Abstract: A catalyst for the oxidation of carbonaceous particulates carried in a gaseous phase, for example for the treatment of Diesel engine exhaust emissions, comprises a substrate for permitting flow of the gaseous phase therethrough coated with a high surface area ceramic oxide (for example alumina made by a vapor phase condensation method such as flame hydrolysis), cerium(IV) oxide, and a compound such as an oxide, carbonate or nitrate of an element of Group 1A of the Periodic Table. The substrate may be in the form of a ceramic honeycomb such as of cordierite, or of metal sheets (e.g. of an aluminium bearing ferritic alloy) shaped and wound to define gas flow channels, or of ceramic or metal foams, particles or wires in random or structured arrangement. The catalyst may include other components (e.g. transition metals such as Co, Cu, and Mn; Pb; and precious metals such as Pt and Pd) for enhancing performance.

Abstract: A thermally responsive trigger device comprises a closed bellows (14) having a filling of liquid metal and acting on a trigger (19) responsive to the free end of the bellows. The bellows and trigger are located at a temperature measuring location which is the coolant flow outlet (15) from a demountable sub-assembly vehicle (10) having a fuel unit (11) and a triggerable absorber unit (12). The outlet flowing coolant sweeps over the bellows (14) and once the expansion of the bellows exceeds a threshold a pin (26) and cam (28) at the free end of the bellows causes a plate (21) to move to release the absorber unit (12).

Abstract: An aerosol dispenser, for example an inhaler, consists of a container (12) containing a propellant and a medicament, with a valve (14), and an applicator (16). The applicator includes a frusto-conical diverter (20) with a small orifice (60) facing the valve orifice (37). Aerosol droplets predominantly pass through the small orifice, decelerate, and can then be inhaled, while the propellant gas is predominantly diverted out of the applicator.

Abstract: A plasma source of charged particles includes a particle extraction control device consisting of an electrode having an exit hole in it and a planar solenoid arranged to produce, when energized, a magnetic field across the exit hole in the electrode, the magnitude of the magnetic field and potentials applied to extraction electrodes being variable so as to enable different charged particles to be emitted by the source.

Abstract: A secondary electrochemical cell is made by(i) assembling a solid state electrochemical cell having an anode containing an alkali metal such as lithium as active anode material; a solid alkali metal ion conducting electrolyte, for example a polymer electrolyte comprising a complex of a solid polymer (e.g. poly(ethylene oxide)) and an alkali metal salt (e.g. LiClO.sub.4), which polymer is capable of forming donor-acceptor type bonds with alkali metal ions; and a cathode containing manganese (IV) oxide as active cathode material; and(ii) discharging the cell under conditions, e.g. of elevated temperature, such that the cathode material is transformed in situ into a rechargeable cathode material which may, for example be LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4.

Abstract: A solvent extraction column in which a disperse phase in the form of electrostatically charged droplets contacts a fluid continuous phase. The disperse phase is received in a number of trays having radial nozzles, so that the disperse phase is discharged from the nozzles as charged droplets transverse to the general direction of flow in the column when an electric potential is applied between the trays and the column.

Abstract: An eddy current testing system consists of a multi-sensor probe, a computer and a special expansion card and software for data collection and analysis. The probe incorporates an excitation coil, and sensor coils; at least one sensor coil is a lateral current-normal coil and at least one is a current perturbation coil.

Abstract: A method of producing a silicon carbide-based body by infiltrating with molten silicon a porous compact comprising silicon carbide, carbon, and a secondary phase dispersed within the compact. The secondary phase might comprise a titanium compound, or a metal carbide.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating by sputter ion plating comprises a chamber having a gas inlet and outlet for passing gas under low pressure continuously therethrough; a cathode fabricated of coating material or precursor therefor positioned in the chamber; and means for generating a glow discharge within the chamber to sputter cathode material to form a coating thereof or of a product obtained therefrom on a substrate also positioned in the chamber.The cathode includes a plurality of projections (e.g. fins) extending from a surface, their disposition and geometry being such as to increase the effective ion current density in the chamber. In this way, high currents at low voltages and pressures may be achieved so that the apparatus can be used to coat a large substrate load, possibly at a higher coating rate.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte is in the form of a gel comprising a complex of a solid polymer (e.g. poly(ethene oxide) and an alkali metal salt (e.g. LiClO.sub.4), the polymer being cross-linked to inhibit its transformation from an amorphous form to a crystalline form thereby to improve the alkali metal ion conductivity of the electrolyte at lower temperatures. The electrolyte may be made by irradiating (e.g. by gamma radiation or an electron beam) a solution, preferably aqueous, of the complex to cause the polymer to cross-link and form a gel. The electrolyte may be used as a component in a solid state electrochemical cell (e.g. for a rechargeable lithium battery), where the gel form of the electrolyte assists fabrication.

Abstract: A hand controller (10) is provided with which an operator can simultaneously control several degrees of freedom of a mechanism, for example a slave arm (18), single handedly. An operator's handle (12) is connected by four links serially arranged between the handle and elements (50, 48, 46, 42) to a platform (32), these links permitting rotation about three axes (A, B, C) and linear displacement towards and away from the platform (axis Z). The platform is connected by three parallel non-telescopic legs (34) to a base (30) so that the platform (32) (and so the handle 12) can be moved in directions (X and Y) perpendicular to the Z axis. Force and torque feedback may be provided to all motions of the hand controller (10).

Abstract: Silicon carbide-based bodies are produced by forming a porous compact of silicon carbide, a carbide of a metal, and carbon, and infiltrating the compact with a molten mixture comprising the metal and silicon. The metal may be selected from: titanium, zirconium, hafnium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, and vanadium, and the infiltration temperature may be between 1900.degree. C. and 2100.degree. C.

Abstract: For the detection of heat sources within an area to be maintained under surveillance, several scanning units at different scanning stations are linked to a common radiation sensor by respective optical fibre transmission elements. A gating means, such as a rotary mask with an opening, is indexed stepwise to gate each transmission element in turn to the common sensor.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid contactor column 10 has a solvent input 16 and an aqueous phase input 22. Lighter phase liquid is discharged at 31 and heavier phase is moved by an air lift 26 to a receiver. The air supply line 28 to the air lift 26 includes valve 32 and a pressure sensing transducer 34 senses pressure in line 28 and sends electric signals to signal processing unit 52 which may for example close down operation of the column, or effect other changes to maintain operating characteristics of the column. The column could be pulsed by means which also send signals to unit 52, and could deliver to an external settler.

Abstract: A heating element comprises a body provided by fibrous tubes of an electrically conductive material, a voidage between the tubes providing a path for a fluid to be heated. The material may be silicon, silicon carbide, or silicon rich-silicon nitride. The heating element is manufactured by coating a fibrous carbon precursor with the material, and heating the coated precursor in an oxidizing environment so as to remove the carbon precursor by oxidation. The heating element has one application for a heat transfer system for controlling the temperature of a hot working device. The system comprises a fluid circuit including the hot working device, the heating element through which the fluid is driven by a pump, and a temperature controller for sensing the temperature of the device and controlling the temperature of the heating element as a function of the device temperature.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting or reducing contamination of out-of-core components of the primary coolant circuit of a pressurized water reactor due to absorption by oxide films of such components of cobalt and other radioactive contaminants generated by neutron irradiation of coolant impurities while in the reactor core. The method consisting of intermittently (e.g. at reactor shutdown for maintenance purposes), and/or once-off during commissioning of the reactor, holding the temperature of the circulating coolant within a suitable range below normal operating temperature for an extended period while maintaining its boric acid concentration substantially higher than during normal operation. Inhibition of absorpotion by component oxide films persists long-term and predisposes to preferential and improved removal of contamination by the usual purification equipment which operates continuously during normal operation of the reactor.

Abstract: In a liquid metal cooled fast neutron nuclear reactor plant, surfaces (12) which are immersed in the flowing liquid metal and are vulnerable to liquid metal temperature fluctuations are provided with fins (20) defining cavities (22) for at least temporarily trapping the liquid metal to produce a thin layer of the liquid metal on the surface and thereby attenuate the effect of temperatures fluctuations occurring in the liquid metal flow.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor fuel element is helically wound with a strip which on one face at regular intervals along its length has dimples, and has a continuous rib on the opposite face. The strip contacts the associated fuel pin cladding via the dimples which effectively act as point contacts, and it contacts the neighboring fuel pins via the rib which also provides point contact. The regions between adjacent dimples are clear of the cladding and provide coolant flow paths thereby avoiding stagnant regions. The dimples may be arranged in two staggered sets one on each side of a central rib, and the strip then wound so that the dimples in each set each align axially with a respective dimple of the other set.

Abstract: The temperature of fluid (gas or liquid) flowing in a duct 10a having axis 21 is measured using a collar 12 having an inner face 17 embracing the tube and having two axial bores 16, 18 at different lateral distances from the duct axis which receive temperature sensors 8, 9 connected to recording and monitoring devices 20, 22. A heater 14 is provided on the outside of the collar and when there is no lateral heat flux in the collar and the wall of the duct the temperature of the fluid equals the temperature of the sensors.

Abstract: Displacement or strain is measured by applying to a body to be monitored at least one grid line (two or more where strain measurements are required) and scanning a radiation beam such as a laser beam across or partly across the grid line(s) to produce a pulsed output from which the mean position(s) of the grid line(s) can be ascertained with reference to a datum point on the beam scanning path. Displacement of each grid line relative to the datum point can be determined. The beam scan may be adjustable to produce a null condition in which the mean position of the grid line(s) coincides with the mid-point of the beam scan. Any deviation from the null condition then indicates displacement of the body or strain thereof.