Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program code for terrain correction for geophysical surveys, in particular potential field surveys. A method of terrain correction for a geophysical survey involves capturing a multi- or hyperspectral image of a region to be surveyed; determining a surface geological composition of the surveyed region using the captured image multi- or hyperspectral image; determining terrain correction data for the geophysical survey using the determined surface geological composition; and using the terrain correction data for performing the terrain correction for the geophysical survey.

Abstract: A well servicing tool storage system for subsea well intervention is disclosed which provides a tool storage means as part of the intervention system and which has a plurality of tool storage arms deployed around the tool storage means. Each arm has a clamp capable of clamping a tool, and moving the clamped tool between a stored position near the perimeter of the tool storage means, and a deployed position in the centre of the tool storage means where the tool can be made up into a wireline connection.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved techniques for processing potential field measurement data from airborne surveys such as gravity surveys, and to improved techniques for data acquisition which are enabled by the improved data processing techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bi-material radio frequency transmission line of cylindrical shape comprising a thin layer of highly conductive material supported by a base material wherein both materials are selected in function of the frequency of the transmitted signal and wherein the thickness of the thin layer is in a range from 1.2 to 2.4 times the depth of the skin effect at the frequency corresponding to the transmitted signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a polymer, employing the steps of: (1) contacting a free radical initiator; a chain transfer agent containing a thiocarbonyl thio group and a free radical leaving group; and a radically polymerisable monomer, to form a polymer chain; and (2) contacting the polymer chain of step (1) with at least one of a polyvalent coupling agent, a polymerisation inhibitor, a grafting acylating agent, an amine and an oil of lubricating viscosity. The invention further provides compositions and uses for the polymer.

Abstract: A readily burstable slide fastener 1 for an inflatable device, such as a lifejacket 101?, comprises a first stringer 3, a second stringer 5 and a slider 19 slidably mounted on the second stringer 5. At a weakened region 23 along the slide fastener 1 coupling elements 15 are omitted from each of the stringers 3, 5 so that when a bursting force is applied to this region 23 the coupling elements 15 adjacent thereto are disengaged. Coupling elements 15 are omitted from the top of the first stringer 3 so that when the slider 19 is at the top of the coupling elements 15 of the second stringer 5, the first stringer 3 can disengage from the slider 19. When the slide fastener 1 is fitted to an inflatable lifejacket 101?, the stringers 3, 5 are separated completely when the lifejacket 101? is inflated.

Abstract: The use of alkoxylates and nitrogen containing detergents in a fuel additive composition to prevent intake valve sticking and reduce intake valve deposits.

Abstract: Disclosed are gaming machines, including related methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for players of wagering games to find friends in a gaming environment. Player identification information identifies a first player of a first gaming device configured to play a game of chance. One or more friend-finding criteria associated with the identified first player are retrieved from a storage medium. A second player is identified as a friend or a friend candidate of the first player based on the retrieved friend-finding criteria. A location associated with the second player is identified as being in a designated area of the gaming environment. Output data indicating the identified second player is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition containing: (a) a hydrocarbon fluid; and (b) a hydrocarbyl- and hydroxy-substituted aromatic condensate comprising the reaction product of: (1) at least 75 mole percent based on the total amount of (b)(1) and (b)(2) of a hydrocarbyl- and hydroxy-substituted aromatic compound wherein the hydrocarbyl substituent is a linear substituent containing 8 to 36 carbon atoms; (2) 0.001 to 25 mole percent based on the total amount of (b)(1) and (b)(2) of a hydrocarbyl- and hydroxy-substituted aromatic compound wherein the hydrocarbyl substituent is a branched substituent containing 8 to 20 carbon atoms; and (3) an amount of an aldehyde, ketone, or reactive equivalent thereof effective to condense (1) and (2) to form the hydro-carbyl- and hydroxy-substituted aromatic condensate. The invention further relates to method of preparing the condensate and its use as an additive in a crude oil, a liquid fuel or an oil of lubricating viscosity.

Abstract: A bridge (30) comprises a first inlet port (31) at the end of a capillary, a narrower second inlet port (32) which is an end of a capillary, an outlet port (33) which is an end of a capillary, and a chamber (34) for silicone oil. The oil is density-matched with the reactor droplets such that a neutrally buoyant environment is created within the chamber (34). The oil within the chamber is continuously replenished by the oil separating the reactor droplets. This causes the droplets to assume a stable capillary-suspended spherical form upon entering the chamber (34). The spherical shape grows until large enough to span the gap between the ports, forming an axisymmetric liquid bridge. The introduction of a second droplet from the second inlet port (32) causes the formation of an unstable funicular bridge that quickly ruptures from the, finer, second inlet port (32), and the droplets combine at the liquid bridge (30).

Abstract: A thermal cycling device (3) device a number of fixed thermal zones (11, 12, 13) and a fixed conduit (10) passing through the thermal zones. A controller maintains each thermal zone including its section of conduit (10) at a constant temperature. A series of droplets flows through the conduit (10) so that each droplet is thermally cycled, and a detection system detects fluorescence from droplets at all of the thermal cycles. The conduit is in a single plane, and so a number of thermal cycling devices may be arranged together to achieve parallelism. The flow conduit comprises a channel (17) and a capillary tube (10) inserted into the channel. The detection system may perform scans along a direction to detect radiation from a plurality of cycles in a pass.

Abstract: A device for electrical energy transmission includes one or more current converters. Each current converter has phase elements with at least one series connection of circuit elements each with at least two power semiconductors and at least two free-wheeling diodes that are connected in parallel thereto, and energy storing means. The transfer properties in or between power distribution networks are improved with the novel device. The phase elements have at least two parallel branches that are connected in parallel with each other and each having with a series connection of circuit elements.

Abstract: A zip fastener comprises a pair of tapes and coupling elements along adjacent edges of the tapes. The tapes are partly cut away to form a gap into which an end stop is moulded. The end stop is provided so as to extend along the tape edges away from the fastener coupling elements.

Abstract: A device for the transmission of electrical energy includes at least one current converter. Each current converter has phase elements with respective arrangements of circuit elements that comprise at least two switchable power semiconductors each and at least two free-wheeling diodes, each connected in parallel thereto, and energy storing means. The transfer properties in or between power distribution networks are improved with the novel device. The device is provided with means for controlling the current converter in such a manner that the zero crossing, the amplitude and/or the instantaneous values of an alternating current of a transfer network that can be connected to the device and/or the direct current of a direct current line that connects at least one current converter to a direct current source, and/or the direct voltage and the direct current of at least three interconnected current converters can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of asphaltene control in a hydrocarbon fluid, the method employing a composition comprising: a dispersant of formulae (I) or (II), including salts thereof, wherein T or T? is hydrogen or a polymerizing terminating group; A is C16-20 alkylene or alkenylene group; B is C10-20 alkylene or alkenylene group; Z and Z? are the residue of a polyamine or polyimine; n is 2 to 50; m is 0 to 25; p and p? are 2 or more, in one embodiment not greater than 2000 and in another embodiment not greater than 1000; A? is C8-20 alkylene or alkenylene group; n? is 2 to 10; and the weight ratio of T-(O-A-CO)n (O—B—CO)m to Z or T?-(O-A?-CO)n to Z? is at least 5:1.

Abstract: In a zip fastener the elements (10) on one tape have a head which engages a shoulder (20) of an opposed element to limit out of plane movement. A small number of elements (30) have a head (38) which bears on a shoulder 46 when twisted in one direction but passes the shoulder (46) when twisted in the opposite direction to allow partial separation of the elements to create a point of weakness. The coupled elements can be peeled apart when sufficient pressure is applied to one side of the tape at the point of weakness, but the elements resist twisting when pressure is applied to the opposite side.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising: (a) a star polymer comprising: (i) a core portion comprising a polyvalent (meth)acrylic monomer, oligomer or polymer thereof or a polyvalent divinyl non-acrylic monomer, oligomer or polymer thereof; and (ii) at least two arms of polymerized alkyl(meth)acrylate ester; and (b) an oil of lubricating viscosity, wherein the core portion further comprises a functional group of formula (I): —CH2—C(R1)(C(?O)A)-Y—??(I) wherein R1 is hydrogen, a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms; A is nitrogen or oxygen; and Y is a free radical leaving group selected from the group consisting of one or more atoms or groups of atoms which may be transferred by a radical mechanism under the polymerisation conditions, a halogen, an —O—N? group and an —S—C(?S)— group. The invention further provides the use of the composition in an oil of lubricating viscosity as a dispersant, a viscosity modifier or a precursor to a dispersant viscosity modifier.

Abstract: In a concealed slide fastener in which coupling elements 11, 13, 15 are injection moulded on the edge 25, 27 of a tape 17, 19, a coupling portion 53 of a coupling element is provided on one side of the tape 17, 19 and a shelf 47 of the coupling element on the other side of the tape 17, 19. A coupling portion 53 bears on the shelf 47 of the opposed coupling element with the respective tape 17, 19 sandwiched between them, to limit out of plane separation of the coupling elements. The coupling portion 53 can be made the full thickness of the coupling portion on one side of the tape without the need to provide any recess or undercut in the coupling head 43 and the coupling element can be moulded using a two part mould.

Abstract: An additive composition comprises a Mannich reaction product of a) a polyisobutylene (PIB) alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound, b) an aldehyde, and c) an amine containing at least one reactive amino group where the PIB is derived from a conventional PIB and a high vinylidene PIB. A fuel additive concentrate composition, a fuel composition, and a method to reduce deposit formation in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine employ the additive composition that comprises the Mannich reaction product which is unexpectedly effective in reducing deposits. A PIB alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound, that is prepared from a mixture of high vinylidene and conventional PIBs, is both a functional additive and an intermediate to a functional additive and the process to prepare it involves running the alkylation reaction at 5 to 40° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising: (a) a hydrocarbon fluid; and (b) a dispersant/detergent comprising the structure of Formula (1): (E)p?Z Formula (1), wherein Z is a residue of a polyamine or polyimine; E is (i) a residue of a polyester having a free carboxylic acid group, or (ii) a residue of a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent, with the proviso that if E is the hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent, Z is a polyimine, and wherein when E is the hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent, the composition has a phosphorus content of 0 ppm to 650 ppm. The invention further provides a use for the composition.