Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a duplexer for a radio frequency antenna, comprising: a radio frequency signal transmitter port arranged for connection to a radio frequency signal transmitter; a radio frequency signal receiver port arranged for connection to a radio frequency signal receiver; a switch arranged selectively to adopt either one of: a first state which connects the transmitter port to a common input/output port of the switch arranged for connection to a radio frequency antenna; and a second state which connects the receiver port to the common input/output port; a switch control unit arranged to monitor radio frequency power at the common input/output port and to receive a transmission gate signal; wherein the switch control unit is arranged to control the switch to adopt the first state upon receipt of the transmission gate signal, and, subsequently, to control the switch to adopt the second state when the monitored radio frequency power falls below a thres

Abstract: A method of producing an assembly tool (60) for assembling an assembly (6), the method comprising: providing at least a portion of a jig frame (62); fixing support plates (65) to the jig frame (62); machining the one or more support plates (65) such that a surface of each of the support plates (65) lies in a common plane (130); positioning the jig frame (62) such that the machined surfaces of the support plates (65) contact with a supporting surface (138); fixing pickup device mounting plates (140a, 140b) to the jig frame (62); machining, with respect to the supporting surface (138), the pickup device mounting plates (140a, 140b) such that a surface of each mounting plate (140a, 40b) has a respective predetermined position and orientation with respect to the supporting surface (138); and fixing, to the machined surfaces of the mounting plates (140a, 140b), a respective pickup device (66-72).

Abstract: Disclosed is a conduit (4) comprising a conduit wall defining a flow channel through which a fluid may flow and a plurality of further channels (24) through at least part of the conduit wall. Each further channel (24) comprises a first end (20) and a second end (22). The first ends (20) of the further channels (24) are spaced apart along a length of the conduit (4) and comprise openings in fluid communication with the flow channel of the conduit (4). The second ends (22) of the further channels (24) are located proximate to one another (e.g. substantially collocated) such that the distance between the second ends (22) of any two further channels (24) is smaller than the distance between the first ends (20) of those two further channels (24). Pressure sensors (26) may be coupled to the second ends (22) of the further channels, which may be closed.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of forming a composite component (8) by additive layer manufacturing are provided. The method includes the steps of providing an elongate tape (2) of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), applying stretching force to the tape (2) whereby to align the carbon nanotubes to the tape and form an aligned tape (27), impregnating the tape (27) with matrix material (40, 48, 50), forming the aligned tape (27) into portions (43) of required size and transferring the portions as required to a component build location whereby to form the component (8), layer by layer.

Abstract: An assembly process for assembling at least part of an aircraft airframe, the assembly process comprising: providing a first assembly including a first part of the airframe and a first reference structure attached thereto; providing a second assembly including a second part of the aircraft airframe and a second reference structure attached thereto; receiving, by a first receptacle, the first reference structure; receiving, by a second receptacle, the second reference structure; moving, by an actuation device, the receptacles into a predetermined configuration, thereby moving the first part of the aircraft airframe and the second part of the aircraft airframe into a predetermined configuration; and performing an assembly operation on the airframe parts to fixedly attach together the first part of the aircraft airframe and the second part of the aircraft airframe, thereby producing the part of the aircraft airframe.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a Structural integrated wiring loom comprising at least one conductor comprising at least one first conductive fiber ply, wherein said at least one first conductive fiber ply comprises at least two electrical connectors, a separator structure comprising at least one first non-conductive fiber ply, and at least one second non-conductive fiber ply, said separator structure encapsulating said at least one conductor, a screen structure which encapsulates said separator structure, said screen structure comprising at least one second conductive fiber ply and at least one third conductive fiber ply, wherein said device is encapsulated a binder matrix. The device may be used to replace structural panels on a vehicle vessel or craft, to transfer electrical power or RF signals, data transmission around a composite structure.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a first robot (10); a first member (30) (e.g. a pressure foot) and a drilling tool (38) both coupled to the first robot (10); a second robot (12); and a second member (52) coupled to the second robot (12); wherein the apparatus is arranged to press the members (30, 52) against opposite sides of a part to be drilled (2, 100) (e.g. an aircraft panel) so as to hold the part (2, 100) and prevent deflection of at least a portion of the part (2, 100); and the first member (30) and the drilling tool (38) are arranged such that the drilling tool (38) may drill into the portion of the part (2, 100) of which deflection is opposed from the side of the part (2, 100) pressed against by the first member (30). The robots (10, 12) may be robotic arms.

Abstract: A high speed oscillating system for non-contact optical scanning of an elongated product moving in a linear production process to determine the dimensional properties and surface profile integrity thereof. The system is designed to increase the scanning frequency and thereby the capability to measure the diameter or size of the product as well as its surface integrity and pick out flaws in the structure of the product in a manner which otherwise is not possible with present day systems on the market.

Abstract: A profiling approach for determining a path for an aircraft, using a method comprising the steps of determining at least two waypoints betweena starting position and a desired terminal position for the aircraft, determining a path for the aircraft between the starting position and the terminal position, by performing a linear approximation of the heights of the waypoints such that the average height change between waypoints is minimised, and constrained by a maximum climb angle of said aircraft, and performing a linear approximation of arrival times for each of the waypoints and aircraft speeds between the waypoints, constrained by permissible velocity of said aircraft on the slope between the waypoints. In this way, the non-linear relationship between climb rate and speed is approximated with linear equations, because determination of the path between each set of two waypoints is broken into two linear problems.

Abstract: A cavity system that tends to increase the thickness (28) of the shear layer (22), comprising: a cavity (2) and a plurality of rods (4), for example between two and six rods; the rods (4) are positioned in the proximity of a leading edge (14) of the cavity (2) and extending across at least a part of a width of the cavity (2) in a perpendicular or oblique angle to the actual or intended flow direction (6). One or more of the rods (4) may be positioned further along the flow direction (6) compared to one or more of the other rods (4), for example to provide a zig-zag pattern of rod positions. One or more flow alteration elements (34, 38), for example channels (34) passing through the rods (4) and/or protrusions (38) extending from the rods (4), may be provided on one or more of the rods (4).

Abstract: A cavity system that tends to increase the thickness (28) of the shear layer (22), comprising: a cavity (2) and a plate (104); the plate (104) comprising a plurality of holes (4) through it, wherein the proportion of the area of the plate (104) taken up by the holes is ?60%, for example ?75% or ?90%; the plate (104) being positioned in the proximity of a leading edge (14) of the cavity (2); the surface of the plate (104) at a perpendicular or oblique angle to the actual or intended flow direction (6). The plate (104) may be positioned at an oblique angle to the flow direction (6). One or more flow alteration elements, for example elongate members (34) positioned across the holes and/or members (38) positioned directly behind or in front of the holes (4).

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for operating a propeller, the propeller moving through a fluid, the method including: measuring a value of a property of the fluid (e.g. a parameter related to the density of the fluid); measuring a value of a parameter, the parameter related to one or more forces applied to the propeller (e.g. a torque applied to the propeller) or derived at least in part from the action of the propeller (e.g. a thrust produced by the action of the propeller, a drag produced by the action of the propeller, or a velocity produced by the action of the propeller); and controlling the propeller depending on a function of the measured value of the property of the fluid and the measured value of parameter. The propeller may be a propeller on an aircraft.

Abstract: A cavity system that tends to increase the thickness (28) of the shear layer (22), comprising: a cavity (2) and a plurality of rods (4) extending away from the cavity base (3) to a height extending beyond the leading edge (14); the rods (4) being positioned downstream of and in the proximity of the leading edge (14). The rods (4) may extend to different heights and/or be positioned longitudinally offset (e.g. in a zig-zag pattern). The rods may be reversibly movable to a configuration in which they are fully enclosed in the cavity (2) when the cavity (2) is closed. Flow alteration elements (34, 38), for example channels (34) passing through the rods (4) and/or protrusions (38) extending from the rod (4) may be provided on the rods (4).

Abstract: A metamaterial (400) for attenuating acoustic transmission comprises a plurality of layers (410). Each layer (410) comprises a transmission structure (420) and a resonator (450), coupled to the transmission structure (420). The transmission structure (420) in a layer (410) is coupled to the transmission structures (420) of the layers (410) neighboring said layer (410). The resonator (450) in a layer (410) is coupled to the transmission structure (420) of the layers (410) neighboring said layer (410).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for manufacturing an object (54). The method comprises: performing, by Additive Manufacturing apparatus (2), an Additive Manufacturing process to form an initial object (4), the initial object (4) comprising a first portion (42) and a second portion (40), wherein the first portion (42) and the second portion (40) are attached together such that at least part of the first portion (42) is inside at least part of the second portion (40) and such that there is a chamber (50) between the second portion (40) and the at least part of the first portion (42) that is inside the second portion (40), the chamber (50) having a chamber opening (52); establishing, within the chamber (50), via the chamber opening (52), a predetermined environment; and, thereafter, sealing the chamber opening (52) so as to maintain, within the chamber (50), the established environment, thereby producing the object (54).

Abstract: A method of moving an elongate member (12) along a predetermined axis (A-A) for the introduction or withdrawal thereof to or from a free body (11). The method includes providing an elongate guide surface (18) extending parallel to the predetermined axis, and also providing a plurality of support elements (26) which are slidable on the support surface in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis. The elongate member is supported on the support elements so that at least a major portion of the mass is supported. The elongate member and the support elements are moved along the predetermined axis. Apparatus for moving an elongate member in this manner is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for tracking a plurality of targets (e.g. land-based vehicles). The method can include: for a first time-step, estimating a state of each respective target; at a second time-step, measuring values for a state of each target; for the second time-step, estimating a state of each target using the estimated target states for the first time-step; updating the estimated target states for the second time-step by performing a Joint Probabilistic Data Association process using the measured values; and performing an identity management process to estimate a probability that a particular state measurement corresponds to a particular.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided an arrangement of protective material for dissipating the kinetic energy of a moving object including one or more layers of fibrous armour material encased within a sealed encasement, in which the sealed encasement is formed from a textile armour material which is impregnated with a polymeric substance.

Abstract: A differential transmission transition interface is disclosed which can include first and a second buried conducting tracks providing respectively first and second differential couplings between a differential RF transmission output and a waveguide; the first buried conducting track extending over an opening of the waveguide to provide a first RF coupling element; and the second buried conducting track extending over the opening to provide a second RF coupling element. At least a portion of the first RF coupling element extends over the waveguide opening in a first angular direction; and at least a portion of the second RF coupling element extends over the waveguide opening in a second angular direction that is opposed to the first angular direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a route for an autonomous vehicle, the method including: determining localization information for the vehicle with respect to a first frame of reference that is fixed with respect to a current state of the vehicle; determining localization information for the vehicle with respect to a second frame of reference that is fixed with respect to an entity (e.g. Earth), the vehicle being moveable with respect to the entity; establishing a route for the vehicle with respect to the second frame using the localization information for the vehicle with respect to the second frame; transforming the route from the second frame to the first frame; and determining a route for the vehicle with respect to the first frame using the localization information for the vehicle with respect to the first frame and the transformed route.