Abstract: The present application relates to an aluminum alloy, in particular a cast aluminum alloy, a method for producing an engine component, in particular a piston for an internal combustion engine, in which an aluminum alloy is cast using the gravity die casting method, and an engine component, in particular a piston for an internal combustion engine, consisting at least partially of an aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy consists of the following alloy elements: silicon: 10% by weight to <13% by weight, nickel: up to <0.6% by weight, copper: 1.5% by weight to <3.6% by weight, magnesium: 0.5% by weight to 1.5% by weight, iron: 0.1% by weight to 0.7% by weight, manganese: 0.1 to 0.4% by weight, zirconium: >0.1 to <0.3% by weight, vanadium: >0.08 to <0.2% by weight, titanium: 0.05 to <0.2% by weight, phosphorus: 0.0025 to 0.008% by weight, and the remainder being aluminum and unavoidable impurities. Furthermore, the microstructure of the alloy has spheroidized primary precipitates.

Abstract: A system for discharging inert gas for extinguishing or suppressing a fire is disclosed. A fluid discharge control arrangement is positioned in a fluid flow path between a pressurised gas supply 10A,10B,10C and the target fire suppression zone 20. The fluid discharge control arrangement reduces the pressure in the fluid flow path downstream thereof. This may allow the downstream pipework to be selected to withstand a lower pressure than in a conventional system in which the fluid discharge control device was not provided, thereby reducing costs. The fluid discharge control device may comprise a first valve 30 and first restrictor 26 in the first flow path 22 and a second valve 32 and a second restrictor 28 provided in the second flow path 24. Fluid from the containers 10A,10B,10C flows initially through flow path 24 and restrictor 26. Subsequently flow path 22 may be closed by optional valve 30, and flow path 24 is opened by valve 32. Fluid flow then passes through restrictor 28.

Abstract: A system for discharging inert gas for extinguishing or suppressing a fire is disclosed. A fluid discharge control arrangement is positioned in a fluid flow path between a pressurised gas supply 10A,10B,10C and the target fire suppression zone 20. The fluid discharge control arrangement reduces the pressure in the fluid flow path downstream thereof. This may allow the downstream pipework to be selected to withstand a lower pressure than in a conventional system in which the fluid discharge control device was not provided, thereby reducing costs. The fluid discharge control device may comprise a first valve 30 and first restrictor 26 in the first flow path 22 and a second valve 32 and a second restrictor 28 provided in the second flow path 24. Fluid from the containers 10A,10B,10C flows initially through flow path 24 and restrictor 26. Subsequently flow path 22 may be closed by optional valve 30, and flow path 24 is opened by valve 32. Fluid flow then passes through restrictor 28.

Abstract: In use of a UV gas discharge tube (such as used in flame monitoring apparatus), an electric field is periodically applied in the tube, each application of the field being followed by an ‘off’ period in which the field is removed. During this process, the mean value of the statistical lag Ts is measured over a predetermined time duration (the statistical lag is the time lag after each application of the electric field to the tube before conduction (if any) takes place). If the statistical lag lies within region I, the flame is judged to be present. If the statistical lag lies in region II, the flame is judged to be off (and a warning may be signalled). If the statistical lag lies in region III, a fault in the tube is signalled. This may be a “field emission” fault whereby free electrons are generated by the applied electric field, without the presence of UV radiation or it may be a “multiple counting” fault.

Abstract: A fire and explosion suppression system comprises a source (5) of high pressure water which is fed to a misting nozzle (13) at one input of a mixing unit (6), and a source (14) of high pressure inert gas, such as nitrogen, which is fed along a pipe (20) to another input of the mixing unit (6). Inside the mixing unit (6), water mist, in the form of an atomised mist of very small droplet size is mixed with the pressurised gas and exits the mixing unit (6) at high pressure and high velocity along a pipe (22) and is thence discharged through spreaders (26, 28). The source (5) of the water is pressurised by a feed (30) from the source of pressurised inert gas. The mass flow rate of the water will therefore reduce as the pressure of the gas decays. This tends to maintain the ratio of the mass flow rate of the water to the mass flow rate of the gas constant. This is found to produce and maintain an advantageous distribution of droplet size in the discharged unit.