Abstract: An improved fuel cell structure uses a first sheet of carbon fibres separated by an electrolyte from a second sheet of carbon fibres. A fuel cell catalyst is coated on the outside of the fibres and the fuel passed down one set of fibres and oxygen or air passed down the second sheet of fibres.

Abstract: Slips (1, 21, 41) for engaging any jointed, coiled or flexible tubular with substantially no scoring, gouging or scraping, such as when supporting a drill string in a borehole or gripping a tubular (2, 22) during the connection or disconnection of a tool joint or pulling a cable or pipeline; additionally, applying a pre-determined minimum gripping force in order to avoid rotary slippage when the weight of the string is insufficient to achieve a conventional slips action; additionally, including a coarse wedge (30, 50) to take up the extra travel of a worn tool joint or a tubular of smaller diameter, with a means to ensure that the coarse wedge acts before the fine wedge (29, 49) does and a means to ensure that the wedging action remains if the actuating force is removed; additionally, including a secondary slips (40) to interfere with the upset on the tool joint to avoid relying on friction to support the string and a means of integrating this with the gripping slips and ensuring that the secondary slips act

Abstract: A method for drilling wells in which the tubular can be added or removed from the drill string whilst mud and drilling fluids being circulated continuously and kept separated from the environment to reduce pollution. A connector is used with an inlet and outlet for the mud etc. and which incorporates rams to seal off and separate the flow of mud as a tubular is added or removed.

Abstract: An electrical heater element of controlled resistivity which can be used for a wide range of applications is formed from an electrically conductive synthetic porous carbon monolith.

Abstract: A slips assembly which comprises a plurality of slip segments which, when positioned adjacent to each other, form a collar, which collar is larger than the diameter of the tubular body of the tubular at the top of the drill string and smaller than the diameter the upset shoulder of the said tubular, there being a segment moving means which can move the segments together to from a collar slidably located around the body of the said tubular, which slips assemblies can also be utilised in conjunction with, or as part of, the couplers referred to in prior patent applications, either to support, raise or lower the string below, or restraint, lower or raise the tubular, or stand of tubulars, above.

Abstract: Methods and apparati are disclosed for continuous circulation of drilling fluids while adding or removing tubulars to and from a drill string, and also for continuing drilling during the addition or removal of tubulars to and from the drill string.

Abstract: Battery operated sconces, battery operated chandeliers, battery operated candles and candles with unique shapes are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for continuously supplying drilling fluid down a bore hole while adding or removing tubulars.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving and handling tubulars has a stinger (21) slidably mounted on a frame which stinger comprises a rod or tube the end of which is adapted to fit within the pipe (20) to be moved, a gripping means (23) on the end of the stinger which is inserted into the pipe end which gripping means is adapted to grip the pipe, a drive means (25) which drives a sc threaded sub (24) which drive means is adapted to slide along said stinger so that the screw threads on the sub can engage the screw threads on the end of the pipe and moving means adapted to move the sub and a pipe attached to the sub along the frame so that a tubular can be automatically removed from a container (10) or an ISO container transferred to a mast (13) the mast moved vertically above a drill head or well head and the tubular connected to the drill string in such a way that the cross section area of the stinger takes the majority of the well head pressure while the tubular is snubbed into the well using relatively little force.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a substance to a surface, such as the skin of a human being, animal or other organic matter has a needle. Also provided is means for supplying the substance to the tip of the needle in use, and driving means for driving the needle, in use, at a velocity in the range of 1 meter per second to 100 meters per second in order to penetrate the surface and deliver the substance thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the properties such as permeability of the rock surrounding a borehole in which a directional seismic or sonic signal is generated downhole and propagated into the surrounding formation to generate an electrokinetic signal and the focus of the seismic signal is moved in three dimensions in the surrounding rock by physically moving the source or by having two seismic sources which generate oscillating seismic signals at different frequencies and the focus of the seismic signal is varied by wave interference or wave interaction.

Abstract: A dielectric resonator having a first layer of alumina and a second layer of TiO2 is disclosed which has a superior combination of properties such as low dielectric loss, low temperature coefficient and high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A launching device is disclosed which launches snap caps against a hard surface, such as a wall or ceiling, with sufficient force so as to “pop” the caps like tiny firecrackers. In one embodiment, the launcher simultaneously launches confetti into the air so as to create an effect of both sight and sound.

Abstract: Methods and apparati are disclosed for continuous circulation of drilling fluids while adding or removing tubulars to and from a drill string, and also for continuing drilling during the addition or removal of tubulars to and from the drill string.

Abstract: A rotary printing machine is disclosed comprising a conveyor for conveying sheets of material from an upstream cylinder to a downstream conveyor in which the angular positions of both conveyors are sensed, as well as the linear position of each sheet, and the speed of the conveyor is adjusted to maintain registry of each sheet.

Abstract: A manual system and method is disclosed for launching streamers into the air such as from a hollow tube in which the streamers are positioned in particular manners.

Abstract: A method for drilling wells in which the tubular (5) can be added or removed from the drill string (17) whilst the drill is rotating with the mud and drilling fluids being circulated continuously and kept separated from the environment to reduce pollution. A connector is used with an inlet (15) and outlet (10) for the mud etc. and which incorporates rams (11) to seal off and separate the flow of mud as a tubular is added or removed.

Abstract: Sintered alumina of Q value of greater than 25,000 and up to and greater than 45,000 at 10 GHz and at 25° C., useful in useful in dielectric resonators can be obtained by sintering alumina powders with low level of impurities at between 1500° C. and 1600° C. until a density of at least 98% of its theoretical value is obtained.

Abstract: Low dielectric loss ceramic materials useful in dielectric resonators comprise alumina doped with a minor amount, preferably below 2% by weight of a metal or semi metal oxide, preferably an oxide of titanium, niobium, yttrium or zirconium. The compositions can be made by sintering the powders together below their melting point and materials with a with a Q value of greater than 35,000 at 9-10 GHz and at 25° C., can be obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the properties, such as permeability, of the rock surrounding a metal cased borehole by generating a seismic or sonic shock downhole within the borehole which is propagated into the surrounding formation where it generates an electrokinetic signal which is detected by measuring the potential between at least two space apart electrodes in contact with the casing.