Abstract: A fuel control system for a staged combustion engine comprising, a fuel metering unit including a fuel metering valve having a fuel metering orifice the opening of which is varied to meter the flow of fuel through the metering valve in use, a fuel staging unit receiving fuel from the metering valve of the fuel metering unit and incorporating a staging valve for dividing the flow of fuel from the fuel metering unit to pilot burner and main burner output lines, a connection between a fuel pressure region of said fuel metering unit and a port of said staging valve, and, overthrust detection means causing said staging valve, in response to overthrust detection, to connect said port of said staging valve to low pressure, whereby to drain fuel under pressure from said pressure zone of said fuel metering unit to low pressure to limit or reduce the fuel supplied from the fuel metering unit to the fuel staging unit and thus to the engine in use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid deformable mirror. A deformable mirror is provided comprising a reflective surface provided on a substrate and a layer of deformable material attached to the substrate that is operable to deform the mirror and wherein the substrate is supported by an actuator that is operable to deform the mirror.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooled deformable-mirror and its mount. A deformable mirror is provided comprising a reflective element provided on a substrate that is secured to a deformable element, wherein the substrate comprises at least one channel having a pair of ports both located around the peripheral edge of the substrate. In addition, a deformable-mirror mount and the deformable mirror described above are provided, wherein the mount has a body with a central aperture defined by a supporting surface sized and shaped to support the mirror when installed, and wherein the mount is provided with at least a pair of channels that terminate to face the ports in the mirror when the mirror is installed, the channels of the mirror and the mount being connected via flexible seals.

Abstract: A novel ventilator, which can be operated from main power, an internal or external battery supply, includes an integral compressor, valves, sensors, and embedded web server. The embedded web server can be connected to external monitoring devices.

Abstract: This invention relates to a deformable-mirror holder for holding a mirror in a desired position, to within accepted tolerances, even whilst the mirror is deforming or in a deformed state. In particular, this invention relates to a holder for a bimorph mirror. A deformable-mirror holder is provided comprising a body with a central aperture for receiving a deformable mirror, the central aperture being defined by a plurality of flexible beams, with each flexible beam having an end shaped to provide a supporting surface and a flexible portion that connects the beam's end to the holder's body.

Abstract: This invention concerns improvements relating to a deformable-mirror holder for holding a mirror in a desired position, to within accepted tolerances, even whilst the mirror is deforming or in a deformed state. More particularly but not exclusively, this invention relates to a holder for a bimorph mirror. A deformable mirror holder (31) is provided comprising a body with a receiving portion for receiving a deformable mirror (30), and wherein the receiving portion is defined by a passive flexible support structure (41) such that, in use, to the support structure provides a supporting surface to the mirror. This invention extends to a deformable mirror and a deformable mirror holder as described above.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing a usage pattern for a customer of an intelligently-switched telecommunications system. The usage pattern provides historical information concerning the customer's use of the telecommunications system. One embodiment includes communicating either with the telecommunications system or with a data network and receiving a query for the customer's usage pattern. The query could originate from the customer using a computer device operating on the data network or from the customer using a telephonic/wireless device operating on the telecommunications system. The usage pattern is acquired from either a service control point operating on the telecommunications system or a database operating on the data network. The usage pattern is then communicated to the customer along either the data network or the telecommunications system, whereby the customer uses the computer device, or the telephonic/wireless device, to access the usage pattern.

Abstract: An away from home calling service allows users to use telephones other than their home telephone as if they were using their home telephone. When traveling away from home, subscribers access the service and are prompted to provide authentication and validation information, as well as call completion information. The away-from-home calling service obtains the services provisioned on the subscriber's home telephone line and completes the call according to the subscriber's home services.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing a usage pattern for a customer of an intelligently-switched telecommunications system. The usage pattern provides historical information concerning the customer's use of the telecommunications system. One embodiment includes communicating either with the telecommunications system or with a data network and receiving a query for the customer's usage pattern. The query could originate from the customer using a computer device operating on the data network or from the customer using a telephonic/wireless device operating on the telecommunications system. The usage pattern is acquired from either a service control point operating on the telecommunications system or a database operating on the data network. The usage pattern is then communicated to the customer along either the data network or the telecommunications system, whereby the customer uses the computer device, or the telephonic/wireless device, to access the usage pattern.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the health of a positive displacement hydraulic pump comprising the steps of: establishing a flow path having a known flow number between a high pressure outlet line of the pump (and a low pressure line of the system; progressively changing the speed of operation of the pump; and, noting the speed of operation of the pump at a parameter responsive to the output pressure of the pump changes in response to said change in rotational speed of the pump.

Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine fuel metering unit incorporating a memory device for storing data relevant to that unit, and an electrical connection arrangement whereby data can be read from and/or written to said memory device by an associated electronic engine controller, said stored data including data relating to at least one of the performance, the identification, the health, and the service life of that fuel metering unit. The invention further resides in an aircraft gas turbine engine fuel supply system and a method of operating such a system.

Abstract: A combined by-pass valve and pressure sensor comprising a housing, a fluid inlet whereby fluid can enter the housing, a fluid outlet whereby fluid can exit the housing, a valve seat between said inlet and said outlet, a valve closure member movable relative to the housing along a first axis between a closed position in which the valve closure member engages said seat to prevent communication between said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet, and an open position in which said valve closure member is displaced from said seat placing said fluid inlet in communication with said fluid outlet through said housing, resilient means urging said valve closure member to said closed position, a pressure element within said housing having a first surface thereof exposed to the pressure conditions at said fluid inlet, and a second, opposite surface thereof, exposed to pressure conditions at said fluid outlet, said element being movable, in the direction of said axis, between a rest position to which it is resiliently urged,

Abstract: The invention refers to a new type of ventilator, which can be operated from either mains power, an internal, or an external battery supply (2, 4, 8, 9), which in addition to an integral compressor (6), valves and sensors (3), is also equipped with an embedded web server (5), which can be connected to external monitoring devices.

Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine having a main burner fuel supply line and a pilot burner fuel supply line, a high pressure pump supplying fuel to the main and pilot burner supply lines in use, a throttle valve controlling the flow of fuel in the main burner supply line, a metering valve controlling the flow of fuel in the pilot burner supply line, and a pressure raising valve between the pilot burners and the metering valve, the pressure raising valve serving to maintain the upstream fuel pressure to a pre-determined amount in excess of the pressure of fuel supplied from the throttle valve to the main burners.

Abstract: An exemplary method of manufacturing a polymer matrix composite electromagnetic shielding structure includes pretreating a dry fiber reinforcement with a composition including a carrier and a conductive element, laying out the pretreated reinforcement to form a pre-form structure, applying a resin to the pre-form structure, and curing the resin at room temperature. Another exemplary method of manufacturing a polymer matrix composite electromagnetic shielding structure includes laying out a plurality of dry fiber reinforcements, placing at least one ply between any two of the plurality of dry fiber reinforcements, the ply having a non-woven including a conductive material, applying a resin to the plurality of dry fiber reinforcements and the at least one ply, and curing the resin.

Abstract: A fuel control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the pressure raising valve includes:

Abstract: A call administration service for processing incoming calls during service activation times. One embodiment permits a subscriber to provision the administration service using configuration files, which provide the capability to establish flexible scenarios for the allowance, denial and routing of incoming calls. The present invention automatically routes authorized incoming calls, and permits unauthorized incoming calls to be routed in accordance with a caller's interactive responses. An embodiment provides multiple methods for interacting with the system, including file and speech input of subscriber provisioning information, and speech input of caller interactive responses.

Abstract: Calling plan information is provided whenever a user makes a call that fits within the plan. The user may be assigned an account related to the calling plan with information associated with the account. The information may include a time function such as the time remaining until expiration of the calling plan or the time used in the calling plan. A call made from an originating number that is associated with the calling plan triggers the provision of information. After the information is provided, the call may be routed to a terminating number as dialed by the user. After the call, the information associated with the calling plan may be updated.

Abstract: A system and method for providing simultaneous ringing service to a plurality of customer premises equipment. The method and system utilize a centralized database of subscriber information and a service node to make multiple outbound calls from the service node to multiple telephone lines assigned to a subscriber. The subscriber's telephone lines may include one or more wireless lines. Inbound calls to the subscriber's primary wireline are intercepted by the simultaneous ringing service and forwarded to the service node for processing.

Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine having a main burner fuel supply line and a pilot burner fuel supply line, a high pressure pump supplying fuel to the main and pilot burner supply lines in use, a throttle valve controlling the flow of fuel in the main burner supply line, a metering valve controlling the flow of fuel in the pilot burner supply line, and a pressure raising valve between the pilot burners and the metering valve, the pressure raising valve serving to maintain the upstream fuel pressure to a pre-determined amount in excess of the pressure of fuel supplied from the throttle valve to the main burners.