Abstract: An improved textile yarn finish is provided having a continuous aqueous phase with a soil release agent incorporated therein and a discontinuous phase of a lubricating oil.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic coupling system, especially for an optical fibre (or electrical) connector member. The connector member 10 has a body 12 with a cylindrical portion 14 and a semi-cylindrical extension 16, defining a stepped end profile comprising rearward and forward spaced parallel semi-annular transverse surfaces 24, 26 and a planar portion 22 between them, this structure having 180.degree. rotational symmetry about a transverse axis 56. A channel 20 is formed in the extension 16 as a continuation of a bore 18 in the portion 14 forming a recess. A boss 32 is in the channel 20 and has a projecting end 34 projecting forwardly of surface 26. A domed abutment surface 44 on an abutment member 42 resiliently mounted by a spring 40 at the rear of the boss faces rearwardly towards the bore 18. The space 50 between the boss 32 and the end surface 24 of the body portion 14 is sufficient to receive laterally the boss on an opposed identical connector member 58 when the abutment members are depressed.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine has one or more blades (10) mounted in cantilever manner on a hub (12) on a short tower (14). The or each blade (10) is unsupported above the level of the hub (12) and extends freely upwards. The hub (12) may be a rigid mounting or a pivot mounting. If two blades (10) are used, they are desirably arranged in a crossed configuration so as to extend along a common axis. The upward arm of the blade (10) can be straight and rigid, or flexible, or cranked, or curved. The wind turbine is suitable both for land-based use and on water-going craft.

Abstract: A fired ceramics compact for use in casting of a super alloy material consisting of a solid solution of BaO and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 wherein the composition of the solid solution lies on or between a first and a second eutectic composition, the first and the second eutectic compositions being adjacent and occurring to either respective side of stoichiometric BaO.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in a phase diagram of the solid solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical and optical fibre connectors. In the past, the terminal ends of electrical conductors or optical fibres retained in a connector have not reliably maintained a desired separation of the ends of optical fibres or a secure conducting connection formed between electrical conductors. According to the present invention, there is provided an improved optical fibre or electrical connector, comprising a termination member suitable for terminating an electrical conductor or an optical fibre, the termination member being slidably mounted through an aperture in a connector body-member, and a biasing element resiliently biasing the termination member against sliding movement in a first direction relative to the connector body-member.

Abstract: A quick-release electrical connector having a coupling member captive on and rotatable about a body of the connector, the member including circumferentially-spaced, forwardly-projecting tangs of polymeric material constituting a gapped barrel and having an internal screwthread thereon for engagement with an external screwthread of a mating connector. The tangs are resilient and allow rapid disconnection of the connectors upon application of an axial force sufficient to cause interaction of the internal and external screwthreads and expansion of the barrel to allow the internal screwthreads to ride over the external screwthreads. An inhibitor device is provided to selectively inhibit expansion of the barrel and separation of the connectors.

Abstract: A trimming potentiometer having a resistive member and a rotatable member attached to a wiper in contact with the resistive member for varying the position of the wiper thereon, wherein the rotatable member has a peripherally toothed portion and the non-rotatable part of the potentiometer is formed with a plurality of structures defining pivot points for a rotatable adjusting tool, each of the pivot points being spaced from the peripherally toothed portion of the rotatable member by less than the radius of this portion, whereby a toothed adjusting tool can be engaged with any one of the structures and with the toothed portion of the rotatable member for adjustment of the rotatable member by rotation of the tool, the structures being positioned to define different adjustment directions for the tool.