Abstract: A hydrogen-fuelled aircraft 200 comprises a fuselage, wings and a plurality of cylindrical elongate hydrogen storage tanks mounted on the exterior of the fuselage and disposed vertically above a plane containing the wing-tips of the aircraft. An aerodynamic fairing forms a continuous air-washed surface of the aircraft together with a lower portion of the fuselage. The hydrogen storage tanks extend generally parallel to the fuselage and are contained between the fairing and the fuselage. The aircraft provides for storage of a large volume of compressed hydrogen without compromising the volume of usable space within the fuselage. The aircraft is able to carry out flight missions comparable in range and payload to those of an equivalent conventionally-fuelled aircraft.

Abstract: An organic composite gas storage tank 300 comprises a hollow central portion 306 which is substantially cylindrical and formed integrally with first and second end portions 302, 304, and which defines a longitudinal tank axis 301. The first end portion comprises a hollow truncated conical region which meets the hollow central portion at a first end thereof. The hollow central portion comprises first and second hollow truncated conical portions 306A, 306B, the external radius of a given hollow truncated conical portion decreasing in a direction towards a corresponding end portion. The tank comprises an organic composite fibre winding extending between first and second positions along the length of the tank which coincide with the first and second hollow truncated conical portions of the hollow central portion respectively, biassing these portions together and increasing the axial strength of the central portion.

Abstract: An organic composite gas storage tank 100 comprises a hollow central portion 106 which is substantially cylindrical and formed integrally with first and second end portions 102, 104, and which defines a longitudinal tank axis 101. The first end portion 102 comprises a hollow truncated conical region 102A which meets the hollow central portion at a first end thereof, and a cylindrical region 102B which meets an end of the hollow truncated conical portion remote from the hollow central portion. An organic fibre winding 107 extends at least between axial positions which coincide with the hollow truncated conical region of the first end portion and the hollow central portion respectively. A hollow metal end-fitting 120 has a hollow truncated conical portion 124 embedded within the wall of the hollow truncated conical region of the first end portion, providing a long leakage path around the metal end-fitting.

Abstract: An organic composite gas storage tank 100 comprises a hollow central portion 106 which is substantially cylindrical and formed integrally with first and second end portions 102, 104, and which defines a longitudinal tank axis 301. The first end portion comprises a hollow truncated conical region which meets the hollow central portion at a first end thereof, the outer and inner radii of the hollow truncated conical region decreasing in a direction along the longitudinal tank axis away from the hollow central portion. An organic fibre winding 107 extends at least between axial positions which coincide with the hollow truncated conical region of the first end portion and the hollow central portion respectively. The first end portion has a higher axial strength than that achievable for hemispherical end portion of a tank of the prior art.

Abstract: A hydrogen-fuelled aircraft 200 comprises a fuselage, wings and a plurality of cylindrical elongate hydrogen storage tanks mounted on the exterior of the fuselage and disposed vertically above a plane containing the wing-tips of the aircraft. An aerodynamic fairing forms a continuous air-washed surface of the aircraft together with a lower portion of the fuselage. The hydrogen storage tanks extend generally parallel to the fuselage and are contained between the fairing and the fuselage. The aircraft provides for storage of a large volume of compressed hydrogen without compromising the volume of usable space within the fuselage. The aircraft is able to carry out flight missions comparable in range and payload to those of an equivalent conventionally-fuelled aircraft.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage tank has a composite laminate wall, a hydrogen-porous layer in contact with the outer surface of the composite laminate wall and a hydrogen-non-porous layer in contact with the outer surface of the hydrogen-porous layer, the hydrogen-non-porous layer having an output port for venting hydrogen which passes through the composite laminate wall and the hydrogen-porous layer from the interior of the tank. The tank allows hydrogen which leaks through the composite laminate wall to be collected and re-used. The invention also allows for the rate of hydrogen leakage from the tank to be measured, providing a measure of the structural integrity of the tank.

Abstract: An organic composite gas storage tank 100 comprises a hollow central portion 106 which is substantially cylindrical and formed integrally with first and second end portions 102, 104, and which defines a longitudinal tank axis 301. The first end portion comprises a hollow truncated conical region which meets the hollow central portion at a first end thereof, the outer and inner radii of the hollow truncated conical region decreasing in a direction along the longitudinal tank axis away from the hollow central portion. An organic fibre winding 107 extends at least between axial positions which coincide with the hollow truncated conical region of the first end portion and the hollow central portion respectively. The first end portion has a higher axial strength than that achievable for hemispherical end portion of a tank of the prior art.

Abstract: Heat storage of the sea is increased during the summer time by pumping relatively warmer surface water with wave-action pumps to the deeper layers with relatively cooler water. In locations where currents are minimal in these deeper layers, the lateral displacement of the warmer water introduced by wave-inertial pumps will be minimized. During the winter season, this additional heat will intensify evaporation from the sea, which will increase precipitation in the nearby continental zone. This “natural desalination process” using the energy of surface waves will bring additional freshwater to arid coastal areas during wintertime.

Abstract: Heat storage of the sea is increased during the summer time by pumping relatively warmer surface water with wave-action pumps to the deeper layers with relatively cooler water. In locations where currents are minimal in these deeper layers, the lateral displacement of the warmer water introduced by wave-inertial pumps will be minimized. During the winter season, this additional heat will intensify evaporation from the sea, which will increase precipitation in the nearby continental zone. This “natural desalination process” using the energy of surface waves will bring additional freshwater to arid coastal areas during wintertime.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a gas turbine engine start system includes monitoring a pressure in a starter air duct in communication with a starter air valve which is in communication with an air turbine starter (ATS); identifying an expected transient pressure response in the starter air duct; and identifying the starter air valve as degraded if the expected transient pressure response does not occur after an open command to the starter air valve.

Abstract: A method and system for interactive aircraft maintenance procedures using a computer device is disclosed. The method comprises receiving an aircraft component operation request from a computing device, transmitting the aircraft component operation request to one or more aircraft components, receiving one or more aircraft component values based on the transmitting step, generating an aircraft status determination based on the receiving step at the computing device.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a gas turbine engine start system includes monitoring a pressure in a starter air duct in communication with a starter air valve which is in communication with an air turbine starter (ATS); identifying an expected transient pressure response in the starter air duct; and identifying the starter air valve as degraded if the expected transient pressure response does not occur after an open command to the starter air valve.

Abstract: The invention is directed at joint assembly which includes a first part and a second part to be assembled together. The first and second part are secured together via a set of fasteners and a set of attachment portions. The set of attachment portions cooperate with one of the first or second parts and receive the set of fasteners.

Abstract: The invention is directed at joint assembly which includes a first part and a second part to be assembled together. The first and second part are secured together via a set of fasteners and a set of attachment portions. The set of attachment portions cooperate with one of the first or second parts and receive the set of fasteners.

Abstract: An apparatus to move in-tow at least one farm implement. The apparatus is an elongated rectangular member that has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A movement transfer mechanism is connected between the elongated rectangular member's first end and the farm implement. The apparatus has a first wheel mounted on one side of the elongated rectangular member's first end and a second wheel mounted on the other side of the elongated rectangular member's first end. A third wheel is mounted adjacent to the second end of the elongated rectangular member. The wheels may, if desired, be ground engaging wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a lasing element, a laser driver and logic. The laser driver is configured to drive the lasing element at multiple current levels, and the laser driver includes a switching network, multiple direct current (DC) loops, and an output circuit. The switching network receives a differential input signal, and each DC loop is coupled to the switching network. The output circuit is also coupled to the lasing element, and the logic is coupled to each of the DC current loops, where the logic selects one or more of the DC loops in each (of several) modes. Each mode generates one or more output lasing currents for the lasing element that corresponds to a one or more of the current levels in response to the differential input signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of an article which includes a quantity of defibrillated cellulose fibres, in which, in certain embodiments, the fibres can be used to form substantially the entire article by the cellulose fibres acting as self bonding agents such as for example in the formation of heating briquettes which can be ignited to create a heating and/or flame effect. In another embodiment, a plastics material can be incorporated into the article with the cellulose fibres acting as a matrix in which the plastics material is held.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a lasing element, a laser driver and logic. The laser driver is configured to drive the lasing element at multiple current levels, and the laser driver includes a switching network, multiple direct current (DC) loops, and an output circuit. The switching network receives a differential input signal, and each DC loop is coupled to the switching network. The output circuit is also coupled to the lasing element, and the logic is coupled to each of the DC current loops, where the logic selects one or more of the DC loops in each (of several) modes. Each mode generates one or more output lasing currents for the lasing element that corresponds to a one or more of the current levels in response to the differential input signal.

Abstract: A method for providing torque to assist in moving a component of a mobile platform. Biasing forces may be applied to opposing portions of a torque transferring member that enable the torque transferring member to be maintained in a position of equilibrium. A torque may be applied to one of the component and the torque transferring member such that the biasing forces cooperatively exert a torque on the torque transferring member to assist in moving the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium. Motion of the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium may be used to assist in moving the component.