Abstract: The clearance between a stationary object (such as a gas turbine engine casing) and one or more moving objects (such as the blades of a rotating turbine) is measured using a pair of electrical proximity sensors mounted on the stationary object with their sensitive fields directed towards the path of the moving object(s) and at angle to each other. The clearance is calculated by deriving a time interval between interceptions of the respective moving object with the sensitive fields of the two sensors and from the geometry of the set up.

Abstract: This invention relates to a security label for the detection of counterfeiting and tampering. The invention comprises a combination of an iridescent laminated or multilayered material with a lenticular layer. The iridescent layer exhibits an angular dependence in its coloration in reflection and/or transmission and the lenticular layer acts as a filter to light of a given angle of incidence.

Abstract: The sensor module carries one or more sensor element, such as microphones or imaging devices, for detecting events in use. The sensor module has a locator for determining its location and preferably an orientation sensor for determining it location and a transceiver for communicating with other modules in the network or with a base station. The module also has a processor which is adapted such that, in use, the module communicates with other sensor modules and determines whether to operate in a sensing mode to detect events or a controlling mode. In this way a self organizing adaptive network is provided.

Abstract: A Communications system for communicating over low bandwidth or high latency links incorporates a router MR7 configured to route a message to any like-configured router MR8, MR9 linked to it. Communications are implemented at network layer with UDP IP message packets. There are no hello messages. The message format 20 includes routing information but not designated and backup routers, which avoids loss of service from designated router changes and reduces bandwidth requirements. Configured routers MR7 to MR9 have different message formats 20, 40 for communicating with configured routers MR7 to MR9 and with unconfigured routers R1 to R6 respectively, and can link different protocols. A configured router MR7 deletes routes to like-configured routers MR8, MR9 with route metrics not superior to other routes with like destination. It also deletes routes with inferior metrics to related routes in an incoming message, and retains received route information regarding a new route or a route with superior metric.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator device is described that comprises a first optical input, a first optical output, a first optical path between the first optical input and the first optical output, and means for moving a shutter across said first optical path. A hollow core waveguide is provided to substantially guide light along the first optical path of the device. The device may also be used to provide an analogue beam splitting or switch function in telecommunication systems and the like.

Abstract: A respirator has one or more electrodes of e.g. conductive elastomer disposed on the surface of a face sealing member opposite to the surface which seals against the user's face. In use the integrity of the seal formed between the sealing member and the user's face is monitored by monitoring the electrical capacitance across that member between the electrode(s) and the user's face.

Abstract: A drive configuration for a skid steered vehicle comprises a pair of electric motors for propulsion of the vehicle, one each coupled to drive a respective track on a respective side of the vehicle, and one or more electric steer motors coupled through a differential gear mechanism to impose a speed difference between the tracks. An associated control system controls the current to each motor so that substantial contributions to the differential torque to turn the vehicle are made both by the steer motors and by the propulsion motors, in variable proportions preferably as a function of the vehicle speed.

Abstract: A method of detecting a target in a scene is described that comprises the step of taking one or more data sets, each data set comprising a plurality of normalized data elements, each normalized data element corresponding to the return from a part of the scene normalized to a reference return for the same part of the scene. The method then involves thresholding (16) at least one of the normalized data elements of each of said one or more data sets. The thresholding step (16) comprises comparing each of the normalized data elements to at least first and second thresholds, wherein the first threshold is greater than the second threshold. The use of one or more confirmation scans (18) in combination with the thresholding step is also described. A radar system is also described that uses the method to detect foreign object debris (FOD) on a surface such as an airport runway.

Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting and processing large volumes of data to determine the relevancy and value thereof comprise: deploying one or more data retrieval modules to interface with one or more data sources within the local network, wherein the one or more data retrieval modules comprise executable program code; executing the one or more data retrieval modules to perform operations comprising: accessing application data representing data stored or communicated through the one or more data sources; and forwarding the application data for analysis; and analyzing the forwarded application data to determine whether it is relevant to the topic, wherein the analyzing is performed by one or more devices within the local network.

Abstract: An ordinance, such as a rocket propelled grenade, shield includes a net with hard points at select nodes of the net and cable guides on the side of the net. Cables under tension extend through the cable guides supporting the net typically in conjunction with a top cross bar, spaced top struts, and spaced bottom struts. This framis design facilitates entering and exiting the vehicle or structure.

Abstract: A protection system includes a net made of flexible, low breaking strength intersecting lines connected at nodes. A frame supports the net and spaces the net from a vehicle and/or structure. Hard points are disposed at least at select net nodes and feature a multi-sided body with a cavity therein behind a front face thereof. The body includes a lip extending into the cavity. A protrusion extends outwardly from the front face. A tapered plug is received in the cavity and includes a ledge engaged by the lip locking the plug and a net node in the cavity and securing the hard point to the net node in a pivotable fashion.

Abstract: A method of designing an RPG. A computerized model is created of a shield mesh opening with lines of a net intersecting at nodes and with hard points positioned at least at select nodes. The effectiveness of the mesh opening at a plurality of obliquity angles is determined. In the model, a change is made to the size of the mesh opening and the effectiveness is determined again at a plurality of different obliquity angles. Iterations of this process allow an optimal mesh opening size to be determined for a threat such as an RPG.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of an electromagnetic (EM) field shielding paint compositions, in particular, those capable of providing substantially non metallic finish. The paint composition finds particular use in attenuating EM signals that may be used to carry data between communication devices, especially mobile phone and wi-fi devices. EM field shielding paints are typically available in jet-black or bright metallic finishes and usually possess limited scratch & abrasion resistance. The paint composition provides a one-pot solution to furnish a composition which has the visual appearance of a domestic type paint i.e. one with a non-metallic finish, with the ability to shield electromagnetic radiation. The composition comprises a supported metallic flake and a pigment, which have been provided in a narrowly defined range to furnish a desirable non-metallic appearance and possess electromagnetic shielding properties.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a plurality of regions of semiconductor material forming a junction at an interface there-between, the junction including a depletion region having a width which varies spatially in at least one direction along the depletion region. Without limitation, the spatial variation in depletion region width is provided by ionised dopants having a concentration which varies spatially along said at least one direction. Alternatively, or in addition, the spatial variation in depletion region width is achieved by varying the thickness of the region(s) of semiconductor spatially along said at least one direction, for example by creating a plurality of cells within said region(s) devoid of said semiconductor material. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprising the step of varying the width of the depletion region spatially there-within in at least one direction along the depletion region.

Abstract: Range-finding apparatus comprises a source of pulsed radiation of variable repetition rate and a beam-splitter for dividing the pulsed radiation into two portions which are directed respectively to a local retro-reflector and to a retro-reflector co-located with a remote target the range of which is to be determined. The source, beam-splitter and retro-reflectors are arranged in the form of Michelson interferometer together with a detector. The repetition rate of the source is tuned to frequencies f such that round-trip distance to the remote target is mc/f where m is an integer, this condition being detected by observing a heterodyne signal at the detector. Two such frequencies enable range to be determined. The precision with which range is determined may be increased by carrying out interferometry using the two portions. The accuracy of the method does not depend on absolute range (as with triangulation) and is not limited by the speed of timing electronics, as is the case for time-of-flight techniques.

Abstract: A method for providing correction values for phase based measurements. Where averaging techniques are employed for exploiting redundancy in multiple measurements, by constraining the phase ambiguity in a correction value to be an integer multiple of the carrier wavelength, carrier phase based measurements can be used.

Abstract: An oil and gas well shaped charge perforator capable of providing an exothermic reaction after detonation is provided, comprising a housing (2), a high explosive (3), and a reactive liner (6) where the high explosive is positioned between the reactive liner and the housing. The reactive liner (6) is produced from a reactive composition which is capable of sustaining an exothermic reaction during the formation of the cutting jet. The composition is a pressed i.e. compacted particulate composition comprising at least two metals, wherein one of the metals is present as spherical particulate, and the other metal is present as a non-spherical particulate. There may also be at least one further metal, which is not capable of an exothermic reaction with the reactive composition, present in an amount greater than 10% w/w of the liner. To aid consolidation a binder may also be added.

Abstract: A method for the alignment of pairs of complex images of a region, such as may be produced by separate passes of a synthetic aperture radar, is disclosed. The method selects a subset of each image in the form of a plurality of tiles, and calculates a correlation value between corresponding pairs of tiles. Shifts in x and y for each pair where the correlation value exceeds a threshold are then used to calculate values for overall shift, stretch and shear to be applied to one of the images to align it with the other. An iterative least squares approach may be used. As both phase and amplitude information is used in the correlation the technique is suitable for aligning images having little intensity variation. The invention may be used to align images prior to coherent change detection analysis of the images.

Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield hard point includes a forward facing base portion defined by a front face, sidewalls extending rearward from the front face including slots therethrough for the cords of a net, and a cavity surrounded by the sidewalls. A plug is sized to be frictionally received in the cavity of the forward facing base portion locking the cords of the net with respect to the forward facing base portion.