Abstract: An inductive power transfer receiver is provided including a receiving coil (13) in series with a capacitor (14), a voltage multiplier (15) for providing a DC output, and a power control switch (18) controlled by a controller (19) for regulating the power supplied to a load. An inductive power transfer receiver is provided including a receiving coil in series with a capacitor, a charge pump for providing a DC output, and a power control switch controlled by a controller for regulating the power supplied to a load. A method of power flow control in an inductive power transfer circuit having a power control switch is also provided. The method includes detecting two operational transitions in the circuit and determining a reference timing bases on which operational transition is detected earliest within a detection window. The reference timing is used to developing a signal for controlling the power control switch.

Abstract: A method of constructing a nuclear reactor module includes providing formwork defining a chamber in which is mounted a nuclear reactor comprising a nuclear reactor pressure vessel configured to contain nuclear fuel when in use, the formwork being housed within a containment structure configured to contain an internal pressure generated by an escape of coolant from a reactor coolant circuit. The method further includes filling one or more voids within the formwork with concrete through at least one concrete supply pipe that extends from outside of the containment structure, through the containment structure, and to the formwork; and venting the one or more voids within the formwork through one or more vent pipes, thereby forming a concrete support structure for the nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A biopsy instrument driver includes a drive member having a laterally extending catch arm and movable between a distal, fired position and a proximal, armed position. A reversible motor has a rotatable output comprising or otherwise being operatively connected to a drive shaft, such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. A translating member is threadably coupled to the drive shaft, wherein rotation of the drive shaft causes axial translation of the translating member along the drive shaft. A latch base is operatively associated with the translating member. A latch arm is pivotally coupled to the latch base, and has a distal portion configured to selectively engage and retain the drive member catch arm, and a proximal portion operatively coupled to the translating member, such that movement of the translating member relative to the latch base pivots latch arm distal portion.

Abstract: An inductively coupled power transfer receiver including a tunable circuit and a power supply circuit. The tunable circuit includes a power receiving coil in series with a first capacitance and a first variable impedance connected in parallel with the power receiving coil. The variable impedance includes at least one impedance element and one or more semiconductor devices for controlling the effective impedance of the first variable impedance. The first variable impedance may be a second capacitance in series with the first semiconductor device; an inductance in parallel with the first semiconductor device; a second capacitance in parallel with the first semiconductor device; or a capacitance and an inductor in parallel with the first semiconductor device. The power supply circuit includes a power control circuit which provides a control signal to the first variable impedance based on an output voltage produced by the power supply circuit.

Abstract: A wirelessly rechargeable battery is provided having coils oriented off major battery axes to facilitate good coupling with power transmitter magnetic fields. A magnetic core may house charging electronics for a compact form factor. A wireless power transmitter that produces fields to maximize coupling with receiver coils.

Abstract: A contactless inductively coupled power transfer system is provided_including multiple pairs of power transmitter and power receiver coils and a power management module for controlling the supply of power to transmitter coils or the power supplied by the power receiver module to loads. The design is particularly suited for use in a wind turbine to supply power to the nacelle. The transmitter coils may be driven in phase at the same frequency or at different frequencies selected to avoid interaction between transmitter coils and the power transmitter module. The transmitter and receiver coils may be arranged in a traditional slip ring type configuration with adjacent coil pairs are physically spaced apart to avoid cross coupling with adjacent transmitter and receiver coil pairs shielded from each other. The power transmitter module may employ Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS).

Abstract: A magnetic shield for shielding adjacent coils of an ICPT system. One or more conductors are configured to distribute induced eddy currents from the surface of the shield to below the surface and thus reduce heating due to eddy currents. The magnetic shield may be employed to transfer power over rotary couplings, such as the shaft of a wind turbine.

Abstract: An anti-fret assembly for a turbine engine, the assembly comprising an elongated liner having first and second walls connected by a base to provide a generally U-shaped channel, the liner having an outer surface adapted to lie against a first component and an inner surface adapted to lie against a second component at least the first wall being provided with a notch for receipt of an anti-translation pin, the assembly further comprising an anti-translation pin.

Abstract: A method of starting a gas turbine cycle including a gas turbine and a heat recovery steam generator, the method including: heating water in a steam cycle with a base load heat source; powering one or more steam turbines with steam from said steam cycle; and diverting a portion of the steam from the steam cycle to the gas turbine cycle. Also disclosed is a power generation assembly connectable to a base load heat source arranged to heat water in a steam cycle and power a steam turbine, the power generation assembly including: a gas turbine cycle including a gas turbine and a heat recovery steam generator; and diverting apparatus configured to selectively divert a portion of steam from the steam cycle to the gas turbine cycle on start up of the gas turbine.

Abstract: A nuclear installation 10 comprises a cavity 22 which is defined by at least one cavity wall 20 and which is arranged to contain nuclear fuel and a liquid for shielding radiation emitted from the fuel. A barrier 30 is arranged to be deployed within the cavity 22 to define a sub-region 34 within the cavity 20 within which fuel can be contained or transported so as to keep the fuel away from the at least one cavity wall 22 by a predetermined distance. The invention also concerns a method for refuelling a reactor vessel 18.

Abstract: A part-built nuclear reactor module 100 comprises a containment structure 12 housing therein nuclear reactor equipment 18 mounted to formwork 30. At least one concrete supply pipe 36 is provided that extends from outside of the containment structure 12 to the formwork 30. The formwork 30 can be filled with concrete through the concrete supply pipe 36 to form a concrete support structure 16 for the nuclear reactor equipment 18. A method for constructing a nuclear reactor module 10 is also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for assembling a multi-stage compressor or a multi-stage turbine for use in a gas-turbine engine. The method comprises the steps of assembling a rotor drum so as to comprise a plurality of rotor discs 17, 18, and then releasably connecting a plurality of static components 38 to the assembled rotor drum 19, thus forming an intermediate structure. The intermediate structure is then inserted within an outer casing 50, preferably by lowering the outer casing 50 over the intermediate structure, whereafter the static components 38 are fixed to the outer casing 50. The static components 38 are then released from their connection to the rotor drum 19 in order to permit rotation of the drum 19 relative to the static components 38 and the outer casing 50.

Abstract: An anti-fret assembly for a turbine engine, the assembly comprising an elongate liner having first and second walls connected by a base to provide a generally U-shaped channel, the liner having an outer surface adapted to lie against a first component and an inner surface adapted to lie against a second component, at least the first wall being provided with a notch for receipt of an anti-translation pin, the assembly further comprising an anti-translation pin.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for assembling a multi-stage compressor or a multi-stage turbine for use in a gas-turbine engine. The method comprises the steps of assembling a rotor drum so as to comprise a plurality of rotor discs 17, 18, and then releasably connecting a plurality of static components 38 to the assembled rotor drum 19, thus forming an intermediate structure. The intermediate structure is then inserted within an outer casing 50, preferably by lowering the outer casing 50 over the intermediate structure, whereafter the static components 38 are fixed to the outer casing 50. The static components 38 are then released from their connection to the rotor drum 19 in order to permit rotation of the drum 19 relative to the static components 38 and the outer casing 50.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine re-pressurisation device (36) for cooled cooling fluid, the re-pressurisation device (36) comprising a compressor stage (42) and a turbine stage (46), characterised in that a common mounting means (58) is provided between the compressor stage (42) and the turbine stage (46) such that one of the compressor stage (42) and the turbine stage (46) is located radially inwardly of the other, the re-pressurisation device (36) further comprising fluid flow directing means (44) to direct a first portion of the fluid (40) through the compressor stage (42) and a second portion (54) through the turbine stage (46).

Abstract: A rotorcraft having an enhanced configuration in which a simple wing and a propulsive anti-torque system are combined is disclosed. The propulsive anti-torque system includes an anti-torque thruster system in which a variable pitch fan is installed internal to the tail boom of the rotorcraft and an anti-torque thruster nozzle is mounted at the extremity of the tail boom. The fan is driven directly from the main rotor drive. The configuration and location of the fan allows the primary exhaust from the engine to be mixed with the compressed air flow from the fan. The mixed air flow from the fan and the engine passes through the tail boom and out the thruster nozzle.

Abstract: Surgical staples and annulus closure tools, used in methods of repairing torn body tissue, implementing inter-vertebral disk surgery, sealing an inter-vertebral disk incision, preventing or inhibiting disk herniation, and/or stimulating or facilitating healing of an inter-vertebral disk; have two, three or four legs attached by connecting members. The legs optionally have projections protruding therefrom to restrict motion of the staple relative to the body tissue, and said projections may be angled to restrict motion in any desired direction.

Abstract: A SMS/MMS Proxy maintains SIP user identities in an IMS network on behalf of SMS capable mobile terminals to give legacy mobile terminals a presence in the IMS network. The SMS/MMS Proxy includes an application server to translate text messages received from a mobile terminal via a gateway into SIP transactions and uses the SIP user identities allocated to said mobile terminals to conduct SIP transactions on their behalf.

Abstract: A damper has a piston having an axis, an outer surface, and opposing ends. Elastomeric seals are in sealing contact with the outer surface of the piston, the seals being coaxial with the piston and limiting movement of the piston to a path along the axis of the piston. The seals also define fluid chambers adjacent the ends of the piston. A primary passage communicates the fluid chambers, and a selectively switchable valve for controls a flow of fluid from one of the chambers to another of the chambers through the primary passage. When the flow of fluid through the primary passage is permitted, movement of the piston is resisted by a first spring rate due to a shear force required to cause shear deflection of the seals. When the flow of fluid through the primary passage is restricted, movement of the piston is resisted by a second spring rate due to a fluid force required to cause bulging deflection of the seals.