Abstract: A holder and apparatus for terahertz imaging and/or spectroscopy of beads, particles or microparticles, and methods for terahertz imaging and/or spectroscopy of beads, particles or microparticles and making the holder are disclosed. The holder includes a tray having a substantially planar upper surface, and one or more offsets above or below the substantially planar upper surface. Each offset is configured to hold one of the beads, particles or microparticles, and has a height or depth configured to minimize or eliminate interference between reflections of the terahertz radiation from the tray and reflections of the terahertz radiation from the bead, particle or microparticle in or on the offset.

Abstract: A vacuum pump suitable for mounting to an engine includes a casing, a cavity in the casing having with an inlet and an outlet, a moveable member arranged for rotation inside the cavity, wherein the movable member is movable to draw fluid into the cavity through the inlet and out of the cavity through the outlet so as to induce a reduction in pressure at the inlet, an oil supply conduit for supplying oil from a reservoir to the cavity, and a check valve having a check valve body arranged in the oil supply conduit. The check valve meters the oil flow to the cavity dependent on an oil pressure so that on exceeding an upper oil pressure threshold the supply of oil to the cavity is stopped by means of the check valve.

Abstract: A method of determining a density of a roller compacted ribbon is disclosed. The method comprises compacting dry pharmaceutical powder between press rollers of a roller compactor to produce a compact ribbon. The method also comprises determining a thickness at a point on the compact ribbon in a non-invasive manner after it has rolled out from in between the press rollers. Further, the method comprises passing the compact ribbon through a gap in between the terahertz emitter and the terahertz detector. Next, the method comprises determining a refractive index at the point on the compact ribbon using a measurement value from the terahertz emitter and the terahertz detector and a measured value for the thickness at the point. Finally, the method comprises computing a density of the compact ribbon at the point using a value of the refractive index.

Abstract: A method of determining material properties for an object under test is disclosed. The method comprises determining a thickness at a point on the object under test in a non-invasive manner. It also comprises obtaining a terahertz measurement by passing terahertz radiation through the object under test using a terahertz emitter and detecting the terahertz radiation using a terahertz detector. Finally, it comprises determining an optical property at the point on the object under test using a measurement value from the terahertz emitter and the terahertz detector and a measured value for the thickness at the point.

Abstract: A method of determining a density of a roller compacted ribbon is disclosed. The method comprises compacting dry pharmaceutical powder between press rollers of a roller compactor to produce a compact ribbon. The method also comprises determining a thickness at a point on the compact ribbon in a non-invasive manner after it has rolled out from in between the press rollers. Further, the method comprises passing the compact ribbon through a gap in between the terahertz emitter and the terahertz detector. Next, the method comprises determining a refractive index at the point on the compact ribbon using a measurement value from the terahertz emitter and the terahertz detector and a measured value for the thickness at the point. Finally, the method comprises computing a density of the compact ribbon at the point using a value of the refractive index.

Abstract: To provide a failsafe drive coupling capable of high torque transmission in direct dog drive, a vacuum pump drive is disconnectable from a drive shaft upon movement of a piston against a return spring, under the action of oil pressure. The piston comprises a speed synchronizing clutch engageable with the input shaft to rotate the piston at the speed of the input shaft, and teeth to directly dog the piston and input shaft together.

Abstract: A holder and apparatus for terahertz imaging and/or spectroscopy of beads, particles or microparticles, and methods for terahertz imaging and/or spectroscopy of beads, particles or microparticles and making the holder are disclosed. The holder includes a tray having a substantially planar upper surface, and one or more offsets above or below the substantially planar upper surface. Each offset is configured to hold one of the beads, particles or microparticles, and has a height or depth configured to minimize or eliminate interference between reflections of the terahertz radiation from the tray and reflections of the terahertz radiation from the bead, particle or microparticle in or on the offset.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automotive vacuum pump 10. The vacuum pump 10 has a casing 12 defining a cavity having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16, wherein the cavity contains a rotor 18 and a vane slidably mounted to the rotor 18. The rotor 18 extends through a side 21 of the casing 12 to the exterior thereof and is provided with a coupling arrangement 26 to couple the rotor 18 to a drive member. The vacuum pump 10 is provided with a lubrication conduit 50, 56, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 for the supply of lubricating fluid to the coupling arrangement 26, the conduit 50, 56, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 including a portion 70, 72, 74 which extends through the rotor 18 and the coupling arrangement 26.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combined gas and liquid pump (46) for an internal combustion engine (10). The pump (46) includes a casing (58) having a cavity (60) containing a rotor (62) and a vane (64) slidably mounted to the rotor (62), wherein the cavity (60) is provided with an inlet (50) connectable to a gas source, a further inlet (48) connectable to a liquid source which is separate to the gas source, and an outlet (56). The rotor (62) and vane (64) are movable to draw liquid and gas into the cavity (60) through the respective inlets (50,48) and to move said liquid and gas out of the cavity (60) through the outlet (56). The inlets (50,48) are arranged through the casing (58) such that fluid is drawn first through one of the inlets and then through the other of the inlets before being discharged through the outlet (56).

Abstract: A vacuum pump (10) suitable for mounting at a lower region of an engine such as in the oil sump of an engine. The vacuum pump (10) includes a casing (12) having a cavity (14) containing a movable member (18), wherein the cavity (14) is provided with an inlet (32) and an outlet (34) and the movable member (18) is movable to draw fluid into the cavity (14) through the inlet (32) and out of the cavity (14) through the outlet (34) so as to induce a reduction in pressure at the inlet. The vacuum pump (10) is further provided with an oil feed conduit (84) to supply oil to the cavity (14), the oil feed conduit (84) being provided with a valve (86) to prevent the flow of oil to the cavity (14) during periods when the pump is not operating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum pump (10) suitable for mounting at a lower region of an engine such as in the oil sump of an engine. The vacuum pump (10) includes a casing (12) having a cavity (14) containing a movable member (18), wherein the cavity (14) is provided with an inlet (32) and an outlet (34) and the movable member (18) is movable to draw fluid into the cavity (14) through the inlet (32) and out of the cavity (14) through the outlet (34) so as to induce a reduction in pressure at the inlet. The vacuum pump (10) is further provided with an oil feed conduit (84) to supply oil to the cavity (14), the oil feed conduit (84) being provided with a valve (86) to prevent the flow of oil to the cavity (14) during periods when the pump is not operating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combined gas and liquid pump (46) for an internal combustion engine (10). The pump (46) includes a casing (58) having a cavity (60) containing a rotor (62) and a vane (64) slidably mounted to the rotor (62), wherein the cavity (60) is provided with an inlet (50) connectable to a gas source, a further inlet (48) connectable to a liquid source which is separate to the gas source, and an outlet (56). The rotor (62) and vane (64) are movable to draw liquid and gas into the cavity (60) through the respective inlets (50,48) and to move said liquid and gas out of the cavity (60) through the outlet (56). The inlets (50,48) are arranged through the casing (58) such that fluid is drawn first through one of the inlets and then through the other of the inlets before being discharged through the outlet (56).

Abstract: A rotating vane vacuum pump has a secondary inlet (4) which permits additional suction after the primary inlet (3) has closed.

Abstract: A rotating vane vacuum pump has a secondary inlet (4) which permits additional suction after the primary inlet (3) has closed.

Abstract: A dispensing spoon comprising a handle, a scoop having an open mouth formed at one end of the handle, a powder leveling means in the form of a wiper part which is coupled integrally and flexibly to an opposite end of the handle remote from the scoop and which can be displaced manually in a sweep plane so as to sweep laterally over the mouth of the scoop for powder leveling purposes, and a counter which is automatically advanced by operation of the powder leveling means. The counter includes a counter disc having a plurality of numbers around its surface and is arranged to be indexed by one number when the wiper part is displaced to sweep over the scoop mouth to perform a powder leveling operation. The counter disk is journalled on the wiper part or the handle for rotation in a plane parallel to the sweep plane of the wiper part so that the numbers are displayed upwardly. The counter disc has on its underside a ratchet wheel having a plurality of teeth.

Abstract: A two-axis angle sensor comprising a pair of bubble chambers (3,4) and associated bubble detectors (5,6). A processor (42) calculates the angle of the sensor by combining the signals from the first and second bubble detectors in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. A radiation source (1) illuminates a bubble (8) with radiation whereby the radiation is refracted by the bubble. A radiation detector (5,6) is positioned to detect the refracted radiation from the bubble and generate a signal indicative of the angle of the bubble chamber. An angle sensor is used to calibrate a vibrating structure gyroscope (70). A flywheel (91) is provided to generate a gyroscopic resistance to operator input. A method of manufacturing a bubble angle sensor is disclosed, the method employing a lid (61) with an internal recess (65).