Abstract: A method of controlling power delivered to one or more loads in an inductive power transfer (IPT) system includes varying a frequency of a current in a primary conductive path (109), detecting the frequency in a pick-up inductively coupled with the primary conductive path (109), and controlling the power supplied to a load (207) associated with the pickup dependent on the detected frequency of the current in the primary conductive path (109). The frequency of the current is determined by is determined by either or both the load on a power supply (104) of the IPT system or the load on an electricity supply network supplying the power supply (104).

Abstract: The invention provides novel prodrug compounds comprising a kinase inhibitor and a reductively-activated fragmenting aromatic nitroheterocycle or aromatic nitrocarbocycle trigger, where the compound carries a positive charge. In preferred embodiments, the compounds are of Formula I: where: X is any negatively charged counterion; R1 is a group of the formula —(CH2)nTr, where Tr is an aromatic nitroheterocycle or aromatic nitrocarbocycle and —(CH2)nTr acts as a reductively-activated fragmenting trigger; and n is an integer from 0 to 6; R2, R3 and R4 may each independently be selected from aliphatic or aromatic groups of a tertiary amine kinase inhibitor (R2)(R3)(R4)N, or two of R2, R3, and R4 may form an aliphatic or aromatic heterocyclic amine ring of a kinase inhibitor, or one of R2, R3 and R4 may be absent and two of R2, R3 and R4 form an aromatic heterocyclic amine ring of a kinase inhibitor. The compounds of the invention are useful in treating proliferative diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inductively powered sensor system having a primary conductive path capable of being energized to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space. An inductive power pick-up is associated with a sensor and is capable of receiving power from the field to supply the sensor. The system includes a first sensing unit to sense the power available to the pick-up and a control unit to increase or decrease the power available to the sensor dependant on the sensed power available. A method of inductively powering a sensor, an inductively powered sensor and an animal enclosure including one or more primary conductive path of an inductive power supply are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic flux coupler comprising a magnetically permeable core having a first axis, two coils magnetically associated with the core, each coil defining a pole area located on a first side of the core and the pole areas being separated along the first axis, the coils each having a central region located between the pole areas, an end region opposite to the central region, and a side region between the central region and the end region, wherein an auxiliary pole area is provided beyond the end region of each coil which absorbs leakage flux which would otherwise emanate from the each coil in use in the vicinity of the end region.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process comprising infiltrating or infiltrating and coating a substrate with a boron-comprising precursor, and contacting the boron-comprising precursor with a nitrogen-comprising reactant to convert the boron-comprising precursor to BN or other a boron-nitrogen reaction product in the surface porosity or in the surface porosity and on the surface of the substrate. Composite materials comprising as one phase a substrate and BN or other a boron-nitrogen reaction product as a further phase, in surface porosity or in surface porosity and on a surface of the substrate, are claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the prophylaxis and treatment of breast cancer using one or more antagonists of artemin function, such as anti-artemin polynucleotides or anti-artemin antibodies and antibody fragments, and uses of these antagonists. In particular, the invention relates to the resensitisation of therapy-resistance breast cancer cells to anti-cancer therapies by antagonism of artemin functionality.

Abstract: An ICPT system has a single phase power supply which energises a conductive path (13) and has an inverter (5) to provide an alternating current at an operating frequency greater than the single phase utility supply frequency in the conductive path. The inverter modulates the amplitude of the alternating current with respect to the utility supply frequency such that the amplitude of the alternating current varies. The pick-up has an energy storage element (26) to provide a continuous supply of power to a load (27) irrespective of the varying amplitude of the alternating current in the conductive path.

Abstract: An IPT pick-up circuit includes a resonant circuit including a pick-up inductor and a tuning capacitance in parallel with the pick-up inductor, a control system to control power transfer to the pick-up circuit and a power conditioning impedance provided in series between the resonant circuit and the control system, selected to provide a required power factor in the resonant circuit.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer pad for transmitting wireless power to a wireless power receiver separable from the inductive power transfer pad. The inductive power transfer pad includes a coil having at least one turn of a conductor in a first layer and a plurality of ferromagnetic slabs arranged in a second layer substantially parallel to that of the coil, the ferromagnetic slabs being arranged so as to be spaced apart from one another about the coil with their lengths extending across a longitudinal length of the coil.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the output voltage of a pickup in an inductive power transfer (IPT) system without any additional form of communications for feedback from the pickup to the power supply. The method comprising the steps of deriving an estimate of the output voltage of the pickup from the voltage across the primary conductive path, and adjusting the current in the primary conductive path so that the estimated pickup output voltage matches a required pickup output voltage. In particular, an estimate of the pickup output voltage is derived from the magnitude and phase angle of the voltage in the primary conductive path.

Abstract: An IPT system magnetic flux device for generating or receiving a magnetic flux, has a magnetically permeable core and at least one coil magnetically associated with the core. A shield repels magnetic flux and is located on the opposite side of the core such that the shield includes an outer portion that extends beyond at least part of the perimeter of the core.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating and/or transmitting communications signals, the apparatus including a system for generating signals at a first frequency, a system for mixing the frequency of the generated signals from the first frequency down to a second frequency and a near field antenna for receiving the signals at the second frequency and being provided sufficiently near to a wire transmission line so as to wirelessly couple thereto.

Abstract: A system 10 for controlling an industrial plant 12 comprises automatic control equipment 14 comprising a plurality of measurement sensors 16 for sensing predetermined variables associated with components of the industrial plant 12. The sensors 16 generate measured data relating to operation of the components of the industrial plant 12. A database 20 contains operational data, including observational data, regarding the industrial plant 12. A processor 18 is in communication with the automatic control equipment 14 and the database 20 for receiving the measured data from the sensors 16 of the automatic control equipment 14 and the operational data from the database 20. The processor 18 manipulates the measured and operational data to provide an evolving description of a process condition of each component over time, along with output information relating to operational control of the industrial plant 12 and for updating the database 20.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining the capacitance between electrodes of an artificial muscle or dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA). The method comprises measuring the voltage difference between the electrodes of the DEA, the first derivative of that voltage with respect to time, and the total instantaneous current through the DEA, then calculating the capacitance of the DEA as the difference between the total instantaneous current through the DEA and the product of the voltage between the electrodes and an error term, divided by the first derivative of the voltage between the electrodes with respect to time. The capacitance may then be used to derive estimates of the leakage current, charge upon the DEA, and/or the physical state of the DEA, thereby implementing self-sensing to allow closed-loop feedback control of DEA actuation.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for charging a battery of an electric or a hybrid vehicle. The apparatus includes first means for selectively coupling the battery to a high power electrical supply and second means for selectively coupling the battery to a lower power electrical supply, wherein the second means for coupling comprises a pickup pad electrically coupled to the battery. Power is transferred to the pickup pad from a charging pad by inductive power transfer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for controlling of movement of limbs of a user in a substantially mirror symmetrical manner, a user's limb or limbs being held in position via support arms, said device comprising a bar (or bars) adapted to move about a point of rotation, said bar (or bars) having a first end and a second end, said ends separated by the point of rotation, a first support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards one end of said bar and a second support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards a different end of the bar wherein the first and second support arms are adapted to substantially support and/or hold the limbs of a user of said device, the first and second support arms and the bar (or bars) configured such that, in use, as the bar (or bars) rotate(s) the support arms move in a substantially tandem synchronised manner with respect to each other.

Abstract: A heat exchanger 10 includes a conduit 12 for conveying cooling fluid relative to a body to be cooled. A heat transfer arrangement 62 is arranged in communication with an interior of the conduit 12, the heat transfer arrangement 62 and the conduit 12 together defining an assembly that is mountable adjacent the body to be cooled, convective heat exchange occurring, in use, due to movement of the cooling fluid relative to the body and to the heat transfer arrangement 62 of the assembly and radiant heat exchange occurring between the body and at least part of the heat transfer arrangement 62 of the assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a passive converter comprising an input for electrical coupling to an intermittent or variable power source, an output for electrical coupling to load, and a conversion circuit for converting from a first voltage level of the input to a second voltage level suitable for the output, wherein the conversion circuit includes a passive switching circuit adapted to passively couple the input to the output when the input exceeds a first threshold and decouple the input from the output when the input falls below a second threshold. In particular, the passive switching circuit preferably comprises a spark gap, thyristor and avalanche diode, breakover diode, discharge tube, or a thyristor operated as breakover diodes. Circuits and dielectric elastomer generator (DEG) systems including the passive converter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control method for use in a primary side power converter (1) of an inductive power transfer (IPT) system. The power transfer from the primary side to one or more secondary pick-ups is monitored, and the operating frequency of the primary side power converter (1) is varied in proportion to a difference between the monitored power transfer and a power capability of the primary side power converter. The frequency variation can be sensed by the or each pick-up (2) to regulate the power transfer and to prevent overloading from occurring.

Abstract: A heat exchanger 10 includes a conduit 12 for conveying cooling fluid relative to a body to be cooled. A heat transfer arrangement 62 is arranged in communication with an interior of the conduit 12, the heat transfer arrangement 62 and the conduit 12 together defining an assembly that is mountable adjacent the body to be cooled, convective heat exchange occurring, in use, due to movement of the cooling fluid relative to the body and to the heat transfer arrangement 62 of the assembly and radiant heat exchange occurring between the body and at least part of the heat transfer arrangement 62 of the assembly.