Abstract: A joint with a first component; a second component; and an electrical assembly which provides an electrical pathway between the first and second components with an electrical resistance between 100 k? and 10 M?. The electrical assembly comprises a bonding lead; and a pair of connection assemblies each connecting the bonding lead to a respective one of the components. Each connection assembly comprises: a fastener with a shaft which passes through a hole in the component and a hole in the bonding lead, the hole in the bonding lead passing between an inner face of the bonding lead which faces towards the component and an outer face of the bonding lead which faces away from the component, and a washer which is carried by the shaft of the fastener and engages the component and the inner face of the bonding lead. Each washer provides the path of least electrical resistance between the bonding lead and a respective one of the components, each said path having an electrical resistance between 50 k? and 5 M?.

Abstract: A method implemented in a mobile station (“MS”). When the MS transmits, it generates radio frequency (“RF”) energy. To limit exposure to RF energy, regulatory agencies determined a maximum transmission power for mobile stations. The amount of RF energy considered safe is that generated when the MS is transmitting continuously at the maximum transmission power for a predetermined period. The method first determines whether the maximum transmission power is too low to effect communication between the MS and a base station. If it is, the transmission power is increased and if possible, the data transmission rate of outbound data is reduced to at or below a data rate threshold that reduces the RF energy generated by the mobile station to an amount considered safe. Then, any data having a data transmission rate less than or equal to the data rate threshold is transmitted at the increased transmission power.

Abstract: A joint on an aircraft, the joint comprising: a first component; a second component; and a bonding lead which provides an electrical pathway between the first and second components. The bonding lead comprises a conductive core and a sheath which covers a substantial length of the core and has a lower electrical conductivity than the core. The path of least electrical resistance between the first component and the core of the bonding lead comprises the sheath, typically with an electrical resistance between 50 k? and 50 M?. By making the electrical resistance of the core much smaller than that of the sheath, the total resistance of the bonding lead remains substantially the same regardless of its length.

Abstract: A method of sealing a gap between first and second aerodynamic surfaces. The width of the gap between the two surfaces is measured to obtain a gap measurement. The width of a seal member is pre-formed in accordance with the gap measurement. The seal member is fitted into the gap such that the seal member is substantially flush with the first and second aerodynamic surfaces. Apparatus for performing the method is also described. The apparatus comprising: a metrology device adapted to measure the width of the gap between the first and second aerodynamic surfaces; a seal member dispenser for dispensing a seal member; and a cutter adapted to cut the seal member to size in accordance with the measurements obtained by the metrology device.

Abstract: A joint with a first component; a second component; and an electrical assembly which provides an electrical pathway between the first and second components with an electrical resistance between 100 k? and 10 M?. The electrical assembly comprises a bonding lead; and a pair of connection assemblies each connecting the bonding lead to a respective one of the components. Each connection assembly comprises: a fastener with a shaft which passes through a hole in the component and a hole in the bonding lead, the hole in the bonding lead passing between an inner face of the bonding lead which faces towards the component and an outer face of the bonding lead which faces away from the component, and a washer which is carried by the shaft of the fastener and engages the component and the inner face of the bonding lead. Each washer provides the path of least electrical resistance between the bonding lead and a respective one of the components, each said path having an electrical resistance between 50 k? and 5 M?.

Abstract: A barbeque smoker has an angled front with a heated exhaust that increases draft and air circulation, resulting in a more even heat and smoke distribution than conventional smokers. By heating an internal chimney directly over the smoker's fire, the temperature in the exhaust is higher than it is inside the cooking chamber, thus increasing draft/air circulation. The chimney intake is positioned below the cooking grates and runs on an upward angle through the cooking chamber. The chimney terminates outside the top of the smoker. This configuration forces the chamber to uniformly fill with heat and smoke before any heat or smoke can exit the cooking chamber. The increased draft aids efficient circulation of the heat and smoke, creating a very uniform cooking environment.

Abstract: A split grommet assembly comprising a grommet and a clamping ring. The grommet has a body portion with a peripheral edge and a sealing groove round the peripheral edge of the body portion. The grommet also has a gland portion with a peripheral edge, and a hole passing through the body and gland portions. The body and gland portions are each split along a split line which runs from the hole to their peripheral edges. The clamping ring encircles the peripheral edge of the gland portion and can be opened to permit an elongate object to be fitted into the hole via the split line, and closed to apply a compressive load to the peripheral edge of the gland portion which resists opening of the body along the split line.

Abstract: An aircraft leading edge panel having an outer aerodynamic surface; and an inner surface carrying the elastomeric impact protection membrane. The membrane comprises a woven or knitted fabric which is impregnated with an elastomeric material. The membrane and the panel may be bonded by an adhesive or co-cured to bond the membrane to the panel. The membrane provides impact protection to the panel by de-bonding from the face of the panel and absorbing at least part of the energy of an object impacting the panel.

Abstract: A joint on an aircraft, the joint comprising: a first component; a second component joined to the first component; and a bonding lead which forms an electrical connection between the components with a resistance between 100 k? and 10 M?. Surprisingly, it has been found that a bonding lead with a relatively high resistance can be used without seriously compromising the static discharge performance of the bonding lead, and that the resulting comparatively low flow of current reduces the risk of sparking in the event of an lightning strike. Bonding leads may be provided as a kit of parts in which at least two of the bonding leads have different lengths and the longer lead is formed from a material having a higher bulk conductivity than the shorter lead. Thus the bonding leads can be made with approximately similar resistances regardless of their lengths.

Abstract: A joint on an aircraft, a bonding lead for use in such a joint, and a method of manufacturing such a joint. The bonding lead comprises an elongate conductive core with a pair of end faces at the extremities of its length. The conductive core is encapsulated along at least a majority of its length and at both end faces in a barrier layer typically formed from an elastomer. The lead is encapsulated along its length in the barrier layer apart from at a first contact region towards a first end of the bonding lead and a second contact region towards a second end of the bonding lead.

Abstract: To improve a golf player's ability to produce accurate draw and fade shots the invention provides a golf training aid comprising a guide member including a curve, said curve lying substantially in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of a surface on which the aid rests in use, the curved section acting, in use, as a visual guide for the movement of the club.

Abstract: A catalyst suitable for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons is described comprising cobalt nanocrystallites containing a precious metal promoter, dispersed over the surface of a porous transition alumina powder wherein the cobalt content of the catalyst is ?25% by weight, the precious metal promoter metal promoter content of the catalyst is in the range 0.05 to 0.25% by weight, and the cobalt crystallites have a average size, as determined by hydrogen chemisorption, of ?15 nm. A method for making the catalyst is also described.

Abstract: A bonding lead comprising a core; and a sheath bonded to the core. The core comprises a substrate of fibres coated with nano-objects with at least one dimension between 1 nm and 200 nm. The nano-objects form a continuous electrically conductive network from one end of the bonding lead to the other with some of the nano-objects coating the fibres and others forming bridges between adjacent fibres. The nano-objects may be carbon nanotubes and the core may be woven or knitted. A conductive connector is provided at each end of the bonding lead, for instance a tab formed from an electrically conductive polymer. The lead can be used to dissipate static charge and/or lightning current between components, typically within an aircraft fuel tank.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear assembly comprising an impact protection boot mounted to a landing gear component, the impact protection boot comprising: a resilient inner impact energy absorption layer which engages the component; and an outer protective layer which substantially covers the impact energy absorption layer, wherein the inner layer is more compressible than the outer layer. The boot has first and second ends which are tied to each other by a connector which exerts oppositely directed forces on the first and second ends respectively, the forces being directed around the circumference of the boot so as to tighten the boot against the landing gear component.

Abstract: A method of controlling an elastomeric damper. The damper is heated by passing an electric current through the damper or through a heating element in contact with the damper said heating causing a decrease in stiffness of the damper. The elastomeric damper may comprise an elastomeric material filled with electrically conductive particles, and the damper may be heated by passing an electric current through the elastomeric material. Alternatively the damper may be heated using a discrete resistive heating element, such as a coil embedded within the elastomeric damper or wound around it.

Abstract: A mast includes a base section, an outer telescopic section and an inner telescopic section which are raised and lowered by a pair of main lift cylinders. A fork carriage is slidably mounted to the inner telescopic section and is raised and lowered thereon by a pair of free lift cylinders. The mast elements are arranged to form two mast columns which produce minimum obstruction to the truck operator's field of view when looking forward through the mast.

Abstract: An aircraft wing comprising first and second fuel pipe segments which are coupled together with a pipe coupling device comprising a corrugated tube formed from an elastomer filled with conductive material. The pipe coupling device is particularly useful for connecting together fuel pipe segments in an aircraft wing as it removes the need to attach bonding leads between fuel pipe segments to dissipate lightning currents and static.

Abstract: A payment transaction is performed over the Internet. A merchant server presents to an end user a merchant web page that identifies the merchant server as the source of the web page. A payment processing server presents to the end user a web document that requests payment information from the end user. The web document is presented to the end user as an inline frame within the merchant web page.

Abstract: A sealing material comprises a partially or fully cured polysulphide sealant and a reinforcing element, especially glass fibre. The sealing material is a flexible solid and is preferably in sheet form. The sealing material is cut to shape like a gasket and is assembled between components to be fastened, for example, in airframe manufacture.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises ferroelectric particles suspended in a liquid crystal material. A method for fabricating a light-modulating device is also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a pair of substrates with a cell gap therebetween, wherein electrodes are disposed on the facing surfaces of the substrates, and permanently disposing a suspension of ferroelectric particles in a liquid crystal material into said cell gap. A method of generating an image comprises providing a pair of substrates with a cell gap therebetween, providing transparent electrodes on each of said substrates adjacent to the cell gap, permanently disposing a suspension of ferroelectric particles in a liquid crystal material within the cell gap, and applying an electric field across the electrodes.