Abstract: A radiation backscatter detector assembly comprising: a source array comprising source components for irradiating a shared sample location, at least two source components of the array generating radiation in different respective source energy bands; a detector array comprising detector elements for detecting backscattered radiation detection events from different respective spatial portions of the shared sample location, the detector elements each generating a pulse output in response to each radiation detection event it detects; and an energy meter for measuring the energies of the pulse outputs by different respective detector elements.

Abstract: A control system (400) for an active inceptor (103) for a fly by wire aircraft permits a zero force null point to settle to a non-zero displacement trim position. An internal position state of a second order mass spring damper model is moved in conjunction with force-displacement characteristic coordinates. This results in no second order dynamics being superimposed on the feel of the inceptor (103) when dynamically adjusting the trim position, thereby eliminating the possibility of any unpleasant buzzing been felt by the operator of the inceptor during a trimming operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of Free Space Optics (FSO), more specifically it is directed to: a method of obtaining a connection between at least two optical signal nodes, of a FSO, communication system each node comprising a transmitting device and receiving device; and transmitting via the transmitting device of a first node, a first diverged optical signal into an optical medium; receiving at the receiving device of the second node the first diverged optical signal and transmitting via the transmitting device of the second node a second diverged signal to the receiving device of the first node to establish a location of said first node establishing a connection, after which; the first node switches from the diverged optical signal to a narrower optical signal for the transmission of data via the connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and system (10) for classifying vehicle behaviour, particularly abnormal behaviour of civil aircraft (12). The method may comprise receiving aircraft data from an aircraft (12) which is to be classified; and determining whether the received aircraft data comprises identification information for the aircraft (12). In response to a determination that the received aircraft data comprises identification information, the method may comprise using said identification information to classify the behaviour of the aircraft (12). In response to a determination that the received aircraft data does not comprises identification information, the method may comprise obtaining the position of the aircraft and comparing the obtained position to an expected route for the aircraft to classify the behaviour of the aircraft (12).

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a fabrication fixture for retaining a workpiece, comprising: a first housing; a second housing; said housing comprising; an independently adjustable support; wherein the first and second housing substantially envelop said workpiece to allow the workpiece to be moved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of classifying behaviour patterns. The method comprises configuring a simulation environment based on an operational arena, configuring an artificial agent to carry out a chosen activity within the simulation environment, generating training data from the agent's activity, and training a detection model using the training data.

Abstract: A cavity system, comprising: a cavity (2) comprising a cavity opening; and an acoustically reflective structure (18, 20) located at least partially within the cavity (2), the acoustically reflective structure (18, 20) comprising one or more acoustically reflective surfaces (24, 26, 30, 32), each acoustically reflective surface (24, 26, 30, 32) being oblique to a plane of the cavity opening (27). The one or more acoustically reflective surfaces (24, 26, 30, 32) may be arranged to reflect incident acoustic waves out of the cavity opening while avoiding reflection into a region (48) at or proximate to a leading edge (14) of the cavity (2).

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in and relating to ice pigging, and comprises a flowable slush of frozen particles for ice pigging a pipework, comprising, an aqueous liquid medium, a multiplicity of frozen particulates of said aqueous liquid medium, a freezing point depressant, selected from a hydroxide ion, said hydroxide ion present in the range of less than 10 wt %.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aircraft configured to collect air data, the aircraft comprising: a wing structure; a forebody, forward of the wing structure; an afterbody, backward of the forebody; a skin covering the wing, the forebody and the afterbody; at least one recess formed at the skin, the recess being configured to affect the pressure of air flowing at the recess; at least one ambient sensor port for measuring ambient air pressure at the skin; and at least one recess sensor port for measuring the air pressure at the recess.

Abstract: A method to detect a hands off status of a user input device is disclosed. The method comprising filtering a sensed force, acting on the user input device, using a first lag filter to provide a first output, the lag filter comprising a first lag time constant. Filtering the sensed force using a second lag filter, substantially in parallel with the first filter, to provide a second output, the second lag filter comprising a second lag time constant greater than the first lag time constant. Comparing with a first threshold value, in a first comparison, a magnitude of a difference between the first output and the second output. Comparing with a second threshold value, in a second comparison, a magnitude of the second output. Designating the user device to have a hands off status based on the first comparison and the second comparison.

Abstract: A method to obtain total compensation force information of a user input device is disclosed. The method comprising obtaining velocity information of a portion of the user input device. Obtaining acceleration information of the portion of the user input device. Obtaining damping force information force based on the velocity information. Obtaining inertial compensation force information based on the acceleration information. Combining the damping compensation force and inertial compensation force to provide the compensation force information of the user input device.

Abstract: An assembly method comprising: providing a digital model of an aircraft airframe (200), the digital model comprising digital models of component parts (202, 204) of the airframe (200); providing the component parts (202, 204), each comprising one or more predrilled fastener holes; fixing a first component part (202a) to a support structure (1102); fixing a second component part (204a) to an end effector (1112) of a robot arm (1110); using the airframe digital model, controlling the robot arm (1110) to move the second component part (204a) relative to the first component (202a) as specified in the airframe digital model to cause one or more predrilled holes in the second component (204a) part to align with one or more predrilled holes in the first component part (202a); and attaching the second component part (204a) to the first component part (202a) using fasteners through the aligned predrilled holes.

Abstract: There is provided a sacrificial sensor configured to be coupled with a part and provide an indication of damage in the part, wherein an electrical property of the sacrificial sensor is configured to change as the sacrificial sensor is damaged to indicate damage to the part.

Abstract: A robotic system comprising: a multi-axis robot; one or more sensors located on the multi-axis robot; a damping system configured to apply a resistive force to the multi-axis robot, thereby to resist movement of the multi-axis robot; and a controller coupled to the one or more sensors and the damping system, the controller being configured to: receive sensor measurements from the one or more sensors; and control, based on the received sensor measurements, the damping system thereby to control the resistive force applied by the damping system to the multi-axis robot.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid sensor for measuring the pressure of a fluid, the fluid sensor comprising: a surface; a recess formed at the surface, the recess being configured to affect the pressure of the fluid flowing at the recess, at least one ambient sensor port for measuring ambient fluid pressure at the surface, and at least one recess sensor port for measuring the fluid pressure at the recess.

Abstract: A system and method of positioning a set of vehicles (102) with respect to an object (104) and a set of targets (106). Embodiments can generate (302) an isovist using data obtained from at least one sensor associated with the object and use it to compute (304) an estimated position of each target with respect to the object. Embodiments can compute (306) a plurality of positions for each vehicle based on the estimated positions of the targets, with each position having an associated value representing a number of the targets at their estimated positions that are within a predetermined proximity of the vehicle at that position. Embodiments can select (308) a subset of the positions based on the associated values, and position (310) the set of vehicles based on the selected subset of the positions.

Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting a luminance profile of an image displayed on a look-through display to a user. The method comprises: determining a field of view of the user based on a spatial configuration of the user's head. Determining one or more lighting conditions in the field of view. Adjusting the luminance profile for the image based on the field of view, wherein, as a result of the adjusted luminance profile, the image is reconciled with the field of view.

Abstract: A method of producing at least part of a structural frame of a vehicle, the method comprising: providing a support structure (300), the support structure (300) comprising: a plurality of elongate members (301); and one or more retaining members (208) configured to retain the elongate members (301); mounting a plurality of first structural components (206) to the support structure (300) by coupling the first structural components (206) to the elongate members (301) such that each first structural component (206) occupies a different respective position along the elongate members (301); and attaching a plurality of second structural components (204) to the first structural components (206), thereby coupling together the first structural components (206) to form the at least part of the structural frame of a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sabot (8) comprising a first material structure (12, 14) and a second material structure, wherein the first material structure is a lattice and wherein the second material structure is a solid. A munition (100) and a method of manufacturing a sabot are also provided.

Abstract: A system comprises a camera for capturing an image, at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions configured to cause the processor to: obtain an image of a scene captured using the camera, the scene comprising a footprint of a user of the system; identify the footprint in the image; identify a first plurality of reference points each having a fixed position relative to the footprint in the image; identify a second plurality of reference points each having a fixed position relative to a three-dimensional model of the user's foot constructed based on at least one known dimension of the user's foot; determine a transformation matrix by mapping the second plurality of reference points of the three-dimensional model to the first plurality of reference points; and determine, based on the transformation matrix, a three-dimensional position of the camera relative to the footprint in the scene at the time of capturing the image.