Abstract: A vehicle ramp system has multiple configurations. The simplest embodiment provides a ramp which can move between a retracted configuration and an extended “step in” configuration in which an outboard end of the ramp is closer to the ground than in the retracted configuration, so that the outboard end of the ramp functions as a lowered step. A preferred embodiment provides a fully retracted configuration, a partially extended “step in” configuration, a partially extended “curb ramp” configuration in which the outboard end of the ramp can engage a curb or sidewalk, and a fully extended configuration in which the outboard end of the ramp can engage a road surface of the road on which the vehicle carrying the ramp is supported.

Abstract: A transfer case comprises a casing, an input shaft extending from outside the casing into the casing and at least one output shaft extending from inside the casing to outside the case. The input shaft is rotationally coupled to the output shaft(s) for transferring rotation from the input shaft to the output shaft(s). Various types of mechanical arrangements can be used to couple the input shaft to the output shaft(s). The input shaft and the output shaft(s) are rotatably supported in the casing by opposed pairs of tapered roller bearings oriented so that the narrow ends of the tapered roller bearings in each pair of tapered roller bearings point away from one another, and the tapered roller bearings are each squeezed between the casing and their respective shaft. The tapered roller bearings are adjustable to limit play between the shafts and the casing.

Abstract: A bumper mounting assembly comprises a support member mountable to a vehicle front and a bumper-carrying member hingedly mounted to the support member to be movable between an upright position and a lowered position. A primary actuator is secured to the support member and the bumper-carrying member and can apply braking force against movement of the bumper-carrying member from the upright position to the lowered position and can preferably move the bumper-carrying member from the lowered position to the upright position. One of the bumper-carrying member and the support member carries a detent and the other carries a movable latch and a latch actuator for moving the latch between an engagement position and a disengagement position, with the latch biased into the engagement position so that the latch can selectively retain the bumper-carrying member in the upright position. A system to maintain pressure in a spare tire is also described.

Abstract: A bumper mounting assembly comprises a support member mountable to a vehicle front and a bumper-carrying member hingedly mounted to the support member to be movable between an upright position and a lowered position. A primary actuator is secured to the support member and the bumper-carrying member and can apply braking force against movement of the bumper-carrying member from the upright position to the lowered position and can preferably move the bumper-carrying member from the lowered position to the upright position. One of the bumper-carrying member and the support member carries a detent and the other carries a movable latch and a latch actuator for moving the latch between an engagement position and a disengagement position, with the latch biased into the engagement position so that the latch can selectively retain the bumper-carrying member in the upright position. A system to maintain pressure in a spare tire is also described.

Abstract: A novel single point leaky waveguide structure and its use as an optical sensor for the detection of particles is disclosed. The waveguide structure is fabricated to increase the overlap of the evanescent field extension from the sensor surface with particles in the bulk solution of a flowing system so as to place most of the volume of the particles within the evanescent field. Increasing the overlap of the evanescent field with the particles and permitting mode propagation along the direction of flow for a few millimetres provides an effective interrogation approach for multiple particle detection in a single flow channel.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-apoptotic compositions containing lysophosphatidic acids and methods for making and using the compositions. Such compositions may also contain LPA potentiating agents, including proteins, lipid membrane structures and polymers such as polyethylene glycols. The compositions can additionally contain other pharmaceutically effective agents such as drugs, antibiotics, wound healing agents and antioxidants.

Abstract: A system for removing particulates from a filtering device of a machine. The system may include a flow assembly configured to direct a flow of gas through the filtering device, with one or more elements of the flow assembly being removably attached to a first opening of the filtering device. The system may also include a sound generation assembly configured to direct sound waves toward the filtering device to remove particulates from the filtering device.

Abstract: An air induction system for an engine is disclosed. The air induction system has a compressor operable to compress air directed into the engine, a bypass valve, and a throttle valve. The bypass valve may be disposed between the compressor and the engine and may have a valve element movable to selectively divert a portion of the compressed air away from the engine in response to a desired air-to-fuel ratio of the engine. The throttle valve may be disposed between the bypass valve and the engine and may have a valve element movable to selectively restrict the flow of compressed air into the engine in response to a desired air-to-fuel ratio of the engine. The movements of the valve elements of the bypass and throttle valves may be substantially sequential.

Abstract: An identification apparatus comprising a chamber having one or more buffer fluid inlets and a plurality of sample fluid inlets, the chamber being configured such that the buffer fluid focuses the sample fluid into sample fluid streams, the sample fluid streams and buffer fluid being contained in a single laminar flow, wherein the apparatus is provided with means for directing optical excitation simultaneously at a plurality of the sample fluid streams to allow parallel fluorescence and/or scattering measurements.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing between fluorescent light emitted by green fluorescent protein and fluorescent light emitted by auto-fluorescent molecules, the method comprising: using plane-polarised light to illuminate a sample containing green fluorescent protein and auto-fluorescent molecules; detecting the intensity of fluorescent light that is emitted with a first polarisation from the sample; detecting the intensity of fluorescent light that is emitted with a second polarisation from the sample; and subtracting a first of said detected intensities from a second of said detected intensities to obtain a difference signal.

Abstract: A waveguide structure comprising a medium disposed of a sensing layer (21), a second layer of material (22) having a refractive index greater than that of the medium, and a substrate (24). The structure defines a waveguide capable of supporting an optical mode confined in a sensing layer. The medium is adapted for performing chemical or biological reactions within the medium which will result in a change of an optical property of the sensing layer of the waveguide. The thickness and refractive indexes of the layers are chosen such that an optical mode confined in the sensing layer will suffer substantially anti-resonant reflection as a consequence of the interface between the sensing layer and the second layer and the interface between the second layer and the substrate. Alternatively, the waveguide may comprise a low index sensing medium held between a superstrate and a substrate each of which has a refractive index higher than that of the medium.

Abstract: A mechanism suitable for friction welding aerofoil blades to the periphery of a disc. The mechanism comprises a first member (flywheel 12) which has an ecentric crank pin. Two pivotally interconnected links 18 and 20 are connected between the crank pin and a second member 19 which is pivotally mounted. A blade to be friction welded (by rubbing it in an arcuate path on the disc) is mounted at the point of pivotal connection 32 between the second link 20 and the member 19. An actuator lever 24 is pivotally mounted on a pivot 22 which is located in the vicinity of the locus of movement of the pivotal interconnection 30 between the two links 18, 20. The actuator has a third link 28 which is of the same length as the link 20. The third link is connected by a pivot 26 to the lever 24 at a radius equal to the length of the second and third links 20 and 28.

Abstract: A liquid fuel pump arrangement for delivering fuel to an engine comprises a liquid-ring pump including a motor driven bladed impeller rotor which is located eccentrically within a cylindrical bore of a chamber forming part of a hollow pump body structure. The hollow pump body structure also accommodates a motor-driven prime pump impeller which pumps fuel within the pump body structure to an aircraft or other engine. An inner end wall of the liquid ring pump provides the liquid ring with access to the liquid fuel within the pump body structure while an outer end wall of the liquid ring pump has an air/vapor inlet port through which the bladed impeller of the liquid ring pump during rotation thereof draws air/vapor and an air/vapor outlet port the flow of air/vapor expelled therefrom by compression of the air/vapor within the liquid ring in response to rotation of the bladed impeller being restricted by flow restriction means.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a brush seal is disclosed which comprises producing a plurality of tufts of brush material and securing the tufts between two side plates to form a seal. Each tuft is produced by forming a tape which comprises one or more layers of parallel contiguous lengths of filaments adhesively bonded together to form a self supporting body. The tape is cut into discrete portions and these constitute tufts of bonded filaments. A plurality of tufts are assembled closely adjacent to each other in a support member with a part of each tuft projecting from the support member, and the tufts are subsequently secured in the support member. Finally the adhesive is removed from at least that part of each tuft which projects from the support member.

Abstract: Apparatus for casting in a vacuum has a single evacuable furnace chamber 10 in which the charge melting and mould heating takes place. The charge is melted in a crucible 24 by an induction coil 20, while the mould is heated by resistance heaters 18 which are made from a FECRALLOY (Registered Trade Mark) material and can be operated in air or vacuum. In operation an empty mould 16 and a charged crucible 24 are positioned in the furnace 14 and the furnace chamber is sealed. The heaters 20 and 18 are operated while the furnace is pumped down. A control device 40 ensures that the charge is not melted until the appropriate vacuum level has been reached. After pouring the filled mould is withdrawn into a withdrawal zone 25 and as soon as the casting has solidified to the extent that air can be admitted to the chamber without detriment, the vacuum is released and the mould and charge replaced.

Abstract: In casting of hollow turbine blades problems arise with breakage or distortion of long thin cores for small diameter cooling passages, and also in maintaining cores accurately positioned for casting thin walled blades. The present invention provides a method of manufacture in which a pre-form of the blade, or other hollow article, is made in two parts and is accurately machined to define the required passage shapes or wall thicknesses in at least one of the parts, appropriate cores are made and the pre-form parts are assembled in a casting mould with the cores in position and heated to melt the preforms. Thus the cores are supported by solid material during the melting process. The melting can take place progressively in a uni-directional manner along the article so that only a narrow area of the article becomes melted at any time and the cores are supported in the melt from both ends. Thus columnar grained or single crystal articles can be made by this method.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of hollow turbine blades for gas turbine engines comprises forming them in two parts and brazing the parts together. This requires very accurate machining of the two faces of the parts which are to be joined prior to the brazing process. The invention provides a method of machining two confronting faces of parts of an article which are to be joined together. The method includes the step of passing an electrolyte linishing belt (2) FIG. 4 between the confronting surfaces of the two parts (10,11) and in contact with both faces simultaneously while passing an electric current between the parts. Thus one or both faces of the parts are machined using one as the former for the other.