Abstract: An abseiling device includes an annular spool with an inner surface, the spool being rotatable around a central axis. The spool includes an annular gear around its periphery with gear teeth facing the central axis. A line is wound around the spool, with one end fixed to the spool and the other end having an attachment mechanism. The device also has a shaft which is co-axial with the central axis and a centrifugal brake attached to the shaft. The centrifugal brake includes brake pads for applying a breaking force to the spool. The device also has a brake gear attached to the shaft, the brake gear being rotatable with the shaft, and a compound gear. The compound gear includes a first gear for engaging with the brake gear and a second gear for engaging with the annular gear. The first gear has a greater number of teeth than the second gear. When the spool is at rest the brake pad extends around over 80% of the circumference of the inner surface of the spool.

Abstract: A portable biometric device and system for secure communication and method for operating said system. The invention describes a portable biometric device (1) designed for improving security during internet transactions by means of a gateway device (20). Also described is a secure actuation device (40) which, together with the portable biometric device (1), allows the opening or closing of a set of access control elements in facilities to be controlled in order to block the entry of unauthorised persons. Also described are two systems for secure communication, which respectively comprise a portable biometric device (1) and a secure actuation device (40) combined with a portable biometric device (1), and methods for operating said systems.

Abstract: A centralizer (1) is used for passing assemblies and tools through bores and tubular ducts in a centralized condition, especially in downhole operations in oil work. The centralizer comprises a body (2) including carrying means (3) pivotally supporting swinging arms (4) for effecting centralization. Each arm (4) is pivotally located (14) at one end while a roller (15) or other implement is carried at or adjacent the other free end. Actuating means (6,5) including force means (7), such as a spring, load the swung-out arms (4) so that the arms (4) act against the force means (7) when pushed inwardly. The arms (4) are preferably located tangentially on the carrying means (3) and an adjuster (8) for the force means (7) can be provided.

Abstract: The quick-locking connector comprises a tubular female body member 14, open at one end to receive a male member 10 therein. A latch 18 is located within the female body member 14 spring-urged towards the open end to engage the male member 10. A plurality of external, longitudinally spaced bearing surfaces 40-43 are provided on the male member 10 and complementary bearing surfaces 40-43 are provided internally of the female body member such that after entry of the male member a quarter turn of the members brings the respective bearing surfaces 40-43 into engagement at longitudinally spaced intervals against pressure from the latch to provide a longitudinally spaced plurality of complementary bearing surfaces 40-41 to be subjected to axial impact forces tending to pull the male and female members apart. A plurality of complementary bearing surfaces 42, 43 may be provided to be subjected to impact forces in the opposite axial direction.

Abstract: The downhole lock assembly comprises a lock mandrel (10) connected to a running tool (11). The running tool holds an inner mandrel (13) located within the lock mandrel (10) in a position which allows lock-out keys (20) of the lock mandrel (10) to remain within the outside diameter of the lock mandrel body (12). Shear pins (34) are adapted on downward jarring against a landing nipple to expand the keys (20) and shear pins (33) are adapted on upward jarring to release the running tool. The running tool has a `tell-tale` collet (30), connected to it by a shear pin (32), to indicate that the lock mandrel is correctly set in the landing nipple, said collet being adapted when the running tool (11) is released from the lock mandrel (10) after setting the lock to disengage intact from the lock mandrel (10) if the lock-out keys (20) are correctly set and to foul the inner mandrel and shear the shear pin (32) if the lock-out keys are incorrectly set.

Abstract: An upstroke wireline jar having a hammer 12 at the bottom end of an operating rod 3 which is axially slidable in a casing 2 having an anvil 13 at its upper end. This casing also includes a releasable coupling means which is biased downwards by a spring 5 to a rest position, said coupling means comprising a sleeve 4 which receives the rod 3 into its upper end and a plurality of arcuate segments 9 which are contained in apertures in the sleeve and engage in a circumferential groove 10 in the rod. Circumferential recesses 11 and 17 in the interior wall of the casing 2 are adapted to partially receive the segments when the sleeve is in appropriate registration therewith thereby facilitating disconnection and subsequent re-engagement of the operating rod with the sleeve. The spring 5 is mounted below the hammer so as to allow free travel of the latter along a substantial portion of the casing.

Abstract: A device for temporarily sealing a pipe; for example production tubing of an oil well comprises a body (8) defining a cylindrical chamber (8') and a piston (15) arranged to move in the chamber (8'). The chamber (8') has an outlet (14) at one end thereof, an inlet (12) axially spaced from the outlet (14), the chamber (8') providing a passageway from the inlet (12) to the outlet (14) for fluid flow through the chamber (8'). This piston (15) is movable from a first position to a second position. The piston (15) is resiliently biased towards its first position by means of a spring (21) and, on reaching the second position, is locked in that position. The piston (15) has mounted thereon, a collet (16) which seals the passageway, and which is movable relative to the piston (15), when the latter is locked in its second position, so as to open the passageway.