Abstract: A method is described of diffusion bonding and superplastic forming components made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy to form a composite formed article. The method involves applying stopping-off material to selected areas of the components to prevent diffusion bonding in those areas, the stopping-off material being applied by plasma spraying.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cryogenic cooling system for supplying decontaminated fluid including a first duct for receiving the fluid, a second duct for providing decontaminated fluid. A contaminant remover decontaminates fluid flowing between the first and second duct, the flow being caused by a fluid flow generator. Also, included is a valve for changing over the flow direction such that the fluid flow generator alternately can operate in a regeneration mode to provide a low pressure gaseous environment for the contaminant remover. Various embodiments of the invention permit open and/or closed loop operation.

Abstract: A laser rangefinder including a reflector carried by a rotatable support and arranged to repetitively nod in elevation for deflecting the beam from a laser generator at an instant elevational angle dependent on the instant elevational position of the reflector so that the elevational nod of the reflector and rotation of the support produce a helical scan pattern. A deflector positioned between the beam generator and reflector additionally deflects the beam before it impinges on the reflector to direct the beam toward a target regardless of the instantaneous elevational position of the nodding reflector. A beam receiver receives via the reflector any beam reflected back from a target hit by an outgoing beam. The rangefinder is combined with a surveillance scanner to form a surveillance system.

Abstract: Solar energy is collected by collector means supported in space by geostationary satellite and directed to an air buoyant intermediate platform at a position within the upper atmosphere. The laser energy is there converted to microwave energy and beamed down to earth.

Abstract: An intake duct (1) for an aircraft jet propulsion engine (2) has a surface region (4) on which a bird travelling along the duct will impact before being ingested by the engine. To minimize damage to the engine, the surface region (4) is formed such that part of the bird is retarded relatively to the remainder, the resultant distortion effecting extravasation and evisceration which produces bird debris of a sufficiently low density to be safely ingested by the engine.

Abstract: An air combat simulator including a part spherical screen, a remotely controlled horizon projector positioned so as to project onto the screen a scene consisting of sky and ground terrain, and a t.v. projection system for projecting onto the screen an image of an opponent's aircraft. A simulated manned aircraft consisting of a pilot's control station is positioned to view the screen and has flight controls arranged to generate flight control signals and a computer is arranged to control the horizon projector and opponent's aircraft image projector in dependence upon the flight control signals and upon a tactical decision making process programmed into the computer. To simulate range variation the size of the opponent's aircraft is varied by controlling the raster dimensions of a t.v. picture formed in the t.v. projection system, which system does not include a zoom lens.

Abstract: A ramp along which an aircraft having an undercarriage comprising two main units in tandem and two stabilizing units disposed one to each side of the main units travels during take-off, has a primary trackway (1) along which the wheels of the main undercarriage units roll, and secondary trackways (4, 5) along which the wheels of stabilizing units roll, the primary trackway alone having guides (14, 15) which maintain the wheels on the trackways, each trackway comprising a series of discrete members (19, 35) hinged one to the other in end-to-end relationship.

Abstract: A coupling for two co-axial torque transmitting shafts having the features of a splined torque transmitting joint (5, 6), a screwed joint (9, 10) for effecting axial engagement of the splined joint, interference members (15, 16) axially movable to a locked position in which unscrewing of the screwed joint is prevented, and a detent (32, 33) for preventing axial movement of the interference members from the locked position, the whole being housed in a readily hand grippable housing 19, hand movement of which effects sequential operation of all the features.

Abstract: A folding fin assembly (2) for a flight vehicle in which a fin (3) is carried for rotation about a chordwise axis (Z--Z) upon a turntable (9), the turntable (9) being itself turnable with reference to a fixed base (5) about a given axis (W--W) transverse to the chordwise axis (Z--Z). This is effected by meshing worm gears (14, 8) which transmit rotary movement to the turntable (9) as the fin (3) is rotated about the chordwise axis. The fin (3) lies flat against the surface of the flight vehicle with its chordwise axis (Z--Z) transverse to a fore-and-aft axis (X--X) of the flight vehicle and on erection is turned so that the chordwise axis (Z--Z) lies parallel to the fore-and-aft axis (X--X) of the flight vehicle.

Abstract: A control device for optical apparatus, particularly an image stabilizer for a hand-held camera, comprises a control mechanism such as a gyroscope rotor or inertial mass mechanically coupled to a mirror which receives light from a scene viewed and reflects this light into a prism from which the light is further reflected to the apparatus. The gyroscope rotor or mass tends to maintain its position during vibration and tremor of the device and this relative movement is transmitted to the mirror to maintain steady the image seen by the apparatus. The material of the prism produces refractive effects which enable the mirror to be small enough to allow mechanical coupling thereof of the control mechanism, i.e. without servo-motors, while still accommodating the wide field of view normally accepted by a camera.The invention may also be applied to a device which steers the line of sight of the apparatus.

Abstract: A mechanical damage resistant member, e.g. a leading edge sheath for a propeller blade, comprises a substrate made of electrically conductive rubber or rubber-like material which has had an electrically conductive material layer, e.g. a layer of metal powder, pressed into its surface while the rubber is cured, the substrate then being electro-plated over the conductive layer. This method of electro-plating rubber and rubber-like material has general application, i.e. not just in relation to the described damage resistant member.

Abstract: Turbo compressor apparatus in which the compressor and/or turbine rotor is carried on fluid bearings upon a fixed shaft cantilevered from the rotor housing.

Abstract: In a radar or radio frequency signal regenerator an incoming RF signal is mixed with the output of a single-side-band generator to produce a derived IF signal. The single-side-band generator operates to mix together the outputs of two local oscillators to provide the signal mixed with the incoming RF signal. A frequency lock loop circuit is used to compare the frequency of the derived IF signal with a reference IF frequency and the frequency of one of the local oscillators is varied to correct any frequency error and thus to make the frequency of that local oscillator equal to the incoming RF frequency.

Abstract: A flow deflector blade primarily for mounting within the efflux of an aircraft propulsion fan so that a change of flow direction can be effected, includes a leading edge member, a trailing edge member, a leaf spring member of arcuate form connecting the two, and filler portions of rubber bonded to each side of the leaf spring member shaped to provide a desired blade contour.

Abstract: A drooping leading edge device is provided in which the leading edge structure that droops is pivotally mounted, by a single pivot inside the wing, upon the front spar structure of the wing and is of substantially constant shape. A gap which would otherwise open up between the upper skin of the main part of the wing and the upper skin of the leading edge structure, when the leading edge droops, is filled by an upper flexible skin section secured to the main part of the wing and extending forward first into contiguity with the rear edge of the upper skin of the leading edge structure and then inside said leading edge structure. At the underneath of the wing, a rear flexible portion of the lower skin of the leading edge device extends back to meet the forward edge of the lower skin of the main part of the wing.