Abstract: A drilling unit for drilling a hole, wherein the drilling unit comprising a drilling head (1). Said drilling head (1) further comprising pulling means (2) for pulling a casing (7) into the hole, a pilot bit (3) for drilling a center hole, connecting means and a ring bit assembly (4) for reaming the center hole for the casing (7). Said ring bit assembly (4) being connected to said pilot bit (3) by the connecting means and to said casing (7) by the pulling means (2). Said ring bit assembly (4) comprising a carrier (5) comprising carrier coupling means (23) and a plurality of ring bit segments (6) movably attached to said carrier coupling means (23).

Abstract: A door of a vehicle, such as a side-by-side utility vehicle, opens vertically about a door pivot. Opening of the door is facilitated by an actuator that secures to the door behind the door pivot. The actuator may also secure to a door frame behind the door pivot. The door may have a range of motion such that at least a portion of the door is positioned forward of the door pivot when opened. The actuator may be a gas spring that may include damping. The actuator may be mounted between panels of the door and may extend through a slot defined by the door to secure to the door frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drill bit assembly for fluid-operated percussion drill tools comprising a percussion bit having a head portion and a bit retaining portion. Engagement means are provided on the head portion engageable with complementary engagement means on a drive ring whereby rotational drive from the drive ring may be transmitted to the percussion bit. The assembly also comprises bit retaining means adapted for engagement with the bit retaining portion of the percussion bit to retain the percussion bit in the drill bit assembly. Connection means on the drive ring are adapted for connecting the drive ring to a drive means of the fluid-operated percussion drill tool. According to a first aspect, the drive ring comprises a plurality of separable part-annular drive dog segments, wherein the bit retaining means are provided on at least two of the drive dog segments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic down-the-hole hammer. The hammer comprises an elongate shaft and a piston having a central bore therethrough, the piston slidably mounted for reciprocal movement on the shaft and arranged to impact a percussion bit. Forward and rear drive chambers for the piston are disposed between the piston and the shaft and the forward chamber is separated from the rear chamber by an annular shoulder formed internally of the piston bore. The hammer also comprises a control valve to control reciprocation of the piston, wherein the control valve is arranged within the central bore of the piston. The hammer may be a disposable water hammer in which the piston is an outermost component of the hammer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drill bit assembly for fluid-operated percussion drill tools. The drill bit assembly comprises a percussion bit having a head portion formed with an axially extending shank, a first plurality of axially extending splines on the shank slideably engageable with a first plurality of complementary splines formed internally of a drive chuck whereby rotational drive from the chuck may be transmitted to the shank. The assembly also comprises engagement means on the chuck adapted for connecting the chuck to a drive means of the fluid-operated percussion drill tool. During drilling, the bit and the chuck are held in a first relative orientation in which the bit is retained in the chuck, and the bit is moveable axially relative to the chuck to a bit removal position, in which the bit is rotatable relative to the chuck to a second relative orientation in which the bit is removable from the chuck.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic down-the-hole hammer. The hammer comprises an elongate shaft and a piston having a central bore therethrough, the piston slidably mounted for reciprocal movement on the shaft and arranged to impact a percussion bit. Forward and rear drive chambers for the piston are disposed between the piston and the shaft and the forward chamber is separated from the rear chamber by an annular shoulder formed internally of the piston bore. The hammer also comprises a control valve to control reciprocation of the piston, wherein the control valve is arranged within the central bore of the piston. The hammer may be a disposable water hammer in which the piston is an outermost component of the hammer.

Abstract: A drilling unit for drilling a hole, wherein the drilling unit comprising a drilling head (1). Said drilling head (1) further comprising pulling means (2) for pulling a casing (7) into the hole, a pilot bit (3) for drilling a center hole, connecting means and a ring bit assembly (4) for reaming the center hole for the casing (7). Said ring bit assembly (4) being connected to said pilot bit (3) by the connecting means and to said casing (7) by the pulling means (2). Said ring bit assembly (4) comprising a carrier (5) comprising carrier coupling means (23) and a plurality of ring bit segments (6) movably attached to said carrier coupling means (23).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drill bit assembly for fluid-operated percussion drill tools comprising a percussion bit having a head portion and a bit retaining portion. Engagement means are provided on the head portion engageable with complementary engagement means on a drive ring whereby rotational drive from the drive ring may be transmitted to the percussion bit. The assembly also comprises bit retaining means adapted for engagement with the bit retaining portion of the percussion bit to retain the percussion bit in the drill bit assembly. Connection means on the drive ring are adapted for connecting the drive ring to a drive means of the fluid-operated percussion drill tool. According to a first aspect, the drive ring comprises a plurality of separable part-annular drive dog segments, wherein the bit retaining means are provided on at least two of the drive dog segments.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly for fluid-operated percussion drill tools. The assembly comprises a percussion bit comprising a bit head detachably connected to an axially extending shank and engagement means formed on an external wall of the shank engageable with complementary engagement means formed internally of a drive chuck whereby rotational drive from the chuck may be transmitted to the shank. At least one flushing channel extends between the external wall of the bit shank and a cutting face of the bit head, to provide a fluid path for a flushing medium between the external wall of the bit shank and the cutting face of the bit head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulically powered percussion mechanism (12), comprising a piston (6) to impact a percussion bit (8). The percussion mechanism also includes a first accumulator assembly (3a) for hydraulic fluid. The first accumulator assembly comprises a plurality of first accumulator elements (27). In a first aspect, the plurality of first accumulator elements are arranged in a common housing (14). In a second aspect, each of the first accumulator elements is arranged at the same proximity to the piston. In a third aspect, each of the first accumulator elements comprises an accumulator membrane (32) or piston, and wherein the primary direction of movement of the membrane or piston in contact with the hydraulic fluid is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drill rod (2) for a fluid-operated apparatus, particularly a percussion drill tool (1). The drill rod (2) comprises a first connection interface (100) at a first end (101) and a second connection interface (102) at a second end (103). The first connection interface (100) is for connection of the drill rod (2) to a second connection interface (102) of a like drill rod (3) or to the apparatus (1). The second connection interface (102) is for connection of the drill rod (2) to a first connection interface of a like drill rod (3) or to a fluid transfer device. The drill rod also comprises a plurality of discrete fluid flow channels (4, 6, 8) through the drill rod, a first member (23) moveably mounted in the first connection interface (100) and a second member (22) moveably mounted in the second connection interface.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly for fluid-operated percussion drill tools. The assembly comprises a percussion bit comprising a bit head detachably connected to an axially extending shank and engagement means formed on an external wall of the shank engageable with complementary engagement means formed internally of a drive chuck whereby rotational drive from the chuck may be transmitted to the shank. At least one flushing channel extends between the external wall of the bit shank and a cutting face of the bit head, to provide a fluid path for a flushing medium between the external wall of the bit shank and the cutting face of the bit head.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of a specific medical device connected to a computer by an RS232 serial line. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing an RS232 connector having a specified computer side output pin connected to specific device specified computer side input pins; raising the voltage high on the specified computer side output pin; determining which computer side input pins are voltage high; and signaling which external medical device is in communication with the computer in response to which computer side input pins are voltage high. In another embodiment, the computer side output pin is selected from one of the data terminal ready (DTR) and ready to send (RTS) pins. In yet another embodiment, the computer side input pins are selected from one or more of data set ready DSR, data carrier detect (CD) and clear to send (CTS).

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of a specific medical device connected to a computer by an RS232 serial line. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing an RS232 connector having a specified computer side output pin connected to specific device specified computer side input pins; raising the voltage high on the specified computer side output pin; determining which computer side input pins are voltage high; and signaling which external medical device is in communication with the computer in response to which computer side input pins are voltage high. In another embodiment, the computer side output pin is selected from one of the data terminal ready (DTR) and ready to send (RTS) pins. In yet another embodiment, the computer side input pins are selected from one or more of data set ready DSR, data carrier detect (CD) and clear to send (CTS).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biosynthetic methods for producing propylene and to genetically engineered organisms having propylene biosynthesis capability.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biosynthetic methods for producing propylene from C1 substrates (e.g., methane, methanol, carbon monoxide, syngas) and to genetically engineered organisms having propylene biosynthesis capability, as well as engineered organisms having a butyrate/butanol-producing pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulically powered percussion mechanism (12), comprising a piston (6) to impact a percussion bit (8). The percussion mechanism also includes a first accumulator assembly (3a) for hydraulic fluid. The first accumulator assembly comprises a plurality of first accumulator elements (27). In a first aspect, the plurality of first accumulator elements are arranged in a common housing (14). In a second aspect, each of the first accumulator elements is arranged at the same proximity to the piston. In a third aspect, each of the first accumulator elements comprises an accumulator membrane (32) or piston, and wherein the primary direction of movement of the membrane or piston in contact with the hydraulic fluid is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drill rod (2) for a fluid-operated apparatus, particularly a percussion drill tool (1). The drill rod (2) comprises a first connection interface (100) at a first end (101) and a second connection interface (102) at a second end (103). The first connection interface (100) is for connection of the drill rod (2) to a second connection interface (102) of a like drill rod (3) or to the apparatus (1). The second connection interface (102) is for connection of the drill rod (2) to a first connection interface of a like drill rod (3) or to a fluid transfer device. The drill rod also comprises a plurality of discrete fluid flow channels (4, 6, 8) through the drill rod, a first member (23) moveably mounted in the first connection interface (100) and a second member (22) moveably mounted in the second connection interface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for biologically producing isoprene using methanotrophic bacteria that utilize carbon feedstock, such as methane or natural gas.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biosynthetic methods for producing propylene and to genetically engineered organisms having propylene biosynthesis capability.