Abstract: A particle distributor assembly 10 for distributing the particles of a drill sample is described. The distributor assembly comprises a stationary inlet tube 14 through which particles enter the distributor assembly 10, and a rotatable distributor head 16. The rotatable distributor head 16 has an upwardly directed inlet 18 offset from a central axis of rotation of the distributor head 16 and a transversely directed outlet 22 wherein, in use, when the distributor head 16 is rotated at high speed particles entering the distributor head inlet are accelerated outwardly in a radial direction through the distributor head outlet. The particle distributor assembly 10 also has a distributor nozzle 24 having an inlet 26 and an outlet 28, the nozzle inlet 26 being aligned with the stationary inlet tube and the nozzle outlet 28 being aligned with the distributor head inlet.

Abstract: A breakout tool including a breakout tong adapted to grip a first one of the two components of a drill string. The breakout tool can be used for breaking out the two components of a drill string while a second one of the two components is held stationary. The breakout tong includes a first jaw and a second jaw, with the second jaw pivotally coupled to the first jaw at a first pivot point. A small hydraulic cylinder is provided in the breakout tong for forcing the second jaw to pivot about the first pivot point when it is activated wherein, in use, the first drill string component can be gripped between the second jaw and the first jaw. A main hydraulic cylinder is adapted to be mounted on the drill rig, and which is mechanically coupled to the breakout tong for applying a torque to the breakout tong. In use, the two components of the drill string can be broken apart by the breakout tong gripping the first drill string component and applying a torque thereto via the main hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A particle distributor assembly 10 for distributing the particles of a drill sample is described. The distributor assembly comprises a stationary inlet tube 14 through which particles enter the distributor assembly 10, and a rotatable distributor head 16. The rotatable distributor head 16 has an upwardly directed inlet 18 offset from a central axis of rotation of the distributor head 16 and a transversely directed outlet 22 wherein, in use, when the distributor head 16 is rotated at high speed particles entering the distributor head inlet are accelerated outwardly in a radial direction through the distributor head outlet. The particle distributor assembly 10 also has a distributor nozzle 24 having an inlet 26 and an outlet 28, the nozzle inlet 26 being aligned with the stationary inlet tube and the nozzle outlet 28 being aligned with the distributor head inlet.

Abstract: A switching apparatus for closing and/or opening an electric circuit. It has an actuating unit and a bistable mechanism. The actuating unit is linearly movable between a first end position in which the switching apparatus is in a closed state and a second end position in which the switching apparatus is in an open state. The linear movement defines an axis. The bistable mechanism is arranged to ensure that the actuating unit is held in either of the end positions. The bistable mechanism includes a cam means mechanically connected to the actuating unit and at least one cam follower. The invention also relates to a use of the invented apparatus.

Abstract: A switching apparatus for closing and/or opening an electric circuit. It has an actuating unit and a bistable mechanism. The actuating unit is linearly movable between a first end position in which the switching apparatus is in a closed state and a second end position in which the switching apparatus is in an open state. The linear movement defines an axis. The bistable mechanism is arranged to ensure that the actuating unit is held in either of the end positions. The bistable mechanism includes a cam means mechanically connected to the actuating unit and at least one cam follower. The invention also relates to a use of the invented apparatus.

Abstract: A breakout tool including a breakout tong adapted to grip a first one of the two components of a drill string. The breakout tool can be used for breaking out the two components of a drill string whilst a second one of the two components is held stationary. The breakout tong includes a first jaw and a second jaw, with the second jaw pivotally coupled to the first jaw at a first pivot point. A small hydraulic cylinder is provided in the breakout tong for forcing the second jaw to pivot about the first pivot point when it is activated wherein, in use, the first drill string component can be gripped between the second jaw and the first jaw. A main hydraulic cylinder is adapted to be mounted on the drill rig, and which is mechanically coupled to the breakout tong for applying a torque to the breakout tong. In use, the two components of the drill string can be broken apart by the breakout tong gripping the first drill string component and applying a torque thereto via the main hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus is disclosed with a moveable insulating nozzle for blowing an arc. According to the invention, the insulating nozzle is connected in an interlocking and force-fitting manner to at least one moveable component part of the switching apparatus by means of a clamping device and without a screw connection. Exemplary embodiments relate, inter alia, to: a clamping hold of the insulating nozzle on the moving buffer cylinder and/or at the opposite end on a part to be moved, in particular a moveable shielding electrode or an auxiliary gear mechanism for a contact system, which is driven on both sides. Advantages include: simple fitting of the insulating nozzle, small physical volume of the clamping device; precise coaxial fixing of the insulating nozzle in relation to the switch axis.

Abstract: The heavy-duty circuit-breaker having an axis (A), and having an arcing contact piece, a current-carrying element and an erosion protection element, with the arcing contact piece having an opening in order to carry an essentially axial flow of a gas which has been heated by an arc, and together with the current-carrying element forms a flat contact (F) in order to carry a short-circuit current (I) which flows through the arcing contact piece and the current-carrying element, and with the erosion protection element essentially shielding the current-carrying element from the flow close to the flat contact (F), is characterized in that the current-carrying element has an axial area in which a radial internal dimension (d2) of the current-carrying element increases in steps or continuously as the distance from the flat contact (F), measured parallel to the axis (A), increases.

Abstract: The heavy-duty circuit-breaker having an axis (A) which defines an axial coordinate (z) parallel to the axis and a radial coordinate (r) at right angles to the axis, and having an arcing contact piece, a current-carrying element and an erosion protection element, with the arcing contact piece having an opening in order to carry an essentially axial flow of a gas which has been heated by an arc which may be based on the arcing contact piece, and together with the current-carrying element forms a flat contact (F) in order to carry a short-circuit current (I) which flows through the arcing contact piece and the current-carrying element for the time during which the arc burns, and with the erosion protection element essentially shielding the current-carrying element from the flow close to the flat contact (F), is characterized in that the current-carrying element has an axial area in which a radial internal dimension (d2) of the current-carrying element increases in steps or continuously as the distance from the

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus is disclosed with a moveable insulating nozzle for blowing an arc. According to the invention, the insulating nozzle is connected in an interlocking and force-fitting manner to at least one moveable component part of the switching apparatus by means of a clamping device and without a screw connection. Exemplary embodiments relate, inter alia, to: a clamping hold of the insulating nozzle on the moving buffer cylinder and/or at the opposite end on a part to be moved, in particular a moveable shielding electrode or an auxiliary gear mechanism for a contact system, which is driven on both sides. Advantages include: simple fitting of the insulating nozzle, small physical volume of the clamping device; precise coaxial fixing of the insulating nozzle in relation to the switch axis.

Abstract: A coupling piece for use in drilling has a first connection (2) for connecting to an upper rotary percussion device (3), and a second connection (4) for connecting to a drill tube string (5) provided with an annular drill bit (23). The coupling piece has a first chamber (11) and a second chamber (12) separated by a piston. The pressure in the first chamber (11) is used to supply a lower percussion device (8) connected to a third connection (6) associated with the coupling piece with driving medium and for displacing the lower percussion device (8) towards the ground (15). The pressure in the second chamber (12) is used to decrease the force between the lower percussion device (8) and the ground (15) when further drill string elements are added to a drill string (7) of which the lower percussion device (8) forms a part.