Abstract: A downhole apparatus adapted to be run on a workstring in a well bore. The apparatus has a body including ports and a valve which is rotatable to open and close the ports to selectively allow fluid flow through the body between regions of a well bore above and below the apparatus. The valve is rotated via a gearbox and motor in the apparatus. A sealing arrangement between the valve and body is also described. A method of running the apparatus in a well bore and monitoring pressure above the apparatus in order to control opening and closing of the valve under predetermined conditions is presented.

Abstract: A method of forming a moulded and printed product from pulp material including the steps of: forming a pre-form mould to have one or more planar surfaces, compound conjoined planar surfaces and/or two dimensional curved surfaces; transferring an amount of pulp slurry material to the pre-form mould; forming a moulded pre-form from the transferred pulp slurry material; applying printing to the planar and/or dimensional curved surfaces in a pre-distorted configuration; and moulding the printed pre-form to a different final shape whereby the printed surfaces retain the printing without running and the printing conforms to a desired post distortion configuration.

Abstract: An electronic actuation system for a pressure equalising device in a downhole apparatus such as a wellbore plug is described. The system includes a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in the wellbore, and means for setting a reference pressure value using a measurement from the pressure sensor. In a method of use, an applied pressure value is determined using a measurement from the pressure sensor and the reference pressure value, and the device is actuated, or opened, when the applied pressure meets a pre-determined condition, such as falling within a pressure window for certain time period. The invention allows natural changes in wellbore pressure to be accounted for when detecting a pressure actuation event.

Abstract: In a computer network, an object identifier relating to the identity of a network component is generated by applying an algorithm to manufacturer's data stored in a memory associated with the component. An MIB correlating the generated object identifier and the component description is produced by applying the same algorithm to corresponding data items in a manufacturer's product database and correlating product description information with the generated object identifier data.

Abstract: The invention provides a fishing sinker, which is easily attached to and removed from a fishing line. The sinker includes a body constructed of a degradable material having an opening into which a fishing line is placed. The fishing line is secured within the opening using a pliable material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the maturity or cell wall thickening of a sample of cellulosic fibre. The method including the steps of: a) exposing the sample of fibre to polarized light; b) capturing one or more images of the sample through crossed polar lenses and a compensator plate so that the image(s) include interference colours from the sample; and c) conducting computer analysis on the image(s) captured in step b) to determine the maturity or degree of cell wall thickening of the cellulosic fibre by comparing the image(s) to reference colour interference data. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method. The apparatus including an optical light path for exposing the sample of fibre to polarized light, an image capturing means, and a computer for conducting image analysis to determine fibre maturity or the degree of cell wall thickening.

Abstract: Delivering a beam of charged particles includes providing the beam along a first trajectory to a linear array of magnets and energizing two or more of the magnets in the linear array to deflect the beam to a second trajectory, in which the second trajectory is substantially orthogonal to the first trajectory. The beam can be deflected to any position along a straight linear path.

Abstract: A method of a copying data includes a cache subsystem loading data to be copied from a first address, and placing the data in a cache as if the data had been loaded from a second address. The data can then subsequently be written to the second address to effect the copy.

Abstract: For baby strollers, particularly umbrella strollers, a device to prevent tipping comprising a pair of rearward extension bars. Each bar is adapted to extend rearwardly over or nearly over one of the rear wheels of the stroller. Each curves downwards so as to clear the wheel over or near which it extends and then curves to present a distal end section at least approximately parallel to the surface on which the stroller sits. Each bar is provided with a clamp by which it may be attached to the stroller. The clamp is adjustable to optimize tip prevention and loosenable so that the extension may be folded transversely for storage or transport.

Abstract: For baby strollers, particularly umbrella strollers, a device to prevent tipping comprising a pair of rearward extension bars. Each bar is adapted to extend rearwardly over or nearly over one of the rear wheels of the stroller. Each curves downwards so as to clear the wheel over or near which it extends and then curves to present a distal end section at least approximately parallel to the surface on which the stroller sits. Each bar is provided with a clamp by which it may be attached to the stroller. The clamp is adjustable to optimize tip prevention and loosenable so that the extension may be folded transversely for storage or transport.

Abstract: A computer system is described having a proxy DMA unit which is used as an intermediary during direct memory access operations performed by a conventional DMA controller. The proxy DMA unit is provided with check summing circuitry which calculates a check sum for the data transferred between system memory and an external peripheral device. The check sum is subsequently used by the computer system to validate the data when it is read back to the system memory via the proxy DMA unit thus generating a second check sum. If the two check sums are the same the data is uncorrupted whereas if they are different the data is corrupted and remedial procedures can be initiated.

Abstract: A method and a apparatus are provided for operating an E-beam system including an E-beam source for generating an E-beam directed along a column axis and an electrode aligned with the column axis direct the E-beam towards means for measuring the E-beam. A signal proportional to leakage current emitted from the E-beam is generated. When the result of a comparison with a desired value is excessive, an excess leakage signal is generated. The excess leakage signal can be provided as an emergency output signal and/or produce an OFF signal for stopping production of the E-beam by turning OFF voltage/power sources for producing the E-beam in response to the excess leakage signal. Preferably, a filament is heated by an electric current and a cathode is bombarded with electrons from the filament to produce the E-beam. Then a filament control signal is employed for controlling the filament heating current.

Abstract: A method and a apparatus are provided for operating an E-beam system including an E-beam source for generating an E-beam directed along a column axis and an electrode aligned with the column axis direct the E-beam towards means for measuring the E-beam. A signal proportional to leakage current emitted from the E-beam is generated. When the result of a comparison with a desired value is excessive, an excess leakage signal is generated. The excess leakage signal can be provided as an emergency output signal and/or produce an OFF signal for stopping production of the E-beam by turning OFF voltage/power sources for producing the E-beam in response to the excess leakage signal. Preferably, a filament is heated by an electric current and a cathode is bombarded with electrons from the filament to produce the E-beam. Then a filament control signal is employed for controlling the filament heating current.

Abstract: An ion implanter employs two three gap rf accelerator stages to boost the implant energy after mass selection. The electrodes of the accelerator stages have slit-shaped apertures that accommodate high beam current, when the accelerator is in drift mode. By particular choice of the parameters of the accelerator, each stage of the accelerator produces accelerated ions having a relatively small energy spread, even though the acceptance range of the accelerator stage extends over a substantial phase angle of the applied rf voltage. The resulting accelerator is flexible, permitting a wide variation of output energies with good beam dynamics. Ion bunches from the first three gap stage are caused to have the correct flight time to reach the second stage for acceleration by adjusting the speed of the ions while maintaining the rf phase of the fields in the two stages locked to fixed values.

Abstract: An instrument for measurement of illumination intensity distribution of an Electron Beam Projection System (EBPS) comprises a reticle with a clear subfield, a pinhole plate comprising a block of a low atomic number material with a high aspect ratio pinhole therethrough, the pinhole plate being positioned at the image plane of the EBPS. Means is provided for detecting electrons passing through the pinhole, and means is provided for moving, scanning, the pinhole with respect to a fixed electron intensity distribution or scanning the electron intensity distribution with respect to pinhole when held in a fixed position.

Abstract: A collapsible bin (10) is described which includes side walls (11) and a base (12). The side walls (11) are adapted to receive an adjacent side wall (11) at each corner in an interengaging arrangement (15/16) and, to secure the side walls (11), an elongate strap element (14) is provided to surround the walls (11) during assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing gapped ferrite toroids without the necessity of machining. This allows for the highly efficient production of tightly controlled energy storage magnetic components and stable inductors. Composite toroids of the invention have a wide range of applications, and could be used as substitutes for more costly and less operationally efficient magnetic components. This invention provides a method of producing composite toroids that include a nonmagnetic gap, by utilizing a layer-forming method, such as tape casting, and subsequently co-firing a monolithic composite magnetic and non-magnetic ceramic structure produced by stacking the layers. The toroids are punched from the stacked layers prior to final firing. This novel method provides a means for producing very well controlled gapped structures.

Abstract: A combustion inhibiting composition for use in conjunction with a solid, gas-generating charge, the composition comprising an organic polymeric material containing an oxygen-containing organic filler compatible with said polymeric material, the oxygen to carbon atom ratio of the composition being at least 1:3.

Abstract: A method for improving the alignment of an electron-beam through the optical axis of lenses in a lithographic system is described. The beam is nominally tilted through the center of the lens, and by using a plurality of deflectors the beam is pivoted through the center of the lens using a square wave toggle. The resolution of the beam is measured as it scans over a target, for both toggle states. The nominal tilt angle is chosen such that the resolution is identical for both toggle states. This technique does not rely on using an observation station, as it is common on TEMs, to view a magnified image of the specimen. Therefore, this technique can be used to align a beam that has been shifted off the optical axis, for instance, in a Variable-Axis-Lens lithography (VAL) system.

Abstract: A method for reducing contamination in a silicon membrane mask in a lithography system is described. The method includes: doping the top surface of the silicon membrane mask with boron to lower the electrical resistance of the mask; subsequently metalizing the surface of the mask to further lower its electrical resistance; and, finally, applying a voltage between opposite surfaces of the mask, the voltage generating an electric field that passes through the membrane mask, heating the membrane mask. The method further includes: calculating distortions in the shape of each of the patterns within the mask caused by heating the membrane mask; compensating for the proximity of other shapes positioned in the vicinity of each of the patterns; and appropriately modifying the shape of each of the patterns. The above described method can be equally applied to an e-beam system or to an ion-beam lithography system, and both, to stencil masks and to scattering masks.