Abstract: An actuator such as a vehicle hand brake actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes an electric motor (18) which drives an orbital gear box (20) which in turn has an output connected to a pulley (60) for applying a load to cables (62) to apply the brake. A pinion gear (24) is mounted on the output of the motor (18) and drives a pinion gear (27) which in turn meshes with a spur gear (30) connected to input shaft (36) an eccentric (42) for driving the gear box (20). The orbital gear box (20) has orbit gears (50, 52) which are fixed together and which have a different number of teeth to provide a gear ratio. The gear (52) meshes with an output gear (56) which in turn is fixed to the pulley (60).

Abstract: A system for monitoring the passage of people through a controlled location, the system comprising; a security access device for selectively allowing and preventing the passage of one or more people through the controlled location; a thermal imaging device for obtaining movement and temperature information relating to people passing through the controlled location; and processing means for analysing the detective movement and temperature information for use in controlling the operation of the security access device.