Abstract: A fibre optic cable (500, 700, 1420) comprises one or more fibre units (502, 1302). Each fibre unit comprises two or more optical fibres (506, 1306) embedded in a solid resin material (520, 1320) to form a coated fibre bundle and an extruded polymer sheath (524, 1324). The sheath (524, 1324) of each fibre unit is primarily polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), with a friction reducing additive such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The additive may be polythene based and/or polyacrylate based. The fibre unit may be applied in a pullback cable (500, 800, 1100), as a cable for pulling or pushing or as a blown fibre cable (502, 1302).

Abstract: An automatic ball launcher includes a ball feed control system that includes a meter wheel with radially-spaced ribs or grooves to selectively block and pass balls to the flywheels of the launcher. The meter wheel rotates to selectively block and release a single ball to pass at a time. The controller of the launcher can be programmed to stop the meter wheel when a ball has been metered by monitoring the current at peak of the motor driving the meter wheel. A meter-event can be determined to have occurred when the current of the drive motor drops to a trough by a pre-set magnitude following a rise to a peak value. A remote control can be provided for the user to operate the launching machine and adjust a plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A method of reassembling a gas turbine engine including steps to support a core engine on a core stand and support a fan case on a fan stand that includes a base frame coupled a fan case frame by a hinge. The fan case frame is arranged to (i) rotate about an axis of the hinge between abutting the base frame and being perpendicular to the base frame, and (ii) tilt about a yaw axis perpendicular to the hinge, which is located in a plane of the fan case frame. The method includes rotating and tilting the fan case frame to align the fan case and core engine, translating at least one of the core engine and the fan case into axial abutment, coupling the fan case and the core engine to reassemble the gas turbine engine, and decoupling the fan case from the fan stand.

Abstract: An automatic ball launcher includes a ball feed control system that includes a meter wheel with radially-spaced ribs or grooves to selectively block and pass balls to the flywheels of the launcher. The meter wheel rotates to selectively block and release a single ball to pass at a time. The controller of the launcher can be programmed to stop the meter wheel when a ball has been metered by monitoring the current at peak of the motor driving the meter wheel. A meter-event can be determined to have occurred when the current of the drive motor drops to a trough by a pre-set magnitude following a rise to a peak value. A remote control can be provided for the user to operate the launching machine and adjust a plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A method of reassembling a gas turbine engine including steps to support a core engine on a core stand and support a fan case on a fan stand that includes a base frame coupled a fan case frame by a hinge. The fan case frame is arranged to (i) rotate about an axis of the hinge between abutting the base frame and being perpendicular to the base frame, and (ii) tilt about a yaw axis perpendicular to the hinge, which is located in a plane of the fan case frame. The method includes rotating and tilting the fan case frame to align the fan case and core engine, translating at least one of the core engine and the fan case into axial abutment, coupling the fan case and the core engine to reassemble the gas turbine engine, and decoupling the fan case from the fan stand.

Abstract: A method of separating a gas turbine engine includes steps to support the gas turbine engine on a core stand, and to move a fan stand into axial alignment with a core stand. The fan stand includes a base frame and a fan case frame coupled to the base frame at one edge by a hinge. The fan case frame rotates about an axis of the hinge between abutting the base frame and being perpendicular to the base frame, and includes a coupling arrangement that couples a fan case to the fan case frame. The method further includes steps to rotate and tilt the fan case frame into abutting relation with the fan case, couple the fan case to the fan case frame, decouple the fan case and core engine, and translate at least part of the core stand axially to separate the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler comprises a shell having upper and lower shell parts, and an inhalation piece, through which a user can inhale medicament. The inhalation piece is coupled to the lower shell part and the upper shell part is moveable between a closed configuration, coupled to the lower shell part and covering the inhalation piece, and an open configuration in which the inhalation piece is exposed. An actuation button is coupled to the lower shell part and biased by a first biasing mechanism acting between the actuation button and the lower shell part towards a projected position projecting from the surface of the lower shell part and moveable to a retracted position. Movement of the actuation button causes medicament to be dispensed for subsequent inhalation through the inhalation piece.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine fan stand (40) comprising a base frame (42) and a fan case frame (44) coupled together at one edge by a hinge (46). The fan case frame (44) is arranged to: rotate about the hinge (46) between abutting the base frame (42) and substantially perpendicular thereto; and tilt about a yaw axis (52) perpendicular to the hinge (46) and in the plane of the fan case frame (44). The fan case frame (44) further comprising a coupling arrangement (56) arranged to rotate about a roll axis (60) and to couple a fan case (36) to the fan case frame (44). A gas turbine engine stand assembly (68) comprising a fan stand (40) and a core stand (38). A method of splitting a gas turbine engine (10) and a method of reassembling a gas turbine engine (10).

Abstract: A gas turbine engine stand comprising an engine frame and a base frame. The base frame has a slide rail to enable axial translation of the engine frame relative to the base frame. A load transfer arrangement engages with a part of the engine frame and slidingly engages with the slide rail. There is a locking mechanism to lock the engine frame to the base frame to prevent relative axial translation. The gas turbine engine stand is used, inter alia, for splitting a core engine from a fan case.

Abstract: There is disclosed an inhaler, such as a dry powder inhaler, comprising a shell having an upper shell part and a lower shell part, and an inhalation piece, such as a mouthpiece or nosepiece, through which a user can inhale medicament. The inhalation piece is coupled to the lower shell part and the upper shell part is moveable between a closed configuration in which it is coupled to the lower shell part and covers the inhalation piece, and an open configuration in which the inhalation piece is exposed. The inhaler also comprises an actuation button coupled to the lower shell part and biased by a first biasing device acting between the actuation button and the lower shell part towards a projected position in which it projects from the surface of the lower shell part and moveable to a retracted position. In use, movement of the actuation button from the projected position towards the retracted position causes medicament to be dispensed for subsequent inhalation through the inhalation piece.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine stand (38) comprising an engine frame (48) and a base frame (46). The base frame (46) has a slide rail (51) to enable axial translation of the engine frame (48) relative to the base frame (46). A load transfer arrangement (54) engages with a part (50) of the engine frame (48) and slidingly engages with the slide rail (51). There is a locking mechanism (62) to lock the engine frame (48) to the base frame (46) to prevent relative axial translation. The gas turbine engine stand (38) is used, inter alia, for splitting a core engine (34) from a fan case (36).

Abstract: A gas turbine engine fan stand (40) comprising a base frame (42) and a fan case frame (44) coupled together at one edge by a hinge (46). The fan case frame (44) is arranged to: rotate about the hinge (46) between abutting the base frame (42) and substantially perpendicular thereto; and tilt about a yaw axis (52) perpendicular to the hinge (46) and in the plane of the fan case frame (44). The fan case frame (44) further comprising a coupling arrangement (56) arranged to rotate about a roll axis (60) and to couple a fan case (36) to the fan case frame (44). A gas turbine engine stand assembly (68) comprising a fan stand (40) and a core stand (38). A method of splitting a gas turbine engine (10) and a method of reassembling a gas turbine engine (10).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner (100) comprises a main body (3), separating apparatus, a flexible hose (20) having one end for coupling to an input of the separating apparatus and the other end terminating in a connecting part (40), a rigid pipe (9, 10) being selectively connectable to the main body (3) (see FIG. 2A) so as to provide a handle for the cleaner when connected to the main body (3), or a wand when released from the main body (3). The pipe (9) has an opening at each of first and second ends (16, 17) and a gripping portion (11) at the first end (17) for allowing a user to grasp the pipe (9). The hose connecting part (40) is connectable to the opening at either end (16, 17) of the pipe (9). Thus, the pipe (9) can be more conveniently used during a cylinder mode of cleaning.

Abstract: An optical fibre cable (1) for installation in a duct (51) by means of fluid flow is described. The cable (1) has a signal transmitting portion comprising a plurality of elongate, flexible optical fibres, surrounded by a braided covering (10) formed from textile yarns (9). The apparatus (50) for installing the cable includes an air compressor (52) for supplying a blowing head (53) with a conditioned air supply substantially free of static electricity or moisture. The blowing head (53) includes drive wheels (not shown), the speed of rotation of which (and hence the speed of installation of the fibre cable (1), (101) is adjusted by means of s control unit (54) powered by power supply (55). The fibre cable (1), (101) is fed from a fibre pan (56) over guide (57) to the blowing head (53), which is fed with an air supply from compressor (52) which is regulated by dispenser (58).