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 method and apparatus for identifying and analyzing an aircraft landing site during flight is provided. The method includes the steps of using image capture means such as an infrared camera to capture in-flight images of the ground in the region of a possible landing site, using a database of computer modelled images of possible aircraft landing sites mapped to a global co-ordinate reference frame to compare the in-flight images with a modelled image of the possible landing site and optimizing correspondence between the two images to obtain an in-flight image optimally mapped to the global co-ordinate reference frame. Thereafter, the landing site which corresponds to the optimally mapped in-flight image is analyzed to ascertain the presence of any obstructions such as life forms, vehicles or newly erected buildings thereon.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an antenna system (1) including a antenna elements (3) connected to signal receiver units (4) at an RF signal input port thereof comprising, generating an RF calibration signal (62), applying the RF calibration signal to the RF signal input port of the signal receiver units without applying the calibration signal via the antenna elements (3). The response of the antenna system to the calibration signal is measured, and a signal correction is calculated according to the measured response. The signal correction is applied to the response of the antenna system to signals subsequently received at the signal receiver units via the antenna elements of the antenna system.

Abstract: An armor system, comprising at least two elements, wherein the elements are arranged at an angle, characterized wherein the at least two elements include a plurality of perforations.

Abstract: A method of assigning a resource from amongst a plurality of resources to a resource-utilizing entity from amongst a plurality of resource-utilizing entities, wherein a resource-to-resource-utilizing entity assignment has an associated cost. The method includes computing network flow costs of assignments for assigning resources to the resource-utilizing entities. The method constructs a flow network including source nodes corresponding to the resources, transhipment nodes corresponding to the assignments and a demand node, the flow network having arcs representing flow between the nodes, each arc having an associated network flow cost. The method then solves a Minimum Cost Flow problem for the flow network with negated arc costs to obtain flow values for the assignments, and assigns a resource to a resource-utilizing entity dependent on the flow value obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging method for capturing images using a sensor mounted on an unmanned aircraft. The method comprises: acquiring a range of motion of the sensor relative to the aircraft; acquiring a specification of a linear path along the ground; acquiring parameter values relating to aircraft manoeuvrability; using the acquired information determining a procedure; performing, by the aircraft, the procedure and simultaneously capturing, by the sensor, a set of images. The procedure comprises the aircraft moving with respect to the path and the sensor (20) moving with respect to the aircraft such that at some time each point along the path is coincident with a footprint of the sensor. Also, each point along the path is present within at least one of the captured images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for localizing a vehicle along a route. The method comprises initially surveying the route to be traversed by the vehicle by creating a plurality of orthographic images of the route, at a plurality of locations along the route and subsequently passing the vehicle along the route while obtaining a current view of the route. The method further comprises resolving a pose of the vehicle relative to a survey trajectory by maximizing a relation between the orthographic images and the current view.

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: An image-providing light source device 58 is arranged to inject a non-coherent and collimated image into waveguide element 60. Light forming the image is dispersed by an optical element 76 so as to occupy a continuum of angles within the waveguide 60. The optical element 76 and a grating 70 are arranged such that the light exiting the waveguide occupies a single angle. Thereby, pupil banding of light exiting the waveguide 60 is mitigated.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a protective material for dissipating the kinetic energy of a moving object including a plurality of layers of fibrous armor material in which at least some adjacent layers of fibrous armor material are separated by one or more separator layers for reducing inter-layer friction.

Abstract: A light source for a color display apparatus (1) for displaying light at optical wavelengths corresponding a plurality of different colors sequentially, comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes (3, 4, 5) each respectively operable to emit light to display a respective one of the plurality of different colors, a power source (26) connected to the plurality of LEDs for supplying power thereto a plurality of capacitor units (7, 8, 9) connected to the power source to be provided thereby with charge for generating a respective one of a plurality of different respective forward bias voltages for application to the LEDs to operate the LED. A control unit (10) is operable to selectively connect a capacitor unit to an LED for applying a desired one of the different said forward bias voltages thereto according to the color of light which the LED is operable to display.

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 one comprising a stalk attached to the solid rigid substrate and topped by a disc in a ‘mushroom’ configuration.

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: A computer-implemented method and system for facilitating communication with a software component (102A) that uses a middleware component (106A) includes receiving (304) data representing an information model (206) of a middleware component, and using the information model data to automatically generate (306, 308) code for a middleware bridge component (108) that, in use, facilitates communication between the software component (102A) that uses the middleware component (106A) and a second software component (102B) that uses a second middleware component (106B).

Abstract: A method of characterising fragmentation of an explosive device (110) comprises receiving a image of a witness plate (100) that has been subject to impact by fragments from explosion of the device; warping the image to remove deformations of the plate (100); marking strike damage sites (120) caused by impact of the fragments; and recording the position and area of the strike damage sites (120).

Abstract: The following invention relates to an improved lens apparatus for use in a head up display (HUD), particularly for providing a deployment means for a HUD. The deployment device comprises a servomotor and cord assembly to move the carrier, wherein the carrier is biased, such that the first action is to deploy the lens, and then cause subsequent movement of the lens through an arc.

Abstract: A display apparatus for use in displaying an image to a viewer (4), comprising an optical waveguide (8) arranged to receive image-bearing light (2) into the optical waveguide to guide the received image-bearing light therealong to an output part (5) of the optical waveguide for output therefrom. A combiner (70) is arranged adjacent to the output part of the optical waveguide for reflecting image-bearing light output by the waveguide in a direction which passes back through the optical waveguide and for allowing light (6) from an external scene to pass through the combiner in said direction through the optical waveguide to combine with the reflected image-bearing light so that the image-bearing light overlays light from the external scene for viewing by a viewer.

Abstract: A user (18) views a reference symbol (36) along a line of sight (28) intersected by an image intensifier (22), arranged to present an intensified image of a forward scene (26) to the eye (24) of the user (18), and an image display (14), arranged to display an image to the eye (24) of the user (18) overlaid on the intensified image. The user indicates alignment of first and alternate symbols generated at known positions on the image display (14) with the reference symbol (36) and the position of a helmet (16) carrying the image display (14) is determined by a helmet tracking system (30) for each alignment. A line of sight can be determined for each symbol alignment given the helmet (16) position and known location of the first and alternate symbols. These lines of sight can be used to determine the magnification factor of the forward scene (26) induced by the image intensifier (20).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a route for a vehicle (2), the method comprising: providing a set of routes, each route from a starting location to a terminal location and determined using a first algorithm; acquiring, by a processor (6), a starting location (A); acquiring, by the processor (6), a terminal location (B); using the starting and terminal locations, selecting, by the processor (6), one or more routes from the provided set of routes dependent upon the starting location (A) and the terminal location (B); and, using the acquired starting and terminal locations, and the selected routes, performing, by the processor (6), a second algorithm to determine a route for the vehicle (2) from the starting location (A) to the terminal location (B), the second algorithm comprising an optimization process (with respect to certain objectives) using the selected routes as at least part of an initiator set of routes.

Abstract: A turboprop-powered medium altitude long endurance aircraft, having a gas turbine engine; a heat scavenging device to scavenge heat from the gas turbine engine; and a heating device to use the scavenged heat to provide heating to the aircraft. The heat scavenging device may be placed on an engine casing and/or on or in an engine exhaust duct. The heating device may include a circulation path routed directly to a location in the aircraft where heating is to be performed, for example a leading edge of an engine support pylon or a leading edge of an engine-carrying wing. The heating device can include a heat exchanger.