Abstract: A manipulator for remote handling in a hostile environment 14, has a slave arm 10 comprising an upper arm 30, a forearm 52 and a jaw mechanism 60. The upper arm 30 is pivotally suspended from a shoulder support 20 and is telescopically extendible such that straight line motion of the forearm 52 is readily obtained. In addition the forearm 52 is arranged to pivot relative to the upper arm 30 through the same angle as the upper arm 30 but in the opposite sense such that the forearm 52 maintains a constant orientation when the upper arm 30 pivots. All the motions of the slave arm 10 may be controlled through mechanical linkages from a drive unit 18 situated outside the hostile environment 14, and extending through shielding 13 into the environment 14.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for generating large quantities of singlet oxygen and/or ozone at unexpectedly high efficiencies. An electron beam generated by a hollow cathode plasma discharge device (HCD) is spread by disclosed means over an electron-transmissive window past which is flowing an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a high velocity.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe for generating shear waves in a test piece, having a liquid-filled cell housing a transducer. The cell has a window for application to the test piece and the transducer is pivotable to provide variable angle of wave incidence at the window. An external scale, calibrated in angle of refraction of resultant waves in the test piece, permits of pivoting the transducer for the corresponding angle of incidence by way of a mechanical linkage. For a given wave velocity for a known test piece material (steel and aluminium is chosen) and for a given liquid filling, the linkage geometry is predetermined. Reflected energy within the cell is attenuated by bristle bundles.