Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the stroke of a reciprocable member, comprising a base member provided with an elongate recess, a reciprocable member located within the recess and extending from the open end of the recess, the reciprocable member comprising first and second relatively moveable parts, one part located for reciprocation within the other, the said other part being provided with a transversely moveable projecting member, the wall of the elongate recess being shaped to cause the projecting member to move as a result of reciprocation of the said other member, and said one part being shaped so that transverse movement of a projecting member is inhibited or permitted depending on the relative positions of the one and other parts of the reciprocable member.

Abstract: A latch mechanism comprises a housing (11), a plunger (12) mounted for reciprocation in the housing, a pawl (17) mounted with the housing for movement into and out of engagement with the plunger (12) and means for moving the pawl, wherein the means for moving the pawl comprises an electrically controlled piezo ceramic actuator (30) located within the plunger (12) and the pawl (17) is provided with a part (24) projecting into the plunger (12) and arranged to be contacted by the actuator (30) in order to control operation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow comprising a body (100) provided with a fluid passageway having an inlet (10) an outlet (90), a valve member for inhibiting fluid flow through the passageway, and means for moving the valve member (40, 50) so as to provide for controlled flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the valve member is in the form of a blade, one end of which is mounted at a location (41, 51) remote from the passageway; and wherein the means (60) of moving the valve member is arranged to act on the other end of the blade whereby to control fluid flow through the passageway.

Abstract: An electrically controlled door lock (11) provided with a blocking member (21) and a detent (20), the blocking member being in contract with an electrically controlled actuator (24) such as a piezo-electric member which is used to control movement of the blocking member which in turn causes either the release of a locking member (12) from a door to allow the door to be opened or the engagement of the locking member to prevent the door from being opened.

Abstract: A rapier for a rapier loom comprises:—a low mass self-tightening rotary clamp with its axis of rotation aligned to the direction of maximum acceleration;—a collapsing pivot linkage that converts the force used to close the self-tightening clamp into the force used to open it;—a piezo-electric trigger device system that controls the change of state of the collapsing pivot linkage wherein the device is charged at the start of the insertion cycle and discharged at the centre of the loom to change the state of the system; and an electronic circuit comprising a photo-transistor that is connected with the piezo-electric of the trigger system such that when a suitable level of light is introduced to the device the actuator becomes discharged

Abstract: An integrated electrically actuable mechanical release mechanism provides three separate fault detectors each arranged to detect a different current-driven fault in an electrical circuit. In a preferred embodiment a bimetallic strip is used to detect a low-current fault condition insufficient to trip a short-circuit detection mechanism, an active material bender is used to detect current imbalances between live and neutral lines, and a coil and armature are used to detect short circuits. The integrated mechanism has the advantage that electrical safety can be guaranteed across a range of electrical operating conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing linear motion from rotary motion is disclosed comprising a drive rod (10) of circular cross section which is arranged to be rotated at a constant speed in the same direction. A carriage (11) which is arranged to be mounted on the rod for axial movement along the length thereof is provided with at least one roller member (12a, 12b) arranged to engage the rod at an angle to the axis of rotation of the rod. The rotary motion of the red then causes the roller member to rotate, thereby generating an axial rector component in a direction along the rod, thus causing the carriage to move in a linear direction along the rod.

Abstract: An over-center clamping mechanism is disclosed having a pivot guide to guide the pivot of one of the link arm members of the mechanism which comprises a piezoelectric actuator. The actuator is arranged to withdraw the pivot guide from the plane of the action of the mechanism, thereby allowing the guided pivot free movement of the plane of action which has the effect of collapsing the mechanism when is a clamped state.