Abstract: A downhole ratchet is utilized between tubulars in the drill string to reduce torsion energy in the drill string. A first gear and a second gear are biased into engagement to drive the drill string below the position of the downhole ratchet in the drill string during normal drilling. The downhole ratchet is constructed to release between the first gear and second gear when the tubular below the ratchet spins faster than the tubular above the ratchet due to slip-stick. Once the tubular below spins more slowly or at the same speed then the ratchet mechanism locks the upper and lower tubulars together to rotate the bit. The effect is to release torsional energy in the drill string to reduce slip stick oscillations.

Abstract: A downhole ratchet is utilized between tubulars in the drill string to reduce torsion energy in the drill string. The downhole ratchet is constructed to release when the tubular below the ratchet spins faster than the tubular above the ratchet. When the tubular below spins more slowly or at the same speed then the ratchet mechanism locks the upper and lower tubulars together to rotate the bit. The effect is to release torsional energy in the drill string to reduce and eliminate slip stick oscillations.

Abstract: A slip mechanism is utilized between tubulars in the drill string to reduce torsion energy in the drill string. The slip mechanism is connected to release when the tubular below the slip mechanism spins faster than the tubular above the slip mechanism. When the tubular below spins more slowly or at the same speed then the slip mechanism firmly secures the upper and lower tubulars together to rotate the bit. The effect is to release torsional energy in the drill string to reduce and eliminate slip stick oscillations. A computer is programmed to determine an optimal position in the drill string to release the torsional energy in the drill string.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and locating improper or illicit use of digitized information such as illegal pirating, copying, alteration, and the like. The digitized information may include software, digital music, digital movies, multimedia or the like that may be placed on a user's computer and possibly copied to other computers. The system or method preferably operates in the background so as to be unnoticeable to the user and preferably does not interfere with operation of the digitized information even if determined that copying or alteration has occurred. Thus, there is little motivation to remove the routine that effects transmission over the Internet to a server of information such as a program identification indicia, a computer identification indicia, program alteration identification.

Abstract: Thermodynamically-unstable complexing agents which are diphosphonic acids and diphosphonic acid derivatives (or sulphur containing analogs), like carboxyhydroxymethanediphosphonic acid and vinylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, are capable of complexing with metal ions, and especially metal ions in the II, III, IV, V and VI oxidation states, to form stable, water-soluble metal ion complexes in moderately alkaline to highly-acidic media. However, the complexing agents can be decomposed, under mild conditions, into non-organic compounds which, for many purposes are environmentally-nondamaging compounds thereby degrading the complex and releasing the metal ion for disposal or recovery. Uses for such complexing agents as well as methods for their manufacture are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and locating improper or illicit use of digitized information such as illegal pirating, copying, alteration, and the like. The digitized information may include software, digital music, digital movies, multi-media or the like that may be placed on a user's computer and possibly copied to other computers. The system or method preferably operates in the background so as to be unnoticeable to the user and preferably does not interfere with operation of the digitized information even if determined that copying or alteration has occurred. Thus, there is little motivation to remove the routine that effects transmission over the Internet to a server of information such as a program identification indicia, a computer identification indicia, program alteration identification.