Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge, detection module, system, and kit for cell and particle detection and analysis. Devices disclosed herein may include at least an optical source, a fluidic chip, and a detection module, wherein the sample flows within the fluidic chip past a detection window, where the cells or particles are imaged by an image acquisition and analysis module that may include an optical detector. The image acquisition and analysis module may count the cells or particles of interest in real-time, or near real-time, or the module may capture images of the cells in order to analyze the sample from combined images at a later time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable shelter, the shelter includes an upright support and ribs for supporting a canopy. Stretchers are provided for stretching the ribs from the upright support. A runner is provided for moving downwards along the upright support so that the stretchers stretch the ribs from the upright support to expand the shelter. Advantageously, a shelter assembly whereby the runner moves downward to stretch the ribs may provide a compact collapsed shelter with more expansive sheltering when compared with other shelters where the runner instead moves upwards for expansion.

Abstract: A method of processing a first material including an oil source, and a second material including a medium. The method includes mixing the first material and the second material to provide a blended feedstock mixture including predetermined respective proportions of the first material and the second material, and also including water. The blended feedstock mixture is heated in a pre-distillation process and is further heated in a distiller to at least partially crack and vaporize the oil source, to provide atmospheric gas oil and vacuum gas oil from the oil source, coked medium material including carbon-heavy hydrocarbons and sand, and a first barren hot medium material. The coked medium material is heated in a gasifier to provide a second barren hot medium material and syngas. Heat energy from certain products resulting from such heating is transferred to the blended feedstock mixture.

Abstract: A void former to form a void in an earth retaining cast block during casting, the void configured to locate a strap for a strap stabilised earth structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, method, and kit for particle detection and analysis. Devices disclosed herein may include at least an optical source, a fluidic chip containing a multiplex bead array, and a detection module, wherein the sample flows within the fluidic chip past a detection window, where the cells or particles are imaged by an image acquisition and analysis module that may include an optical detector. The image acquisition and analysis module counts the labeled particles and software allows for analysis of bead population.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, method, and kit for particle detection and analysis. Devices disclosed herein may include at least an optical source, a fluidic chip containing a multiplex bead array, and a detection module, wherein the sample flows within the fluidic chip past a detection window, where the cells or particles are imaged by an image acquisition and analysis module that may include an optical detector. The image acquisition and analysis module counts the labeled particles and software allows for analysis of bead population.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable shelter, the shelter includes an upright support and ribs for supporting a canopy. Stretchers are provided for stretching the ribs from the upright support. A runner is provided for moving downwards along the upright support so that the stretchers stretch the ribs from the upright support to expand the shelter. Advantageously, a shelter assembly whereby the runner moves downward to stretch the ribs may provide a compact collapsed shelter with more expansive sheltering when compared with other shelters where the runner instead moves upwards for expansion.

Abstract: A controller (30,300) for mounting on or within a downhole tool (10) is provided and comprises a touch operated control device (32, 320; 36) having a touchable surface (34,340) mounted within an aperture (16) formed in a sidewall (15) of the downhole tool (10) such that the touchable surface (34, 340) is outwardly facing and is the radially outermost component of the controller (30, 300) such that an operator may touch the touchable surface (34, 340) without having to disassemble the downhole tool (10). The controller (30, 300) also comprises one or more microprocessors (44) in electrical or electronic communication with the touch operated control device (32, 320; 36), where the microprocessor (44) is capable of being programmed by an operator to instruct the downhole tool (10) to actuate wherein the operator instructs the controller (30, 300) by touching the touchable surface (34, 340) with one or more distinct touches.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing sludge from an underwater deposit comprises a blade having a cutting edge that points forwards and a blade surface to the rear of the cutting edge that faces the interior of a housing. Nozzles are positioned and oriented to direct jets of water onto the blade surface to fluidize sludge that has been cut by the blade. The jets have a component of motion in the rearward direction relative to the blade surface, whereby the fluidized sludge is effectively contained within the housing and high collection rates can be achieved. The apparatus can be adapted for horizontal use over the surface of a sludge deposit or for movement in any direction through a bulk sludge deposit.

Abstract: A void former to form a void in an earth retaining cast block during casting, the void configured to locate a strap for a strap stabilised earth structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, method, and kit for particle detection and analysis. Devices disclosed herein may include at least an optical source, a fludic chip containing a multiplex bead array, and a detection module, wherein the sample flows within the fludic chip past a detection window, where the cells or particles are imaged by an image acquisition and analysis module that may include an optical detector. The image acquisition and analysis module counts the labeled particles and software allows for analysis of bead population.

Abstract: A method of processing raw oil sands material that includes bitumen. The method includes, in a predistillation process, heating the raw oil sands material to between approximately 535° C. and at least approximately 600° C. to at least partially vaporize the bitumen, to provide atmospheric gas oil and vacuum gas oil from the bitumen, and to provide coked oil sands material that includes carbon-heavy hydrocarbons and sand. The coked oil sands material is heated to approximately 900° C., to produce a dry barren hot oil sands material and syngas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases. Heat energy is transferred from at least a portion of the barren hot oil sands material to the raw oil sands material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge, detection module, system, and kit for cell and particle detection and analysis. Devices disclosed herein may include at least an optical source, a fluidic chip, and a detection module, wherein the sample flows within the fluidic chip past a detection window, where the cells or particles are imaged by an image acquisition and analysis module that may include an optical detector. The image acquisition and analysis module may count the cells or particles of interest in real-time, or near real-time, or the module may capture images of the cells in order to analyze the sample from combined images at a later time.

Abstract: A setting tool (10) for use in a downhole wellbore is described as having a hydraulic fluid pumping mechanism (78) for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid. A piston mechanism (116) is moveable by said pressurized hydraulic fluid acting upon a portion of the piston mechanism (116). A resetting mechanism (84) is provided which when operated releases the pressurized hydraulic fluid from acting upon said portion of the piston (116) and which results in the resetting of the setting tool (10). In addition, a method for resetting a setting tool (10) is described including the steps of: (i) running the setting tool (10) downhole; (ii) actuating the setting tool (10) and thereby deploying an apparatus (203) downhole; (iii) retrieving the setting tool (10) to surface; and (iv) bleeding off pressure to reset the setting tool (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable shelter assembly including a support. An expandable shelter is supported by the support and expands to shelter at least one person. One or more anchors are provided for anchoring the shelter. Advantageously, the anchors anchor the shelter to impede the assembly from bang blown away in the wind.

Abstract: A method of processing raw oil sands material that includes bitumen. The method includes, in a predistillation process, heating the raw oil sands material to between approximately 535° C. and at least approximately 600° C. to at least partially vaporize the bitumen, to provide atmospheric gas oil and vacuum gas oil from the bitumen, and to provide coked oil sands material that includes carbon-heavy hydrocarbons and sand. The coked oil sands material is heated to approximately 900° C., to produce a dry barren hot oil sands material and syngas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases. Heat energy is transferred from at least a portion of the barren hot oil sands material to the raw oil sands material.

Abstract: A method of processing oil sands material including bitumen. The method includes subjecting the oil sands material to a predistillation process. The predistillation process includes heating the oil sands material to between approximately 350° C. and approximately 400° C., to produce atmospheric gas oil from the bitumen, and intermediate dried oil sands material, and heating the intermediate dried oil sands material to between approximately 535° C. and at least approximately 600° C., to produce vacuum gas oil and coked oil sands material comprising carbon-heavy hydrocarbons and sand. The method also includes subjecting the coked oil sands material to gasification, to produce barren hot oil sands material, and syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing sludge from an underwater deposit comprises a blade having a cutting edge that points forwards and a blade surface to the rear of the cutting edge that faces the interior of a housing. Nozzles are positioned and oriented to direct jets of water onto the blade surface to fluidize sludge that has been cut by the blade. The jets have a component of motion in the rearward direction relative to the blade surface, whereby the fluidized sludge is effectively contained within the housing and high collection rates can be achieved. The apparatus can be adapted for horizontal use over the surface of a sludge deposit or for movement in any direction through a bulk sludge deposit.

Abstract: A controller (30,300) for mounting on or within a downhole tool (10) is provided and comprises a touch operated control device (32, 320; 36) having a touchable surface (34,340) mounted within an aperture (16) formed in a sidewall (15) of the downhole tool (10) such that the touchable surface (34, 340) is outwardly facing and is the radially outermost component of the controller (30, 300) such that an operator may touch the touchable surface (34, 340) without having to disassemble the downhole tool (10). The controller (30, 300) also comprises one or more microprocessors (44) in electrical or electronic communication with the touch operated control device (32, 320; 36), where the microprocessor (44) is capable of being programmed by an operator to instruct the downhole tool (10) to actuate wherein the operator instructs the controller (30, 300) by touching the touchable surface (34, 340) with one or more distinct touches.

Abstract: A setting tool (10) for use in a downhole wellbore is described as having a hydraulic fluid pumping mechanism (78) for providing pressurised hydraulic fluid. A piston mechanism (116) is moveable by said pressurised hydraulic fluid acting upon a portion of the piston mechanism (116). A resetting mechanism (84) is provided which when operated releases the pressurised hydraulic fluid from acting upon said portion of the piston (116) and which results in the resetting of the setting tool (10). In addition, a method for resetting a setting tool (10) is described including the steps of: (i) running the setting tool (10) downhole; (ii) actuating the setting tool (10) and thereby deploying an apparatus (203) downhole; (iii) retrieving the setting tool (10) to surface; and (iv) bleeding off pressure to reset the setting tool (10).