Abstract: A method and system for purifying contaminated refrigerants is described. The refrigerant is heated in a controlled manner to separate it into fractions, one fraction having the pure refrigerant and the remaining fractions containing the contaminants. The temperature of the refrigerant fraction output being closely monitored and controlled to ensure that it is the correct required fraction.

Abstract: There is provided a system for monitoring a replaceable unit. The system comprises a passive memory device attached to the replaceable unit forming part of an assembly such as an engine. The passive memory is for storing and for providing access to replaceable unit information comprising unit identification and usage information. The system may further comprise an event detector which may be embodied as an electronic engine controller (EEC) operatively connected to the engine, for accumulating the usage information related to the replaceable unit, and for communicating with the passive memory device to update the unit information stored in the passive memory device with the usage information.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for solution mining of evaporite minerals, such as trona, comprising drilling an access well and at least two lateral boreholes; injecting a fluid; circulating the fluid through the lateral boreholes with a controlled fluid flow; and collecting a pregnant solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity at a temperature sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the solution in the cavity in the Wegscheiderite solid phase region; removing aqueous solution from the cavity; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity; removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA point temperature; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution.

Abstract: There is provided a method for welding together two metal components to form a large structure suitable for use as an aerospace component. The method comprises the steps of providing two metal components to be welded together, each component having a length, a width, a height and a surface to be welded, the surface to be welded of at least one of the metal components including a feature extending substantially the length of the component, the feature reducing the contact width of the surfaces to be welded of the two components to less than the width of each component; and welding together the components. There is also provided a large structure so created. There is also provided a method for welding together two metal components to form a part or a whole of a spar for a wing for an aircraft and a spar so created.

Abstract: A shutter arrangement for closing an aperture formed in the fixed leading edge of an aircraft wing when a track supported slat moves from a stowed, cruise configuration in which it lies adjacent the fixed wing portion to a high light configuration in which it is spaced from the wing to define a slot. The aperture, which exist to accommodate the slat to track attachment `knuckles`, may induce undesirable flow disturbance in the slot formed between the slat and the fixed leading edge. The present invention provides a hinged retractable shutter for closing off the aperture when the slat is deployed. In the preferred arrangement the shutter is of multi-panelled hinged configuration and, in one described arrangement is of one-piece moulded composite rubber construction.

Abstract: A piston is manufactured by incorporating a reinforcement which is formed at least in part by a fibre material and which is so non-uniform as to provide differing characteristics in the cast piston in predetermined differing regions of the piston. For example, the volumetric density of the fibres may be different in one region of the reinforcement as compared with another region in order to produce a more resistant region in the cast piston. Additionally or alternatively, the reinforcement may hold finely divided materials which combine with the piston material during casting to give improved properties. Examples of this are the incorporation of particles of silicon, silicon carbide or silicon nitride to improve wear and/or the incorporation of molybdenum disulphide and tungsten disulphide or graphite to improve lubrication.

Abstract: A reinforced piston is provided for an internal combustion engine. The uppermost piston ring groove is as close as possible to the crown of the piston. At least the lower surface of the groove is defined by an en-cast insert and overlying this is a portion of the crown reinforced by fibres, thus allowing this portion to be thin and the spacing between the ring groove and the upper surface of the crown to be minimized. The reinforced crown portion also holds the insert against axial separating movement. The crown can be provided with a combustion bowl whose entrance is reinforced by the fibres.

Abstract: A process is provided for pressure casting a piston with a crown insert and a cavity. The process comprises casting crown down in a mould and, before casting, placing in the mould means for forming a crown insert and a soluble salt core forming a cavity in the piston. The salt core is held by the crown insert means to position the salt core in the mould so preventing the salt core moving during pressure casting.

Abstract: A compactor assembly for compacting matter including a housing, a compactor plate within the housing movable between a retracted position and a compacting region for compacting matter wherein the compactor plate is inclined with respect to the path of motion in the retracted position and moves toward the perpendicular with respect thereto in the compacting region, the compactor plate including collapsible means for permitting collapse thereof as it approaches the perpendicular.In one preferred embodiment, the compactor plate includes stapling means for stapling adjacent layers of matter together during the compaction process wherein the stapling means includes a plurality of movable teeth.