Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotor of an electric machine for use in an aircraft. By forming the shaft of the rotor such that it performs, at least partially, the function of the back iron, components of the rotor can be combined. Further, by forming the rotor components in this manner, an internal shaft with an increased diameter can be used to provide a rotor with greater stiffness than equivalent prior art devices.

Abstract: A coolant system is arranged to be driven by a prime mover of an aircraft. The coolant system comprises a fluid circuit with a fluid therein, the fluid for cooling an electricity generator located in the fluid circuit. The fluid circuit comprises: a cooling path passing via at least one cooled component of the generator; a first fluid flow source configured to deliver a first fluid flow to the cooling path; a second fluid flow source configured to generate a second fluid flow; and a valve arrangement configured to selectively direct at least a proportion of the second fluid flow away from the cooling path in dependence on a measured operational parameter of the generator. An aircraft propulsion system and an aircraft can also include the coolant system.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rotor for a generator of an aircraft engine. The method includes providing a rotor body; mounting at least one magnet on the rotor body; wrapping a tow around the rotor body and the at least one magnet to form a wrapped tow having a plurality of layers overlaid in the radial direction; and curing the wrapped tow to form at least a part of a fibre-reinforced composite sleeve configured to retain the at least one magnet on the rotor body. The step of wrapping includes applying a controlled tension to the tow during wrapping. The controlled tension is varied according to the radial position of the layer being wrapped.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a generator drive disconnect device, of a generator arranged to be driven by an aircraft engine. The disconnect device comprises: a drive transfer means (1) having a first, connected configuration, and a second, disconnected configuration; a disconnect biasing means (200), configured to bias the drive transfer means to the disconnected configuration; and a fluid cavity (300), configured such that provision of a pressurised fluid in the fluid cavity biases the drive transfer means to the connected configuration.

Abstract: A generator arranged to be driven by an aircraft engine. The generator including a rotor. The rotor includes an inlet for receiving a fluid, a plurality of outlets configured to release the fluid from a radially outer region of the rotor, and a fluid distribution arrangement arranged to direct fluid from the inlet to one or more of the plurality of outlets. The fluid distribution arrangement is configured to selectively distribute fluid to one or more of the plurality of outlets in dependence on an operational parameter of the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotor of an electric machine for use in an aircraft. By forming the shaft of the rotor such that it performs, at least partially, the function of the back iron, components of the rotor can be combined. Further, by forming the rotor components in this manner, an internal shaft with an increased diameter can be used to provide a rotor with greater stiffness than equivalent prior art devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a generator drive disconnect device, of a generator arranged to be driven by an aircraft engine. The disconnect device comprises: a drive transfer means (1) having a first, connected configuration, and a second, disconnected configuration; a disconnect biasing means (200), configured to bias the drive transfer means to the disconnected configuration; and a fluid cavity (300), configured such that provision of a pressurised fluid in the fluid cavity biases the drive transfer means to the connected configuration.

Abstract: A generator arranged to be driven by an aircraft engine. The generator comprising a rotor. The rotor comprises an inlet for receiving a fluid, a plurality of outlets configured to release the fluid from a radially outer region of the rotor, and a fluid distribution arrangement arranged to direct fluid from the inlet to one or more of the plurality of outlets. The fluid distribution arrangement is configured to selectively distribute fluid to one or more of the plurality of outlets in dependence on an operational parameter of the rotor.

Abstract: A coolant system of a generator arranged to be driven by an aircraft engine. The coolant system includes a fluid circuit with a fluid therein, the fluid for cooling an electricity generator, and a pump, arranged to provide a flow of fluid around the fluid circuit to deliver coolant to at least one cooled component of the generator, via a cooler. The system also includes a fluid control device located between the pump and the cooler in the fluid circuit. The fluid control device is configured to selectively direct the fluid provided by the pump away from the cooler in dependence on a measured pressure in the fluid circuit. The measured pressure is derived from a measured point in the fluid circuit, the measured point being remote from the fluid control device.

Abstract: A vibration energy harvesting damper (VEHD) that is adjustable to a broad range of frequencies of vibration is provided. The VEHD includes a support structure that is securable to a vibrating object, a tuned mass retained by the support structure and movable in a rectilinear direction, a magnet vibrationally coupled to and spaced apart from the tuned mass, a coil surrounding the magnet, and at least one biasing assembly connecting two or more of the support structure, the tuned mass and the magnet. The at least one biasing assembly includes a fixed biasing member and an adjustable biasing member arranged in parallel. The adjustable biasing member is configured to adjust the combined stiffness coefficient of the biasing assembly.

Abstract: A vibration energy harvesting damper (VEHD) that is adjustable to a broad range of frequencies of vibration is provided. The VEHD includes a support structure that is securable to a vibrating object, a tuned mass retained by the support structure and movable in a rectilinear direction, a magnet vibrationally coupled to and spaced apart from the tuned mass, a coil surrounding the magnet, and at least one biasing assembly connecting two or more of the support structure, the tuned mass and the magnet. The at least one biasing assembly includes a fixed biasing member and an adjustable biasing member arranged in parallel. The adjustable biasing member is configured to adjust the combined stiffness coefficient of the biasing assembly.

Abstract: A novel method of manufacture and an improved construction of windings of a stator of an electrical machine are provided, which minimise the axial overhang length of the windings at an end of the stator. The invention further enables the conductor cross-section in the overhang region to be greater than when is passes through the core, which can improve overall electrical efficiency and thermal management in the stator. This is enabled by use of casting methods to cast pre-formed conductors outside of the stator core, and then inserting the cast conductors into slots of the stator core.

Abstract: A device for testing the constituent elements of a fluid compound is provided. The device includes a hollow chamber that is filled with a sample fluid. At one end of the hallow chamber, a transfer fluid (such as air) is pumped through a permeable membrane. A portion of the sample fluid permeates the permeable membrane and is absorbed into the transfer fluid. The transfer fluid, with the absorbed sample fluid now in gaseous phase, is sent to a testing device in order to determine the constituent elements of the sample fluid.

Abstract: A method of matching a first entity to a second entity by evaluating Boolean expressions includes identifying a set of criteria vertices for a second entity vertex by traversing a graph database in a manner constrained to fact vertices identified for the second entity. The graph database relates fact vertices to the criteria vertices by edges corresponding to Boolean expressions for satisfying criteria for matching first entities to second entities. The method additionally includes selecting one of the first entities based on the criteria vertices of the set. The method further includes matching the first entity to the second entity based on the selection.

Abstract: A pump insert (50) for supporting a rotor (14) of a pump comprises an annular resilient support (52) for engaging the body (26) of the pump, the support (52) extending about a rolling bearing (10) having an inner race (12) for engaging the rotor (14), an axially preloaded outer race (16) fixed to the support (52), and a plurality of rolling elements (18) located between the races. During assembly, the rolling bearing (10) can be accurately positioned within the support (52) so that there is a very low tolerance stack-up when the insert (50) is fitted to the rotor (14). Consequently, the position of the rotor (14) will hardly change, if at all, when the rolling bearing (10) is replaced during servicing of the pump.

Abstract: A method of matching a first entity to a second entity by evaluating Boolean expressions includes identifying a set of criteria vertices for a second entity vertex by traversing a graph database in a manner constrained to fact vertices identified for the second entity. The graph database relates fact vertices to the criteria vertices by edges corresponding to Boolean expressions for satisfying criteria for matching first entities to second entities. The method additionally includes selecting one of the first entities based on the criteria vertices of the set. The method further includes matching the first entity to the second entity based on the selection.

Abstract: A pump insert (50) for supporting a rotor (14) of a pump comprises an annular resilient support (52) for engaging the body (26) of the pump, the support (52) extending about a rolling bearing (10) having an inner race (12) for engaging the rotor (14), an axially preloaded outer race (16) fixed to the support (52), and a plurality of rolling elements (18) located between the races. During assembly, the rolling bearing (10) can be accurately positioned within the support (52) so that there is a very low tolerance stack-up when the insert (50) is fitted to the rotor (14). Consequently, the position of the rotor (14) will hardly change, if at all, when the rolling bearing (10) is replaced during servicing of the pump.

Abstract: A pump insert (50) for supporting a rotor (14) of a pump comprises an annular resilient support (52) for engaging the body (26) of the pump, the support (52) extending about a rolling bearing (10) having an inner race (12) for engaging the rotor (14), an axially preloaded outer race (16) fixed to the support (52), and a plurality of rolling elements (18) located between the races. During assembly, the rolling bearing (10) can be accurately positioned within the support (52) so that there is a very low tolerance stack-up when the insert (50) is fitted to the rotor (14). Consequently, the position of the rotor (14) will hardly change, if at all, when the rolling bearing (10) is replaced during servicing of the pump.

Abstract: A method of matching a panelist to a market research project includes assigning, by one or more computer processors, priorities to quota cells. The method additionally includes accessing, by the one or more computer processors, a set of the prioritized quota cells identified for the panelist. The method also includes selecting, by the one or more computer processors, one of the quota cells based at least in part on the priorities. The method further includes matching, by the one or more computer processors, the panelist to the market research project based on the selected quota cell.

Abstract: A pump insert (50) for supporting a rotor (14) of a pump comprises an annular resilient support (52) for engaging the body (26) of the pump, the support (52) extending about a rolling bearing (10) having an inner race (12) for engaging the rotor (14), an axially preloaded outer race (16) fixed to the support (52), and a plurality of rolling elements (18) located between the races. During assembly, the rolling bearing (10) can be accurately positioned within the support (52) so that there is a very low tolerance stack-up when the insert (50) is fitted to the rotor (14). Consequently, the position of the rotor (14) will hardly change, if at all, when the rolling bearing (10) is replaced during servicing of the pump.