Abstract: An aircraft having a lift/propulsion unit which includes a power unit such as a turboshaft engine which drives a fan through a transmission mechanism. The fan discharges to vectoring nozzles which can be independently swivelled to provide lift or propulsion thrust. An output shaft of the transmission mechanism serves as the main shaft of a motor/generator of modular form. The motor/generator can act as a generator to charge an electrical storage device such as a battery, or as a motor to drive the fan, either alone or to supplement the output of engine. Reaction control nozzles are provided at extremities of the aircraft to provide stabilising thrust. The aircraft is capable of vertical take off and hovering, with the vectoring nozzles swivelled to a lift position, and forward thrust with the vectoring nozzles swivelled to a propulsion position.

Abstract: A spherical display and control device, that is preferably collapsible between a spherical configuration and a collapsed generally cylindrical ellipsoid configuration, comprising a flexible transparent spherical surface sprung attached to a central hinged modular cube assembly that contains digital displays on outward faces, and circuitry, battery units and electronic modules on inward surfaces, where said sphere surface contains surface position sensing layers and said central cube contains gyroscopic and inertial sensing devices to provide spherical rotation, and physical displacement data for three dimensional control applications, where said displays preferably have curved polarizer lenses such that the overall device appears as a spherical display or are flat to form an overall Cuboid display or are combined with a flexible spherical display surface.

Abstract: Components such as turbine shafts 2, 4 are maintained coaxial with each other by a coupling ring 6. The coupling ring 6 comprises a body 12 which is cylindrical when unstressed, and which has two arrays of projections 14, 16, each array engaging a respective cylindrical surface 24, 26 of recesses 8, 10 in the components 2, 4. The body 12 is flexible, and so is resiliently deformed by contact between the projections 14, 16 and the respective cylindrical surface 24. The projections 14, 16 of the two arrays are angularly out of phase with each other.

Abstract: Methods of producing aminonitrobenzoic acids are disclosed. A dinitrobenzoic acid may be reduced to an aminonitrobenzoic acid. In some specific embodiments, 2,6-dinitrobenzoic acid may be converted to 2-amino-6-nitrobenzoic acid. An end product may be used as an intermediate in the manufacture of various compounds including agricultural chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retaining washer for retaining threaded fasteners, such as bolts, that have been inadvertently loosened, in use. The invention finds particular application in gas turbine engines and in aircraft in general where wire locking of threaded fasteners has traditionally been employed. The washer (10) comprises a base member (14) having a plurality of apertures (18) each for receiving the shank of a respective bolt (20) or stud part of a threaded fastener, and engagement means (16) extending from the base member for engagement with respective bolt head or nut parts of the fasteners to retain the said head or nut parts with respect to the washer in the event of inadvertent loosening. The said engagement means is deformable between an open configuration which enables access to the bolt head or nut parts of the fasteners for tightening and/or removal thereof and a closed configuration in which the bolt head or nut part are captively retained with the washer.

Abstract: A seal arrangement (1, 101) for maintaining an axial pressure differential between relative high and low pressure stages along a rotating element (2, 102), the arrangement comprising: i) a plurality of leaf or brush seal members (5) forming a circumferential seal-pack (4, 104) around the rotating element (2, 102), in-between said low and high pressure stages, for limiting leakage of fluid between said low and high pressure stages; ii) a baffle (6, 7, 106, 107) positioned on the upstream or downstream side of the seal-pack (4, 104) for regulating such leakage through the seal pack (4, 104); and iii) a control arrangement for adjusting the position of the baffle (6, 7, 106, 107) hereby to control the regulation of said leakage through the seal-pack (4, 104) and hence control the consequent blow-down effect on the seal-pack (4, 104) caused by that leakage.

Abstract: A gap 6 between a stationary component 2 and a rotating component 4 is sealed by means of a leaf seal comprising an array of leaves 8, 9. The leaves 8, 9 are disposed in pairs, comprising a higher curvature leaf 8 and a lower curvature leaf 9 which contact each other resiliently at their tips 12. The contact at the tips 12 provides a damping effect. As a result, the tips 12 of the leaves 8, 9 are relatively stable when subjected to an air flow F, enabling damaging flutter to be suppressed.

Abstract: A gap 6 between a stationary component 2 and a rotating component 4 is sealed by means of a leaf seal comprising leaves 8 having a geometry such that the centre of torsion CR of the leaf 8 is disposed upstream of the centre of pressure CP at the tip 12 of the leaf 8. As a result, the tip region of the leaf 8 is relatively stable when subjected to an air flow F, enabling damaging flutter to be suppressed.

Abstract: An elastic composite is provided in a disposable absorbent garment such as a diaper or training pants. The elastic composite has a base layer, a top layer, and an elastic construction disposed therebetween. The elastic construction includes a plurality of spaced apart (e.g. generally equally spaced apart) elastic elements (e.g. strands or threads) that are aligned in a generally cross machine direction and in generally parallel relation. Further, the top and base layers define a first longitudinally extending side edge and a second longitudinally extending side edge between which, the elastic construction is disposed. The elastic composite further includes an elasticized region, wherein the elastic construction is disposed, a first non-elasticized region disposed between the first side edge and the elasticized region, and a second non-elasticized region disposed between the second side edge and the elasticized region.

Abstract: An elastic composite is provided in a disposable absorbent garment such as a diaper or training pants. The elastic composite has a base layer, a top layer, and an elastic construction disposed therebetween. The elastic construction includes a plurality of spaced apart (e.g. generally equally spaced apart) elastic elements (e.g. strands or threads) that are aligned in a generally cross machine direction and in generally parallel relation. Further, the top and base layers define a first longitudinally extending side edge and a second longitudinally extending side edge between which, the elastic construction is disposed. The elastic composite further includes an elasticized region, wherein the elastic construction is disposed, a first non-elasticized region disposed between the first side edge and the elasticized region, and a second non-elasticized region disposed between the second side edge and the elasticized region.

Abstract: A fax machine incorporates a receptacle to accommodate the insertion of a cellular data access modem that provides the fax machine with a unique cell phone number so that the fax machine may be accessed in a standard “dial up manner” from any standard fax machine or computer emulating a fax machine.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that the artificial induction of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) apoptosis in vivo can promote the resolution of liver fibrosis. Thus, the present invention provides methods for treating liver disease in a subject involving administration of an inducer of apoptosis which is capable of selectively inducing hepatic stellate cell apoptosis in the liver of the subject or of an agent which is capable of giving rise to such an inducer in the subject. In addition, the invention provides methods for treating liver fibrosis in a subject comprising the selective delivery of an inducer of apoptosis specifically to the hepatic stellate cells of the subject or of an agent which is capable of giving rise to an inducer of hepatic stellate cell apoptosis.

Abstract: This invention provides a segmented annular seal (10) the sealing leakage gaps between relatively movable components 14,16 between high and low pressure regions in a gas turbine engine, for example for sealing an engine shaft 16. The seal comprises an annular array of circumferentially spaced and radially movable arcuate seal segments (12) which extend in a continuous end to end relationship in annular housing (14) and project radially from the housing for effecting a seal against an engine shaft (16), rotor or the like. The segments (12) are located in a channel (22) in the housing (14) sized such that the segments (12) are able to follow radial movements of the shaft (16). In order to reduce an axial loading on the segments (12) that ends to cause them to seize a pressure balance region (30) vented to the upstream pressure region is formed on the downstream side of the segments (12).

Abstract: A wearable modular interface strap device for supporting multiple module units comprising a flexible strap with a plurality of electrically connected nodes acting as docking points to serial bus interface and mechanically connect removable modules, with the strap being 10 mechanically lockable in a loop by a clasp containing hub and host circuitry to enable network communication between modules and to a universal connector plug for recharging and data-exchange. Said strap containing a plurality of electrical wires between control circuitry and nodes and arranged to be wearable as a wristband, alternatively as a wrist device that when opened forms a curved handset with audio input and outputs at alternate ends, or arranged in a necklace configuration.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery assembly comprises a built in connector, circuitry to provide charge control, at least one rechargeable battery unit, and circuitry providing a further function. The battery assembly is mechanically reversible between a deployed configuration having a general form and functions of a conventional battery format and a charge configuration in which the connector is made accessible. In the deployed configuration the battery assembly is capable of providing a discharge to at least one voltage level and can be charged by means of a suitable external charger device. In the charge configuration the battery assembly can be charged by means of the integral charge control circuitry when the connector is connected to a suitable powered receptacle on a computing or peripheral device.

Abstract: A compound of formula (Na0.33A0.66)2B2O7-? wherein A is one or more metals chosen from the lanthanide metals; B is one or more metals chosen from Ti, Sn, Ge, Ru, Mn, Ir, Os and Pb; and ? is a number in the range 0-1 is disclosed. Water gas shift catalysts comprising precious metals such as gold dispersed on the (Na0.33A0.66)2B2O7-? compound are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spherical display and control device, that is preferably collapsible between a spherical configuration and a collapsed generally cylindrical ellipsoid configuration, comprising a flexible transparent spherical surface sprung attached to a central hinged modular cube assembly that contains digital displays on outward faces, and circuitry, battery units and electronic modules on inward surfaces, where said sphere surface contains surface position sensing layers and said central cube contains gyroscopic and inertial sensing devices to provide spherical rotation, and physical displacement data for three dimensional control applications, where said displays preferably have curved polarizer lenses such that the overall device appears as a spherical display or are flat to form an overall Cuboid display or are combined with a flexible spherical display surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retaining washer for retaining threaded fasteners, such as bolts, that have been inadvertently loosened, in use. The invention finds particular application in gas turbine engines and in aircraft in general where wire locking of threaded fasteners has traditionally been employed. The washer (10) comprises a base member (14) having a plurality of apertures (18) each for receiving the shank of a respective bolt (20) or stud part of a threaded fastener, and engagement means (16) extending from the base member for engagement with respective bolt head or nut parts of the fasteners to retain the said head or nut parts with respect to the washer in the event of inadvertent loosening. The said engagement means is deformable between an open configuration which enables access to the bolt head or nut parts of the fasteners for tightening and/or removal thereof and a closed configuration in which the bolt head or nut part are captively retained with the washer.

Abstract: A display device (1) has an extendible screen (2) and at least one extendible side member (3). The extendible screen (2) is extendible in an extension direction from a relatively compact form to an extended form. The screen (2) in the extended form has opposed edges (17) that are substantially parallel to the extension direction. An extendible side member (3) is provided for at least one of said opposed edges (17). The or each extendible side member (3) is extendible to provide support to and structural rigidity to the screen (2) when the screen (2) is in the extended form. The display device (1) provides an extendible rigid screen (2) suitable for example for creating a rigid collapsible tablet computer, or enabling a compact portable display to support a rigid touch-screen, or for incorporation into a mobile phone or remote control unit.