(19)

(11)

EP 1 687 540 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 09.08.2006 Bulletin 2006/32 (21) Application number: 04798386.1 (22) Date of filing: 04.11.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  F04C 18/16(2006.01) F04C 29/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/GB2004/004660 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/047706 (26.05.2005 Gazette 2005/21)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 10.11.2003 GB 0326061 09.03.2004 GB 0405317 18.03.2004 GB 0406142 (71) Applicant: The BOC Group plc Windlesham Surrey GU20 6HJ (GB)	(72) Inventors: TUNNA, Clive, Marcus, Lloyd West Sussex RH10 9NH (GB) McDIARMID, Allan, Edmiston Boc Edwards West Sussex BN43 6PY (GB) TOMKINS, Mark, Edward BOC Edwards Shoreham by Sea West Sussex BN43 6RJ (GB) (74) Representative: Booth, Andrew Steven et al The BOC Group plc, Chertsey Road Windlesham, Surrey GU20 6HJ Windlesham, Surrey GU20 6HJ (GB)