Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pressure vessel (10) comprising the steps of dividing a wall (104) of a section (100) of the pressure vessel (10) into a first segment (120) and a second segment (150), separating the first segment (120) from the second segment (150), fitting apparatus (400) onto the first segment (120), and then re-attaching the first segment (120) and the second segment (150).

Abstract: An MRI scanner and a method for operation of the MRI scanner are provided. The MRI scanner has a first receiving antenna for receiving a magnetic resonance signal from a patient in a patient tunnel, a second receiving antenna for receiving a signal having the Larmor frequency of the magnetic resonance signal, and a receiver. The second receiving antenna is located outside of the patient tunnel or near an opening thereof. The receiver has a signal connection to the first receiving antenna and the second receiving antenna and is configured to suppress an interference signal by the second receiving antenna in the magnetic resonance signal received by the first receiving antenna.

Abstract: A first spacecraft comprises a drive mechanism. A second spacecraft comprises a valve for filling/draining the second spacecraft. The coupling assembly comprises a first connector comprising an actuating member configured to engage and open the valve and a coupling member configured to couple to the drive mechanism. A second connector comprises a stop portion and a bore for transferring fluid. Operation of the drive mechanism rotates the coupling member and the second connector together to screw the second connector onto the valve until the stop portion engages the valve, the actuating member being prevented from moving relative to the second connector to open the valve whilst the lock is in the locked state. Once the stop portion engages the valve, operation of the drive mechanism to exert a torque on the coupling member greater than a predetermined torque level moves the lock to an unlocked state wherein the actuating member is moveable relative to the second connector to engage and open the valve.

Abstract: A system for transferring a fluid from a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft. The first spacecraft includes a fluid transfer system comprising: a pressurant supply system, a first fluid tank to store a fluid to be transferred, one or more transfer feedlines to provide fluidic connection between the first fluid tank and the second spacecraft, a connector for connecting the first spacecraft to the second spacecraft, an accumulator tank comprising a first portion connected to the pressurant supply system, a second portion configured in fluidic communication with the one or more transfer feedlines, and a flexible separator to separate the first portion and the second portion. The pressurant supply system supplies pressurant gas to the first fluid tank for pressurising the first fluid tank and to supply pressurant gas to the first portion of the accumulator tank for pressurising the first portion of the accumulator tank.

Abstract: An acoustical isolating device used to minimize or eliminate noise or vibrations between the walls/ceilings and building structures is contemplated. The contemplated device includes a specially designed/configured steel spring with unique structural elements, cylindrical grommets, and a washer releasably affixed to one of the grommets.

Abstract: A system for transferring a fluid from a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft. The first spacecraft includes a fluid transfer system comprising: a pressurant supply system, a first fluid tank to store a fluid to be transferred, one or more transfer feedlines to provide fluidic connection between the first fluid tank and the second spacecraft, a connector for connecting the first spacecraft to the second spacecraft, an accumulator tank comprising a first portion connected to the pressurant supply system, a second portion configured in fluidic communication with the one or more transfer feedlines, and a flexible separator to separate the first portion and the second portion. The pressurant supply system supplies pressurant gas to the first fluid tank for pressurising the first fluid tank and to supply pressurant gas to the first portion of the accumulator tank for pressurising the first portion of the accumulator tank.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coupling assembly for fluidly connecting first and second spacecraft. The first space-craft comprises a drive mechanism and the second spacecraft comprising a valve for filling and/or draining the second spacecraft. The coupling assembly comprises first and second connectors and a lock. The first connector comprises an actuating member configured to engage and open the valve and a coupling member configured to couple to the drive mechanism such that the drive mechanism is operable to exert a torque on the coupling member to rotate the coupling member. The second connector comprises a stop portion and a bore for transferring fluid, the second connector configured to screw on to the valve until the stop portion engages the valve.

Abstract: An MRI scanner and a method for operation of the MRI scanner are provided. The MRI scanner has a first receiving antenna for receiving a magnetic resonance signal from a patient in a patient tunnel, a second receiving antenna for receiving a signal having the Larmor frequency of the magnetic resonance signal, and a receiver. The second receiving antenna is located outside of the patient tunnel or near an opening thereof. The receiver has a signal connection to the first receiving antenna and the second receiving antenna and is configured to suppress an interference signal by the second receiving antenna in the magnetic resonance signal received by the first receiving antenna.

Abstract: An MRI scanner and a method for operation of the MRI scanner are provided. The MRI scanner has a first receiving antenna for receiving a magnetic resonance signal from a patient in a patient tunnel, a second receiving antenna for receiving a signal having the Larmor frequency of the magnetic resonance signal, and a receiver. The second receiving antenna is located outside of the patient tunnel or near an opening thereof. The receiver has a signal connection to the first receiving antenna and the second receiving antenna and is configured to suppress an interference signal by the second receiving antenna in the magnetic resonance signal received by the first receiving antenna.

Abstract: The invention relates to an MRI scanner and a method for operation of said MRI scanner. The MRI scanner has a first receiving antenna for receiving a magnetic resonance signal from a patient in a patient tunnel, a second receiving antenna for receiving a signal having the Larmor frequency of the magnetic resonance signal, and a receiver. The second receiving antenna is located outside of the patient tunnel or near an opening thereof. The receiver has a signal connection to the first receiving antenna and the second receiving antenna and is designed to suppress an interference signal by the second receiving antenna in the magnetic resonance signal received by the first receiving antenna.

Abstract: A method for detecting signals using an adaptive transducer arrangement, the arrangement including a transducer array having a plurality of transducers, a beamformer, and an energy detector, the method comprising: determining weights to be applied by the beamformer to signals emitted from each transducer in order to maximize a performance metric; applying the determined weights to the signals emitted from each transducer; measuring the energy received at the energy detector; comparing the measured energy with a predetermined value and based on said comparison determining whether or not one or more signals are present.

Abstract: A method for cutting a slab of material including cutting the slab with a cutting tool vibrating at a preselected frequency when the material is in a semi-set state.

Abstract: A method for producing a laminated product including applying a slab product to at least one surface of a substrate, the method including placing the substrate onto the slab material when the slab product is in a semi set partially cured state, then allowing the laminated product to cure. Preferably the slab is cement based and the substrate is a masonry product, already manufactured and cured, e.g., tiles, mosaics, bench tops. The method may alternatively cast a cementitious slab first, and then when that is partially cured pour the cementitious substrate onto it, then cutting the whole assembly into smaller pieces while the whole assembly is still in a partially cured semi set state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of processing cementitious products to substantially reduce or eliminate efflorescence. The method includes applying a protective layer to at least one surface of a slab product at the time of pouring cementitious mix into a mould and retaining the protective layer in place. The protective layer is a relatively thin sheet of plastic material.

Abstract: A method for detecting signals using an adaptive transducer arrangement, the arrangement including a transducer array having a plurality of transducers, a beamformer, and an energy detector, the method comprising: determining weights to be applied by the beamformer to signals emitted from each transducer in order to maximise a performance metric; applying the determined weights to the signals emitted from each transducer; measuring the energy received at the energy detector; comparing the measured energy with a predetermined value and based on said comparison determining whether or not one or more signals are present.

Abstract: A method for producing a cementitious slab including mixing together cement with other materials with the combined mixture of materials having physical particle sizes sufficiently small to allow the material to be cut with a vibrating cutting tool when the material is a semi-set state.

Abstract: A method for cutting a slab of material including cutting the slab with a cutting tool vibrating at a preselected frequency when the material is in a semi-set state.