Abstract: A method repairing lost circulation conditions during drilling operations, including deploying a deployment tool to a lost circulation zone, charging the deployment tool with eutectic metal alloy pellets, activating a heater to melt the pellets through the deployment tool and out of the crucible onto the targeted zone to form a patch, removing the deployment tool, and milling away excess cooled and cured eutectic metal alloy.

Abstract: A wad for a shotgun cartridge is provided, the wad comprising: a wall defining a cavity therein for holding a projectile, the wall having a first end having an opening and a second end; a base member having a first end and a second end, the base member being disposed at the first end of the wall and closing the opening at the first end of the wall; wherein the base member is moveable relative to the wall between a first position and a second position, movement of the base member from the first position to the second position expanding a portion of the wall adjacent the first end of the wall.

Abstract: A method for performing segmentation on CT image data of a spine is provided. The method includes retrieving the CT image data of the spine, detecting an estimated position of at least four pedicle regions associated with a plurality of vertebras, determining a pose for each of at least two vertebrae. The method further includes performing a first segmentation process on the CT image data with a shape model to generate a first segmentation and performing a second segmentation process on the CT image data using a first neural network to generate a second segmentation of the at least two vertebrae. The method also includes mapping the shape model to the second segmentation, applying landmarks from the shape model to the second segmentation using the mapping, and overlaying a segmentation mask based on the second segmentation over the CT image data.

Abstract: A method repairing lost circulation conditions during drilling operations, including deploying a deployment tool to a lost circulation zone, charging the deployment tool with eutectic metal alloy pellets, activating a heater to melt the pellets through the deployment tool and out of the crucible onto the targeted zone to form a patch, removing the deployment tool, and milling away excess cooled and cured eutectic metal alloy.

Abstract: A system includes a retrieving tool component with a first engagement element disposed at a first radial distance from a retrieving tool centerline. The system includes an uphole component comprising a second engagement element. The system includes a downhole component coupled to the uphole component and releasably connected to a wellbore. The retrieving tool component is configured to retrieve the uphole component and the downhole component from the wellbore using a connection component to release an axial lock thereby allowing an axial movement of the downhole component out of the wellbore.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for mounting within an enclosure of a machine is described. The apparatus includes a measurement device and a protection means for protecting the measurement device from contaminants present within the machine enclosure. The protection means is switchable between at least a first mode that protects the measurement device from contaminants and a second mode that provides less protection of the measurement device from contaminants than the first mode. A contaminant sensor is used for sensing contamination within the machine enclosure and thereby determining when the protection means can adopt the second mode. A corresponding method is also described.

Abstract: An optical tool measurement device for a machine tool is described. The device includes a light source for directing light towards a tool-sensing region and a sensor for detecting light from the tool-sensing region. A shutter assembly for selectively protecting the sensor from contamination is also provided. The shutter assembly is to provide a closed configuration in which the sensor is covered by the shutter assembly thereby preventing contamination of the sensor and an open configuration in which light can pass to the sensor through a first aperture of the shutter assembly. Furthermore, the shutter assembly is configured to additionally provide a constricted configuration in which light can pass to the sensor through a second aperture of the shutter assembly, the second aperture being smaller than the first aperture. In this manner, the device has enhanced resistance to contaminants, such as swarf and coolant, present in the machine tool environment.

Abstract: A method, and related apparatus, involves providing one or more drill pipe segments and disposing a quantity of lost circulation material objects within the one or more drill pipe segments. A retention element is provided to retain the lost circulation material objects within the one or more drill pipe segments. The one or more drill pipe segments are connected to a drill string at a wellbore, and drilling fluid is flowed through the drill string. The flowing of drilling fluid through the drill string causes the retention element to release the lost circulation material objects to propagate further.

Abstract: A non-contact tool measurement apparatus is used in a machine tool environment. The apparatus includes a transmitter including a first aperture and a laser for generating light that is emitted from the transmitter through the first aperture towards a tool-sensing region. A receiver includes an optical detector and is arranged to receive light from the tool-sensing region. A processor analyses the light detected by the optical detector to enable the measurement of tools in the tool-sensing region. The laser is capable of generating light having a wavelength of less than 590 nm thereby enabling the size of the first aperture to be reduced resulting in a reduction in contaminant ingress. In one embodiment, the laser generates blue light.

Abstract: A wad (4, 9) for a shotgun cartridge (20) is described. The wad (4, 9) comprises a cup-shaped member (4) and a separation member (9) located inside the cup-shaped member (4) adjacent a base of the cup-shaped member (4). The cup-shaped member (4) and the separation member (9) each comprise at least one biodegradable fibrous material.

Abstract: A method for automatic target configuration in a conveyor system, the method including: perform a pallet-flow analysis for a station; generate target and move configurations for the station; determine if there are more stations and perform the pallet flow analysis and the generate target and move configurations until all stations are completed; finalize routing targets' configurations; and finalize exit move configurations. A system for automatic target configuration in a conveyor system, the system including: a processor; a processor readable memory storing computer instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: perform a pallet-flow analysis for a station; generate target and move configurations for the station; determine if there are more stations and perform the pallet flow analysis and the generate target and move configurations until all stations are completed; finalize routing targets' configurations; and finalize exit move configurations.

Abstract: A system includes an upper connection having a ring shape with an external surface, where upper splines are formed on the external surface and the upper connection is fixed to the upper section. The system also includes a lower connection having a ring shape with an internal surface, where lower splines are formed on the internal surface and the lower splines are configured to mate with the upper splines of the upper connection. Further, the system includes a fishing sub having a first lateral end and a second lateral end, where the first lateral end is fixed to the lower connection by shear pins configured to shear when a pre-determined tension is applied to the system, and the second lateral end is fixed to the lower section. The upper connection is inserted into the lower connection to form an engagement between the upper section and the lower section.

Abstract: A coin payout apparatus 100 is provided. The coin payout apparatus 100 includes a coin canister 101. The coin canister 101 includes a tube 102 for storing coins. The coin canister 101 also includes a coin ejector 202 operable to eject a coin from the tube 102. The coin canister 101 further includes a hopping disc 318 operable to rotate and engage the coin ejector 202 to eject the coin from the tube 102 when the tube 102 is moved into position with the hopping disc 318.

Abstract: A method, and related apparatus, involves providing one or more drill pipe segments and disposing a quantity of lost circulation material objects within the one or more drill pipe segments. A retention element is provided to retain the lost circulation material objects within the one or more drill pipe segments. The one or more drill pipe segments are connected to a drill string at a wellbore, and drilling fluid is flowed through the drill string. The flowing of drilling fluid through the drill string causes the retention element to release the lost circulation material objects to propagate further.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating anatomical data associated with a musculoskeletal joint, the method comprising: receiving as input variation data representing change with time of a musculoskeletal joint of interest caused by a condition; receiving as input patient data representing the musculoskeletal joint of interest of a patient at a current time; and processing the variation data and the patient data to generate said anatomical data, wherein said anatomical data comprises data indicating the musculoskeletal joint of interest of the patient at a predetermined time different to the current time.

Abstract: A non-contact tool measurement apparatus is used in a machine tool environment. The apparatus includes a transmitter including a first aperture and a laser for generating light that is emitted from the transmitter through the first aperture towards a tool-sensing region. A receiver includes an optical detector and is arranged to receive light from the tool-sensing region. A processor analyses the light detected by the optical detector to enable the measurement of tools in the tool-sensing region. The laser is capable of generating light having a wavelength of less than 590 nm thereby enabling the size of the first aperture to be reduced resulting in a reduction in contaminant ingress. In one embodiment, the laser generates blue light.

Abstract: A system includes an upper connection having a ring shape with an external surface, where upper splines are formed on the external surface and the upper connection is fixed to the upper section. The system also includes a lower connection having a ring shape with an internal surface, where lower splines are formed on the internal surface and the lower splines are configured to mate with the upper splines of the upper connection. Further, the system includes a fishing sub having a first lateral end and a second lateral end, where the first lateral end is fixed to the lower connection by shear pins configured to shear when a pre-determined tension is applied to the system, and the second lateral end is fixed to the lower section. The upper connection is inserted into the lower connection to form an engagement between the upper section and the lower section.

Abstract: A non-contact tool measurement apparatus is used in a machine tool environment. The apparatus includes a transmitter including a first aperture and a laser for generating light that is emitted from the transmitter through the first aperture towards a tool-sensing region. A receiver includes an optical detector and is arranged to receive light from the tool-sensing region. A processor analyses the light detected by the optical detector to enable the measurement of tools in the tool-sensing region. The laser is capable of generating light having a wavelength of less than 590 nm thereby enabling the size of the first aperture to be reduced resulting in a reduction in contaminant ingress. In one embodiment, the laser generates blue light.

Abstract: A wad (4, 9) for a shotgun cartridge (20) is described. The wad (4, 9) comprises a cup-shaped member (4) and a separation member (9) located inside the cup-shaped member (4) adjacent a base of the cup-shaped member (4). The cup-shaped member (4) and the separation member (9) each comprise at least one biodegradable fibrous material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a core drill guide apparatus for providing a guide for a core drill apparatus to drill into a substrate to form a removable core. The apparatus includes an elongate body with an outer surface and inner space, having an entrance end, an exit end and side walls, a distance between the ends defining a length or height of the elongate body and a width. An passageway extends through the elongate body from entrance to exit end, adapted so that in use, it provides sliding receipt of a fastening system to clamp the apparatus to an outer surface surrounding a first hole in a substrate, allowing the apparatus to abut the outer surface and drill out a core in the substrate underneath and surrounding the first hole. A corresponding guide method and fastening system are also disclosed.