Patent Grant
11767723
Wellbores may be drilled into a surface location or seabed for a variety of exploratory or extraction purposes. For example, a wellbore may be drilled to access fluids, such as liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, stored in subterranean formations and to extract the fluids from the formations. Wellbores used to produce or extract fluids may be lined with casing around the walls of the wellbore. A variety of drilling methods may be utilized depending partly on the characteristics of the formation through which the wellbore is drilled.
The wellbores may be drilled by a drilling system that drills through earthen material downward from the surface. Some wellbores are drilled vertically downward, and some wellbores have one or more curves in the wellbore to follow desirable geological formations, avoid problematic geological formations, or a combination of the two.
Conventional drilling systems are limited in how rapidly the wellbore can change direction. One of the largest limitations on the steerability of a drilling system is the length of the rigid downhole tools at the downhole end of the drilling system (i.e., near the drill bit). Some of the rigid components include turbomotors, mud motors, rotary steerable systems, and other components that provide energy to move or steer the drill bit.
In some embodiments, a downhole transducer assembly may include a housing with an inlet, an outlet, a pressure regulator, and a turbine rotationally fixed to a rotor in a generator. The pressure regulator may include a poppet rigidly connected to an elastic member, the poppet configured to at least partially occlude an orifice in the inlet when the elastic member is in a compressed configuration. In some embodiments, the pressure of a diverted portion of drilling fluid may compress the elastic member, thereby creating a pressure regulator.
In other embodiments, a downhole transducer assembly may include a housing with an inlet, an outlet, a pressure regulator, a turbine rotationally fixed to a rotor in a generator, and a surge protector electrically connected to the generator. The surge protector may direct current to an actuator to actuate a valve.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such embodiments. The features and advantages of such embodiments may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such embodiments as set forth hereinafter.
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. For better understanding, the like elements have been designated by like reference numbers throughout the various accompanying figures. While some of the drawings may be schematic or exaggerated representations of concepts, at least some of the drawings may be drawn to scale. Understanding that the drawings depict some example embodiments, the embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
This disclosure generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for regulating the pressure in a downhole transducer assembly to control the voltage experienced by a generator.
The drill string 105 may include several joints of drill pipe 108 a connected end-to-end through tool joints 109. The drill string 105 transmits drilling fluid through a central bore and transmits rotational power from the drill rig 103 to the BHA 106. In some embodiments, the drill string 105 may further include additional components such as subs, pup joints, etc. The drill pipe 108 provides a hydraulic passage through which drilling fluid is pumped from the surface. The drilling fluid discharges through selected-size nozzles, jets, or other orifices in the bit 110 for the purposes of cooling the bit 110 and cutting structures thereon, and for lifting cuttings out of the wellbore 102 as it is being drilled.
The BHA 106 may include the bit 110 or other components. An example BHA 106 may include additional or other components (e.g., coupled between to the drill string 105 and the bit 110). Examples of additional BHA components include drill collars, stabilizers, measurement-while-drilling (“MWD”) tools, logging-while-drilling (“LWD”) tools, downhole motors, underreamers, section mills, hydraulic disconnects, jars, vibration or dampening tools, other components, or combinations of the foregoing.
In general, the drilling system 100 may include other drilling components and accessories, such as special valves (e.g., kelly cocks, blowout preventers, and safety valves). Additional components included in the drilling system 100 may be considered a part of the drilling tool assembly 104, the drill string 105, or a part of the BHA 106 depending on their locations in the drilling system 100.
The bit 110 in the BHA 106 may be any type of bit suitable for degrading downhole materials. For instance, the bit 110 may be a drill bit suitable for drilling the earth formation 101. Example types of drill bits used for drilling earth formations are fixed-cutter or drag bits. In other embodiments, the bit 110 may be a mill used for removing metal, composite, elastomer, other materials downhole, or combinations thereof. For instance, the bit 110 may be used with a whipstock to mill into casing 107 lining the wellbore 102. The bit 110 may also be a junk mill used to mill away tools, plugs, cement, other materials within the wellbore 102, or combinations thereof. Swarf or other cuttings formed by use of a mill may be lifted to surface, or may be allowed to fall downhole.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, a high angular velocity may cause damage to many parts of the downhole transducer assembly 212, including: the turbine 214, the rotor, the generator 216, electrical components, downhole tools, and/or other parts. For example, a high angular velocity may generate too much current and/or voltage in the generator 216, which may cause it to overheat or be damaged in some other way. In other examples, excess current and/or voltage in the generator 216 may be transferred through an electrical circuit and overpower downhole tools, electrical components, and so forth. In still other examples, a high angular velocity may impose a high centrifugal force on the turbine 214 and/or rotor, which may cause it to break down, damaging the housing and/or the generator 216.
In some embodiments, an outlet 220 may discharge the diverted portion 230 of drilling fluid 226 from the housing. For example, the outlet 220 may discharge the diverted portion 230 to the exterior of the drill pipe 224. In other examples, the outlet 220 may discharge the diverted portion 230 back into the interior of the drill pipe 224. In still other examples, the outlet 220 may discharge the diverted portion 230 to a chamber, separate from the housing for the downhole transducer assembly 212.
In some embodiments, the downhole transducer assembly 212 may include a pressure regulator 234. The pressure regulator 234 may be configured to regulate the fluid pressure differential across the inlet 218 and an exterior of the outlet 220. In some embodiments, the fluid pressure differential may be regulated to range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 200 psi (1,380 kPa), 250 psi (1,720 kPa), 300 psi (2,070 kPa), 350 psi (2,410 kPa), 400 psi (2,760 kPa), 450 psi (3,100 kPa), 500 psi (3,450 kPa), 1,000 psi (6,900 kPa), 1,500 psi (10,300 kPa), 2,000 psi (13,800 kPa), 2,500 psi (17,200 kPa), 3,000 psi (20,700 kPa), or any values therebetween. For example, the fluid pressure differential may be greater than 200 psi (517 kPa). In other examples, the fluid pressure differential may be less than 3,000 psi (8,270 kPa). In yet other examples, the fluid pressure differential may be in a range of 200 psi (517 kPa) to 3,000 psi (8,270 kPa).
The fluid pressure differential may affect a fluid volumetric flow. A fluid volumetric flow, flowing across the turbine 214 may cause the turbine 214 to rotate with an angular velocity. For example, the turbine may rotate clockwise in response to a fluid volumetric flow. In other examples, the turbine may rotate counterclockwise in response to a fluid volumetric flow. In some embodiments, the angular velocity may be in range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 0 rpm, 5,000 rpm, 10,000 rpm, 15,000 rpm, 20,000 rpm, 25,000 rpm, 30,000 rpm, 35,000 rpm, or any values therebetween. For example, the angular velocity may be greater than 0 rpm. In other examples, the angular velocity may be less than 35,000 rpm. In yet other examples, the angular velocity may be in a range of 0 rpm to 35,000 rpm.
In some embodiments, the pressure regulator 234 may restrict the diverted portion 230 by occluding at least a portion of the inlet 218. In some embodiments, the pressure regulator 234 may be disposed between the inlet 218 and the turbine 214. The inlet 218 may include an orifice 236 through which the diverted portion 230 may pass. A poppet 238 may be positioned to restrict flow through the orifice 236. In some embodiments, the poppet 238 may be movable relative to the orifice 236. An elastic member 240 may be rigidly connected to the poppet 238 and include a pressure plate 242. In some embodiments, in a collapsed configuration of the elastic member 240, the poppet 238 may at least partially occlude the orifice 236. In other embodiments, in a collapsed configuration of the elastic member 240, the poppet 238 may completely occlude the orifice 236. In some embodiments, the elastic member 240 may exert an opposing force against the fluid pressure exerted by the diverted portion 230 passing over the poppet 238 and against the pressure plate 242 and elastic member 240 in the turbine chamber 244. If the fluid pressure is greater than the opposing elastic force applied by the elastic member 240, the elastic member 240 may move toward a compressed configuration, and the poppet 238 may be moved toward the orifice 236 to restrict flow through the inlet 218. In some embodiments, the pressure plate 242 may increase the area against which the fluid pressure may be exerted, thereby increasing the force against the elastic member 240. In this manner, the pressure regulator 234 may be an automatic pressure regulator, automatically regulating the fluid pressure differential and the flow through the inlet 218.
In some embodiments, a solenoid may be connected to the pressure plate 242. The solenoid may actuate the pressure plate 242, thereby causing the poppet 238 to move relative to the orifice 236. In some embodiments, the solenoid may be actuated using electrical current generated by the downhole transducer assembly 212. In other embodiments, the solenoid may be actuated using electrical current generated from a different downhole power generator. In still other embodiments, the solenoid may be actuated using electrical current provided from the surface. Actuation of the solenoid may be controlled by a computing device, which may regulate pressure across the downhole transducer assembly 212 according to prescribed parameters.
In some embodiments, the inlet 218 may include a nozzle. The poppet 238 may be sized to fit within the nozzle. In some embodiments, the pressure regulator 234 may be installed simultaneously with the nozzle.
In some embodiments, the pressure regulator may be located completely within the turbine chamber 244. For example, the poppet 238 may be located inside the turbine chamber 244, and partially occlude the orifice 236 from the inside of the turbine chamber 244. In other examples, the pressure regulator may be disposed parallel to the direction of flow inside the turbine chamber 244. The poppet may have substantially the same profile as the turbine chamber 244. For example, a turbine chamber 244 may have a circular lateral cross section, and the poppet have a circular lateral cross section. In other examples, a turbine chamber 244 may have a square or rectangular lateral cross section, and the poppet may have a square or rectangular lateral cross section. In still other examples, a turbine chamber 244 may have any shape lateral cross section, and the poppet may have a complementary or matching lateral cross section. In a collapsed configuration of the elastic member 240, the poppet may not occlude any of the orifice 236. As the elastic member 240 expands to a relaxed state, the poppet may partially or completely occlude the orifice 236 from the interior of the turbine chamber 244.
In some embodiments, the poppet 238 may have a cubical shape. In other embodiments, the poppet 238 may have a pyramidal or conical shape. In some embodiments, the peak of the pyramid or cone may point toward the orifice 236. In still other embodiments, the poppet 238 may have a spherical or ellipsoidal shape. In yet other embodiments, the poppet 238 may have an irregular solid shape. In other embodiments, the poppet 238 may have a shape including a combination of two or more conventional solids.
In some embodiments, the poppet 238 may be complimentarily shaped to the orifice 236. For example, both the poppet 238 and the orifice 236 may have a circular cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the poppet 238 may have a different cross-sectional shape from the orifice 236. For example, the poppet 238 may have a square or rectangular cross-sectional shape, and the orifice 236 may have a circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the poppet 238 may have a larger cross-sectional area than the orifice 236. In other embodiments, the poppet 238 may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the orifice 236.
In some embodiments, the poppet 238 may be solid. In other embodiments, the poppet 238 may be perforated with one or more perforations. With the elastic member 240 in a collapsed configuration, a perforated poppet 238 may allow at least some fluid flow through the orifice 236, even if the poppet 238 is in contact with the orifice 236. The poppet 238 may have 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more perforations. Any number of suitable perforations may be used to allow sufficient fluid flow through the orifice 236 when the poppet or other pressure regulator is in a closed position (i.e., when it would otherwise substantially block the flow).
Referring to
In some embodiments, the pressure regulator 334 may include a diaphragm 348 and a diaphragm chamber 350. The diaphragm chamber 350 may include a diaphragm chamber inlet 352, connecting the diaphragm chamber 350 to the remainder of the turbine chamber 344. As the fluid pressure differential changes, the diaphragm 348 may extend and distend relative to the diaphragm chamber 350, thus altering the position of the poppet 338 and its occlusion of the orifice 336. When the diaphragm 348 extends into the diaphragm chamber 350, fluid may flow from the diaphragm chamber 350, through the diaphragm chamber inlet 352, and into the turbine chamber 344. When the diaphragm 348 distends from the diaphragm chamber 350, fluid may flow from the turbine chamber 344, through the diaphragm chamber inlet 352, and into the diaphragm chamber 350. In some embodiments, the diaphragm chamber inlet 352 may be sized such that the fluid transfer between the diaphragm chamber 350 and the turbine chamber 344 occurs gradually. For example, the diaphragm 348 and the diaphragm chamber 350 may act as a dampener, dampening sudden changes in fluid pressure differential. This may reduce over-speeding of the turbine 314, and reduce sudden spikes in electricity (e.g., power) generation in the generator 216.
In some embodiments, the diaphragm chamber inlet 352 may be located in one of the walls of the diaphragm chamber 350. In other embodiments, the diaphragm chamber inlet 352 may be located on the diaphragm 348. In still other embodiments, the diaphragm chamber inlet 352 may be located in both one of the walls of the diaphragm chamber 350 and the diaphragm 348. Any suitable number of diaphragm chambers may be used, e.g., there may be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 diaphragm chamber inlets 352.
In some embodiments, the diaphragm 348 may include a flexible membrane, connected at the top and bottom of the diaphragm chamber 350. In this manner, the diaphragm 348 may flexibly extend into the diaphragm chamber 350 in the event of an overpressure, and flexibly distend from the diaphragm chamber 350 in the event of an underpressure. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane diaphragm 348 may serve as the elastic member 340. In other embodiments, the flexible membrane diaphragm 348 may work together with the elastic member 340.
In some embodiments, the diaphragm 348 may be rigid. The rigid diaphragm 348 may be sized with approximately the same profile as the inner profile of the diaphragm chamber 350. In some embodiments, the rigid diaphragm 348 may have a clearance between the profile of the rigid diaphragm 348 and the diaphragm chamber 350. In some embodiments, the clearance may be sized such that no fluid passes from the diaphragm chamber 350 to the turbine chamber 344 through the clearance. In other embodiments, the clearance may be sized such that fluid flows between the diaphragm chamber 350 and the turbine chamber 344 through the clearance. In some embodiments, the clearance may act as a diaphragm chamber inlet.
In some embodiments, the diaphragm 348 may include both rigid and flexible materials. For example, the radially inward portion of the diaphragm 348 may be rigid, and the radially outward portion of the diaphragm 348 may be flexible. In other examples, the radially inward portion of the diaphragm 348 may be flexible, and the radially outward portion of the diaphragm 348 may be rigid. In some embodiments, an entire radial segment may be rigid or flexible. For example, a 45° segment of the diaphragm 348 may be rigid. In other examples, a 180° segment of the diaphragm 348 may be flexible. In some examples, the diaphragm 348 may alternate between rigid and flexible radial segments.
Referring back to
In some embodiments, the orifice 336 may include an erosion-resistant material. For example, the orifice 336 may be fabricated from any of the materials described above with respect to the poppet, such as PCD. In other examples, the orifice 336 may be fabricated from a metal carbide, such as WC. Utilizing an erosion resistant material on the poppet and/or the orifice may reduce the wear experienced from the passage of high-velocity fluids, including abrasive drilling muds.
In some embodiments, the elastic member 340 may include a metal spring. For example, the elastic member 340 may include a coil spring. In other examples, the elastic member 340 may include a leaf or a flat spring.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the inlet to outlet ratio, which may be defined as the area of the inlet relative to the area of the outlet, may affect the fluid pressure differential. For example, a small outlet area relative to a larger inlet area may increase the fluid pressure differential. A large outlet area relative to an inlet area may decrease the fluid pressure differential.
In some embodiments, the inlet to outlet ratio may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 2.5:1, 3:1, 3.5:1, 4:1, 4.5:1, 5:1, or any values therebetween. For example, the inlet to outlet ratio may be greater than 1:1. In other examples, the inlet to outlet ratio may be less than 5:1. In yet other examples, the inlet to outlet ratio may be in a range of 1:1 to 5:1.
In some embodiments, an easily replaceable nozzle, accessible from the exterior of the housing, may allow for adjustable pressure drop control. For instance,
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the nozzle plate 568 may be replaceable to adjust the pressure drop across the nozzle 554-1. For example, a nozzle plate 568-1 with an aperture 570-1 may be replaced with a nozzle plate 568-2 with a larger aperture 570-2, thereby decreasing the pressure drop across the nozzle 554. The nozzle plate 568 may be replaced by removing the plug 564 from the nozzle housing 566, removing the first nozzle plate 568-1 from the nozzle housing 566, inserting the second nozzle plate 568-2 into the nozzle housing 566, and then replacing the plug 564 in the nozzle housing 566. While only two nozzle plates have been described, any number of different nozzle plates with varying geometries of apertures may be switched into the adjustable nozzle shown to achieve different pressure drops. In some embodiments, the nozzle plate 568 may be fabricated from an erosion resistant material such as those described above with respect to the poppet. For example, the nozzle plate 568 may be fabricated from PCD. In other examples, the nozzle plate 568 may be fabricated from tungsten carbide. In some embodiments, utilizing an erosion resistant material may reduce the wear experienced by the nozzle plate from the passage of high-velocity fluids, including abrasive drilling muds.
In some embodiments, the aperture area may be in range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 0.00785 sq. in. (5.07 sq. mm), 0.0314 sq. in. (20.2 sq. mm), 0.0707 sq. in. (45.6 sq. mm), 0.126 sq. in. (81.1 sq. mm), 0.196 sq. in. (126.1 sq. mm), 0.283 sq. in. (182 sq. mm), 0.385 sq. in. (248 sq. mm), 0.503 sq. in. (324 sq. mm), 0.636 sq. in. (410 sq. mm), 0.785 sq. in. (507 sq. mm), or any values therebetween. For example, the aperture area may be greater than 0.00785 sq. in. (5.07 sq. mm). In other examples, the aperture area may be less than 0.785 sq. in. (507 sq. mm). In yet other examples, the aperture area may be in a range of 0.00785 sq. in. (5.07 sq. mm) to 0.785 sq. in. (507 sq. mm).
Referring to
In some embodiments, the deformable ring 574 may have an aperture reduction factor, which is the percentage by which the aperture 570-3 may be reduced. An infinite aperture reduction factor would effectively close the aperture 570-3. In some embodiments the aperture reduction factor may be in a range having an upper value, a lower value, or upper and lower values including any of 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%, 200%, infinite, or any values therebetween. For example, aperture reduction factor may be greater than 25%. In other examples, the aperture reduction factor may be less than infinite. In yet other examples, the aperture reduction factor may be in a range of 25% to infinite.
In some embodiments, the deformable ring 574 may be fabricated from an elastic material, such that when the compressive forces release, the deformable ring 574 returns from a compressed configuration to an open configuration. For example, the deformable ring 574 may be fabricated from an elastic polymer. In other examples, the deformable ring 574 may be fabricated from a rubber. In other embodiments, the deformable ring 574 may be fabricated from a non-elastic material, such that when the compressive forces release, the deformable ring 574 remains in a compressed configuration, and does not return, or only partially returns to an open configuration. For example, the deformable ring 574 may be fabricated from steel.
Referring to
In some embodiments, each chamber 676 may function as a housing for a downhole instrument. For example, the first chamber 676-1 may function as a housing for a turbine and generator assembly, which may be in the same electrical circuit as the generator 616, or may be in a different electrical circuit as the generator 616. In other examples, each chamber 676 may include a turbine and generator assembly, and each of the turbine and generator assemblies may be in the same circuit, different circuits, or any number of turbine and generator assemblies may be in the same circuit. In still other examples, a chamber may include one or more sensors to measure drilling properties, such as temperature, pressure, vibration, and so forth. In some embodiments, different chambers 676 may house different tools and/or sensors. For example, a first chamber may house a turbine and generator assembly, a second chamber may house a temperature sensor, and a third chamber may house a vibration sensor. In other examples, a first and second chamber may house a turbine and generator assembly, and a third chamber may house a pressure sensor. In other embodiments, one or more of the chambers 676 may be empty save for the diverted portion 630. In some embodiments, there may be one chamber 676. In other embodiments, there may be two, three, four, five, or six chambers 676.
In some embodiments, the actuator 780 may be a solenoid. In other embodiments, the actuator 780 may be a motor. In still other embodiments, the actuator may be a servomotor. In yet other embodiments, the actuator 780 may be a linear induction motor. In other embodiments, the actuator 780 may be any type of motor or electrically powered device that may actuate a valve. In some embodiments the valve may be a linear valve. In other embodiments, the valve may be a rotary valve. In still other embodiments, the valve may be any type of valve actuatable by a motor.
In some embodiments, the surge protector 778 may protect the generator 716 and possibly other tools from voltage spikes that may result from pressure spikes in the first diverted portion 730-1 and the drilling fluid 726. For example, when voltage in the generator 716 peaks above a surge voltage, the surge protector 778 may electrically connect the generator 716 with the actuator 780, diverting current, reducing the total voltage sustained by the generator 716, and reducing the angular velocity of the rotor and the turbine 714. In this manner, the actuator may provide capacity to absorb voltage spikes to protect the generator 716 and other tools.
In some embodiments, the surge protector 778 may direct electric current to a downhole tool or instrument. For example, the surge protector 778 may direct the electric current to an actuator that actuates a valve to restrict the inlet 718-1 or outlet 720, such as the pressure reducer described in
In some embodiments, the surge protector 778 may be a metal oxide varistor. In other embodiments, the surge protector 778 may be a gas discharge tube, transzorb or zener diode. In still other embodiments, the surge protector 778 may be a current limiting device (e.g., a current limiter). In yet other embodiments, the surge protector 778 may be a voltage limiting device.
In some embodiments, the first inlet 818-1 may be in fluid communication with additional chambers and tools, such as those disclosed in reference to
The embodiments of the pressure and current regulators have been primarily described with reference to wellbore drilling operations; the pressure and current regulators described herein may be used in applications other than the drilling of a wellbore. In other embodiments, pressure and current regulators according to the present disclosure may be used outside a wellbore or other downhole environment used for the exploration or production of natural resources. For instance, pressure and current regulators of the present disclosure may be used in a borehole used for placement of utility lines. Accordingly, the terms “wellbore,” “borehole” and the like should not be interpreted to limit tools, systems, assemblies, or methods of the present disclosure to any particular industry, field, or environment.
One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. These described embodiments are examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual embodiment may be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous embodiment-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one embodiment to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. For example, any element described in relation to an embodiment herein may be combinable with any element of any other embodiment described herein. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value.
A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of the present disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional “means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalent structures that provide the same function. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functional claiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’ appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning and scope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.
The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount. Further, it should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, any references to “up” and “down” or “above” or “below” are merely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related elements.
The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/639,613, filed Feb. 17, 2020, which is a U.S. national stage entry of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/047025 filed Aug. 20, 2018, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/551,804, filed on Aug. 30, 2017, the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by this reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 16639613 | US | |
| Child | 17503315 | US |
