the support of a shaft, the journal bearing member being located within the bore of the housing wherein the journal bearing member comprises at least one generally annular sleeve portion, an increased diameter flange portion at the axially inner end of the journal bearing member, the journal bearing member being sealed against the ingress of pressurized fluid into a space between the bore of the housing member and the outer surface of the annular sleeve portion, the annular sleeve portion being pivotally supported intermediate the axially outer end of the journal bearing member and the flange portion and the bearing member having means for access of a source of pressurized fluid between the bore of the journal member and the shaft to be supported.

Abstract: The use of a microwave resonator is proposed as a sensor in an arrangement for determining the relative position of the sensor relative to a metal or non-metal body. The resonator may be a component of an oscillator and determine the natural frequency thereof. The resonator can also be connected as a filter. For suitable uses, it is possible to provide a plurality of resonators which can be designed and connected in accordance with the geometry of the object to be monitored.

Abstract: Apparatus for simulating inspection equipment, e.g. ultrasonic NDT equipment or ultrasonic medical diagnostics equipment, comprises a test body, a simulated probe for scanning over the body, a probe position monitor, inspection data storage, a display and a central processor for correlating display of the inspection data with scanning movement of the probe. The inspection data is derived from non-simulated scanning of for example a structure containing defects and the ultrasonic waveforms obtained during such non-simulated scanning may be stored in memory for providing a realistic display during simulated scanning of the test body. The simulated probe may incorporate an ultrasonic device for the purpose of sensing the degree of coupling between the simulated transducer and the test body and the output of the device may be used to modify the inspection data to provide a displayed signal which is dependent on the coupling achieved by the operator.

Abstract: To control grain size during recrystallization annealing of a consolidated metallurgical, dispersion-strengthened powder allow material, the initial powder is seeded with a powder alloy in which the dispersoid is absent or is in a coarser form or is present in a lesser quantity so that the seeds provide sites at which nucleation of recrystallization is promoted.

Abstract: A rotary valve is described together with engines embodying such valves. A rotary valve for an internal combustion engine or compressor comprises a generally cylindrical valve body member of a ceramic material, the valve body having at least one gas duct passing through the valve body wall to communicate with an axially extending passage which is closed at one end and open at the opposite end and at least one channel formed in the valve body wall surface for the passage of gas. Examples of engines embodying the rotary valve in a V-8 cylinder block and in the cylinder head of an in-line four cylinder engine are given.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a material uses an element in which microwaves can propagate and can resonate, such as a weakly-coupled isolated microstrip device or a microwave cavity, arranged so that fringing fields from the element interact with the material. Microwaves are coupled into the element at a frequency near a resonance, and a modulating signal is applied so as to modulate the response of the element. Measurements of both the mean response and the modulation of the response enable the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the material to be determined. Modulation may be applied to the frequency of the microwaves, or to the electrical parameters of the element.

Abstract: Lubrication of the parison moulds of a hollow glassware moulding machine is carried out utilizing a spray device in which the discharge of pressurized air from a narrow opening is arranged to entrain surrounding atmospheric air. Liquid lubricant is discharged through a respective opening into this entrained air. Such spray devices have been found to be effective in spraying lubricant down into relatively deep moulds.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor fuel core assembly comprises an array of sub-assemblies comprising a central zone of fuel/breeder sub-assemblies (20F) surrounded by an annular zone of shielding sub-assemblies (20S). The fuel/breeder sub-assemblies (20F) are flexibly mounted from the reactor diagrid top plate 26 while the shielding sub-assemblies (20S) are mounted as stiff cantilevers so as to provide resilient restraint against bow of the central sub-assemblies (20S) during reactor operation, the restraint being exerted via abutment pads (40) at the level of the tops of the sub-assemblies (20S, 20F). The central core sub-assemblies (20F) also have abutment pads (34) at a lower level to form a lower restraint plane at this level controlling sub-assembly bowing in the central core zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental amalgam alloy comprising by weight, as alloying ingredients, from about 30 to 70% silver, from about 20 to 35% tin, from about 10 to 30% cooper, from 0 to about 5% indium, from 0 to about 1% zinc and from about 0.01 to 2% of a Group VIII metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, iridium and ruthenium.

Abstract: A d.c. or a.c. electroluminescent panel comprises a transparent substrate, a transparent first electrode film, a thin film phosphor layer, a black or dark powder back layer of electrically conductive material, and a second electrode film. Application of a voltage across the phosphor layer causes it to emit light. In this invention, the black powder back-layer significantly enhances the contrast of the panel.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle with a rearwardly extending ram (13) and an energizing means (14) for the ram, for assisting the vehicle in mounting precipitous objects. A preferred vehicle configuration uses only three, track direction changing rollers (6, 7, 8) so as to locate the center of gravity (16) of the vehicle as far forward as possible.

Abstract: A nutritional product for animals and for soils consists of aggregates of organic sea limestones of recent formation, part of which takes the form of at least one of the mono-, di- and tri-calcium phosphates resulting from the action of phosphoric acid on the limestones, the product containing a maximum of 20% phosphorus by weight. The manufacturing process involves reacting phosphoric acid with the limestones in the presence of water, at least part of which is sea water, to form the phosphate around the shell core, and extracting under reduced pressure the noxious gaseous products resulting from this reaction.

Abstract: A system for loading nuclear fuel pellets into tubular fuel pins. The system includes means for locating a fuel pin in registry with a pellet channel to enable a pellet stack to be displaced lengthwise into the fuel pin. The pellet channel and the pin locating means are mounted on a common structure. Linear vibrator means comprise first driving means arranged to urge the common structure in a lengthwise direction, and second driving means arranged to urge the common structure in a substantially perpendicular direction, so that the common structure is driven in a closed loop. Sensing means provide a signal upon cessation of pellet motion upstream of the fuel pin locating means. Means operable in response to said signal automatically adjust the phase relationship between said first and second driving means to effect reverse motion of the pellets.

Abstract: In a known design of liquid metal cooled fast fission nuclear reactor, the primary pumps (22) plug into the outboard ends of the high pressure pipes (28), leading to the development of a vertical load which has to be supported by substantial additional structure to avoid subjecting the reactor diagrid (18) to significant bending moments. The invention resides in connecting the inboard ends of the high pressure pipes (28) to the diagrid (18) via spigot and socket joints (40) so that the pipes are not rigidly connected at either end. With this arrangement loads are developed at each end of the pipes which combine to produce radial reaction loads acting on smaller moment arms whereby the total moments imposed on the diagrid are reduced.

Abstract: A low carbon steel has a composition which is ferritic, martensitic or ferritic: martensitic at temperatures of the order of 700.degree. C. and substantially fully austenitic at temperatures in excess of 1000.degree. C. and nitriding of a refractory stable metal nitride former, e.g. titanium, of the alloy is effected while the alloy is in its substantially fully austenitic state so as to produce a fine and homogeneous dispersion of the nitride and thereby enhance the creep strength of the alloy when in its ferritic, martensitic or ferritic: martensitic state.

Abstract: A trainer comprising a framework designed to offer resistance against being pushed and training pad-carrying members provided with pads against which players in a scrummage may push, each such pad including at least one position for engagement by a shoulder of a player and a raised horizontal portion by the head and neck of the player so that he can push upwards against it, the members being resiliently movable vertically.

Abstract: Ceramic cylinder assemblies for internal combustion engines, particularly diesels, are described. The assemblies comprise at least two portions including at least one main cylinder portion and at least one combustion region portion, the at least two portions being contained within a metal sleeve and wherein the at least one combustion region portion has a generally axially directed slit therein, the slit passing through the whole thickness of the ceramic material.