Abstract: An actuator assembly (23) includes a first part (24), a second part (25), and a bearing arrangement (26) mechanically coupling the first part (24) to the second part (25). The actuator assembly (23) also includes a drive arrangement (11, 20) including a total of four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (141, 142, 143, 144). The drive arrangement (11, 20) and the bearing arrangement (26) are configured such that the second part (25) is movable towards or away from the first part (24) along a primary axis (z), and the second part (25) is movable relative to the first part (24) along a first axis (x) and/or a second axis (y). The first and second axes (x, y) are perpendicular to the primary axis (z) and the second axis (y) is different to the first axis (x).

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator (100) for a camera assembly, comprising:—a support structure supporting an electronic component, wherein the electronic component is susceptible to interference caused by magnetic flux;—a moveable part moveable relative to the support structure; one or more SMA components (12) connected between the moveable part and the support structure, wherein the one or more SMA components are configured to, on contraction, drive movement of the movable part;—a first electrical path and a second electrical path defined between, and/or including, each of the one or more SMA components (12) and respective electrical terminals (3a); and wherein the first and second electrical paths of each of the one or more SMA components are configured to, at least in part, extend adjacently to and in parallel with each other, and enabling the electrical current in the respective paths to flow in opposite directions, so as to minimise combined magnetic flux from the first and second electrical paths into

Abstract: The actuator assembly comprises a first part (102), a second part (110) and a helical bearing arrangement. The helical bearing arrangement is arranged to guide helical movement of the second part with respect to the first part around a helical axis H such that rotation of the second part around the helical axis is converted into helical movement of the second part. The first and second parts comprise respective stops (152, 162) that are arranged such that the stops are spaced from each other throughout an operating range of said helical movement of the second part relative to the first part. The stops are configured to engage if the second part is moved relative to the first part in at least one direction other than the direction of said helical movement such that the engagement of the stops restricts relative movement of the first and second parts.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (23) is described which includes first part (24), a second part (25) and a bearing arrangement (26) mechanically coupling the first part (24) to the second part (25). The bearing arrangement (26) includes a first bearing (27) mechanically coupling the first part (24) to a third part (28). The actuator assembly (23) also includes a drive arrangement (11, 20). The drive arrangement (11, 20) includes four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (141, 142, 143, 144). Each length of shape memory alloy wire (141, 142, 143, 144) is connected between the third part (28) and the second part (25). The drive arrangement (11, 20) and the bearing arrangement (26) are configured such that in response to a torque applied about a primary axis (z) by the drive arrangement (11, 20), the first bearing (27) generates movement of the first part (24) towards or away from the second part (25) and the third part (28) along the primary axis (z).

Abstract: An actuation apparatus comprising: a support structure; a movable element; a helical bearing arrangement supporting the movable element on the support structure and arranged to guide helical movement of the movable element with respect to the support structure along a helical path around a helical axis; an actuating mechanism configured to drive rotation of the movable element around the helical axis which the helical bearing arrangement converts into said helical movement; and a loading arrangement configured to exert a biasing force on the movable element in a direction that is at least substantially normal to the helical path over an operating range of the helical movement.

Abstract: An injection device comprising a housing (112), and a dose selector (116) operatively connectable to a dose indicator positioned within the housing. The dose selector and the dose indicator (118, 119) are capable of cooperating to set a dose to be ejected from the injection device. The injection device further comprises a spring (120) capable of storing energy necessary for ejecting the dose from the injection device. The spring is locked to the dose indicator such that a charging force can be transferred from the dose selector to the spring via the dose indicator to increase the energy stored by the spring.

Abstract: An injection device comprising a housing (12) and a dose selector (16) to set a dose of medicament to be ejected from the injection device. A spring (20) coupled to the dose selector stores energy necessary for ejecting the dose from the injection device. A ratchet (25) arrangement is provided to rotationally couple a ratchet component and an internal surface of the housing in a coupled state and to allow relative rotation between the ratchet component and the internal surface of the housing in an uncoupled state. An over-torque feature (27) located between the dose selector and the spring is actuatable, when the rotation of the dose selector causes the charging force to exceed a defined limit, to reduce the charging force transferred from the dose selector to the spring. Both the ratchet component and the over-torque feature are provided on a single component (28).

Abstract: An injection device comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis, a dose selector (16) capable of being rotated about said longitudinal axis with respect to said housing by a user to set a dose of medicament to be ejected from the injection device and a spring (20) capable of storing energy necessary for ejecting the dose of medicament from the injection device. The spring is coupled to the dose selector such that a charging force can be transferred from the dose selector to the spring to increase the energy stored by the spring. The injection device further comprises a ratchet arrangement (25) moveable between an engaged state in which the spring is limited from unwinding from a currently selected dose and a disengaged state in which the spring is able to unwind and a drive assembly including a plunger element (23) capable of providing an axial force for ejecting a dose of medicament from the injection device.

Abstract: An injection device comprises a housing, a dose indicator positioned within the housing and a dose selector operatively connectable to the dose indicator. The dose selector and the dose indicator are capable of cooperating with one another to set a dose to be ejected from the injection device. The dose indicator comprises an odometer including: i. a units (218) wheel operatively connected to the dose selector so that rotation of the dose selector also rotates the units wheel, and ii. a tens wheel (219) selectively engageable with the units wheel so that rotation of the units wheel also rotates the tens wheel. The dose indicator further comprises an axially-moveable shuttle lock (222) rotationally locked to the tens wheel and selectively engageable with the units wheel and the housing. The tens wheel is selectively engageable with the units wheel via said shuttle lock and, when the tens wheel is not engaged with the units wheel, the shuttle lock is rotationally locked to the housing.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a support structure (2) and a movable element (10). A helical bearing arrangement (20) supporting the movable element on the support structure guides helical movement of the movable element with respect to the support structure around a helical axis (H). At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire (60) is connected between the support structure and the movable element in, or at an acute angle to, a plane normal to the helical axis, so as to drive rotation of the movable element around the helical axis which the helical bearing arrangement converts into said helical movement.

Abstract: An inhalation device includes a mouthpiece and a heater having a rigid planar substrate which supports at least one resistive element portion applied over a first region of at least one surface of the substrate, and a pair of contacts each connected to the at least one resistive element portion at one end of the contacts and applied over a second region of the at least one surface of the substrate. The substrate supports an aerosolizable composition deposited on the substrate above the resistive element portion of the heater. The mouthpiece has at least a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet proximate rear and front ends thereof respectively. The heater is disposed within the mouthpiece with at least portions of the contacts being both exposed and accessible so that an electrical connection can be readily achieved when the rear end of the mouthpiece is connected to the inhalation device.

Abstract: An inhalation device includes a mouthpiece and a heater having a rigid planar substrate which supports at least one resistive element portion applied over a first region of at least one surface of the substrate, and a pair of contacts each connected to the at least one resistive element portion at one end of the contacts and applied over a second region of the at least one surface of the substrate. The substrate supports an aerosolizable composition deposited on the substrate above the resistive element portion of the heater. The mouthpiece has at least a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet proximate rear and front ends thereof respectively. The heater is disposed within the mouthpiece with at least portions of the contacts being both exposed and accessible so that an electrical connection can be readily achieved when the rear end of the mouthpiece is connected to the inhalation device.

Abstract: An injection device comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis, a dose selector (16) capable of being rotated about said longitudinal axis with respect to said housing by a user to set a dose of medicament to be ejected from the injection device and a spring (20) capable of storing energy necessary for ejecting the dose of medicament from the injection device. The spring is coupled to the dose selector such that a charging force can be transferred from the dose selector to the spring to increase the energy stored by the spring. The injection device further comprises a ratchet arrangement (25) moveable between an engaged state in which the spring is limited from unwinding from a currently selected dose and a disengaged state in which the spring is able to unwind and a drive assembly including a plunger element (23) capable of providing an axial force for ejecting a dose of medicament from the injection device.

Abstract: An injection device comprising a housing (112), and a dose selector (116) operatively connectable to a dose indicator positioned within the housing. The dose selector and the dose indicator (118, 119) are capable of cooperating to set a dose to be ejected from the injection device. The injection device further comprises a spring (120) capable of storing energy necessary for ejecting the dose from the injection device. The spring is locked to the dose indicator such that a charging force can be transferred from the dose selector to the spring via the dose indicator to increase the energy stored by the spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulsed combustor assembly (A) for dehydration and/or granulation of a wet feedstock, in particular a viscous feedstock such as a feedstock containing natural fibers, sugars and/or vegetable starches, comprising a combustion chamber (16), at least one fuel supply line (23), at least one air supply line (26), and at least one pulsed air generator, wherein the pulsed air generator is connected to the air supply line (26) for generating at least a first pulsed air stream with a pulse frequency f1 entering the combustion chamber (16).

Abstract: An injection device comprising a housing (12) and a dose selector (16) to set a dose of medicament to be ejected from the injection device. A spring (20) coupled to the dose selector stores energy necessary for ejecting the dose from the injection device. A ratchet (25) arrangement is provided to rotationally couple a ratchet component and an internal surface of the housing in a coupled state and to allow relative rotation between the ratchet component and the internal surface of the housing in an uncoupled state. An over-torque feature (27) located between the dose selector and the spring is actuatable, when the rotation of the dose selector causes the charging force to exceed a defined limit, to reduce the charging force transferred from the dose selector to the spring. Both the ratchet component and the over-torque feature are provided on a single component (28).

Abstract: An injection device comprises a housing, a dose indicator positioned within the housing and a dose selector operatively connectable to the dose indicator. The dose selector and the dose indicator are capable of cooperating with one another to set a dose to be ejected from the injection device. The dose indicator comprises an odometer including: i. a units (218) wheel operatively connected to the dose selector so that rotation of the dose selector also rotates the units wheel, and ii. a tens wheel (219) selectively engageable with the units wheel so that rotation of the units wheel also rotates the tens wheel. The dose indicator further comprises an axially-moveable shuttle lock (222) rotationally locked to the tens wheel and selectively engageable with the units wheel and the housing. The tens wheel is selectively engageable with the units wheel via said shuttle lock and, when the tens wheel is not engaged with the units wheel, the shuttle lock is rotationally locked to the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulsed combustor assembly (A) for dehydration and/or granulation of a wet feedstock, in particular a viscous feedstock such as a feedstock containing natural fibres, sugars and/or vegetable starches, comprising a combustion chamber (16), at least one fuel supply line (23), at least one air supply line (26), and at least one pulsed air generator, wherein the pulsed air generator is connected to the air supply line (26) for generating at least a first pulsed air stream with a pulse frequency f1 entering the combustion chamber (16).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating organic waste sludge such as sewage sludge is disclosed wherein the sludge is first dewatered, moved to a day hopper for storage, and then successively passed through first and second reactors. As the sludge is passed through the first reactor, in a continuous fashion, the sludge and acid are thoroughly mixed and has the pH thereof substantially lowered due to the addition of acid in the first reactor. The sludge is then moved through the second reactor where the sludge is subjected to a base material to substantially raise the pH thereof. The treated sludge is then pumped from the second reactor to a pugmill and then to a dryer which dries the material. The dried material is then suitable for use as a fertilizer.