Abstract: A structure (10) for simulating a thermal image generated by a real world object, the structure (10) comprising a body (22), (24), (26) and (28) having at least one cavity (106), and at least one inlet opening into the cavity (106) for receiving a flow of fluid medium into the cavity (106). The fluid medium having a temperature that differs from ambient. The cavity (106) having internal configurations defining flow paths for the fluid medium to cause temperature variations on an external surface (26) of the body to simulate the thermal image of the real world object.

Abstract: A valve unit for a fluid working machine comprise a valve having a valve member (and optionally a valve seat), a valve actuator coupled to the valve member, and an electronic actuator controller which is integral to the valve unit and configured to actively control the valve actuator to thereby control the valve member.

Abstract: A firefighter training unit for simulating use of a fire extinguishing system, the unit including: a reel; a user-manipulable nozzle; a hose having opposite ends attached respectively to the reel and the nozzle and being partially wound around the reel, wherein rotation of the reel in a first rotational direction allows the hose to be unwound from the reel; a motor configured to drive the reel in a second rotational direction which causes the hose to be wound onto the reel; one or more devices for providing one or more output signals corresponding to one or more simulated operating conditions of the fire extinguishing system; and a controller configured to drive the motor in response to the one or more output signals so as to apply torque to the reel in the second rotational direction to simulate forces applied to the hose during operation of the fire extinguishing system.

Abstract: A valve unit for a fluid working machine comprise a valve having a valve member (and optionally a valve seat), a valve actuator coupled to the valve member, and an electronic actuator controller which is integral to the valve unit and configured to actively control the valve actuator to thereby control the valve member.

Abstract: A firefighter training unit for simulating use of a fire extinguishing system, the unit including: a reel; a user-manipulable nozzle; a hose having opposite ends attached respectively to the reel and the nozzle and being partially wound around the reel, wherein rotation of the reel in a first rotational direction allows the hose to be unwound from the reel; a motor configured to drive the reel in a second rotational direction which causes the hose to be wound onto the reel; one or more devices for providing one or more output signals corresponding to one or more simulated operating conditions of the fire extinguishing system; and a controller configured to drive the motor in response to the one or more output signals so as to apply torque to the reel in the second rotational direction to simulate forces applied to the hose during operation of the fire extinguishing system.

Abstract: A renewable energy extraction device, such as a wind turbine generator includes a turbine driving a hydraulic pump and a variable displacement hydraulic motor driving an electrical generator connected directly to an electricity grid. The hydraulic motor employs electronically controlled valves operated to select the net displacement of working chambers of the hydraulic motor on each successive cycle of working chamber volume. In the event of an electric grid fault causing the maximum absorbable torque of the electrical generator to collapse, the electronically controlled valves are controlled to substantially reduce the rate of displacement of working fluid by the hydraulic motor, rapidly reducing the torque exerted on the generator rotor. This has the benefit of avoiding pole slip which could otherwise cause serious damage.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator (100), or other energy extraction device, has a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic pump (129) driven by a rotating shaft (125) and a hydraulic motor (131) driving an electricity generator (157), or other load. A high pressure manifold (133) extending between the pump and motor is in communication with an accumulator (145, 147, 149). A controller receives a control signal and regulates the displacement of working fluid by the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor relative to each other. Thus, power input through the rotating shaft and output to the load can be decoupled for at least a period of time and the energy output of energy extraction device can be varied, for example to smooth the total power output to an electricity grid (101), without compromising power input. A group of energy extraction devices can be controlled in concert to maximise power input while providing smooth power output.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator, or other energy extraction device, has a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic pump driven by a rotating shaft and a hydraulic motor driving an electricity generator. When the electricity generator is switched off, it executes one or more pumping cycles to pressurise the high pressure manifold and therefore recover angular kinetic energy from the electricity generator rotor which can later be used to reaccelerate the electricity generator rotor to the correct operating speed for an electricity grid. Overall energy efficiency is increased and the minimum operating high pressure manifold pressure may be reduced as a result.

Abstract: A water detector wire 1.002 for use in a power cable or building, the cable having a wire 1.004 with a water soluble insulating jacket 1.006 made of two or more components, wherein a first component has a first solubility in water, and the second component has a second solubility in water, the second solubility being less than the first solubility. The second component can be substantially insoluble. On exposure to water, the soluble insulation 1.006 dissolves at the location of the water exposing the wire 1.004. This can be detected when the wire is close to a return path such as a return wire 4.038 or a cable screen 13.232. The location of a fault can then be detected by measuring the linear resistance of the wire. Two such wires 3.006, 3.007 can be used together.

Abstract: A non-slip and anti-burring gas cylinder spanner for tightening and loosening hose coupling nuts used with gas cylinder valves includes a body with a handle extending opposite a head. A nut engaging portion within the head defines an internal aperture having at least five nut engaging sides dimensioned and configured to engage corresponding sides of a hexagonal nut so the sides of the nut engaging element have increased contact points with the sides of the nut, preventing slippage and burring. A backing plate attached to the head is positioned over a part of the nut engaging element so the backing plate indicates correct spanner/nut positioning and prevents slippage of the spanner relative to the nut when tightening or loosening. The nut engaging element and the backing plate combination prevents rotational and side slippage of the spanner relative to the nut and burring of the nut when tightening and loosening.

Abstract: An air treatment system includes a recirculation line (24) through which air from the enclosed space can be recirculated, and a contaminant adsorption assembly (36) is provided in an auxiliary supply conduit (31). In the event that contaminants are detected in atmospheric air, air from the enclosed space can be recirculated for conditioning and then readmitted to the enclosed space. Oxygen that is breathed by occupants of the enclosed space can be replenished by admitting air from atmosphere, which is treated using the adsorption assembly and then mixed with air that is in the enclosed space or being recirculated for admission to the enclosed space.

Abstract: A system for treating air for supply to an enclosed space in which the air is to be breathed, includes an inlet through which air can enter the system from atmosphere for supply to the enclosed space, and a regenerative adsorption assembly having at least two chambers which contain an adsorbent material, arranged so that air flowing in the inlet for supply to the enclosed space can pass through one of the chambers for adsorption of contaminants before supply to the enclosed space while adsorbent material in another of the chambers is purged of adsorbed contaminants. A recirculation path is provided for supplying air from the enclosed space to the inlet to be mixed with air from atmosphere before it is supplied to the enclosed space. The system includes structure for adjusting the resistance to flow of air through the recirculation path.

Abstract: A gas dryer includes a housing, and a drying drum in the housing which is permeable to allow a flow of gas through the drum between its opposite first and second ends. A first flow guide is located at the first end of the drum and a second flow guide is located at the second end of the drum. The first and second flow guides define between them a primary region of the drum for a primary gas flow to flow through the drum, and a secondary region of the drum for a secondary gas flow to flow through the drum, and are mounted for rotation about the drum axis so that boundaries between the primary and secondary regions rotate around the drum. The permeable structure of the drying drum and the flow guides allow the primary and secondary gas flows to flow through their respective regions of the drum without significant mixing.

Abstract: A drum dryer comprises a drying drum which is arranged for a gas to flow through it to be dried from a first end of the drum to its opposite second end, and a housing in which the drum is located with a space around the drum between the internal wall of the housing and the external surface of the drum. Gas can be directed into the space through a housing inlet, to flow in the space to the first end of the drum where it can be admitted into the drum for drying.

Abstract: A system for treating air for supply to an enclosed space in which the air is to be breathed, includes an inlet through which air can enter the system from atmosphere for supply to the enclosed space, and a regenerative adsorption assembly having at least two chambers which contain an adsorbent material, arranged so that air flowing in the inlet for supply to the enclosed space can pass through one of the chambers for adsorption of contaminants before supply to the enclosed space while adsorbent material in another of the chambers is purged of adsorbed contaminants. A recirculation path is provided for supplying air from the enclosed space to the inlet to be mixed with air from atmosphere before it is supplied to the enclosed space. The system includes structure for adjusting the resistance to flow of air through the recirculation path according to the resistance that is provided to the flow of air from atmosphere into the enclosed space.

Abstract: An air conditioning system comprises first (8) and second (13) heat exchangers having first and second counterflow passages, a twin bed gas purification unit comprising (i) first (22) and second (23) parallel filter beds, (ii) valve means for directing air from an inlet to flow through the first filter bed and for directing purified air from the first bed so that a greater proportion flows to an outlet while a smaller proportion flows in counter direction as purge gas through the second bed and then to a purge outlet, (iii) a plurality of heater units (30) at spaced apart locations along each of the filter beds for heating a gas as it flows through the heater bed, and (iv) means for controlling the heater.