Abstract: A coupling system between tubulars such as tubing, pipes, casing and liner for location in a well bore in which profiled sections (46, 50) on the tubulars (12, 14) are connected using a radially applied force to form a metal to metal sealed connection. Embodiments are provided in which the profiled sections are grooved and/or tapered, additional profiles are provided to prevent relative rotation of the tubulars, the radial force is applied inwardly, outwardly or in both directions, and a connector is used as an additional tubular member to form the coupling.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sealingly connecting tubular members in a wellbore. In a connector apparatus where a portion of a tubular member is radially expanded into sealing contact within a second tubular member, and the second tubular member has circumferential recesses on an inner surface, an annular resilient band member is arranged in the recesses. The annular resilient band member is acted on by the portion of the tubular member during expansion and maintains sealing contact to the portion after expansion.

Abstract: A compact catheter assembly (10) and methods of making such a catheter assembly are disclosed. The catheter assembly includes a receiver (14) and a catheter sub-assembly (16). The catheter sub-assembly includes a gripping member (18) and a catheter tube (20) carried by the gripping member.

Abstract: A touch safe electrical panel (100) includes a bus (110) having a branch connector (130) with a vertical stab (132) and a touch safe connection assembly (150). The assembly includes a dielectric housing (152) for the stab. The housing (152) includes a slot (180) through which to receive the stab, and an opening (190), arranged away from the slot, through which to receive a terminal of a plug-on circuit breaker configured to engage the stab. A dielectric barrier (170A, 170B) is arranged in the housing between the slot and the opening. The barrier partially blocks a passage way between the opening and the slot to prevent direct user contact of the stab while enabling the terminal to pass through the partially blocked passage way and engage the stab.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for connecting tubular members in a wellbore. A host tubular member has annular members mounted within a receiving section to provide regions of differing resistance to the radial load. When a portion of a second tubular member is expanded radially outwardly within the receiving section a joint is formed between the members. Embodiments of host tubular members include recesses for the portion to form protrusions within, collapsible rings, channels and valves to expel fluid from the interface between the members and gripper elements and sealing elements to improve the joint.

Abstract: An intermittent catheter assembly is disclosed which comprises an intermittent catheter having a proximal insertion end, a distal end remote from the proximal insertion end, and an insertable portion. The insertable portion of the catheter extends from the proximal insertion end thereof to a point approaching the distal end thereof. The catheter is disposed in a cavity and a drawstring secured to the catheter extends through the cavity and generally along the insertable portion of the catheter. The drawstring has a first end secured to the catheter between the insertable portion and the distal end and a second end outside the cavity for withdrawing the catheter therefrom. The drawstring exits the cavity proximate the proximal insertion end of the catheter to accommodate drawing the proximal insertion end thereof from the cavity into the urethral opening by pulling on the second end of the drawstring.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method, particularly useful for isolating zones in a hydrocarbon open hole well bore (80). The apparatus includes a tubular body (12), arranged to be run into and secured within the well bore. A sleeve member (14) is positioned on the exterior of the body and is sealed thereto creating a chamber (16) therebetween. Pressure is applied through a port (18) in the body to cause the sleeve member to move outwardly and morph to an inner wall of the well bore. Pressure is trapped in the chamber and maintained at a morphed pressure value by pressure balancing means in the form of a biased piston (64).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a tubular connection in the form of a liner tieback connection or a liner hanger in a slim hole well as found in deep wells. When installing the casing sections, a first casing section having a profiled surface distinct from a surface of an adjacent casing section is provided. A liner is run into the first casing section and a part of a portion is radially expanded to morph against the inner surface of the first casing section at the profiled surface and form a sealed joint. Various arrangements of profiled surfaces are provided. The liner may also have a profiled surface. By adapting the casing section to receive the liner directly, a slim hole well construction is achieved.

Abstract: A touch-safe bus connection device includes a bus extension (160, 260, 360), a non-conductive housing (110, 210, 310), a moveable electrical contact (150, 250, 350) and a moveable non-conductive cover (140, 240, 340). The contact is arranged in the housing, and is moved to connect or disconnect the extension and a stab of an electrical panel across a gap (192, 292, 392). The cover is concurrently and automatically moved to uncover or cover an opening (116, 216, 316) of the housing to allow or restrict, respectively, access to the extension. The contact and cover are concurrently and automatically moveable between a position at which the contact bridges the gap to connect the extension and the stab and the opening of the housing is covered by the cover, and another position at which the extension and the stab are disconnected across the gap and the opening of the housing is uncovered.

Abstract: Individual participants in a multi-participant collaborative computing application may be sent intermittent updates of actions taken by other participants. These updates need not be sent to a participant's device until the participant has interacted with a specified object in the application. The participant's device may then be sent an update including object interactions of the other participants occurring since the participant's previous object interaction. The update may be used to periodically inform the participant of the actions taken by the other participants during the period between the participant's interactions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for connecting tubular members in a wellbore. A host tubular member has reinforcing annular members mounted thereon to provide regions of differing resistance to the radial load. When the host tubular member is expanded radially outwardly, within a second tubular member, each weaker region starts expanding first and seals the host tubular member against the second tubular member prior to the stronger region. Embodiments of host tubular members are described including members of progressive resistance, split rings, gripper elements and sealing elements.

Abstract: A touch safe electrical panel (100) includes a bus (110) having a branch connector (130) with a vertical stab (132) and a touch safe connection assembly (150). The assembly includes a dielectric housing (152) for the stab. The housing (152) includes a slot (180) through which to receive the stab, and an opening (190), arranged away from the slot, through which to receive a terminal of a plug-on circuit breaker configured to engage the stab. A dielectric barrier (170A, 170B) is arranged in the housing between the slot and the opening. The barrier partially blocks a passage way between the opening and the slot to prevent direct user contact of the stab while enabling the terminal to pass through the partially blocked passage way and engage the stab.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for securing a tubular (12) within another tubular or borehole (80), creating a seal across an annulus in a wellbore (80), and centralising or anchoring tubing within a wellbore. A sleeve (14) is arranged on a tubular body (12) to create a chamber (16) therebetween. A port (18) provides fluid access through the body to the chamber. The chamber is filled with a swellable material (20). Thus the sleeve can be morphed to secure it to a well bore wall by the use of fluid pressure and an activated swellable material, the swellable material being used to support the sleeve to maintain a seal between the sleeve and well bore wall to form an isolation barrier.

Abstract: A touch-safe bus connection device includes a bus extension (160, 260, 360), a non-conductive housing (110, 210, 310), a moveable electrical contact (150, 250, 350) and a moveable non-conductive cover (140, 240, 340). The contact is arranged in the housing, and is moved to connect or disconnect the extension and a stab of an electrical panel across a gap (192, 292, 392). The cover is concurrently and automatically moved to uncover or cover an opening (116, 216, 316) of the housing to allow or restrict, respectively, access to the extension. The contact and cover are concurrently and automatically moveable between a position at which the contact bridges the gap to connect the extension and the stab and the opening of the housing is covered by the cover, and another position at which the extension and the stab are disconnected across the gap and the opening of the housing is uncovered.

Abstract: A coupling system between tubulars such as tubing, pipes, casing and liner for location in a well bore in which profiled sections (46, 50) on the tubulars (12, 14) are connected using a radially applied force to form a metal to metal sealed connection. Embodiments are provided in which the profiled sections are grooved and/or tapered, additional profiles are provided to prevent relative rotation of the tubulars, the radial force is applied inwardly, outwardly or in both directions, and a connector is used as an additional tubular member to form the coupling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a joint between tubulars such as tubing, pipes, casing and liner for location in a well bore. A connector (16) in the form of a sleeve is located over the ends of each tubular (12, 14) and the ends of the tubulars are morphed onto the sleeve to provide a metal to metal seal. In an embodiment the sleeve (16) is morphed onto the ends of the tubulars (12, 14). The connector may also have a profiled inner surface with circumferential grooves (266) and a sectioned locating groove (90) to provide axial and torsional load bearing capacity.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sealingly connecting tubular members in a wellbore. In a connector apparatus where a portion of a tubular member is radially expanded into sealing contact within a second tubular member, and the second tubular member has circumferential recesses on an inner surface, an annular resilient band member is arranged in the recesses. The annular resilient band member is acted on by the portion of the tubular member during expansion and maintains sealing contact to the portion after expansion.

Abstract: A compact catheter assembly (10) and methods of making such a catheter assembly are disclosed. The catheter assembly includes a receiver (14) and a catheter sub-assembly (16). The catheter sub-assembly includes a gripping member (18) and a catheter tube (20) carried by the gripping member.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method, particularly useful for isolating zones in a hydrocarbon open hole well bore (80). The apparatus includes a tubular body (12), arranged to be run into and secured within the well bore. A sleeve member (14) is positioned on the exterior of the body and is sealed thereto creating a chamber (16) therebetween. Pressure is applied through a port (18) in the body to cause the sleeve member to move outwardly and morph to an inner wall of the well bore. Pressure is trapped in the chamber and maintained at a morphed pressure value by pressure balancing means in the form of a biased piston (64).

Abstract: An intermittent catheter assembly is disclosed which comprises an intermittent catheter (22) having a proximal insertion end (22a), a distal end (22b) remote from the proximal insertion end, and an insertable portion (22c). The insertable portion of the intermittent catheter extends from the proximal insertion end thereof to a point approaching the distal end thereof. The intermittent catheter is disposed in a cavity (25) and a drawstring (26) secured to the intermittent catheter extends through the cavity and generally along the insertable portion of the intermittent catheter. The drawstring has a first end (26a) secured to the intermittent catheter between the insertable portion and the distal end and a second end (26b) outside the cavity for withdrawing the intermittent catheter therefrom.