Abstract: A method and a precast building component and window frame system. The method comprising: positioning a window frame within a window opening of a precast building component, wherein the precast building component comprises solidified settable material; forming a void between the window frame and the precast building component, wherein the void surrounds the window frame; wherein barrier material is placed within the gap between opposing surfaces of the window frame and the precast building component to form a boundary of the void; filling the void with a settable adhesive sealant; wherein the settable adhesive sealant, once set, provides a continuous seal that surrounds the window frame and supports the window frame within the window opening.

Abstract: A cladding panel and a method of forming a cladding panel. The panel comprises a plurality of facing building members mounted on a backing of settable material. The facing building members are mounted in rows which are usually aligned horizontally in use, with settable material located in joints between adjacent building members in the rows, and settable material located in joints between neighbouring rows of facing building members. The joints between adjacent facing building members in a row are not aligned with the joints between adjacent facing building members in neighbouring rows of facing building members. The facing building members have front faces and a rear side, with recesses in the rear side of at least some of the facing building members in each row. The recesses extend part way into the facing building member and receive settable material.

Abstract: A facing building member, a method of forming a facing building member and a method of forming a cladding panel. The facing building member is usable with other building members in forming a cladding panel. The building member has a front face and a rear side, the rear side being profiled by cutting with a water jet so as to provide at least one mechanical key on the facing building member.

Abstract: A cladding panel and a method of forming a cladding panel. The panel comprises a plurality of facing building members mounted on a backing of settable material. The facing building members are mounted in rows which are usually aligned horizontally in use, with settable material located in joints between adjacent building members in the rows, and settable material located in joints between neighbouring rows of facing building members. The joints between adjacent facing building members in a row are not aligned with the joints between adjacent facing building members in neighbouring rows of facing building members. The facing building members have front faces and a rear side, with recesses in the rear side of at least some of the facing building members in each row. The recesses extend part way into the facing building member and receive settable material.

Abstract: A facing building member, a method of forming a facing building member and a method of forming a cladding panel. The facing building member is usable with other building members in forming a cladding panel. The building member has a front face and a rear side, the rear side being profiled by cutting with a water jet so as to provide at least one mechanical key on the facing building member.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) usable in forming a building component of a settable material such as concrete with a plurality of facing members (24) such as bricks. The apparatus comprises a base member (12) in the form of a steel plate with a regular array of mounting holes (14) which can receive clip members (26) to support the facing members (24) in position during casting of the concrete.

Abstract: A construction article 12 usable in the construction of a building made of concrete. The article 12 has base and side members 32, 34 in the form of plates extending perpendicularly from each other in an L-shape configuration. Three spaced upstanding elongate members 42 are provided upstanding from the base member 32. An appropriately shaped closure member 14 is provided which closes the open ends of the elongate members 42 such that when concrete is poured thereover the members 42 leave three openings extending through the set concrete to permit fixings to extend therethrough.

Abstract: A construction article 12 usable in the construction of a building made of concrete. The article 12 has base and side members 32, 34 in the form of plates extending perpendicularly from each other in an L-shape configuration. Three spaced upstanding elongate members 42 are provided upstanding from the base member 32. An appropriately shaped closure member 14 is provided which closes the open ends of the elongate members 42 such that when concrete is poured thereover the members 42 leave three openings extending through the set concrete to permit fixings to extend therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) usable in forming a building component of a settable material such as concrete with a plurality of facing members (24) such as bricks. The apparatus comprises a base member (12) in the form of a steel plate with a regular array of mounting holes (14) which can receive clip members (26) to support the facing members (24) in position during casting of the concrete.

Abstract: A touch screen control system comprising a touch screen having first and second conductive layers arranged to be brought together by touching of the screen. A detection system is arranged to detect a contact position at which the screen is touched by monitoring electrical signals from at least one of the layers. The system further comprises an antenna, and the detection system includes a proximity sensing signal generator arranged to generate a proximity sensing signal to be transmitted between the antenna and the first layer via a user of the system. The detection system is further arranged to receive the transmitted proximity sensing signal and determine therefrom the distance between a part of the user and the touch screen.

Abstract: A touch screen control system comprising a touch screen (14) having first (50) and second conductive layers (52) arranged to be brought together by touching of the screen (14). A detection system (20, 30) is arranged to detect a contact position at which the screen (14) is touched by monitoring electrical signals from at least one of the layers (50, 52). The system further comprises an antenna (26), and the detection system includes a proximity sensing signal generator arranged to generate a proximity sensing signal to be transmitted between the antenna (26) and the first layer (50) via a user (40) of the system. The detection system is further arranged to receive the transmitted proximity sensing signal and determine therefrom the distance between a part (46) of the user and the touch screen (14).

Abstract: A telemetry system for a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The telemetry system includes a telemetry tool engageable within the downhole tool. The telemetry tool including a telemetry unit, the unit being interchangeable between a mud pulse telemetry unit and an electromagnetic telemetry unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method are useful for compensating the pressure of drilling fluid in a drill collar disposed in a borehole. The apparatus includes a stator adapted for being secured within the drill collar against rotation relative to the drill collar, and a shaft rotatably carried within the stator so as to define a fluid-conducting annular gap between the shaft and the stator. The shaft has a fluid-conducting channel extending axially therethrough. A rotor is secured about the shaft for rotation therewith. A portion of the rotor is disposed adjacent a portion of the stator so as to define an inlet between the rotor and stator portions through which drilling fluid in the drill collar will be conducted. The rotor portion further cooperates with the stator and the shaft to define a first annular cavity that fluidly communicates with the gap and the inlet. A rotary seal is disposed in the first cavity for isolating the gap from the inlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method are useful for compensating the pressure of drilling fluid in a drill collar disposed in a borehole. The apparatus includes a stator adapted for being secured within the drill collar against rotation relative to the drill collar, and a shaft rotatably carried within the stator so as to define a fluid-conducting annular gap between the shaft and the stator. The shaft has a fluid-conducting channel extending axially therethrough. A rotor is secured about the shaft for rotation therewith. A portion of the rotor is disposed adjacent a portion of the stator so as to define an inlet between the rotor and stator portions through which drilling fluid in the drill collar will be conducted. The rotor portion further cooperates with the stator and the shaft to define a first annular cavity that fluidly communicates with the gap and the inlet. A rotary seal is disposed in the first cavity for isolating the gap from the inlet.

Abstract: A while drilling system and method for determining downhole parameters is provided. The system includes a retrievable while drilling tool positionable in a downhole drilling tool, a sensor chassis and at least one sensor. The while drilling tool is positionable in the downhole drilling tool and has a first communication coupler at an end thereof. The sensor chassis is supported in the drilling tool. The sensor chassis has a second communication coupler at an end thereof for operative connection with the first communication coupler. The sensor is positioned in the chassis and is adapted to measure internal and/or external parameters of the drilling tool. The sensor is operatively connected to the while drilling tool via the communication coupler for communication therebetween. The sensor may be positioned in the while drilling tool and retrievable with the drilling tool. Preferably, the system is operable in high temperature and high pressure conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for dampening standing wave pattern generation in a closed cavity of a microwave oven, includes a fluid table having an enclosure made of a microwave energy transparent material, such as plastic, and a structure, such as top flat platform held in place by the enclosure, for defining a processing surface for placement thereupon of samples to be processed, and a quantity of dielectric fluid contained by the enclosure so as to provide a large flat surface of the dielectric fluid beneath the flat platform and thus below the processing surface. The apparatus also includes mechanisms for recirculating the dielectric fluid to and from the enclosure and for cooling the dielectric fluid to maintain the dielectric fluid within a given narrow range of temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus for dampening standing wave pattern generation in a closed cavity of a microwave oven, includes a fluid table having an enclosure made of a microwave energy transparent material, such as plastic, and a structure, such as top flat platform held in place by the enclosure, for defining a processing surface for placement thereupon of samples to be processed, and a quantity of dielectric fluid contained by the enclosure so as to provide a large flat surface of the dielectric fluid beneath the flat platform and thus below the processing surface. The apparatus also includes mechanisms for recirculating the dielectric fluid to and from the enclosure and for cooling the dielectric fluid to maintain the dielectric fluid within a given narrow range of temperatures.

Abstract: A modulated bias unit is provided for controlling the direction of drilling of a rotary drill bit when drilling boreholes in subsurface formations. The unit comprises a plurality of hydraulic actuators spaced apart around the periphery of the unit and having movable thrust members hydraulically displaceable outwardly for engagement with the formation of the borehole being drilled. Each actuator has an inlet passage for connection to a source of drilling fluid under pressure and an outlet passage for communication with the annulus. A selector control valve connects the inlet passages in succession to the source of fluid under pressure, as the unit rotates, and a choke is provided to create a pressure drop between the source of fluid under pressure and the selector valve. A further choke is provided in the outlet passage from each actuator unit. The actuators and control valve arrangements may take a number of different forms.