Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining actions for entities (4, 6) such that a goal is accomplished constraints are satisfied. The method comprises: determining an initial plan comprising actions that, if performed by the entities (4, 6), the goal would be accomplished; determining that a constraint would not be satisfied if the initial plan was implemented; and iteratively performing steps (i) to (v) until a final plan that accomplishes the goal and satisfies the is determined. Step (i) comprises identifying a constraint that is not satisfied in part of the current plan. Step (ii) comprises determining a remedy that, if implemented, satisfies the identified constraint. Step (iii) comprises updating the goal specification to include the remedy. Step (iv) comprises, using the updated goal specification, determining a further plan that accomplishes the goal and the remedy. Step (v) comprises determining whether or not the further plan satisfies each constraint.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of assessing timeslot interoperability between a first platform and a second platform communicating over a Time Division Multiple Access network. An exemplary method includes obtaining data representing a metamodel of communication characteristics of the first platform and the second platform, the metamodel including information regarding at least transmit timeslots for the first platform, and information regarding at least receive timeslots for the second platform. The method can be queried to assess interoperability between the transmit timeslots and the receive timeslots, for outputting timeslot interoperability data based on a result of the querying.

Abstract: An armrest for use by a pilot while operating a side stick inceptor has on its underside a number of secondary controls which can be operated when the side stick is not being used, the armrest then acting as a handgrip enabling the pilot to operate the secondary controls with a steady hand.

Abstract: A circuit state sensing device (100) includes a transformer (102) having a primary coil (104A) and a secondary coil (104B). In use, the secondary coil is connected to a target circuit (106) for which a state is to be sensed. The device further includes a measuring arrangement (112, 122) configured to take a measurement relating to impedance at the primary coil, and a processing arrangement (122) configured to process the impedance measurement to determine a state of the target circuit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a balun for dividing an input electrical signal to produce first and second output electrical signals which are substantially out of phase, the balun including: an input port for receiving the input electrical signal; an input line for coupling the input electrical signal to a slotline; and an output line for coupling the first and second output electrical signals to, respectively a first output port and a second output port, the output line having a junction with the slotline; wherein the slotline couples the input electrical signal to the junction, and the junction acts as a divider to produce the first and second electrical signals; in which at least one of the input line, slotline and output line has a width and a length wherein the width varies over the length.

Abstract: A method of controlling a radar system by: receiving a radar return signal from a target and generating a range-Doppler target image signature of the target; selecting a spectral line within the range-Doppler target image signature from a modulation feature on the target which includes an effective point scatterer; providing a range profile for the spectral line; obtaining a reference range profile of a reference point scatterer; and determining a difference between a power at a range shorter than a peak corresponding to the modulation feature in the range profile and a power at a corresponding range of the reference range profile. The method may further include controlling provision of the range-Doppler target image signature based on the difference.

Abstract: A camera assembly is disclosed for mounting on a vehicle (e.g. an aircraft). An exemplary camera assembly can include: a fixture (e.g. a rotatable drum); a camera; and a mirror; wherein the fixture is arranged to be rotated relative to the vehicle about an axis; the camera is mounted on the fixture such that the camera has a substantially fixed position relative to the fixture; the mirror is mounted on the fixture such that, if the fixture rotates, the mirror rotates; the mirror is rotatable relative to the fixture about a further axis, the further axis being substantially perpendicular to the axis; and the camera is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the mirror. The axis and the further axis may intersect.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for forming a metallic component by additive layer manufacturing are provided.

Abstract: An alignment device is configured to receive, in a generally aligned configuration, workpieces which are to be joined together. In addition, the device is further configured such that, in use of the device, a joining line between the two workpieces is visible for checking alignment, and such that, in use of the device, each workpiece can be marked at a predetermined distance from the joining line. The device and a method of alignment using the device are particularly suited to the joining of pipes in the construction of marine vessels.

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: An optical rotating joint installation; comprising: a drive shaft for a rotating interface, the drive shaft comprising a hollow central bore; and an optical rotating joint located in the hollow central bore. The proportion of the cross-sectional area of the material retained in the annular section of the drive shaft is preferably greater than or equal to 50%, more preferably 60%, yet more preferably 75%. The diameter of the hollow central bore is preferably less than or equal to 20 mm, more preferably 16 mm. The optical rotating joint installation may be provided as a retro-fit to replace an existing solid drive shaft that does not have an optical rotating joint, for example by hollowing out the existing solid drive shaft or by replacing the existing solid drive shaft with a drive shaft with a hollow central bore.

Abstract: A method of generating a topographic map of a region of a body for the manufacture of a body fitting article to be fitted to the region of the body. The method allows for the resultant topographical map of the body feature to be coupled to an anatomical and functional datum on the body. The method involves use of a contact probe which is configured to generate positional data which defines the surface it is drawn across. The method comprises the steps of urging a contact probe towards the outer surface of the body such that the contact probe is touching the outer surface of the body or separated from the outer surface of the body only by a barrier layer which is flattened against the outer surface of the body by the probe. The contact probe is drawn over the region of the body where the body fitting article is to be located such that the contact probe generates 3D positional data of the surface of the outer surface of the body in the region of the body where the body fitting article is to be located.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a fluidic port (8-9) for a refillable structural composite electrical energy storage device (1), and a method of producing same. The device may be a battery or supercapacitor with first and second electrodes (2,3) which are separated by a separator structure (6), wherein the device contains an electrolyte (4) which may further contain active electrochemical reagents. The fluidic port allows the addition, removal of electrolyte fluids, and venting of any outgassing by products.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and a method for detecting cloud features. The method comprises: obtaining (402) image data (401); identifying (404) regions of the image data corresponding to a below-horizon region and an above-horizon region; classifying (404) one or more parts of the above-horizon region as a cloud feature; determining (409) an identification model specifying a visual appearance of some or all of the parts of the above-horizon region that have been classified as a cloud feature; and using the determined identification model, classifying (404), as cloud features, those regions of the of the below-horizon region whose visual appearance is as specified by the identification model.

Abstract: An optical diffuser including a fibre-optical piece (1) comprising: a first face (2) and a second face (3); a plurality of substantially parallel optical fibres (4) each extending along a respective optical axis from an input end of the optical fibre exposed at the first face to an output end of the optical fibre exposed at the second face. The optical axes of each of the plurality of optical fibres are inclined at a common oblique angle relative to at least one of the first face and the second face, such that light (7) incident substantially perpendicularly upon the at least one face enters the optical fibres in a direction oblique to the optical axes.

Abstract: An optical diffuser (1) including a fibre-optical piece comprising: a first face (2) and a second face (3); a plurality of substantially parallel optical fibres (4) each extending along a respective optical axis (13) from an input end of the optical fibre exposed at the first face of the fibre-optical piece to an output end of the optical fibre exposed at the second face of the fibre-optical piece; an input optical diffraction grating (10A) positioned adjacent to the first face of the fibre-optical piece to extend over at least a part thereof such that light diffracted by the input optical diffraction grating is directed into optical fibres of the plurality of optical fibres in a direction oblique to said optical axes.

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: In an arrangement for transmitting power or data through a solid rigid substrate without penetrating the substrate, acoustic transducer components are mounted on the substrate by means of strain isolator elements which are welded or otherwise bonded to the substrate and providing an attachment surface to which the attachment interface of the acoustic transducer may be attached. The strain isolator element is of the same or similar acoustic impedance as the rigid substrate and may indeed be formed of the same material. Various geometries of strain isolator are disclosed, including a plain spacer block, and one comprising a stalk attached to the solid rigid substrate and topped by a disc in a ‘mushroom’ configuration.

Abstract: A support for machinery, and for isolating vibration from the machinery, includes a plurality of mounts, each mount including an elastomeric block for completely supporting the static load of the machinery, and an active isolation element including inertial shakers arranged to effect a zero stiffness of the mount to excited structural resonances over a desired frequency band above the mount resonant frequency, and to modify the transmission of out of balance forces to the hull. A control system coupled to the inertial shakers includes a controller configured to apply damping force signals, such as to dampen structural resonances, to inhibit the onset of resonant vibration.

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.