Abstract: A support assembly (1,11,31) for mounting within a vessel (3) which may be subjected to an inwardly acting pressure differential, comprises a support member (2,12) which is in contact with an internal surface, of the vessel so as to define a recess (4,14). In use the recess is filled with an incompressible fluid, which may be an hydraulic oil. The support member (2,12) may be further provided with an intensifier (19,32) which produces a positive pressure differential between the fluid in the recess (4,14) and the pressure acting on the vessel 3. The effect of this is to induce a tensile loading in the vessel wall in the vicinity of the recess (4,14) and thereby provide support for the vessel.

Abstract: An alternating-current electrical generator including a permanent magnet rotor, a toothed stator and at least two non-overlapping windings associated with the teeth of the stator. Each winding is substantially similar to but independent of the other winding or windings. An end of each winding is separated from an adjacent end of an adjacent winding by at least one tooth having thereon a short-circuited low-resistance winding.

Abstract: An alternating electrical generator which is adapted to reduce/eliminate "Iron losses" and the associated problems of overheating of the windings comprisesa rotor;a plurality of pole sections spaced around the circumference of a rotor core member at a constant pole section pitch;a toothed stator;two or more independent windings; and,a plurality of bridge members to separate adjacent windings.The bridge members have a length equal to an even number of pole section lengths, to ensure that any bridge member is exposed to equal amount of each magnetic polarity. Thereby, ensuring that the net effect under the bridge member is zero.

Abstract: An electrical machine comprising a stator having electrical windings and a permanent-magnet rotor which carries a shaft arranged for connection to a prime mover. The machine, when the shaft is driven by a prime mover, acts as an alternator to produce alternating electrical current. A commutator is provided on the shaft and electrical-current-transferring brushes are associated with the commutator. Means is electrically associated with the segments of the commutator and with the electrical windings on the stator so that, whe the brushes are connected to a source of direct electrical current, the machine acts as a motor and the shaft is caused to rotate for starting a prime mover connected to the shaft.

Abstract: A reactivateable adsorption filter assembly comprises an adsorption filter element, a storage vessel in which is stored filtered fluid, a flow restrictor to restrict the flow of fluid between the adsorption filter element and the storage vessel and a purge valve on the inlet side of the adsorption filter element to selectively connect the filter assembly to a source of fluid at a low pressure, the arrangement being such that when the purge valve is opened to said source of fluid at low pressure filtered fluid containing adsorbate at a very low partial pressure flows back from the storage vessel through the adsorption filter element thereby reactivating said adsorption filter element.

Abstract: A generator for producing pure air at high pressure includes a compressor, electrical means for driving the compressor and means for purifying compressed air generated by the compressor. A first sensor is provided for detecting the pressure of the compressed air and a second sensor for detecting the absolute temperature of that air. Means is provided for transferring an electrical signal from the first sensor to an electronic controller. Means is also provided for transferring an electrical signal from the second sensor to the controller. The controller processes these electrical signals and varies the power supplied to the means for driving the compressor in such a manner that the ratio of pressure of the compressed air to the absolute temperature of the compressed air remains substantially constant.

Abstract: A liquid fuel supply system for an engine having a power demand adjuster, e.g. a manually operable control acting in conjunction with operational factors associated with the engine to determine fuel flow to the engine, in which apparatus is provided responsive to failure of part of the fuel system to cause an auxiliary to become effective to control fuel flow to the engine in accordance with the setting of the power demand adjuster, the arrangement being that for any setting of the power demand adjuster the fuel flow to the engine will not alter instantaneously when the auxiliary becomes effective to control fuel flow. It may be arranged that the relationship between fuel flow to the engine and the setting of the power demand adjuster may alter within a short period after the auxiliary has become effective.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the position of a movable member and for locking it in any desired position comprising a hydraulic displacement device movable with the member and a slide valve hydraulically connected to the displacement device to control flow of liquid to or from the device. The slide valve includes a pre-loaded spring, capable in the absence of other force of moving the slide valve to its closed position to lock the member against movement. A force motor is operable when desired to move the slide valve to its open position to permit movement of the member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel supply system for an engine having a main fuel flow scheduling device, an auxiliary fuel flow scheduling device, a power demand adjuster operative to adjust both scheduling device, and a failure detector capable of detecting failure of the main scheduling device and of making the auxiliary scheduling device operative to control fuel flow to the engine following such failure. In the past, fuel systems of this kind have given an abrupt change of fuel flow on changeover to the auxiliary scheduling device giving the possibility of damage to the engine and danger to human life.In the present invention a metering valve 201 forms part of the auxiliary scheduling device 201, 246, 209, 221, 222, 231, 232, 233, 234 for continuous adjustment of the flow to the engine permitted by the main scheduling device 184.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid-distribution apparatus in which one main fluid inlet flow is divided substantially equally between a number of outlets for example as the feeding of a plurality of burners on a gas turbine engine from a single fuel supply. At low total flow rates the difference in height of the various outlets can adversely effect the equality of distribution of liquid between the outlets and it is known to provide a restrictor in series with each outlet to improve the flow division between the outlets. However, where there is a large range of flow rates, the simple restrictors which are effective at low flow rates will cause a very substantial pressure loss at high flow rates. Further a simple restrictor essentially involves a passage of small cross-section which can become blocked by solid particles within the liquid.