Abstract: An airplane high lift surface drive system having a first actuator connected to a first high lift surface and a second actuator connected to a second high lift surface, wherein the first actuator is electrically connected to the second actuator in series.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a linear vibratory output force having a variable amplitude. The force is generated by the cooperation of four rotating eccentric masses that are grouped in two pairs of two masses. The masses in each pair are counter-rotating (i.e., they rotate at the same speed but in opposite directions). The phase relationship between the two pairs is adjustable. For example, the phase of one pair can be advanced while the phase of the other pair is retarded by an equal amount, thereby changing the amplitude of the output force without changing the direction along which the force acts, and also without changing its frequency if desired.

Abstract: A heat exchange assembly has a heat exchanger, a fan at one side and a drain tray assembly extending beneath the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a pipe along which heated or cooled water is supplied, and a stack of vertical, parallel plates between which the fan passes air. The drain tray assembly has a tray with a peripheral wall and a drain outlet at one end. An inverted gutter fits loosely within the tray spaced from its edges by two channels. The height of the gutter is such as to block the space between the upper surface of the tray and the underside of the heat exchanger so as to prevent air flow beneath the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A connector backshell assembly has a metal-plated plastic cylinder with castellations at its rear end through the screens of cables are threaded. A cap embraces the castellations and has internal projections that project into recesses between the castellations. A coupling nut extends around the cylinder and bears against the rear end of the cap so that the cap is clamped onto the cylinder when the nut is screwed onto the rear of a connector. This clamps the screens between projections in the cap and the recesses in the cylinder so as to make electrical connection with the screens.

Abstract: An hydraulic valve has a flow/pressure characteristic matched to that of a pump with which it is used. The valve has a housing with a fluid inlet in its side and an outlet at one end. A shuttle is movable along the housing under control of a proportional solenoid, to vary the amount by which an edge of the shuttle covers the inlet and thereby controls flow of fluid through the valve. The shuttle has a flange one end located between the inlet and outlet so that fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet applies pressure to one side of the flange and displaces the shuttle to close the inlet. In this way, an increase in pressure tends to reduce the effective size of the inlet aperture to compensate for pressure variation.

Abstract: A seal arrangement is disclosed that provides a seal between a bore and a rod movable in the bore with a gap formed between the bore and the rod. The seal arrangement includes a floating elastomeric sealing ring which is accommodated in a circumferential groove around the rod. The sealing ring sealingly engages the wall of the bore. An annular resilient biasing device is also accommodated in the groove. The biasing device acts between one wall of the groove and the sealing ring to urge the sealing ring against an opposing wall of the groove. In addition, the biasing device is configured to allow passage of fluid past the biasing device between a region of the groove disposed radially inwardly of the sealing ring and the gap between the rod and the bore on the side of the sealing ring opposite the opposing wall. The biasing device has, at least at some circumferential positions therearound, a cross-sectional profile that reduces in radial width towards one wall of the groove.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube has an inflatable cuff at its patient end enclosing a plate of generally triangular shape projecting forwardly of the patient end of the tube. When deflated, the cuff conforms to the external shape of the plate.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube has a wall of PVC and a reinforcement filament of a harder plastics wound with a canted helical form so that adjacent turns of the filament slope at angles of 70.degree. and 80.degree. respectively in the plane of curvature of the tube.

Abstract: A self-sealing needle injection hub has two resilient, elastomeric sealing members mounted adjacent one another in a housing, both having pierced passages through which a needle can be inserted. The outer member is thick and relatively rigid; the inner member is thinner and flexible. Both members are radially compressed by the housing, the inner member bowing away from the outer member at its center. The action of withdrawing a needle from the hub, combined with the pressure of blood on the inner member, maintains the inner member flat against the outer member, thereby further compressing the passage through the inner member.

Abstract: A plurality of sensing coils are formed by spiral coil electrical conductor sections deposited on a flexible substrate which is formed into a cylindrical form about a central axis. The conductor sections are spaced apart by a distance equivalent to one-quarter of the circumferencial length of the cylindrical form, to define four separate coils spaced apart by 90 degrees. Coil sections are deposited in the register on opposite sides of the substrate and interconnected through the substrate. The coil pattern may be repeated in adjacent areas of the substrate to form a multi-layered coil when a number of turns of the substrate are wound around the central axis.

Abstract: A current sensor assembly of planar form arranged for connection in series with an electrical circuit. The circuit includes a first and second conductor. The sensor assembly includes a first conductive member adapted to contact the second conductor in the circuit. A second conductive member is adapted to contact the second conductor in the circuit. A thin layer of conductive material is connected at one end to the first conductive member and at is other end to the second conductive member so that current flow in the circuit between the first and second conductors is via the thin layer. A support supports the thin layer along its entire length. At least a part of the support contacts the thin layer is electrically insulative. The thermal conductivity of the support is different at different points along the length of the layer so that heat disposition is different at the different points and hence the temperature rise caused by current flow through the layer is different.

Abstract: The mask portion at the patient end of a laryngeal mask assembly is formed by a mount member having an outwardly projecting, oval plate and by two separate semi-annular cuffs bonded to opposite sides of the plate. An inflation lumen opens into one cuff, the plate having several holes through it so that the inflation fluid flows also to the other cuff.

Abstract: Connection is made to the braided screening sleeves of wires in a cable by means of a resilient plastics clip of omega section including a metal insert attached with a fine wire. The clip resiliently urges the surface of the metal insert into contact with the screen so that it can be connected to ground by the fine wire. The clips are staggered along the length of the cable so that the overall diameter of the cable is not significantly increased in the region of the clips.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask assembly has a tubular shaft with a mask portion formed by a resilient skirt towards its patient end, which seals with tissue in the region of the hypopharynx. An inflatable cuff, with several annular reinforcing members, projects axially at the patient end of the assembly into the laryngeal inlet. Towards its patient end, the cuff has a flap that normally closes the passage through the cuff and prevents entry of the epiglottis. A pull cord attached with the flap enables the flap to be pulled to one side, deflecting the epiglottis and opening the passage through the cuff.

Abstract: An electrical coupling has a ring through which extend multiple screened wires. The ring has several longitudinally-extending integral splines projecting from its outer surface from which project a curved, circumferentially-extending spring arm on each side. The wires extend through the ring and their screening sleeves are folded over an end, contact surface of the ring and back along its outside, being retained under the spring arms. A metal cap fits over one end of the ring holding the sleeves against the contact surface and protecting them around the outside of the ring. The cap is held on the ring by a collar, which extends around its outside and screws onto a body member at the opposite end of the ring.

Abstract: A rate sensor has a tine cut from a silicon substrate and resiliently mounted by two integral flexure beams. An electrostatic actuator drives the tine to vibrate in its plane. The tine supports two tunnel pick-offs in the form of spikes projecting from the tine, the tips of the spikes being positioned below a pick-off plate. In operation, the plate is moved down until it is closely spaced from the spikes and a tunneling current is produced. One spike is positioned below a recess so that there is a sharp fall in current when the spike passes beneath the recess, this signal being used to indicate the amplitude and frequency of vibration. The tunneling current output from the other spike indicates the separation from the plate. Rotation of the sensor about an axis y in the plane of vibration of the tine causes displacement of the tine at right angles, which is sensed by the tunnel pick-off.

Abstract: The invention centers around a circuit board assembly having a heat sink with a buss bar integrally formed therein. The heat sink is provided between two parallel, opposed circuit boards. The buss bar is provided between the two circuit boards and is in electrical contact with circuit modules provided on both circuit boards. The buss bar is electrically insulated from both the circuit boards and the heat sink but electrically connected to the circuit modules.

Abstract: An endometrial sampler has an outer catheter and an inner plunger slidable within the catheter. The catheter has a coaxial opening at its tip and two side openings located diametrically opposite one another close to the tip, the side openings being elongate along the axis of the catheter. The tip of the plunger projects into the tip opening to form a smooth surface to the sampler. An O-ring seal on the plunger is located rearwardly of the side openings so that suction is applied to both the side openings and the tip opening when the plunger is pulled rearwardly.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp has a tubular envelope containing tubular electrodes at opposite ends. An annular support member of a compressible ceramic fiber is supported in a groove around each electrode and is compressed against the inside surface of the envelope. Movement of the electrodes relative to the envelope is damped by the support member.

Abstract: A wc-disposable ostomy bag has walls made of three layers. The central layer is of an alkali-soluble/water-resistant material such as carboxylated acrylic polymer and is about 100.mu. thick. The inner layer, presented to the contents of the bag, is of a water-resistant, ordor-proof material such as polyvinylidene chloride and is between about 2 and 3.mu. thick. The outer layer is a non-woven material such as formed by cellulose fibres in a binder of aqueous polyacrylate, which is broken up when wetted by an alkaline liquid.