Abstract: The invention relates to a downhole assembly to mitigate high frequency torsional oscillation, in particular the high frequency torsional oscillation which can occur in a drilling operation for geothermal energy or for oil and gas. The downhole assembly (10) has a rotary steerable tool (18) and a high frequency torsional oscillation mitigation tool (20), the high frequency torsional oscillation mitigation tool having a one-way coupling (100), the high frequency torsional oscillation mitigation tool being located above the rotary steerable tool. The invention also relates to an oscillation mitigation tool (20) suitable for use in a downhole assembly. The high frequency torsional oscillation mitigation tool has a first end, a second end, and a one-way coupling (100) between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: The present invention discloses oxazolidinone compounds of Formula (I): (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A and E, are as defined herein. The present invention also relates to compositions which comprise at least one oxazolidinone compound of the invention. The invention also provides methods for inhibiting growth of mycobacterial cells as well as a method of treating mycobacterial infections by Mycobacterium tuberculosis comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an oxazolidinone of the invention and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a composition comprising such compound and/or salt.

Abstract: This invention relates to a torque control device for a downhole drilling assembly, the torque control device being adapted for connection to a drill bit. The torque control device includes an outer sleeve and an inner shaft, the outer sleeve being movable longitudinally relative to the inner shaft. The torque control device has a cylinder, a piston located within the cylinder, and a rotary valve to control the volume of the cylinder. The volume of the cylinder can be changed by way of the rotary valve whereby to adjust the weight on bit and thereby control the torque upon the drill bit.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of Formula (IVA), or a salt thereof, and pharmaceutical formulations (pharmaceutical compositions) comprising those compounds, or a salt thereof: Formula (IVA), wherein “RIa”, “RIb”, “RIc”, “RId”, “RIe”, are defined herein above, which compounds are believed suitable for use in positive modulation of the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (?7 nAChR) receptors, for example, those found in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. Such compounds and pharmaceutical formulations are believed to be useful in treatment or management of neurodegenerative diseases, for example, Alzheimer's disease (AD), schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease (PD), or movement disorders arising from use of certain medications used in the treatment or management of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to an articulating component (16) of a downhole assembly, and to a downhole steering assembly. There is provided an articulating component (16) having a first end (40) and a second end (42), the articulating component being adapted to transmit torque between the first end and the second end. The articulating component has a pivotable coupling (46) between its first and second ends and at least one control element for the pivotable coupling, the control element(s) having an active condition in which the pivotable coupling is substantially locked against pivoting movement, and an inactive condition in which the pivotable coupling is unlocked. In a downhole steering assembly the articulating component is located downhole of the steering component whereby to protect the steering component from unwanted vibrations generated downhole, or uphole of the steering component whereby to protect the steering component from unwanted vibrations generated uphole, or both.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a part of a downhole assembly, and to the downhole assembly. The downhole assembly may include a steering mechanism adapted to steer a drill bit in a chosen direction, and the steering mechanism may be the part of the downhole assembly which is controlled by the apparatus. The downhole assembly includes a drill bit and a motor, the motor having a stator and a rotor, the rotor being driven to rotate relative to the stator by the passage of a drilling fluid along a drilling fluid path between the rotor and the stator. The motor has a conduit through which the drilling fluid can pass, the conduit being separate from the drilling fluid path, and the apparatus has a valve to control the flow of drilling fluid through the conduit. The invention provides a robust and reliable means of delivering high pressure drilling fluid downstream of the motor.

Abstract: A commutating valve for a downhole steering tool. The downhole steering tool has a sleeve which surrounds an annular body which in turn surrounds a driveshaft. A plurality of steering cylinders are located in the annular body and a steering piston is located in each steering cylinder, the steering pistons engaging the sleeve. A pump pressurizes hydraulic fluid within a reservoir, the reservoir having a closable outlet whereby the pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the reservoir can be raised by closing the outlet and lowered by opening the outlet. The valve comprises a number of discrete valve members which are all in communication with the reservoir and can be opened sequentially whereby to deliver hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinders sequentially. The pressure within each steering cylinder can be controlled in order to control the position of the driveshaft within the sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of Formula (IVA), or a salt thereof, and pharmaceutical formulations (pharmaceutical compositions) comprising those compounds, or a salt thereof: Formula (IVA), wherein “RIa”, “RIb”, “RIc”, “RId”, “RIe”, are defined herein above, which compounds are believed suitable for use in positive modulation of the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (?7 nAChR) receptors, for example, those found in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. Such compounds and pharmaceutical formulations are believed to be useful in treatment or management of neurodegenerative diseases, for example, Alzheimer's disease (AD), schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease (PD), or movement disorders arising from use of certain medications used in the treatment or management of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to a controllable deflection tool. The controllable deflection tool is likely to have its greatest utility as part of a downhole assembly to steer a drill bit during drilling for oil and gas. There is provided a controllable deflection tool having a first end and a second end, the tool having: a conduit for a working fluid; a rotary element adapted for rotation within the tool; a deflection member; a vane motor configured to rotate the deflection member relative to the rotary element; and a valve for controlling the flow of working fluid to the vane motor. There is also provided a downhole steering assembly and a method of steering a downhole drilling assembly incorporating the controllable deflection tool.

Abstract: This invention relates to a torque control device for a downhole drilling assembly, the torque control device being adapted for connection to a drill bit. The torque control device includes an outer sleeve and an inner shaft, the outer sleeve being movable longitudinally relative to the inner shaft. The torque control device has a cylinder, a piston located within the cylinder, and a rotary valve to control the volume of the cylinder. The volume of the cylinder can be changed by way of the rotary valve whereby to adjust the weight on bit and thereby control the torque upon the drill bit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a torque control device for a downhole drilling assembly. The torque control device is adapted for connection to a drill bit, and has an outer sleeve and an inner shaft, the outer sleeve being movable longitudinally relative to the inner shaft. The torque control device also has a cylinder, a piston located within the cylinder, and a controller to control the volume of the cylinder. Changing the volume of the cylinder causes relative longitudinal movement between the outer sleeve and the inner shaft. The controller can receive inputs from a torque sensor and/or an accelerometer in order to determine if a threshold torque has been exceeded. Alternatively the controller can comprise a rotary valve which automatically responds to torque in the assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to braking mechanism for a downhole tool such as a steering tool. The braking mechanism comprises: a body adapted for mounting upon the tool; at least one braking member which is movably mounted upon the body; a resilient biasing means biasing the braking member away from the body; and a damping mechanism connected to the braking member, the damping mechanism providing a damping force opposing movements of the braking member relative to the body, the damping force being dependent upon the rate of movement of the braking member.

Abstract: This invention relates to an articulating component (16) of a downhole assembly, and to a downhole steering assembly. There is provided an articulating component (16) having a first end (40) and a second end (42), the articulating component being adapted to transmit torque between the first end and the second end. The articulating component has a pivotable coupling (46) between its first and second ends and at least one control element for the pivotable coupling, the control element(s) having an active condition in which the pivotable coupling is substantially locked against pivoting movement, and an inactive condition in which the pivotable coupling is unlocked. In a downhole steering assembly the articulating component is located downhole of the steering component whereby to protect the steering component from unwanted vibrations generated downhole, or uphole of the steering component whereby to protect the steering component from unwanted vibrations generated uphole, or both.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a part of a downhole assembly, and to the downhole assembly. The downhole assembly may include a steering mechanism adapted to steer a drill bit in a chosen direction, and the steering mechanism may be the part of the downhole assembly which is controlled by the apparatus. The downhole assembly includes a drill bit and a motor, the motor having a stator and a rotor, the rotor being driven to rotate relative to the stator by the passage of a drilling fluid along a drilling fluid path between the rotor and the stator. The motor has a conduit through which the drilling fluid can pass, the conduit being separate from the drilling fluid path, and the apparatus has a valve to control the flow of drilling fluid through the conduit. The invention provides a robust and reliable means of delivering high pressure drilling fluid downstream of the motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a steering component, to a steering assembly, and to a method of steering a drill bit in a borehole. The steering component is adapted for connection to a drill string, the drill string carrying a drill bit and a motor for rotating the drill bit. The steering component comprises: a rotatable driveshaft adapted for connection between the drill bit and the motor; a drive mechanism; and an offsetting component; the drive mechanism providing a rotatable connection between the drill string and the offsetting component whereby the drill string can rotate relative to the offsetting component. The drive mechanism is adapted to drive the offsetting component to rotate in an opposed direction to the driveshaft, so as to counter the rotation of the offsetting component which is induced by friction within the componentry as the driveshaft rotates. The steering component and method are likely to have their greatest utility in steering a drill bit during drilling for oil and gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a controllable deflection tool. The controllable deflection tool is likely to have its greatest utility as part of a downhole assembly to steer a drill bit during drilling for oil and gas. There is provided a controllable deflection tool having a first end and a second end, the tool having: a conduit for a working fluid; a rotary element adapted for rotation within the tool; a deflection member; a vane motor configured to rotate the deflection member relative to the rotary element; and a valve for controlling the flow of working fluid to the vane motor. There is also provided a downhole steering assembly and a method of steering a downhole drilling assembly incorporating the controllable deflection tool.

Abstract: A commutating valve for a downhole steering tool. The downhole steering tool has a sleeve which surrounds an annular body which in turn surrounds a driveshaft. A plurality of steering cylinders are located in the annular body and a steering piston is located in each steering cylinder, the steering pistons engaging the sleeve. A pump pressurises hydraulic fluid within a reservoir, the reservoir having a closable outlet whereby the pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the reservoir can be raised by closing the outlet and lowered by opening the outlet. The valve comprises a number of discrete valve members which are all in communication with the reservoir and can be opened sequentially whereby to deliver hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinders sequentially. The pressure within each steering cylinder can be controlled in order to control the position of the driveshaft within the sleeve.

Abstract: This invention relates to a steering component, to a steering assembly, and to a method of steering a drill bit in a borehole. The steering component is adapted for connection to a drill string, the drill string carrying a drill bit and a motor for rotating the drill bit. The steering component comprises: a rotatable driveshaft adapted for connection between the drill bit and the motor; a drive mechanism; and an offsetting component; the drive mechanism providing a rotatable connection between the drill string and the offsetting component whereby the drill string can rotate relative to the offsetting component. The drive mechanism is adapted to drive the offsetting component to rotate in an opposed direction to the driveshaft, so as to counter the rotation of the offsetting component which is induced by friction within the componentry as the driveshaft rotates. The steering component and method are likely to have their greatest utility in steering a drill bit during drilling for oil and gas.