Abstract: Ethylenically unsaturated, particularly acrylic, monomers are polymerised using a catalyst system including a manganese carbonyl initiator, an organic halogen reactive substrate and an allylic halide chain termination agent. Desirably the manganese carbonyl initiator is a dimanganese compound, particularly dimanganese decacarbonyl (Mn2(CO)10). The catalysis mechanism appears to involve initiator homolysis, abstraction of halogen from the reactive substrate forming an organic free radical which acts as a chain initiator for polymerisation and eventual reaction of the propagating chain radical with the chain terminating agent. The speed or extent of reaction may be modified by the inclusion of Lewis acids in the reaction mixture. The resulting polymers are telechelic and may have different end groups. The polymers can be reacted further to functionalise them and/or to form block copolymers.

Abstract: In a system for coating a plurality of items, a tank unit prepares the plurality of items for painting, a painting unit paints the plurality of items, a drying unit dries the plurality, and an item conveyer conveys the plurality of items through the system as a flow of single items.

Abstract: A memory controller includes ports and corresponding tables. Each port is receptive to one or more memory modules. Each table includes entries mapping memory addresses to the memory modules. Each entry corresponds to no more than one of the memory modules. The tables support asymmetric population of the memory modules within the ports; each port is capable of having a different number of memory modules relative to the other ports. The tables impose no restrictions on where the memory modules are to be inserted within the ports, both number-wise and position-wise. The tables are independently configurable; the configuration of each table is modifiable independently of the configurations of the other tables. Each table is dynamically configurable. The entries of a table are modifiable to reflect changes in the number and type of the memory modules connected, without restarting or temporarily halting the computer system containing the memory controller.

Abstract: Non-inline transaction error correction is disclosed. Where a transaction being processed in a pipeline is determined to include a correctable error, it is output, or drained, from the pipeline into an error queue. The pipeline is switched from a normal mode of operation to a correction mode of operation. In the correction mode, a correction command is inserted into and processed within the pipeline to correct the error within the transaction. The pipeline is switched from the correction mode of operation to a restart mode of operation. In the restart mode, the transaction is reprocessed within the pipeline. The pipeline is then switched from the restart mode of operation back to the normal mode of operation.

Abstract: A retrievable packer is provided for wireline setting and tubing retrieval. A circumferentially extending shear member releases the retrievable packer from the wireline once the retrievable packer is set. A positive locking member releasably locks the upper and lower slips to the mandrel as they are wedged into gripping engagement with the casing string. The positive locking member includes a body lock ring which locks the upper slip assembly in a ratcheting engagement with the packer mandrel, and a J-latch which releasably secures the lower slip assembly to the mandrel.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating a downhole mechanism in a well utilizes increased annular pressure in one instance, and a control line pressure in a second instance. The actuator has an actuating chamber in which an actuating piston moves. The actuating piston communicates with the annulus pressure on one side and with pressure in an intensified pressure chamber on the other side. A control valve locates in a control passage leading from the intensified pressure chamber to the actuator piston. A vent valve locates in a vent passage that leads from the actuator piston to the annulus. The vent valve will close when pressure in the intensified pressure chamber exceeds the annulus pressure by a selected amount. Then, at a selected higher pressure, the control valve will open, allowing the pressure in the intensified pressure chamber to act on the actuator piston. A differential area piston will supply the increased pressure in the intensified pressure chamber from the annulus when the actuator is used with a test tool.

Abstract: A cementing apparatus is shown for use with a wireline run setting tool. The apparatus includes a retainer with external gripping and sealing members for sealing off a lower region of the well below the sealing members. The cement retainer has a plurality of cementing ports at the lower end thereof which communicate the interior of the retainer with the lower well region. A sliding valve located within the lower end of the retainer can be moved between open and closed positions to control communication of fluids between the interior of the retainer and the lower well region. An inner body is initially received within the interior of the retainer end is retained in position by means of a collet latch. Actuation of the setting tool sets the gripping and sealing elements of the retainer and moves the inner body to shear the collet latch. This action simultaneously closes the cementing ports by moving the sliding valve within the lower end of the cement retainer.

Abstract: An anchor seal assembly is shown of the type used to anchor tubing within the bore of a surrounding conduit to provide a seal between the conduit bore and the tubing. A threaded connector circumscribes a portion of the exterior of the tubing. The threaded connector has external threads for matingly engaging a threaded interior surface within the bore of the surrounding conduit. The threaded connector is slidingly received within a recess provided within the exterior surface of the tubing. The tubing recess has a shoulder area at one end thereof for contacting an end of the threaded connector and has a ramp area at the opposite end for contacting the opposite end of the connector. Movement of the tubing in one direction relative to the conduit bore causes the threaded connector to contact the tubing recess shoulder area thereby causing the connector to ratchet into engagement with the threaded interior surface within the bore of the surrounding conduit.

Abstract: An adapter kit is shown for attaching a setting tool of the type having a power actuated outer sleeve and a cooperating inner tubular member to a well packer. The adapter kit includes a tubular mandrel having an upper end which is adapted to be connected to the setting tool inner tubular member and has a ramp area formed in a portion of the mandrel exterior. A collet having a collet body and a plurality of expansive collet fingers is slidably received about the tubular mandrel with the ramp area beneath the collet fingers to expand the fingers outwardly with respect to the mandrel. The collet fingers are provided with an outer threaded surface which is adapted to engage a mating internally threaded surface of the well packer when the collet fingers are expanded to the proper thread diameter by passing the mandrel ramp beneath the collet fingers. The collet is releasably secured in position by a shear wire with the fingers in the outwardly expanded position for engaging the packer internally threaded surface.

Abstract: An expendable plug assembly of the type adapted to be received within the bore of a well packer is shown having a shear sleeve and a plug body initially received within the shear sleeve interior. The plug body has a closed end for preventing flow of well fluid through the well packer when the plug body is in place within the shear sleeve. A lock ring is provided for releasably supporting the plug body within the shear sleeve interior. A collet body mounted about the plug body has a collet extension at one end thereof and a plurality of collet fingers at the opposite end thereof. The collet fingers are selectively engagable within the well packer bore to fix the plug assembly within the bore. Shear screws are provided for releasably connecting the collet extension to the shear sleeve. The shear screws are severable by downward movement of the shear sleeve relative to the collet extension.

Abstract: A perforating gun for perforating earth formations, primarily in oil and gas wells. The gun includes a straight metal tube in which explosive jet charges are carried. A mounting apparatus within the tube holds the charges in pairs, the pairs being spaced vertically from each other. The charges within a pair point in the same general direction. The axis of each charge within a pair lies in a common horizontal plane with the axis of the other charge in the pair. The gun is operable with a decentralizer that places it in contact with the casing wall for firing. An alignment device within the gun assures that the charges are all pointing toward the nearest wall.