Abstract: Waste products which are to be disposed of by burial, are mixed with a hardening substance in bags which are wrapped around circular or approximately circular frames. The circular shape enables efficient mixing. The bagged frames are placed in a rectangular mould and the bags then filled and the contents mixed by stirring; the wrappings are released and the mixes settle into the shape of the rectangular interior of the mold and fill it, thus adopting the most efficient storage shape.

Abstract: Water is purified to reduce pollution to less than 0.3%, by mixing re-generated and non re-generated anion and cation resins, followed by appropriate final mixing of both when re-generated, for further use.

Abstract: An enclosure for electrical switchgear is a box like structure made up of side panels, front and rear panels and external panels. The panels define chimneys which are connected to the enclosure via apertures at their lower ends. Thus if the gas filled circuit breaker chamber explodes as a result of a fault developing, the enclosure is relieved of the resulting pressure generated by the expanding gases by venting to a ventilation system via the apertures and the chimneys.

Abstract: A fastening which allows a bolted-on cap to part from a body when excessive pressures develop in a cavity in the body, comprises a nut and bolt arrangement, and includes a weakened tubular spacer surrounding each bolt, between the bolt head and the cap. The wall of the spacer is drilled or scored in its mid-length area. The material and proportions of the spacer, and the proportions of the score or drilling, are so matched in relation to a particular pressure environment, that on excessive pressure developing, the load exerted on the cap causes the spacer to collapse in controlled manner, rather than merely crushing or breaking.

Abstract: The transfer of elongate objects across a gap is enabled by doubling a jackstay between a supply station and a receiving station, so as to provide a pair of parallel guides for the load during transfer. The load is supported from each of the parallel jackstay portions, such that its length is normal to the lengths of the jackstay parallel portions, and moved by outhaul/inhaul cables.

Abstract: In a ships drive transmission, contra rotating propeller shafts are driven by powered means comprising concentric contra rotating drive elements, one of the shafts being connected thereto via epicyclic gearing. The propeller shafts are also coupled to each other through a part of the epicyclic gearing, to ensure equal loading.

Abstract: A drive transmission which is particularly suitable for ship propulsion, comprises nested, contra rotating propeller shafts which in one example are driven by a single input shaft and which transmits contra rotating drives to the shafts via respective planet carriers. Particular advantages are the equal division of torque between the shafts and the enabling of location of thrust bearings and in positions which are easy of access.

Abstract: A boiler comprises a shell for fluid to be treated and divided into first and second heat exhange zones by at least one baffle, the zones being in communication with one another beneath a lower end of the baffle. Exhaust gases from a combustion source are supplied to a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending through each zone in heat exchange relationship with the fluid in the shell and being arranged in passes sequentially connected to one another whereby the exhaust gases pass sequentially through the first and second zones. The fluid to be heated is fed to an upper region of the second zone such that the temperature of gases passing through at least some of the tubes in the second zone falls to below the dew points of combustion products therein, the tubes in which condensation occurs being orientated such that condensates flow therefrom for disposal.

Abstract: In an arc interrupter fixed and movable contacts provide an openable current path. When the path between the contacts is opened an arc is generated between one of the contacts or a surface electrically continuous therewith providing an inner first arcing surface, and an electrode providing an outer second arcuate surface. The opening and closing of the current path is achieved by angular movement of the movable contact about an axis offset from the fixed contact. At least in the break position, the electrode surrounds and is separated by an annular gap from a coaxial arc-driving coil. The coil is accommodated within and is coaxial to the inner first surface and is included in series with both said surfaces in the arc current path at least during a later part of the movement of the movable contact to the break position for generating a magnetic field that rotates the arc to assist its extinguishment.

Abstract: A pulverized fuel and air mixture is burnt in conditions giving relatively low NO.sub.x emissions by using a burner which has concentric passages for a primary air-fuel mixture and secondary and ternary air flows respectively. In the passage for the primary air-fuel mixture guide elements are provided at angularly spaced positions. The elements are arranged to deflect the flow in the passage and so produce regions of high fuel concentration. Downstream of the guide elements and adjacent the outlet of the passage flow disturbing members are provided in angularly spaced positions to modify the flow pattern of the air-fuel mixture at the passage outlet. The members assist stabilization of the flame front at the burner outlet and complement the action of the guide elements in promoting combustion conditions that lead to low NO.sub.x emissions.

Abstract: A large scale horizontal axis rotary electrical machine has a stator with a laminated annular core resting upon an open-topped support structure. At one position along its length the core is axially fixed to the support structure but is otherwise free to move axially on the structure to accommodate differential thermal movements. Clamping means for the core laminations incorporate springs the allow the core to expand axially. The stator windings are axially slidable in slots in the laminated core and are held by respective winding end supports spaced from the ends of the core, whereby differential thermal expansion is accommodated between the core and the windings. By adoption of the open-topped support structure, assembly of the core can be accelerated by lowering individual lamination stampings or pre-assembled biscuits of such stampings onto the structure while the structure remains in a horizontal position.

Abstract: NOx production from pressure-atomised burners is reducible by shaping, e.g. splitting, the fuel film leaving the burner. This is achieved, in accordance with the invention, by having an external wall 54 which surrounds the fuel outlet orifice 52 and from which external formations 56 extend radially inwardly towards the axis 20 of the burner. The formations 56 penetrate the frusto-conical pattern of fuel (not shown) emitting from the orifice 52 to split the flame into four discrete lobes. Other arrangements are possible in which different numbers of lobes are formed; or assymetric patterns are produced; or shaped flame patterns having no discrete lobes are produced.

Abstract: A classifier has a rotor, driven by a motor, mounted between two opposed walls of a housing. The housing also has a curved wall which extends between the walls and around the rotor to define therewith an annular zone. A fluid and finer particles outlet opening is provided in one of the walls. The curved wall has an inlet opening for at least fluid and a fluid and coarser particles outlet opening which is registered with the inlet opening of a receptacle from which the coarser particles can be removed. A plate is located immediately upstream of the outlet opening to divert particles adjacent to the curved wall away therefrom. Similar diverting means can be located remote from the plate such as plate or secondary air inlet openings. Baffle rings are provided concentrically with the rotor to restrain particles forced to the outer peripheries of the annular zone from moving inwardly towards the rotor.

Abstract: An electrical connector, e.g. a bushing, has an insulating body through which conductors form a continuous current path between two locations. The conductors are connectable to electrical equipment, e.g. switchgear and cables, at the locations. A socket is formed in the body for receiving a complementary-shaped closure plug. The current path formed by the conductors is exposed to the interior of the socket whereby by removal of the closure plug, the current path is accessible for test or isolation connections.

Abstract: The rating of an arc interrupter is improved by having a movable contact assembly, which is engageable with and completely disengageable from a fixed contact in make and break positions, respectively, consisting of two main current carrying members the first of which is the last part of the assembly to disengage from the fixed contact during an opening operation. The delay in disengaging the first contact member from the fixed contact can be achieved in several ways. For example, the geometry of the first contact member can be different from the geometry of the second contact member (by the provision of an arcing tip); by the provision of a lost-motion mechanism; or by the provision of an auxiliary contact.

Abstract: In arc interrupters having fixed and movable contacts and a fixed annular electrode surrounded by an arc-driving coil, the problem of electrode collapse owing to the magnetic forces generated in the electrode and the coil is reduced or obviated providing the electrode with at least one flange which has radial slots extending from the outer periphery of the flange through a substantial part of the width of the flange.

Abstract: In arc interrupters having fixed and movable contacts and a fixed annular electrode surrounded by an arc-driving coil, the problem of electrode collapse owing to the magnetic forces generated in the electrode and the coil is reduced or obviated by providing the electrode with at least one flange which is supported against distortion by ferromagnetic material which forms part of a magnetic circuit produced by the coil when it is part of an arc current path.

Abstract: A gear system has two ring gears engaging a coupling member directly instead of through an intermediate coupling ring. For example, the ring gears are mounted adjacent to one another on a common axis and have respective helical running teeth which engage oppositely-handed arrays of helical teeth on planet gear wheels which, in turn, mesh with a sun gear wheel. The ring gears also have arrays of external spur coupling teeth offset towards one another from the centers of the running teeth, respectively. The arrays of external teeth mesh with internal spur coupling teeth on the annular coupling member. The ring gears have mutually opposed lubricated abutment surfaces whereby respective transverse forces arising effectively at the centers of the running teeth and acting parallel to the common axis are countered by oppositely acting respective reactions exerted by the ring gears mutually one upon the other.

Abstract: An induction motor with an improved torque/slip characteristic has a solid rotor having longitudinal grooves running parallel to the axis of rotation which connect with circumferential grooves at each end of the rotor. The rotor is plated with copper so that the grooves are filled with copper. The rotor is then machined over the cylindrical outer surface to produce a solid, non-laminated rotor having high-conductivity paths in the longitudinal grooves connected by high-conductivity short-circuiting rings in the circumferential grooves.In a modification the longitudinal grooves may be skewed. Other high conductivity material may replace copper, for example aluminium.

Abstract: An atomizer in which oil is atomized by steam and a hollow conical pattern of oil is emitted for combustion and applicable to boiler firing. Oil and steam flows pass through intersecting passages so that atomization occurs before the oil and steam mixture enters an annular chamber; or the flows intersect at or adjacent entry to the chamber. Further mixing occurs in the chamber from which the mixture is emitted.