Abstract: An aircraft pipe coupling including a first pipe end and a second pipe end, and a locking washer disposed between the first pipe end and second pipe end. The locking washer including a first tab in engagement with the first pipe end, and a second tab in engagement with the second pipe end.

Abstract: A seal assembly for closing an aperture in an aerodynamic surface of a structure, the seal assembly comprising: a track for attachment to the structure; and a retractable seal including a flexible substrate and a plurality of rods connected to the substrate, wherein at least one of the rods is mounted for running movement along the track, and the seal is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position by moving the at least one rod along the track accompanied by folding/unfolding of the seal substrate, and wherein the seal is biased to its extended position.

Abstract: An aircraft assembly comprising a plurality of structural components and an electrically conductive bonding network, wherein at least one of the structural components is formed of material of low electrical conductivity, and the bonding network includes either: at least one substantially planar strip of highly electrically conductive material attached to at least the one structural component, and wherein the strip includes a substantially omega-shaped loop extending out of the plane of the strip; or at least one strip of highly electrically conductive material attached to at least the one structural component, wherein the strip comprises first and second planar attachment portions for attaching the strip to the structural component(s) and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second attachment portions, and wherein the intermediate portion includes a loop which extends outwards from the plane of the first attachment portion.

Abstract: A bush assembly comprising a component having a bore, a bush fitted in the bore and having a flange that extends radially outwardly over a surface of the component surrounding the bore, and a seal assembly for sealing the interface between the flange and the surface of the component, wherein the seal assembly includes a seal member and a layer of sealant between the seal member and the interface between the flange and the surface of the component. Also a method for sealing a bush, a kit of parts for forming a bush assembly, and a clamping tool for forming a bush assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a joint between a laminar composite cover (12) and a second cover (15) (which may or may not be also formed from a composite material). The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a joint and a method of manufacturing a composite cover suitable for use in such a joint. The laminar composite cover (12) comprises a stack of layers, substantially all of the layers being shaped to form a joggle, each joggle comprising a first portion, a second portion where the layer extends substantially parallel with the first portion, and a ramp (33) between the first and second portions where the layer extends at an angle to the first and second portions, the number of layers being substantially the same on both sides of the ramp. The second cover (15) partially overlaps with the composite cover, and a clamp or fastener (31) holds the covers together where they overlap.

Abstract: A seal assembly for closing an aperture in an aerodynamic surface of a structure, the seal assembly comprising: a track for attachment to the structure; and a retractable seal including a flexible substrate and a plurality of rods connected to the substrate, wherein at least one of the rods is mounted for running movement along the track, and the seal is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position by moving the at least one rod along the track accompanied by folding/unfolding of the seal substrate, and wherein the seal is biased to its extended position.

Abstract: A bush assembly comprising a component having a bore, a bush fitted in the bore and having a flange that extends radially outwardly over a surface of the component surrounding the bore, and a seal assembly for sealing the interface between the flange and the surface of the component, wherein the seal assembly includes a seal member and a layer of sealant between the seal member and the interface between the flange and the surface of the component. Also a method for sealing a bush, a kit of parts for forming a bush assembly, and a clamping tool for forming a bush assembly.

Abstract: A seal assembly for closing an aperture in an aerodynamic surface of a structure, the seal assembly comprising: a track for attachment to the structure; and a retractable seal including a flexible substrate and a plurality of rods connected to the substrate, wherein at least one of the rods is mounted for running movement along the track, and the seal is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position by moving the at least one rod along the track accompanied by folding/unfolding of the seal substrate, and wherein the seal is biased to its extended position.

Abstract: A wing assembly for an aircraft is disclosed having a spar, a wing cover, and a rib. The spar has a web portion and a flange portion joined by a radius corner, wherein a gap is formed at an interface between the spar, the wing cover and the rib. The assembly further includes a seal member which substantially covers the gap, and sealant provided between the seal member and the rib and/or the wing cover and/or the spar so as to seal the gap.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a washer for an aircraft pipe joint. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns an aircraft pipe joint comprising a locking washer. An aircraft pipe coupling comprises a first pipe end and a second pipe end, and a locking washer disposed between the first pipe end and second pipe end. The locking washer comprising a first tab in engagement with the first pipe end, and a second tab in engagement with the second pipe end.

Abstract: A bush assembly comprising a component having a bore, a bush fitted in the bore and having a flange that extends radially outwardly over a surface of the component surrounding the bore, and a seal assembly for sealing the interface between the flange and the surface of the component, wherein the seal assembly includes a seal member and a layer of sealant between the seal member and the interface between the flange and the surface of the component. Also a method for sealing a bush, a kit of parts for forming a bush assembly, and a clamping tool for forming a bush assembly.

Abstract: An aircraft assembly comprising a plurality of structural components and an electrically conductive bonding network, wherein at least one of the structural components is formed of material of low electrical conductivity, and the bonding network includes either: at least one substantially planar strip of highly electrically conductive material attached to at least the one structural component, and wherein the strip includes a substantially omega-shaped loop extending out of the plane of the strip; or at least one strip of highly electrically conductive material attached to at least the one structural component, wherein the strip comprises first and second planar attachment portions for attaching the strip to the structural component(s) and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second attachment portions, and wherein the intermediate portion includes a loop which extends outwards from the plane of the first attachment portion.

Abstract: A seal assembly for closing an aperture in an aerodynamic surface of a structure, the seal assembly comprising: a track for attachment to the structure; and a retractable seal including a flexible substrate and a plurality of rods connected to the substrate, wherein at least one of the rods is mounted for running movement along the track, and the seal is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position by moving the at least one rod along the track accompanied by folding/unfolding of the seal substrate, and wherein the seal is biased to its extended position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a joint between a laminar composite cover (12) and a second cover (15) (which may or may not be also formed from a composite material). The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a joint and a method of manufacturing a composite cover suitable for use in such a joint. The laminar composite cover (12) comprises a stack of layers, substantially all of the layers being shaped to form a joggle, each joggle comprising a first portion, a second portion where the layer extends substantially parallel with the first portion, and a ramp (33) between the first and second portions where the layer extends at an angle to the first and second portions, the number of layers being substantially the same on both sides of the ramp. The second cover (15) partially overlaps with the composite cover, and a clamp or fastener (31) holds the covers together where they overlap.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for making available telecommunication network resources associated with network subscribers and exposed by a Network Service Gateway (NSG) to clients of the NSG services based on stored subscriber availability preferences. The method and system can be implemented using an availability Policy Server that sits next to or inside of the NSG. The Policy Server interprets the stored availability preferences of subscribers in response to requests for subscriber information. These availability preferences are translated into a low-level policy rule language. The Policy Server implements a policy rule evaluator to evaluate policies written in this language. Policies written in the low-level language are referred to as aPolicies (availability policies). An aPolicy receives as input a stream of events. Based on these events, the aPolicy may decide to take one or more actions. The NSG or clients of the NSG will carry out the execution of the actions.

Abstract: A seal/retainer unit (10) comprising an annular sealing gasket (12) and a plurality of retaining legs (14) extending generally perpendicularly therefrom. The sealing gasket (12) and the retaining legs (14) are formed in one piece (e.g., stamped) from a sealing material and dimensioned to allow nesting of a plurality of seal/retainer units (10) in a stacked arrangement. The retaining legs (14) may each include a rounded distal edge (16) to minimize package-tearing and interpart-marking and/or a break-off notch (18) to allow special customization. A radiused corner (20) between the gasket (12) and the legs (14) assures a gap between nested parts.

Abstract: An aircraft wing that may be used in large transport aircraft comprising a first wing portion that, in use, forms an inner portion of an aircraft wing, and is attached to a readily replaceable second wing portion comprising a wingtip. The second wing portion may be readily replaceable by a third wing portion comprising a wingtip, the third wing portion having a different functionality from the second wing portion.

Abstract: A seal/retainer unit (10) comprising an annular sealing gasket (12) and a plurality of retaining legs (14) extending generally perpendicularly therefrom. The sealing gasket (12) and the retaining legs (14) are formed in one piece (e.g., stamped) from a sealing material and dimensioned to allow nesting of a plurality of seal/retainer units (10) in a stacked arrangement. The retaining legs (14) may each include a rounded distal edge (16) to minimize package-tearing and interpart-marking and/or a break-off notch (18) to allow special customization. A radiused corner (20) between the gasket (12) and the legs (14) assures a gap between nested parts.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for obtaining the dynamic network state of mobile subscribers, such as subscriber location, presence or other state information. This information, which may be distributed within various core mobile network elements, is obtained via a differentiated network service gateway (DNSG) that interfaces with the mobile network elements in a manner that accommodates the network's operator enforced controls and limitations. The DNSG implements service level agreements (SLAs) that support differentiated quality-of-service (QoS) in terms of accessing the dynamic network state of the mobile subscribers. The consumers (DNSG clients) of the dynamic network state information may include applications that provide communication and transactional services to mobile subscribers based on their network state, and the mobile subscribers themselves.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for making available telecommunication network resources associated with network subscribers and exposed by a Network Service Gateway (NSG) to clients of the NSG services based on stored subscriber availability preferences. The method and system can be implemented using an availability Policy Server that sits next to or inside of the NSG. The Policy Server interprets the stored availability preferences of subscribers in response to requests for subscriber information. These availability preferences are translated into a low-level policy rule language. The Policy Server implements a policy rule evaluator to evaluate policies written in this language. Policies written in the low-level language are referred to as aPolicies (availability policies). An aPolicy receives as input a stream of events. Based on these events, the aPolicy may decide to take one or more actions. The NSG or clients of the NSG will carry out the execution of the actions.