Abstract: A cover for a fluid connection that has a first positioning element and an opening. The cover includes a first portion that is positioned to cover a portion of the opening and a second portion that includes a second positioning element. The second portion is movable with respect to the first portion between a first position, in which the first positioning element and the second positioning element are engaged, and a second position, in which the first positioning element and the second positioning element are disengaged.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with vaccines and their preparation. An effective long-term immune response, especially in mammals, can be produced using a vaccine comprising an antigen encapsulated in liposomes, a suitable adjuvant and a carrier comprising a continuous phase of a hydrophobic substance. The vaccine is particularly effective in eliciting the production of antibodies that recognize epitopes of native proteins.

Abstract: An improved valve for sealing a wellbore and method of use, in particular for prevention of well blow outs. In one embodiment, the apparatus is designed to seal a well through rotation of rams. The rams may be actuated to seal the well without having to work against full well pressure as fluid volumes in the apparatus housing, which also contains the rams, are preserved. This functionality allows the apparatus to be constructed with smaller dimensions than existing prior art blow out prevention valves aiding handling and manoeuvrability. The improved valve according to one embodiment also has a mechanism that guides a wireline or a pipeline being run in the wellbore to the centre of the bore and allows a seal to be formed around the wireline or pipeline.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with vaccines and their preparation. An effective long-term immune response, especially in mammals, can be produced using a vaccine comprising an antigen encapsulated in liposomes, a suitable adjuvant and a carrier comprising a continuous phase of a hydrophobic substance. The vaccine is particularly effective in eliciting the production of antibodies that recognize epitopes of native proteins.

Abstract: A fan shroud for a mobile vehicle having an opening therein for the easy removal of the cooling fan therethrough. A removable shroud section is provided in various embodiments, exemplifying efficient modes of manufacture for said removable shroud section and its attachment to said fan shroud.

Abstract: A stump boot for use by an ankle disarticulation patient having a stump. The stump boot includes a sole, an inner casing, and an outer casing having a substantially rectangular cutout covered by a flexible member. The inner casing is custom molded to fit the stump and insertable within the outer casing. The sole is integrally attached to the outer casing and includes a foam inner sole, an outer sole having a non-skid grip material, a contoured wedge therebetween having an adjustable rubber build-up and a rounded bottom. A buckle and a strap are both integrally attached to the outer casing opposite one another. The strap has a securing fastener and a securing means and wraps over the flexible member and through the buckle for securing the stump within the stump boot.

Abstract: A method of measuring fluid properties such as flow velocity, flow rate, and fluid composition comprises positioning a heat exchange element with a temperature sensor, such as an optical fiber temperature sensor, arranged centrally inside the element in thermal contact with a fluid of interest, heating or cooling the heat exchange element to cause a temperature difference and exchange of thermal energy between the element and the fluid, using the temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the heat exchange element during the exchange of thermal energy, and determining properties of the fluid from the temperature measurement. A second temperature sensor can be provided offset from the first sensor to provide additional measurements to improve accuracy, and a plurality of heat exchange elements with temperature sensors can be used together to determine fluid properties over a large region.

Abstract: A system to determine the mixture of fluids in the deviated section of a wellbore comprising at least one distributed temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of the deviated section. Each distributed temperature sensor can be a fiber optic line functionally connected to a light source that may utilize optical time domain reflectometry to measure the temperature profile along the length of the fiber line. The temperature profiles at different positions along the vertical axis of the deviated wellbore enables the determination of the cross-sectional distribution of fluids flowing along the deviated section. Together with the fluid velocity of each of the fluids flowing along the deviated section, the cross-sectional fluid distribution enables the calculation of the flow rates of each of the fluids. The system may also be used in conjunction with a pipeline, such as a subsea pipeline, to determine the flow rates of fluids flowing therethrough.

Abstract: An improved simulated climbing wall provides a self-regulating endless climbing surface. The structure includes a form including upper and lower at least partially cylindrical outer surfaces, a planar forward surface, and an open back surface. A continuous belt includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is disposed in sliding engagement with the cylindrical surfaces and planar forward surface of the form, and the outer surface of the belt includes a plurality of raised features configured for climbing by a user. A tensioning shoe engages with the inner surface of the belt through the open back surface of the form, and a mechanism, coupled to the tensioning shoe, is operative to a) relieve tension on the belt as a user climbs upwardly, thereby increasing rotational slippage of the belt around the form, and b) increase tension on the belt as a user moves downwardly, thereby reducing or terminating rotational slippage of the belt around the form.

Abstract: A method of installing a plurality of cables into a network (30) of ducts is disclosed. The method includes blowing a plurality of cables (34) through a first duct (31) such that a first portion (35) of each of tilt; cables (34) occupies the first duct (31). The plurality of cables (34) are also blown into a plurality of second ducts (32) such that each second duct (32) is occupied by a second portion (37) of at feast one of the plurality of cables (34).

Abstract: A method of determining the inflow profile of an injection wellbore, comprising stopping injection of fluid into a formation, the formation intersected by a wellbore having a section uphole of the formation and a section within the formation, monitoring temperature at least partially along the uphole section of the wellbore and at least partially along the formation section of the wellbore, injecting fluid into the formation once the temperature in the uphole section of the wellbore increases, and monitoring the movement of the increased temperature fluid as it moves from the uphole section of the wellbore along the formation section of the wellbore. The monitoring may be performed using a distributed temperature sensing system.

Abstract: An adjustable roller apparatus is described. The apparatus has a housing and a roller ball, rotatably mounted in the housing. There is also a base adjuster that is adapted to be moved from a first position to a second position and where one of the first and second positions of the base adjuster is a retracted position that permits the roller ball to contact a surface and rotate on the surface and the other position of the base adjuster is an extended position whereby the base adjuster contacts the surface.

Abstract: A cable (302) has (8) fibres (304) are encapsulated by a UV curable layer (306) having a diameter of approximately (1010) microns, and (16) outer fibres (316) arranged in a circular formation around the inner fibres (304). The optical fibres (304) are held in position by means of the UV curable layer (306) so that the UV curable material of the layer (306) does not penetrate into the gaps between the optical fibres (304) and the outermost optical fibres (304) are restrained by the layer from moving axially. It is found that such an arrangement provides surprisingly favourable bending properties, making the cable particularly suitable for installation in a tube by means of blowing.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunocontraceptive vaccines comprising a zona pellucida (ZP) polypeptide, and/or a variant thereof, from a carnivorous mammal such as cat, dog, ferret or mink. Such vaccines are useful in reducing fertility of cats and/or dogs.

Abstract: A fan shroud for a mobile vehicle having an opening therein for the easy removal of the cooling fan therethrough. A removable shroud section is provided in various embodiments, exemplifying efficient modes of manufacture for said removable shroud section and its attachment to said fan shroud.

Abstract: A system to determine the mixture of fluids in the deviated section of a wellbore comprising at least one distributed temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of the deviated section. Each distributed temperature sensor can be a fiber optic line functionally connected to a light source that may utilize optical time domain reflectometry to measure the temperature profile along the length of the fiber line. The temperature profiles at different positions along the vertical axis of the deviated wellbore enables the determination of the cross-sectional distribution of fluids flowing along the deviated section. Together with the fluid velocity of each of the fluids flowing along the deviated section, the cross-sectional fluid distribution enables the calculation of the flow rates of each of the fluids. The system may also be used in conjunction with a pipeline, such as a subsea pipeline, to determine the flow rates of fluids flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A system to determine the mixture of fluids in the deviated section of a wellbore comprising at least one distributed temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of the deviated section. Each distributed temperature sensor can be a fiber optic line functionally connected to a light source that may utilize optical time domain reflectometry to measure the temperature profile along the length of the fiber line. The temperature profiles at different positions along the vertical axis of the deviated wellbore enables the determination of the cross-sectional distribution of fluids flowing along the deviated section. Together with the fluid velocity of each of the fluids flowing along the deviated section, the cross-sectional fluid distribution enables the calculation of the flow rates of each of the fluids. The system may also be used in conjunction with a pipeline, such as a subsea pipeline, to determine the flow rates of fluids flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A method of measuring fluid properties such as flow velocity, flow rate, and fluid composition comprises positioning a heat exchange element with a temperature sensor, such as an optical fiber temperature sensor, arranged centrally inside the element in thermal contact with a fluid of interest, heating or cooling the heat exchange element to cause a temperature difference and exchange of thermal energy between the element and the fluid, using the temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the heat exchange element during the exchange of thermal energy, and determining properties of the fluid from the temperature measurement. A second temperature sensor can be provided offset from the first sensor to provide additional measurements to improve accuracy, and a plurality of heat exchange elements with temperature sensors can be used together to determine fluid properties over a large region.

Abstract: A distributed temperature sensor is deployed in a wellbore and is functionally connected to a processor. The processor receives the data from the distributed temperature sensor and automatically processes the data to highlight valuable information to the user relating to the relevant well, completion, or reservoir. In one embodiment, the distributed temperature sensor and processor are utilized in a well containing a gas-lift system, wherein the processor highlights valuable information to the user pertaining to the gas-lift system. A well model enabled by the processor enables the determination of a produced fluid flow rate in the well having a gas lift system. Temperatures are measured within the well to obtain a temperature profile, and this profile is processed according to the well model. The well model relates thermal characteristics, e.g. thermal decay and/or amplitude of a thermal discontinuity at an injection point, to flow rate.