Abstract: A hydraulic system for supplying fluid to an actuator comprising a variable speed prime mover drivingly coupled to a variable displacement hydraulic pump. The system is configured to deliver hydraulic fluid via fluid conduits to an actuator. It may deliver hydraulic fluid to an actuator at a first hydraulic pressure at a first rate of pressure rise; and at a second hydraulic pressure at a second rate of pressure rise. The first hydraulic pressure may be greater than the second hydraulic pressure; and the first hydraulic rate of pressure rise may be lower than the second hydraulic rate of pressure rise.

Abstract: An aircraft-side aircraft data retrieval system and method, comprising: a data storage device (14) located in an aircraft (2) adapted to, during a flight, store data acquired during the flight; a transmission element (50), for example a dielectric filled hole or a coaxial transmission line assembly, in an external panel (9) of the aircraft (2); and wireless apparatus (18) adapted to wirelessly transmit, after the aircraft (2) has landed, the stored data to a ground-side data retrieval system (6) via the transmission element (50).

Abstract: A data processing method is disclosed for processing hyperspectral image data of a scene. The method comprises sequentially receiving portions of the data at a data buffer to form a data set comprising a predefined number of data portions and calculating a set of global statistical parameters and data correction factors using the data forming the data set. The method further comprises receiving a further data portion at the data buffer and simultaneously removing the earliest received data portion at the data buffer, from the data set, and subsequently calculating a set of local statistical parameters using the data of the further data portion. The method further comprises updating the set of global statistical parameters using the set of local statistical parameters and correcting the data of the data portion removed from the data set using the correction factors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a sequence of images of a scene, includes: a controller; a first module; and a second module; wherein the first module is arranged to perform an image registration process on the sequence to produce a registered set; the second module is arranged to perform a change detection process on the registered set; and the controller is arranged to provide: to the first module, an instruction to perform the image registration process on the sequence to produce the registered set; to the second module, an instruction to perform the change detection process on the registered set; and an instruction to transfer the registered set between the modules. The sequence of images may be a sub-sequence of a larger sequence. The apparatus can include a third module arranged to separate the larger sequence into sub-sequences.

Abstract: A hydraulic charging and driving system (4), aircraft employing the same, and corresponding methods, for extending and retracting a hydraulic actuator (2), comprising: a motor assembly (22); and an accumulator assembly (20), the motor assembly (22) and the accumulator assembly (20) being hydraulically coupled to each other; wherein the motor assembly (22) is arranged to recharge the accumulator assembly (20) with hydraulic fluid at a relatively slow rate that is slower than the rate at which the accumulator assembly (20) is arranged to discharge when actuating the hydraulic actuator (2). The system may further comprise a selector valve (24). The accumulator assembly (20) may comprise an accumulator chamber (30), and a compression means (32) provided within the accumulator chamber (30). The motor assembly (22) may comprise a motor (42) arranged to vary a volume of a hydraulic charging chamber (38) of the motor assembly (22).

Abstract: A map display device stores a map image dataset with image pixels including a plurality of static-type pixels each having only one color value, and a plurality of dynamic-type pixels each having a predefined set of color values, and a function definition field which defines a function to select between said color values. A graphics processor processes one tile of map image data by, for each of the dynamic type pixels, retrieving the function identified by the function definition field, applying a current time value to the function, and selecting one of the predefined set of color values according to a result of the function. An output unit outputs the map image frame as a raster image containing one pixel color value at each of the pixels for display on a display screen.

Abstract: A waveguide for a display apparatus comprising a planar optical waveguide part (20) for guiding light to be displayed, an input diffraction grating (21) to diffract received light (7) along the optical waveguide part for guiding thereby, an intermediate diffraction grating (22) to receive diffracted light from the input diffraction grating and to expand the received light in a first dimension by diffraction (8), and an output diffraction grating (23) to receive the expanded light and to output the received expanded light (10) from the optical waveguide part by diffraction for display. The input diffraction grating is positioned so as to be located wholly within the geographical area of the intermediate grating, and the grating vectors of the input diffraction grating and the intermediate diffraction grating are oriented in different respective directions.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a component including a rechargeable battery and a method of producing same. The component uses one of an acid and an alkaline chemistry and the battery has an anode structure, a cathode structure, and a separator structure which separates the anode from the cathode and contains an electrolyte. The anode structure and the cathode structure are each formed from a composite material which includes electrically conductive fibres and electrochemically active material in a binder matrix including less than 50% w/w of an elastomer binder and the battery is formed to be structurally inseparable from the rest of the component.

Abstract: There is disclosed a directional multi-band antenna comprising: a primary reflector, at least one secondary reflector, a multi-layer dielectric layer selectively reflective or transmissive of incident radiation according to wavelength, the layer being provided at the surface of either the primary or the secondary reflector, an RF unit comprising a collocated sensor and transmitter, an Optical unit comprising a collocated sensor and transmitter, arranged such that the primary reflector is for passing signals between the secondary reflector and the environment, the secondary reflector is firstly for passing signals between the primary reflector and the RF unit, and secondly for passing signals between the primary reflector and the Optical unit and arranged such that the antenna is operable to transmit or receive, RF or Optical signals, along a common beam axis.

Abstract: Ferrite compositions, particularly ferrite coated substrates and more particularly fiber plys coated with ferrites in fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPC), and composites with a plurality of functionalized fiber layers, include a magnetic ferrite composition for coating a substrate, said composition comprising a resin, and dispersed therein ferrite particulates, wherein said ferrite particulates have an average longest dimension of less than 500 nm. The composition may be used to provide a ferrite composite structure comprising at least one fiber ply, with at least one layer of a magnetic ferrite composition deposed thereon, wherein said ply is substantially encapsulated in a binder matrix to form a fiber reinforced polymer composite.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a transducer for acoustic communications through a series arrangement of fluid and solid media, the transducer comprising: —a signal processor configured to implement a communications scheme at and around a center frequency of at least 1 MHz; a piezoelectric element for activation in accord with the communications scheme; an electrode electrically connected to the signal processor, and being attached to the piezoelectric element; and a substrate, having the piezoelectric element mounted thereon, wherein an aspect of the electrode at the piezoelectric element is approximately equal to the acoustic wavelength of an acoustic wave in the substrate at the center frequency. There is further disclosed a remote monitoring device employing at least one of the transducers described, in concert with a further transducer. Still further, there is disclosed a method of communicating using the transducer described herein.

Abstract: An antenna system (1) comprises a directional antenna (2) adapted to rotate through a range of directions in azimuth. It is responsive to radio-frequency (RF) signals received from directions within the range of directions in azimuth. A receiver (7) is arranged to receive the RF signals from the antenna within a signal frequency response band of the receiver and to provide a corresponding output for signal processing. A signal filter (11) is operable to block the output from the receiver when the frequency of the RF signal lies at a frequency within the signal frequency response band of the receiver and a detector unit (8) is arranged to apply the signal filter when the directional antenna is directed to a predetermined azimuth at which an interference source is located and to not apply the signal filter otherwise.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile bridge apparatus, comprising: one or more mobile bridge modules; and a plurality of sensors for sensing a deformation of the one or more mobile bridge modules.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage (20) supplied to an optical modulator that comprises a biasable component configurable to be biased by application of the bias voltage (20), the method comprising: providing a target for the modulator output power; applying, to the biasable component, a bias voltage (20) that biases the biasable component so that the output power is within a pre-defined range of the target; monitoring the output power and, if the output power of the modulator is determined to be outside the pre-defined range, varying the value of the bias voltage (20) to bring the output power back within the pre-defined range; and monitoring the optical input to the modulator and, if it has been disabled, maintaining the bias voltage (20) at its current level for a pre-determined length of time that is dependent upon how long the modulator has been operating at quadrature.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile bridge module comprising a reinforcement applied in a non-destructive manner. This might alternatively and/or additionally be defined as a non-destructively reinforced mobile bridge module.

Abstract: The invention relates to high density reactive materials, preferably materials with a high density and exothermic output There is provided a high density reactive material comprising, A) at least two separate group 4 metals, present in the range of from 40 to 90% wt B) at least one oxidiser or alloying metal, present in the range of from 5 to 55% wt C) a binder present in the range of 1-10% wt. wherein said reagents and optional pressing aids are present in substantially 100% wt.

Abstract: Optical apparatus for use with an image capture device having an optical input and an image sensor (22) defining a principal optical axis therebetween, the apparatus being configured to provide, via said input, a plurality of substantially parallel, spaced-apart optical beams to said image sensor (22), and comprising: a first optical unit (26) comprising a plurality of optical elements (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20), at least a first one of said optical elements being a first refractive element (12, 14, 18, 20) for refracting an optical beam incident thereon through substantially 90°; and a plurality of focusing lenses (lens0, lens1, lens2, lens3, lens4, lens5), each focusing lens being associated with a respective optical element and being configured to direct a respective incident optical beam thereon; wherein the focusing lens associated with said refractive element is arranged and configured to direct an incident optical beam thereon at substantially 90° to said principal optical axis, and the refractive ele

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sensor (1), such as a corrosion sensor, a mask including a series of masking elements (21, 22, 23) for masking a corresponding series of sensing elements (12, 13, 14), a sensing element having such a mask and a sensor are provided. The sensor (1) includes a number of metallic strips (12, 13, 14) mounted on a non-conducting substrate (9) and a module (3) for forming electrical connections to the strips whereby to enable communication between the strips (12, 13, 14) and monitoring equipment for the sensor (1). The module includes a number of wire connections (15, 16, 17, 18) and the method includes the steps of encapsulating the wire connections within a flexible chemical and heat resistant sealing compound and subsequently encapsulating the flexible sealing compound within a second sealing compound by an injection moulding process. The sensing elements (12, 13, 14) are covered by the masking elements (21, 22, 23) prior painting the sensor (1) with a corrosion-inhibiting paint.

Abstract: A vehicle (2) comprising a vehicle part (4), the vehicle part (4) comprising: an electrically conductive core (6); a non-electrically conductive outer skin (8) made of a radar-absorbent material which surrounds, at least to some extent, the core (6) such that the core (6) is not visible from outside the vehicle (2); and one or more electrically conductive members (10) electrically connected to the core (6); each of the one or more members (10) is a tapered member having a relatively large cross sectional area where that member (10) is electrically connected to the core (6), and tapers from its end that is connected to the core (6) to a point; and the point of each member (10) is located at an outer surface of the external skin (8) such that the point of each of the members (10) is exposed.

Abstract: A coupling comprising a brake plate (70); a first friction pad (64) operable to be selectively biased against the brake plate (70). In a first mode of operation the first friction pad (64) is biased against the brake plate (70) by a first force. In a second mode of operation the first friction pad (64) is biased against the brake plate (70) by a second force. The second force is substantially greater than the first force.