Abstract: An expandable completion system and method of completing a well in which gravel packing of multiple completion zones is achieved by morphing a sleeve across a gravel packed annulus to secure it to a well bore wall by the use of fluid pressure to provide a zonal isolation barrier between two gravel packed zones in a wellbore. An embodiment provides gravel packing for multiple completion zones by circulation. A further embodiment allows selective isolation barriers to be created along the length of the completion string after the gravel has been pumped into the annulus.

Abstract: A reflector antenna feed RF seal between an antenna base, a feed hub and a vertex plate. The RF seal formed via a generally annular gasket of compressible material adapted to seat around an outer diameter of the feed hub. The gasket having an outer diameter greater than a diameter of a joint between the feed hub and the antenna base and less than an outer diameter of the vertex plate. The gasket compressed within a cavity formed between the antenna base, the feed hub and the vertex plate as the feed hub is seated within the antenna base.

Abstract: Computer technology for substantially optimizing portfolios of multiple participants is disclosed. Preferably the portfolios of such multiple participants comprise fixed income instruments. The disclosed systems and methods include using at least one computer system for storing digital data representing portfolio holdings of multiple parties and, in particular, for each participant storing in the computer memory data representing constraints with respect to the desired portfolio. The method and system comprise optimizing using an optimization engine portfolio and constraint information of multiple participants so as to generate a set of trades that would substantially optimize participants portfolios with respect to a known objective.

Abstract: A radome adapted to reduce backlobes of an associated reflector antenna via application of a conductive ring with an inward facing edge about the periphery of the radome. The conductive ring may be applied extending around the radome periphery to an inside and or outside surface of the radome. The conductive ring may be formed upon the radome by metalising, electrodaging, over molding or the like. Further, the conductive ring may be a metal, metallic foil, conductive foam or the like which is coupled to the radome. An absorber in the form of a ring or a surface coating applied to the radome and or the distal end of the reflector may also be added between the radome and the reflector.

Abstract: Computer technology for substantially optimizing portfolios of multiple participants is disclosed. Preferably the portfolios of such multiple participants comprise fixed income instruments. The disclosed systems and methods include using at least one computer system for storing digital data representing portfolio holdings of multiple parties and, in particular, for each participant storing in the computer memory data representing constraints with respect to the desired portfolio. The method and system comprise optimizing using an optimization engine portfolio and constraint information of multiple participants so as to generate a set of trades that would substantially optimize participants portfolios with respect to a known objective.

Abstract: A radome adapted to reduce backlobes of an associated reflector antenna via application of a conductive ring with an inward facing edge about the periphery of the radome. The conductive ring may be applied extending around the radome periphery to an inside and or outside surface of the radome. The conductive ring may be formed upon the radome by metalising, electrodaging, over molding or the like. Further, the conductive ring may be a metal, metallic foil, conductive foam or the like which is coupled to the radome. An absorber in the form of a ring or a surface coating applied to the radome and or the distal end of the reflector may also be added between the radome and the reflector.

Abstract: A compound disc brake comprises a pair of pressure plates with a ball and ramp camming mechanism, one of the plates comprises a driven plate keyed to a rotating axle shaft to be braked, and the other plate comprises an input plate carried from the driven plate by the camming mechanism. The input plate is of larger diameter than the driven plate with its radially outer region comprising a torque-transmitting mechanism which transmits torque applied to that region by primary braking device, which can be a spot brake, to the central region of the input plate. Retardation of the input plate by the primary braking device causes the pressure plates to separate axially and move into engagement with relatively stationary braking surfaces in a brake housing whereafter servo braking occurs. Various multi-plate embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments in which the torque-transmitting mechanism is a separate annular disc keyed to the outer peripheral edge of the servo plate.

Abstract: A rotatable member for a brake of the liquid cooled type comprises a disc provided on opposite sides with annular braking faces. The disc incorporates a plurality of angularly spaced liquid supply slots which extend through the material of the disc and radially outwards from a position inwardly of the inner peripheral edges of the braking faces. A portion at the inner end of each slot is of a circumferential length greater than the remainder of the slot. The member may comprise a braking member for the brake, or it may be separate from the brake and act as a pump member in the form of a turbo disc.

Abstract: A pressure cylinder has a piston actuated by a force-input rod. An enlarged head of the rod is engaged by a washer and the assembly retained within the cylinder by a cup-shaped retainer press-fitted into the cylinder open end. An outer surface of the retainer is flush with the adjacent axially outermost surface of the cylinder and engages a support, to which the cylinder is fixed, in order to transmit to the support retraction forces sustained by the rod.

Abstract: A braking member for a brake of the liquid cooled type is provided on at least one side with an annular reservoir for cooling liquid, and passages are arranged to control the release of liquid from the reservoir to braking surfaces in response to centrifugal force.

Abstract: A brake of the self-energising liquid cooled type incorporates a pump mechanism for pumping liquid from a sump to a braking member which is slidably keyed to a shaft to be braked. The pump mechanism incorporates one rotatable pump member which is driven from the shaft and may be housed within a pressure plate which forms a part of an actuating mechanism for the brake. Alternatively the pump may comprise a turbo-disc which is separate from the brake and is spaced from the stack of braking members.

Abstract: In a self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type the actuator mechanism incorporates a restrictor in the form of a circumferentially extending discontinuous oil-seal which co-operates with radial faces on the two pressure plates. A secondary, or elevated, reservoir for liquid is therefore defined between said pressure plates by said oil-seal. Liquid can escape from this reservoir in order to enhance the cooling of the braking surfaces, defined by engagement of rotatable friction discs with end faces of a housing, pressure plates and a planar non-rotatable disc. In the brake shown in FIG. 6 two annular members act as seals on the ends of the outermost friction discs.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly for a vehicle hydraulic system has a retaining device comprising an insert acting between a piston and the cylinder bore in which it works, the insert having a releasable frictional engagement in the bore and acting as an abutment to hold the piston in its retracted position to maintain the effective length of the assembly at a predetermined value for installation, until the assembly is operated hydraulically. The assembly may be an actuator for a self-energizing disc brake, or a slave cylinder for a vehicle clutch system.

Abstract: In a self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type, an intermediate metal plate located between the friction linings on an adjacent pair of rotatable friction discs includes portions which project radially with respect to the linings, and the portions include slots which define fins to facilitate cooling.

Abstract: A self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type is disclosed. In the disc brake rotatable friction discs provided on opposite sides with linings are adapted to be brought into engagement with radial braking surfaces in a housing by an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly comprises pressure plates located between the discs and centered by pilot lugs, and balls located in oppositely inclined recesses in the adjacent faces of the pressure plates. At least the linings which engage with the pressure plates are separated into annular rings by an annular groove, and the groove is substantially coincident with a pitch circle of constant diameter upon which the recesses lie in an angularly spaced relationship. The groove increases the degree of cooling in the regions of the base of the recesses, thereby reducing the likelihood of hot spotting occurring in such regions.

Abstract: A disc brake of the spreading type is actuated by means of a "Bowden" cable (20) which acts between radial lugs (25, 29) on the pressure plates (6, 7). The cable (20) is angled with respect to the plane of the plates (6, 7), preferably substantially to complement the helix motion of the balls or rollers (13) co-operating with the ramps in the recesses (14).

Abstract: A self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type is adapted to be applied by a cable assembly. The cable assembly acts through a lever which is disposed in a plane lying between a pair of pressure plates in order to move the plates angularly in opposite directions.

Abstract: In a disc brake of the spreading type, angular movement of the pressure plates to apply the brake is effected by a brake-applying member which co-operates with at least one of the balls comprising a rolling actuator body and located in complementary opposed recess in the two plates. The member may comprise a wedge disposed between a pair of balls and radially displaceable to separate the balls. Alternatively the balls may be received in openings in the inner ends of a pair of toggle links, or in a fitting or other member which can be withdrawn from the brake in a radial direction. In another construction a ball is received in an opening in a bell-crank lever of which one arm reacts against one of the pressure plates.

Abstract: A spreading disc brake is actuated for parking or braking in an emergency by a brake-applying mechanism which comprises a pivotally mounted lever in the form of a bell-crank, and a pull-rod coupled to the lever. The inner end of the pull-rod is provided with an eye of which the inner side of the outermost end has a rocking and sliding engagement with a complementary arcuate face defining a notch in the innermost edge of the longer arm of the lever. The coupling between the pull-rod and the lever enables the pull-rod to adopt a substantially radial alignment with the brake center of rotation, even when brake lining wear progressively increases the brake forward to reverse articulation. The lever is pivotally mounted on one of the pressure plates by a pivot pin, and has a cranked nose which is received within the groove in the other pressure plate.