Abstract: A fuel injector comprising: a prefilmer; a plurality of discrete fuel sources each arranged to supply fuel to a surface of the prefilmer; wherein the prefilmer comprises circumferential dispersion structure which, in use, spreads the fuel in a circumferential direction as it passes from an impingement point on the surface of the prefilmer to a downstream edge of the prefilmer.

Abstract: An electromagnetic component for mounting in a framework 47 so as to provide a stator segment 20 of an electrical machine 12. The component comprises a magnetic flux guide 32 and an electrical winding 34 for electromagnetic interaction with the magnetic flux guide 32. The component further comprises electrical terminals 52 for connecting the electrical winding 34 to an electrical network 61, at least one fluid pathway 42 for receiving a flow of cooling fluid in normal use, and at least one fluid connector 54 for coupling the fluid pathway 42 to a source of cooling fluid.

Abstract: A method of cold forming titanium alloy sheet metal, the titanium alloy consisting of 5.5 to 6.75 wt % aluminium, 3.5 to 4.5 wt % vanadium and the balance titanium plus incidental impurities, the method comprising the steps of (a) heat treating at 700° C. for at least 30 minutes and (b) cold forming at room temperature. Step (b) may comprise bending the titanium alloy sheet metal using a press brake. Step (b) may comprise placing a neoprene rubber film or a rubber film between the titanium alloy sheet metal and a lower V of the press brake. Step (b) may comprise placing the titanium alloy sheet metal into the press brake such that the grain of the titanium alloy sheet metal is arranged at an angle to the bend axis of the press brake. The method reduces and preferably overcomes cracking of the titanium alloy sheet metal during cold forming.

Abstract: Within gas turbine engines is necessary to provide nozzle guide vanes between stages of the engine. These vanes are presented in vane segments and it is desirable to prevent leakage to retain engine operation efficiency as well as to avoid hot gas impingement on inappropriate parts of the engine. By use of anti-rotation blocks twisting between the segments can be prevented and therefore the segments retained in alignment. However, thermal distortion may open a chordal seal provided to inhibit gas flow leakage. By provision of chordal bumps it is possible to prevent forward rocking which will inhibit gaps between the chordal seal and an engaging support ring surface. Furthermore the anti-rotation blocks will generally incorporate appropriate mating surfaces to engage the chordal bumps across two or more vane segments to facilitate retention of vane segment alignment while achieving adjustment for thermal distortion.

Abstract: An electrical generator arrangement comprising a distribution network having a first generator and a second generator, the first generator arranged to provide electrical power to a transmitter source, the second generator coupled to the distribution network by a switch to enable isolation of the second generator, the switch associated with an electrical characteristic comparator to compare the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the second generator with the incidental modulation of a transmitter signal from the transmitter due to variations in the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the first generator to the transmitter, the comparator arranged to operate the switch to isolate or connect the second generator to the distribution network dependent upon a variation in the change of the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the second generator and the incidental modulation of the transmitted signal.

Abstract: A distribution pipeline power plant, comprising: an input, configured to receive a fluid that has been heated using energy derived from a geothermal field; an expander, configured to extract energy from the fluid that has been heated using energy derived from a geothermal field; and an output configured to transfer at least some of the energy extracted from the fluid that has been heated using energy derived from a geothermal field to a circulator to drive a further fluid along a distribution pipeline.

Abstract: An electrical system architecture, for example for an aircraft, including a generator driven by an engine of the aircraft to generate electrical energy, which is arranged for extracting the said electrical energy as an AC signal for supply to a system bus. The electrical system architecture also includes an active rectifier coupled to the system bus, that is adapted to rectify the AC signal to a DC signal for supply to a load in the system, and for controlling extraction of the said electrical energy by the generator. An electrical power generation system, including a generator, including a stator and a rotor, for converting mechanical power into alternating current electrical power by electromagnetic induction, and an active rectifier for converting the alternating current output of the generator into direct current electrical power is provided.

Abstract: An arrangement for heating and cooling a turbine casing of a gas turbine engine, the arrangement comprising an inboard duct, adjacent to an inboard surface of the turbine casing, an outboard facing wall of the inboard duct having a plurality of impingement holes opening towards the inboard surface of the casing, through which temperature control fluid can pass from within the inboard duct to impinge upon the inboard surface of the turbine casing.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle comprises a nozzle body defining a nozzle exit. An array of movable slats is disposed round the nozzle exit. Flow control walls are fixed to the nozzle body and provide flow control surfaces over which the movable slats move. The flow control walls prevent leakage of gas at the edges of the movable slats, so improving performance of the exhaust nozzle.

Abstract: A turbine blade damper arrangement in which a damper is positioned against the undersides of the platforms of adjacent turbine blades. In operation, the damper is centrifugally urged into engagement with the blade platforms to provide damping of relative movement between the blades. The damper and platform surfaces that it engages are of part-cylindrical configuration in order to minimize gas leakage paths between the damper and blade platforms.

Abstract: A method of starting a gas turbine cycle including a gas turbine and a heat recovery steam generator, the method including: heating water in a steam cycle with a base load heat source; powering one or more steam turbines with steam from said steam cycle; and diverting a portion of the steam from the steam cycle to the gas turbine cycle. Also disclosed is a power generation assembly connectable to a base load heat source arranged to heat water in a steam cycle and power a steam turbine, the power generation assembly including: a gas turbine cycle including a gas turbine and a heat recovery steam generator; and diverting apparatus configured to selectively divert a portion of steam from the steam cycle to the gas turbine cycle on start up of the gas turbine.

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element (802) for holding a workpiece (808), the adhesive fastening element (802) comprising: an outer member (804); and a consumable inner member (806) disposed inside the outer member (804) and releasably movable relative to the outer member (804) along a longitudinal axis of the adhesive fastening element (802); wherein the consumable inner member (806) comprises a bonding surface which, in use, is bonded by an adhesive (810) to the workpiece (808) and is removed and replaced to detach the workpiece (808) from the adhesive fastening element (802).

Abstract: A layered composite component is disclosed, the component including: a plurality of stacked layers defining a component thickness between opposed component surfaces and at least one reinforcing element extending from each of the opposed component surfaces the reinforcing elements extending at least partially through the component thickness. Another layered composite component is also disclosed, the component including: a plurality of stacked layers defining a plane and having a primary in-plane axis, wherein the at least one block array of reinforcing elements extends into the component along a reinforcing direction that is angled with respect to the plane of the stacked layers, and wherein the at least one block array is angled in the plane of the stacked layers with respect to the primary axis.

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element (602) for holding a workpiece (608), the adhesive fastening element (602) comprising: a body (604, 606) defining a recess (642) for receiving a protrusion (644) of the workpiece (608); wherein, in use, adhesive is applied between an end surface of the recess (642) and an end surface of the protrusion (644) and between a side surface of the recess (642) and a side surface of the protrusion (644) to bond the workpiece (608) to the adhesive fastening element (602). The workpiece (608) may be aligned with a reference point on the adhesive fastening element (602) and the adhesive cured to fix the position of the workpiece (608) relative to the adhesive fastening element (602).

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element includes a first member and a second member adjacent to the first member and movable relative to the first member along a longitudinal axis of the adhesive fastening element, wherein a bond is formed by an adhesive between the workpiece and the first and second members of the adhesive fastening element. A method for debonding a workpiece from an adhesive fastening element includes moving the second member away from the workpiece and breaks the bond between the second member and the workpiece and moving the first and second members such that the second member moves towards the workpiece and applies a force to the workpiece so as to break the bond between the first member and the workpiece, and to de-bond the workpiece from the adhesive fastening element.

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element (2) for holding a workpiece (8), the adhesive fastening element (2) comprising: an adhesive delivery tube (32) embedded in the adhesive fastening element (2) for supplying adhesive (10) to an exterior surface of the adhesive fastening element (2).

Abstract: A joint assembly for an annular structure comprises a first annular member having a first radially extending flange and a second annular member having a second radially extending flange. The first and second flanges having a plurality of first and second circumferentially aligned apertures. A plurality of fasteners are provided and each fastener is arranged to extend through a respective pair of the first and second apertures to join the first and second annular members together. The first and second radially extending flanges have a plurality of circumferentially aligned third and fourth apertures. A plurality of members are provided and each member is arranged to extend axially through a respective pair of the third and fourth apertures.

Abstract: An adhesive fastening element for holding a workpiece, the adhesive fastening element including: a light source for providing light to an exterior surface of the adhesive fastening element so as to cure an adhesive; and a light meter for receiving light from the exterior surface of the adhesive fastening element; wherein the light source is controlled in response to the amount of light received by the light meter.

Abstract: A method of linear friction welding, the method comprising: a friction phase comprising oscillating a first workpiece (2) relative to a second workpiece (4) with a surface of the first workpiece (2) being forced against a surface of the second workpiece (4), such that a plasticised layer is formed at the interface between the first and second workpieces (2, 4); wherein the friction phase is divided into a plurality of sub-phases, each sub-phase being configured to form a plasticised layer at the interface between the first and second workpieces (2, 4), each plasticised layer comprising a stagnation zone (10a, 10b); wherein the stagnation zone (10a) of one sub-phase is offset from the stagnation zone (10b) of another sub-phase.

Abstract: A fuel control arrangement includes an injector control valve, a fuel supply structure including a primary supply path, a secondary supply path, and a splitter valve configured to split fuel flow between the primary supply path and the secondary supply path to thereby regulate fuel supply. The fuel control arrangement also includes a fuel injector directly connected to the injector control valve. The splitter valve is configured to split fuel flow between the secondary path and the injector control valve in response to a fuel pressure indicative of fuel demand. Further, the splitter is provided distal to the fuel injector and the injector control valve, to operate under different environmental conditions from the injector and the injector control valve. The injector control valve is actuated by a fluid pressure system controlled by a solenoid.