Abstract: A portable container for being loaded into and unloaded from a compartment of an aircraft, the portable container comprises a power source comprising one or more rechargeable batteries and coupling circuitry configured to electrically couple one or more of the rechargeable batteries to an electrical connector, and a housing comprising the power source, wherein the power source is operable to discharge one or more of the rechargeable batteries and transmit a discharge current via the electrical connector, and wherein the electrical connector comprises an interface portion operable to be physically connectable with a corresponding interface portion of another electrical connector to electrically couple the electrical connector to the another electrical connector.

Abstract: A valve disc for a butterfly valve. The valve disc includes a disc body, a main groove suitable for receiving a seal element, and an introduction groove. The disc body comprises first and second faces, an outer periphery, and at least one engagement means configured to receive a shaft for coupling the valve disc to a valve body of the butterfly valve. The main groove extends along the outer periphery to form a continuous groove. The introduction groove has a centreline (CL2) and extends from a groove mouth opening in one of the faces of the disc body to an intersection with the main groove. The main groove is so dimensioned and configured that a seal element can only be inserted into or removed from the main groove via the introduction groove. Optionally, the valve disc is a single continuous body of material.

Abstract: An actuator arm lock suitable for use with an actuator which has an actuator arm and an actuator body The actuator arm lock comprises a lock ring suitable for clamping around an actuator arm. The lock ring comprises a circumferentially extending element and a locking element. The circumferentially extending element comprises first and second element ends and an inner surface which faces towards the actuator arm when the actuator arm lock is in use, and the circumferentially extending element is configured to partially extend around the actuator arm. The locking element comprises first and second locking ends and is configured to extend at least between the first and second element ends of the circumferentially extending element. The first locking end of the locking element is engaged with or engageable with the first element end of the circumferentially extending element.

Abstract: A rotary seal comprises a seal element comprising a disc-shaped body having a first axial side and an opposed second axial side. The seal element further comprises a radially inner central circular opening for receiving a rotary shaft, the opening having an inner periphery for sealing engagement with the shaft. A radially outer rim portion of the seal element comprises an axially facing annular sealing surface provided on the first axial side for sealing engagement in use with an opposed axially facing sealing surface of an adjacent first static housing and an axially facing pocket provided on the second axial side and having an axially facing surface for receiving, in use, an annular elastomeric biasing element. At least one drainage passage is formed through the outer rim portion from an inlet on the second axial side to an outlet on a radially outer portion of the rim portion.

Abstract: An actuator for driving a rotatable component includes a first member comprising a screw thread and rotatable about an axis (X), and a second member comprising a screw thread configured to cooperate with the screw thread on the first, rotating member. The second member is restrained against rotational movement about the axis (X) such that rotation of said first member causes movement of said second member along the axis (X), and the second member comprises one or more helical grooves. The actuator also includes a third member rotatable about the axis (X) and restrained against axial movement, wherein the third member comprises one or more helical rails, each configured to ride within a respective one of the helical grooves such that movement of the second member along the axis (X) causes rotational movement of the third member about the axis (X).

Abstract: There is provided a door mechanism comprising a door and a door closure mechanism for moving the door between a first, open, position and second, closed position. The door closure mechanism comprises a drive motor coupled to a drive screw, the drive screw having a first, right handed thread portion and a second, left handed thread portion, a first drive nut threadedly engaged with the first thread portion, a second drive nut threadedly engaged with the second thread portion, a first drive linkage pivotally coupled to the first drive nut at one end and to the door at a second, opposed end, and a second drive linkage pivotally coupled to the second drive nut at one end and to the door at a second, opposed end.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises an actuator housing defining a bore. A drive element is received in the actuator housing bore. The drive element comprises tubular portions receiving first and second ball nuts arranged at respective distal ends thereof. The ball nuts are threaded in opposite directions to one another. The drive element further comprises a drive coupling. The actuator further comprises first and second ball screws operatively engaged with the first and second ball nuts. Rotation of the drive element and thus the ball nuts relative to said ball screws causes the ball screws to move together in a linear path in opposite directions from one another.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a rotary element, comprises an electric drive motor coupled to a threaded drive spindle. A threaded drive nut is received on said drive spindle for movement along said drive spindle. A rack gear is coupled to said drive nut. A pinion gear is drivingly engaged with said rack gear and drivingly couplable to the rotary element. The rotary element may be a valve element.

Abstract: A rotary seal comprises a seal element comprising a disc-shaped body having a first axial side and an opposed second axial side. The seal element further comprises a radially inner central circular opening for receiving a rotary shaft, the opening having an inner periphery for sealing engagement with the shaft. A radially outer rim portion of the seal element comprises an axially facing annular sealing surface provided on the first axial side for sealing engagement in use with an opposed axially facing sealing surface of an adjacent first static housing and an axially facing pocket provided on the second axial side and having an axially facing surface for receiving, in use, an annular elastomeric biasing element. At least one drainage passage is formed through the outer rim portion from an inlet on the second axial side to an outlet on a radially outer portion of the rim portion.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a rotary element, comprises an electric drive motor coupled to a threaded drive spindle. A threaded drive nut is received on said drive spindle for movement along said drive spindle. A rack gear is coupled to said drive nut. A pinion gear is drivingly engaged with said rack gear and drivingly couplable to the rotary element. The rotary element may be a valve element.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a rotary element, comprises an electric drive motor coupled to a threaded drive spindle. A threaded drive nut is received on said drive spindle for movement along said drive spindle. A rack gear is coupled to said drive nut. A pinion gear is drivingly engaged with said rack gear and drivingly couplable to the rotary element. The rotary element may be a valve element.