Abstract: In the method of detecting a localized sun gear fault, in the operation of an epicyclic gear train having ring, planet and sun gears, and a planet carrier, the steps that include detecting sun gear vibrations transmitted through each planet gear, computing separated averages of such detected vibrations, phase shifting the averages to account for the differences in gear meshing positions, and re-combining the phase shifted averages to produce a modified average value of the sun gear vibration.

Abstract: The invention comprises an array of ADCs, associated either with spatially separated signal input devices such as for example antennae, or with a single signal input device and a plurality of filters having a variable phase delay, which provide a digital output which is processed to remove spurious signals introduced by the ADCs thereby providing a linearised output. An array of N antennae with respective band pass filters and ADCs (10) feeds received signals into a frequency channelisation device (12) which divides each of the N input streams into M lower bandwidth streams for distribution. In a first path, an FFT (14) is used to detect signal of interest, to determine where intermodulation products arm likely to exist and to provide course data for the spatial processing used in the signal separation sub-systems. The second path (16) includes the detection and separation of co-channels signals. Signal classification techniques are then used to identify spurious sir, which are then removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image texture analysis in which the image is mapped into a first set of binary representation by a monotonically varying operator, such as a threshold operator. Each binary representation in the first set of binary representations is mapped to a further set of binary representations using a second monotonically varying operator, such as a spatial operator. The result of the two mappings is a matrix of binary image representations. Each binary image representation is allocated a scalar value to form an array of scalar values which may be analysed to identify defined texture characteristics.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting hard rock, the cutting tool including one or more cutting elements each including a pointed or chisel-shaped body including a diamond composite material including diamond crystals bonded together by a silicon carbide matrix, the each cutting element being mounted into a supporting matrix including a metal matrix composite material, such that the point or chisel edge of the each element protrudes from the matrix.

Abstract: A trusted path device is described which may be used stand alone or may be retrofitted to a users untrusted computer console or workstation so that an untrusted data input may be displayed on an untrusted display and verified by the user, following which the trusted data can be output to an untrusted or trusted device or network. The output may be encrypted or not, by means of an encryption device which may or may not use a ‘one time pad’ key provided from a structured array of retrievable “one time pad” keys having associated uniquely there with, a serial number which itself need not be encrypted but with which the input data and encrypted output data are uniquely associated. Sufficient “one time pad” keys are provided on a commonly available and physically manageable medium so as to allow much simplified key management procedures while still maintaining high levels of correctness and effectiveness of the encryption processes.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for recovering chlorine from a chlorinator waste. The process involves treating the chlorinator waste with oxygen in a fluidised bed under conditions which promote the conversion of metal chlorides to metal oxides and discourage the oxidation of carbon contained in the waste. Suitable conditions include a bed temperature in a range from 400 to 700° C., a superficial velocity in a range from 0.2 to 1 metre/second and stoichiometric ratio, R, in a range from 0.2 to 1.2.

Abstract: Footwear (1) to protect a wearer from landmines including a substantialy non-deformable metal sheet (5) below the foot of the wearer shaped and positioned to effect a redirection of any up-welling result of an exploding landmine to a side of the footwear (1) when being worn. The footwear (1) also including an outer hard shell (2) to deflect and direct any initial shock and pressure waves past the body elements of the wearer, the footwear (1) being pivotally connected to an upper protective surround (13).

Abstract: A micro-electronic bond degradation sensor includes a sensor substrate having sensor circuitry and a sensor stud and a power stud extending therefrom. The sensor circuitry includes a voltage-to-current amplifier having an input coupled to sensor stud and an output coupled to the power stud. The voltage-to-current amplifier is operable to convert a voltage signal occurring along the sensor stud to a current signal output along the power stud.

Abstract: A closed cycle thermodynamic apparatus (10) is provided for powering a combustion machine. The apparatus (10) has a compressor (12) for compressing a working medium from a reservoir (14) at temperature T1. The temperature of the working medium increases during compression and reaches temperature T2 when leaving the compressor (12). It is then expanded in an expander (16) for turning the machine. In this manner mechanical work is extracted from the working medium. The apparatus (10) has a first heat exchanger (18) and a second heat exchanger (20) connected to the compressor (12) and the expander (16) in a closed cycle. It also has a burner (22) and a third heat exchanger (24). Air, as a Heat transfer medium, at ambient temperature T5 is induced into the second exchanger (20) to cool the working medium by receiving heat therefrom. The temperature of the working medium decreases from T4 to T1 before entering the compressor (12) for repeating the cycle.

Abstract: Third stage juvenile (J3) entomopathogenic nematodes are prepared for storage by being induced into a state of cryptobiosis. The induction of cryptobiosis is effected by mixing an aqueous cream of the J3 nematodes with anhydrous, small particles (average maximum dimension less than 300 &mgr;m) of non-fibrous cellulose. The proportions of the aqueous cream and non-fibrous cellulose particles are such that, after equilibration, the mixture has a water activity in the range 0.80 to 0.995. Preferably an anti-fungal agent is included in the aqueous cream. To store the cryptobiotic J3 nematodes, the mixture is preferably kept in a container, fitted with an attachment which maintains the water activity in the container at a required value. The attachment includes a rigid tube that connects the interior of the container with a chamber that is vented to ambient atmosphere by small apparatus.

Abstract: A micro-electronic bond degradation sensor includes a sensor substrate having sensor circuitry and a sensor stud and a power stud extending therefrom. The sensor circuitry includes a voltage-to-current amplifier having an input coupled to sensor stud and an output coupled to the power stud. The voltage-to-current amplifier is operable to convert a voltage signal occurring along the sensor stud to a current signal output along the power stud.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously pressure decatising a fabric include a rotatable drum (12) around which an endless belt (15) is arranged to travel for conveying a fabric (19) (and optionally a moisture laden textile (20)) between the facing surfaces of the belt (15) and the drum (12). The drum (12) is heated and fabric (19) is pressed between the belt and the drum as it is conveyed through the apparatus. The fabric (19) is subjected to pressurized saturated steam, which may be generated by evaporation of the moisture in textile (20) when it contacts the heated drum, as it is pressed. Various options other than use of a moisture laden textile (20) for supplying the steam are disclosed. The invention involves enclosing the drum in a pressure vessel (14) within which a compressed air atmosphere at ambient temperature is maintained.

Abstract: This invention relates to a diboron derivative of formula (I) or a diboron derivative of formula (II) or a diboron derivative of formula (III) where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, a group of the formula —(R5Q)mR6 where Q is selected from O, S, NR7, optionally substituted arylene and optionally substituted cycloalkylene, m is an integer selected from 1 to 3, the or and each R5 is independently an optionally substituted C1-C3 alkylene, R6 is C1-C3 alkyl or hydrogen, and R7 is hydrogen or C1-C12 alkyl; each X is independently selected from O, S(O)n and NR7, where n is an integer from 0 to 3, R7 is hydrogen or C1-C12 alkyl, or one or more of —NR1R7, —NR2R7, —NR3R7 and —NR4R7 represent an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered heterocyclyl group,and A, A1 and A2 are divalent gr

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering meat from the head of a slaughtered animal. A jaw support clamps and supports the head by clamping the jaw. Cheek pullers having clamps engage with and hold the cheeks of the animal head in the vicinity of the mouth. A drive arrangement has a lateral drive for moving the cheek pullers outwardly away from each other and has a posterior drive for moving the cheek pullers in the posterior direction so as to pull tissues from both the jaw and the skull. A jaw separation means comprises a snout ring to be fitted to the snout of the skull and a drive moves the snout ring so as to move the skull relative to the jaw with an at least partially arcuate path of movement so as to continue to open the mouth wider as or after the cheek meat is removed from the animal head.

Abstract: A tracking method for a signal echo system, including generating a plurality of gates for respective propagation modes on the basis of a target state prediction for a dwell time, and generating a target state estimate for the dwell time on the basis of target measurement points which fall within the gates.

Abstract: Probiotic composition comprising one or more probiotic microorganisms, a carrier which will function to transport the one or more probiotic microorganisms to the large bowel or other regions of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, the carrier comprising a modified or unmodified resistant starch or mixtures thereof, which carrier acts as a growth or maintenance medium for microorganisms in the large bowel or other regions of the gastrointestinal tract, and an oligosaccharide. Method of increasing the number of probiotic or resident microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal comprising providing to the animal the probiotic composition.

Abstract: A process for floating fine particles containing metal values of an iron-bearing sulphide mineral ore including the steps of conditioning the aqueous pulp of ore at a pH of between about 7 and about 10 with a reducing agent which is preferably oxy-sulphur compound which dissociates to form oxy-sulphur ions having the general formula: SnOyz− where n is greater than 1; y is greater than 2; and z is the valance of the ion. A suitable collector is then added to the conditioned aqueous pulp to further condition the pulp and the pulp potential of the pulp raised to a sufficient level for the collector to adsorb onto the sulphide mineral ore. Gas is then bubbled through the aqueous pulp to subject the pulp to froth flotation. The froth from the flotation process is recovered to produce a concentrate of fine sulphide mineral and other metal values.

Abstract: Oxygen scavenging materials particularly for use in the food industry, are disclosed. The oxygen scavenging materials comprise at least one compound oxidizable by molecular oxygen, wherein the at least one compound is contained within an oxygen impermeable compartment(s) or microcapsule(s) which may, as required, be broken or otherwise rendered oxygen permeable by application of heat, electromagnetic radiation, mechanical pressure or stress, or by hydration.

Abstract: A secure computer architecture having a central processing unit, zero or more memories, at least one input, at least one output and a bus to communicate signals between the components which are all untrusted elements. The computer architecture also includes a trusted access monitor device, a trusted gateway device located between each of the memories, a further trusted gateway device located between each of the inputs and the bus, and a further trusted gateway device located between each of the outputs and the bus, where the access monitor device controls either the one-way or two-way direction of the signals through a respective gateway device. In one aspect of the invention each memory location is each of the zero or more memories, and each input and each output has a respective tag which is representative of a security related attribute associated with the data in that memory location or that input or that output.

Abstract: This invention concerns a multi-port switching circuit which may operate at frequencies up to and even beyond 100 GHz. The invention may be implemented as a GaAs based monolithic microwave integrated circuit. The circuit comprises at least three ports arranged in a star configuration around a central ring. A single switching device is associated with each port. Each switching device is connected to two transmission lines to provide impedance matching and an interconnecting path around the ring. The transmission lines are initially chosen to have a length of a quarter wavelength at the center of the band of operation of the switch. The matching lines and the lines which form the interconnecting ring are then subject to an optimization procedures in which each pair of the switching devices is in turn modeled in their ON state which the remainder of the switching devices is modeled in their OFF state. The optimization procedure aims to achieve low transmission and insertion loss, while provide good isolation.