Abstract: Improvements in or relating to field howitzers A light weight field howitzer includes a barrel which is supported by a cradle constructed from hollow members and which is pivotally mounted about a trunnion bearing secured to a chassis. The trunnion bearing lies on the barrel axis and is positioned beyond the limit of maximum recoil of the barrel. Front stabilisers and rear trail support legs are provided to spread the load of the howitzer and spades are rigidly secured to the chassis. The howitzer includes a single hydraulic accumulator arrangement constituting a combined recoil buffer and recuperator system. A barrel elevating means is provided comprising a geared manual means assisted by a precompressed gas system.

Abstract: A light weight field howitzer includes a barrel (101) which is supported by a cradle constructed from hollow members (119,119A) and which is pivotally mounted about a trunnion bearing (113) secured to a chassis (117). The trunnion bearing (113) lies on the barrel axis and is positioned beyond the limit of maximum recoil of the barrel. Front stabilizers and rear trail support legs are provided to spread the load of the howitzer and spades are rigidly secured to the chassis (117). The howitzer includes a single hydraulic accumulator arrangement (136,177,185,130,189,119) constituting a combined recoil buffer and recuperator system. A barrel elevating means is provided comprising a geared manual means (115,116,153,149,139) assisted by a precompressed gas system (114,119A).

Abstract: A drive device for the breech mechanism of a gun comprises driving and driven members connected to first and second elements, respectively wherein one of the elements is movable with respect to the other. The driven and driving members are separable as the elements move apart and re-engage as the elements come together. The connections between the members and elements permit the driving and driven members to execute a rotary motion about a common axis when the members are engaged together whereby energy is transferred from the driving member to the driven member.

Abstract: A structure comprises a first component subject to loading and connected to a second component via a load transmitting member so that the loading exerted by the first component is imposed on the second component. The first component includes a surface secured to a complementary first surface of said load transmitting member and the second component includes a surface secured to a complementary second surface of said load transmitting member. The load transmitting member and the second component are formed of materials having relatively superior and inferior mechanical properties, respectively and the area of said surface of the second component is greater than the area of said surface of the first component. The first component may be an antenna and the second component a radome for a submarine formed of, for example, syntactic foam. The load transmitting member may be formed from fibre-reinforced plastics material.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing fuel gases, in particular for a fuel cell, includes primary and secondary catalytic oxidation means for the oxidation of carbon monoxide in a reformed fuel gas flow. Small quantities of oxygen required for the secondary oxidation are provided by passing the oxygen through a first oxygen permeable membrane. The oxygen may be supplied as air, pure oxygen or an oxygenated solution. An oxygen fuel supply to the fuel cell may additionally be humidified by allowing water to pass from a water flow across a further membrane into the oxygen supply. Oxygen passing across the further membrane in the opposite sense to the water may serve to oxygenate the water for supplying to the first membrane.

Abstract: Thermally resistant materials comprise an elastomer, particulate iron oxide, and at least one other particulate additive selected from the group consisting of aluminum silicate and silicon carbide. The material may be in the form of a self-supporting element or in the form of a coating.

Abstract: Coverings are applied to a surface by means of a member capable of temporarily holding the covering and urging it against the surface with adhesive interposed between the covering and the surface. The covering may be held by the member by means of suction and be urged against the surface by air pressure. The member may be mounted on a first articulated arm whose movement can be controlled by an operator who may be situated on a working platform mounted on a second articulated arm. The covering may be an acoustic tile for application to the surface of a submarine hull.

Abstract: An electrical cable has one or more electrical conductors (1A, 1B, 1C) enveloped in electrically insulating material (2A, 2B, 2C, 3, 5, 13). At least some of the electrically insulating material is formed of a composition having an elastomer, an oxide of iron and silicon carbide.

Abstract: A frictional joint between a first member and a second member is dismantled by means of a hydraulic nut fitted onto an external screw thread of the first member. The hydraulic nut acts on a separation ring having an external screw thread engaged with an internal screw thread in a co-axial recess provided in the second member.

Abstract: A structure to be subjected to bending and fatigue loading comprises two components having different stiffness connected together. Deflection of the more flexible component is accommodated by the interposition of an intermediate member of varying flexibility between the components or by providing the less flexible component with a flexible portion to act as a fulcrum for the deflection. The components may be a radar-transparent cover and a mounting therefor for use in a submarine.

Abstract: A flexible shaft-coupling device comprises an annular first coupling member having circumferentially spaced vanes extending radially inwardly from its inner periphery and a second coupling member located within the annular coupling member. The second coupling member has circumferentially spaced vanes extending radially outwardly so as to protrude into the spaces between the vanes of the first coupling members. Resiliently distortable pads are located between adjacent vanes to enable torque to be transmitted between the vanes by compression of the pads. The pads are formed of laminations of resilient and less resilient materials. The device may be located within one end of a hollow shaft connected to the annular first coupling member.

Abstract: A flexible coupling comprises first and second annular members each carrying circumferentially spaced load transmitting members which are interengageable to form an annular interlocking array. Each load transmitting member has a resilient pad bonded to it and located between it and the load transmitting member adjacent thereto in the array. Each pad is bonded to an end piece for driving engagement with the adjacent load transmitting member and comprises a generally parallel sided laminar assembly of resilient and less resilient elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for induction hardening of the flank, root and tip surfaces of gear teeth so as to provide a surface-hardened layer along said surfaces. An electrically energizable inductor head carries out movement along the space between a pair of adjacent gear teeth, the inductor head having an external profile matching the profile of the space between the gear teeth. Guides maintain clearances between the inductor head and the tooth surfaces, during movement of the inductor head, the clearance being a minimum between the inductor head and the root surface and varying in predetermined manner along the flank surfaces to achieve heating along the flanks and root surfaces to a uniform predetermined temperature. Jets of coolant are directed to the surfaces of the unheated flanks, tips, heated flanks and root of the pair of gear teeth to achieve rapid cooling of said surfaces. The gear is immersed in mineral oil or other non-aqueous quenching agent.