Patent Grant
12270281
A wiper dart can be used in a variety of wellbore operations. The wiper dart can have a single, bi-diameter wiper cup. The wiper cup can wipe the inside of tool joints and the inside of pipe sections of a tubing string.
The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. The features and advantages of certain embodiments will be more readily appreciated when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are not to be construed as limiting any of the embodiments.
Oil and gas hydrocarbons are naturally occurring in some subterranean formations. In the oil and gas industry, a subterranean formation containing oil and/or gas is referred to as a reservoir. A reservoir can be located under land or offshore. Reservoirs are typically located in the range of a few hundred feet (shallow reservoirs) to a few tens of thousands of feet (ultra-deep reservoirs). In order to produce oil or gas, a wellbore is drilled into a reservoir or adjacent to a reservoir. The oil, gas, or water found in or produced from a reservoir is called a reservoir fluid.
As used herein, a “fluid” is a substance having a continuous phase that can flow and conform to the outline of its container when the substance is tested at a temperature of 71° F. (22° C.) and a pressure of one atmosphere “atm” (0.1 megapascals “MPa”). A fluid can be a liquid or gas. A homogenous fluid has only one phase, whereas a heterogeneous fluid has more than one distinct phase.
A well can include, without limitation, an oil, gas, or water production well, an injection well, or a geothermal well. As used herein, a “well” includes at least one wellbore. A wellbore can include vertical, inclined, and horizontal portions, and it can be straight, curved, or branched. As used herein, the term “wellbore” includes any cased, and any uncased, open-hole portion of the wellbore. A near-wellbore region is the subterranean material and rock of the subterranean formation surrounding the wellbore. As used herein, a “well” also includes the near-wellbore region. The near-wellbore region is generally considered to be the region within approximately 100 feet radially of the wellbore. As used herein, “into a subterranean formation” means and includes into any portion of the well, including into the wellbore, into the near-wellbore region via the wellbore, or into the subterranean formation via the wellbore.
A portion of a wellbore can be an open hole or a cased hole. In an open-hole wellbore portion, a tubing string can be placed into the wellbore. The tubing string allows fluids to be introduced into or flowed from a remote portion of the wellbore. In a cased-hole wellbore portion, a casing is placed into the wellbore. A cased-hole wellbore can also contain a tubing string. A wellbore can contain an annulus. Examples of an annulus include, but are not limited to, the space between the wellbore and the outside of a tubing string in an open-hole wellbore; the space between the wellbore and the outside of a casing in a cased-hole wellbore; and the space between the inside of a casing and the outside of a tubing string in a cased-hole wellbore.
During drilling operations, a wellbore is formed using a drill bit. A drill string can be used to aid the drill bit in drilling through a subterranean formation to form the wellbore. The drill string can include a drilling pipe through which a drilling fluid or drilling mud is pumped. The wellbore defines a wellbore wall that is the exposed portion of the subterranean formation where the wellbore was formed. The drilling fluid may be circulated downwardly through the drilling pipe and back up the annulus between the wellbore wall and the outside of the drilling pipe.
The drilling pipe can be formed with multiple sections of tubing that are connected together. Tool joints are also commonly used to connect the different sections of drilling pipe together. The drilling pipe can have different inner diameters. Also, not every section of drilling pipe may have the same inner diameter but can decrease in diameter. The tool joints have an inner diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the sections of drilling pipe.
After a wellbore is formed, it may be desirable to perform a cementing operation. During well completion for example, it is common to introduce a cement composition into an annulus in a wellbore. In a cased-hole wellbore, a cement composition can be placed into and allowed to set in the annulus between the wellbore and the casing in order to stabilize and secure the casing in the wellbore. By cementing the casing in the wellbore, fluids are prevented from flowing into the annulus. Consequently, oil or gas can be produced in a controlled manner by directing the flow of oil or gas through the casing and into the wellhead. Cement compositions can also be used in primary or secondary cementing operations, well-plugging, or squeeze cementing. As used herein, a “cement composition” is a mixture of at least cement and water. A cement composition can include additives. As used herein, the term “cement” means an initially dry substance that develops compressive strength or sets in the presence of water.
During introduction into the wellbore, it is desirable to keep different fluids from intermixing. For example, a cement composition should not mix with a spacer fluid or the drilling fluid because the properties of the cement composition and concentrations of additives in the cement composition could be altered due to intermixing. To properly cement the well, a secure seal must be introduced and held to separate the drilling mud from the cement, which is used to propel the cement down through the casing string, out the bottom of the casing string, and up into the annulus. A wiper dart can be used to accomplish this goal. These darts are generally composed of an inner mandrel, a nose, a drive cup, and two or more conical-shaped wiper cups. The wiper cups can be located circumferentially around the outside of the inner mandrel and can function to “wipe” the inside of the string and separate fluids as the dart is being pumped into the wellbore.
Wiper darts typically include multiple wiper cups with varying outer diameters in order to effectively wipe the drilling mud from the inside of the drill pipe string having different inner diameters of pipe sections. By way of example, a wiper dart will generally include two wiper cups for the pipe sections and two more wiper cups for the tool joints for a total of four wiper cups. However, because the inner diameter (ID) of the tool joints is generally much smaller than the ID of the pipe sections, when the wiper dart passes through a tool joint, the wiper cups sized for the pipe sections tend to curl up around the edges; thus, losing the integrity of the seal and do not effectively wipe the inside of the tool joint. Even though a conical-shaped wiper cup technically has more than one outer diameter, the wiping capability is limited to the edges of the cup. Therefore, a conical-shaped wiper cup can be said to only have one outer diameter, which is the OD at the edges of the cup. Thus, traditional wiper darts must include, at a minimum, 2 wiper cups with different outer diameters at the edges—namely, one having a larger OD at the edges for the pipe sections and another one having a smaller OD at the edges for the tool joints.
An example model of the effect of a conical-shaped wiper cup passing through a tool joint is shown in
There are several disadvantages to current wiper dart designs. First, having a minimum of 2 wiper cups and oftentimes 4+ wiper cups necessitate a longer inner mandrel, which increases costs and can also require specialized equipment to run such a long mandrel into the well. Second, there may need to be 10 or more different cup sizes available to accommodate a wide range of inner diameters of both pipe sections and tool joints. An operator at the wellsite must either have all the different sized cups on hand at the wellsite to assemble the wiper dart, or the operator must ensure that the correct-sized cups are delivered to the wellsite. Another disadvantage is there can be supply chain issues that prevent the correct sized cups from being on hand at the wellsite. Third, there are increased costs by needing so many different sized cups. Fourth, a vacuum can be created as the wiper cups pass through the tool joints. The vacuum created increases the pressure required to push the wiper dart through the tool joints, for example increasing the pressure required from 10-30 pounds force per square inch (psi) to 200-300 psi. Because an entire drill pipe can include several drill pipe sections and tool joints, the rubber material of the wiper cups can become abraded at every tool joint from the increased pressure, which can promote fluid leakage.
Thus, there is a long-felt need for improved wiper darts that solves the aforementioned problems. It has been discovered that a wiper dart can include a wiper cup having at least 2 different outer diameters that effectively wipe the inside of tool joints and the pipe sections.
A wiper dart can include an inner mandrel; and a wiper cup located circumferentially around the inner mandrel, wherein the wiper cup has a first outer diameter and a second outer diameter, wherein the first outer diameter is different from the second outer diameter, wherein a protruding ring is located circumferentially around the wiper cup at the first outer diameter, and wherein the first outer diameter is configured to wipe an inside of a tool joint and the second outer diameter is configured to wipe an inside of a pipe section.
A wellbore system can include a wellbore that penetrates a subterranean formation; a tubing string disposed within the wellbore, wherein the tubing string comprises one or more pipe sections and a tool joint attached to an end of the one or more pipe sections; and the wiper dart.
The various disclosed embodiments apply to the apparatus, systems, and methods without the need to repeat the various embodiments throughout. As used herein, any reference to the unit “gallons” means U.S. gallons.
The wiper dart 200 can include a centralizer 212 located at a first end of the inner mandrel 210. The centralizer 212 can keep the wiper dart 200 centralized within a tubing string as the wiper dart 200 is being introduced into the tubing string. The centralizer 212 can be connected to the inner mandrel 210, for example via a connector 214 and one or more lock rings 215. The tubing string can be made up of one or more pipe sections connected together with one or more tool joints, for example as shown in
The wiper dart 200 can also include a drive cup 216. The drive cup 216 can be located adjacent to the connector 214. The drive cup 216 can be used to introduce the wiper dart 200 into the tubing string, for example by pumping a fluid behind the wiper dart 200 wherein the fluid pushes against the drive cup to push the wiper dart 200 through the tubing string to a desired location. The fluid can be, for example, a spacer fluid or a cement composition. The wiper dart 200 can be used to keep two different fluids separated from each other (e.g., a drilling fluid or mud and a spacer fluid or cement composition) and also wipe the inside of the pipe sections and the tool joints during introduction.
With continued reference to
Turning to
As mentioned above, current wiper darts have to utilize at least 2 wiper cups with different ODs in order to effectively seal against the inside of the tubing string and wipe the inside of the pipe sections and tool joints. Table 1 lists just a few of current wiper cup ODs at the edges of the cups and the maximum and minimum wiping ID of the pipe sections or tool joints the cup OD is capable of wiping in units of inches (in.).
The wiper cup 300 has the first OD 322 and the second OD 332 that are different from each other. One significant advantage to the wiper cup 300 design is that a single wiper cup 300 can be used to effectively wipe both the inside of the pipe sections of the tubing string and the inside of the tool joints instead of requiring at least 2 separate wiper cups to accomplish this goal. Accordingly, the first OD 322 and the second OD 332 can be selected to combine cup ODs of current wiper cups into a single wiper cup. By way of a non-limiting example, Table 2 shows how different current cup ODs can be combined by using the wiper cup having different first OD 322 and second OD 332.
As can be seen in Table 2, by selecting a first OD 322 of the wiper cup 300 of 4.5 and the second OD 332 of 5.44, then the single wiper cup is able to wipe the insides of tool joints having an ID between 3.75 to 4.32 inches and also be able to wipe the insides of pipe sections having an ID between 4.5 to 5.26 inches. In this manner, the single wiper cup is able to take the place of two different wiper cups having a first cup OD of 5.44 and second cup OD of 4.5. Multiple different first OD 322 and second OD 332 combinations can be made to replace the need for two different wiper cups as is required with current conical-shaped wiper cups. According to any of the embodiments, the first OD 322 is in a range from 3.25 to 6 inches. According to any of the embodiments, the second OD 332 is in a range from 4 to 8 inches. There can be, but does not need to be, an overlap between the maximum and minimum wiping ID of the first OD 322 and the second OD 332. By way of example, the first OD 322 can have a minimum wiping ID of 3 in. and maximum of 3.7 in., while the second OD 332 can have a minimum wiping ID of 3.6 in. and maximum of 4.5 in. According to any of the embodiments, the first OD 322 and the second OD 332 are selected based on the inner diameter of the one or more pipe sections of the tubing string, which can be the same or different, and the inner diameter of the one or more tool joints, which can also be the same or different.
As can be seen in
As can also be seen in
The thickness along the length of the first diameter area 320 and the second diameter area 330 can be the same or can be different at various points along the length of the diameter area. By way of example and as can be seen in
The wiper cup 300 includes a protruding ring 310 located circumferentially around the wiper cup at the first OD 322. The protruding ring 310 is used to effectively wipe the inside of tool joints and eliminate leak paths 342. For example, and with reference to
As shown in
The protruding ring 310 can be made from a variety of materials, including but not limited to metals, metal alloys, hard plastics, ceramics, or rubbers. Examples of metals can include without limitation aluminum. The metal can be selected to provide for easier drilling of the wiper dart after use. Examples of metal alloys can include without limitation brass or AISI 1018, which is a high-manganese carbon steel alloy. Examples of hard plastics or ceramics can include thermoset plastics, thermoplastics such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK), hardened urethanes, ceramic buttons similar to those used in composite bridge plugs, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), synthetic rubber and fluoropolymer elastomers such as VITON®, or epoxy resins molded to a desired shape. Examples of rubbers can include highly vulcanized rubbers such as NBR or HNBR. According to any of the embodiments, the material for the protruding ring 310 is a more rigid material than the material making up the remainder of the wiper cup 300. By way of example, a metal is more rigid than rubber. If the protruding ring 310 is made from a rubber, then the rubber can be more rigid than the rubber for the remainder of the wiper cup 300. By way of example, if the remainder of the wiper cup is made from a rubber having a durometer reading between 55 to 75 (e.g., NBR75), then the protruding ring can be made from a rubber having a durometer reading between 85 to 95 (e.g., NBR90). Durometer is a standardized way of measuring the hardness of materials like rubber or plastic. Hardness is a measure of how resistant a plastic is to deformation caused by mechanical indentation or abrasion. A more rigid material can also help ensure that tool joints are effectively wiped as the wiper dart is pumped through the drill pipe sections and tool joints. The protruding ring 310 can be pre-formed and then permanently attached to the outside of the wiper cup 300 at the location of the first OD 322, for example via bonding to the outside of the wiper cup, for example with an adhesive such as epoxy, silicone, or ultraviolet (UV) curable adhesives. The protruding ring 310 can also be formed during the manufacturing process of the wiper cup 300. By way of example, a mold for the wiper cup can include a channel whereby a metal, metal alloy, plastic, etc. is placed within the channel with the interface between the solid protruding ring and the wiper cup optionally roughened, then the rubber for the remainder of the wiper cup can be molded via compression, injection, or transfer molding techniques. A channel can be useful because the material for the protruding ring 310 can be completely surrounded by the material (e.g., a rubber) for the remainder of the wiper cup.
Referring to
As can be seen in
The distance D between each of the buttons 340 for creating the folds 341 can vary and can range from 1.5 to 3 inches (3.8 to 7.6 cm) and can also be dependent on the size and circumference of the wiper cup 300. In order to provide the desired number and the desired distance D of the folds 341, the number of buttons 340 and the length L of each button 340 can vary. By way of example, for larger sized wiper cups, a total of 8 buttons may need to be included in order to provide the desired number of folds 341 and the desired distance D for each fold 341. The buttons 340 can have a length L in a range from 0.5 to 1.5 inches (12.7 to 38.1 mm) and a height H in a range of 3/16 to ⅝ inches (4.763 to 15.875 mm).
As an alternative to the buttons 340, the wiper cup 300 can include a plurality of splines 350 spaced circumferentially around the wiper cup that traverse from the edge of the wiper cup 300 and through a second diameter area 330. The splines 350 can be made from a stiffer material than the remainder of the cup and can perform the same function as the buttons to create a fold 341 between 2 adjacent splines or at each spline. The length of the splines 350 can also be selected such that the splines do not extend into the first diameter area 320. In this manner, the folds 341 can be controlled and prevented from extending into the first diameter area 320, which could undesirably create a leak path as the wiper cup moves through the smaller diameter tool joints. The splines 350 can be made from the same list of materials as for the protruding ring 310. The splines 350 can also be made from the same type of rubber as the remainder of the wiper cup 300 but can have a thickness that is greater than or less than the thickness of the cup at the second OD 332. If the rubber is thicker at each spline, then the folds will generally occur at the location between each adjacent 2 splines. If the rubber is thinner at each spline, then the folds will generally occur at the location of each spline. In this manner, the splines 350 not only create the folds 341, but also can increase the effectiveness of wiping the inside of drill pipe sections. As with the discussion above regarding the buttons 340, the number of, spacing pattern, width, length, and distance between the splines can be selected such that the desired number of folds 341 are created and the desired distance D of each fold 341 is created.
One of the many advantages of the novel wiper dart 200 having a wiper cup 300 with different outer diameters is that the total number of wiper cups needed to be selected from is greatly reduced—at a minimum the number of options available can be cut in half because a single wiper cup takes the place of at least 2 different wiper cups. This can reduce the total number of wiper cups that need to be present at a wellsite and can also obviate supply chain issues. Moreover, the total length of the inner mandrel 210 is reduced because the inner mandrel only has to be long enough to hold a single wiper cup instead of 2 or more different wiper cups. This can significantly reduce the cost of the wiper dart.
A wellbore system can include a wellbore that penetrates a subterranean formation. A tubing string can be disposed within the wellbore. The tubing string can be, for example, a drill string or a casing string. The wellbore can be formed using a drilling fluid and a drill string. The tubing string can include one or more pipe sections that are attached together, for example via a tool joint located at each end of each pipe section. Although shown in
As discussed above, the first OD 322 can be configured to wipe the inside of the tool joint, and the second OD 332 can be configured to wipe the inside of the one or more pipe sections. It is to be understood that as used herein, the term “first outer diameter” of the wiper cup means the median OD of the first diameter area 320 when the first diameter area 320 is angled. It is to be understood that as used herein, the term “second outer diameter” of the wiper cup means the median OD of the second diameter area 330 when the second diameter area 330 is angled. According to any of the embodiments, both of the first diameter area 320 and the second diameter area 330 are angled and each has a median outer diameter.
Methods of cementing in an oil and gas operation can include introducing a drilling fluid to form a wellbore. Introducing the wiper dart 200 into the wellbore. The step of introducing the wiper dart can include pumping a fluid from a wellhead of the wellbore behind the wiper dart wherein the fluid pushes against a drive cup of the wiper dart to move the wiper dart down through the tubing string. The fluid can be a spacer fluid or a cement composition. The methods can also include allowing the first OD 322 of the wiper cup 300 to wipe the inside of the tool joints and allowing the second OD 332 to wipe the inside of the one or more pipe sections.
An embodiment of the present disclosure is a wiper dart comprising: an inner mandrel; and a wiper cup located circumferentially around the outside of the inner mandrel, wherein the wiper cup has a first outer diameter and a second outer diameter, wherein the first outer diameter is different from the second outer diameter, wherein a protruding ring is located circumferentially around the wiper cup at the first outer diameter, and wherein the first outer diameter is configured to wipe an inside of a tool joint and the second outer diameter is configured to wipe an inside of a pipe section. Optionally, the wiper dart further comprises a centralizer located at a first end of the inner mandrel. Optionally, an inner diameter of the tool joint is less than an inner diameter of the pipe section. Optionally, the first outer diameter is less than the second outer diameter. Optionally, the wiper dart further comprises a drive cup. Optionally, the protruding ring has a triangular, oblong, semi-circular, ovoid, rectangular, or cuboid cross-section. Optionally, the protruding ring has a depth in a range of ⅛ inch to ⅜ inch (3.175 to 9.525 mm) and a height in a range of 3/16 to ⅝ inches (4.763 to 15.875 mm). Optionally, the protruding ring is made metals, metal alloys, hard plastics, ceramics, or rubbers having a durometer greater than a durometer of a rubber making up the wiper cup. Optionally, the wiper cup further comprises a plurality of buttons spaced circumferentially around the wiper cup at the second outer diameter. Optionally, the plurality of buttons are configured to create a fold between two adjacent buttons when the wiper cup passes through a tool joint. Optionally, a distance between each of the plurality of buttons is in a range from 1.5 to 3 inches (3.8 to 7.6 cm). Optionally, the wiper cup further comprises a plurality of splines spaced circumferentially around the wiper cup that traverse from the edge of the wiper cup and through a second diameter area. Optionally, the first outer diameter is selected such that the first outer diameter area has a maximum and minimum wiping inner diameter, and wherein the second outer diameter is selected such that the second outer diameter area has a maximum and minimum wiping inner diameter. Optionally, a first diameter area comprises a first inner diameter and the difference between the first inner diameter and the first outer diameter defines a thickness of the wiper cup along a length of the first diameter area, and wherein a second diameter area comprises a second inner diameter and the difference between the second inner diameter and the second outer diameter defines a thickness of the wiper cup along a length of the second diameter area. Optionally, the thickness of the second diameter area tapers from being thicker at a location closer to the first diameter area and thinner at edges of the wiper cup. Optionally, the first outer diameter is in a range from 3.25 to 6 inches (8.3 to 15.2 cm), and wherein the second outer diameter is in a range from 4 to 8 inches (10.2 to 20.3 cm). Optionally, the wiper cup has a length in a range of 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm).
Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a system for use in a wellbore that penetrates a subterranean formation comprising: a tubing string disposed within the wellbore, wherein the tubing string comprises one or more pipe sections and a tool joint attached to an end of the one or more pipe sections; and a wiper dart, wherein the wiper dart comprises: an inner mandrel; and a wiper cup, wherein the wiper cup has a first outer diameter and a second outer diameter, wherein the first outer diameter is different from the second outer diameter, wherein a protruding ring is located circumferentially around the wiper cup at the first outer diameter, and wherein the first outer diameter is configured to wipe an inside of a tool joint and the second outer diameter is configured to wipe an inside of a pipe section. Optionally, the wiper dart further comprises a centralizer located at a first end of the inner mandrel. Optionally, an inner diameter of the tool joint is less than an inner diameter of the pipe section. Optionally, the first outer diameter is less than the second outer diameter. Optionally, the wiper dart further comprises a drive cup. Optionally, the protruding ring has a triangular, oblong, semi-circular, ovoid, rectangular, or cuboid cross-section. Optionally, the protruding ring has a depth in a range of ⅛ inch to ⅜ inch (3.175 to 9.525 mm) and a height in a range of 3/16 to ⅝ inches (4.763 to 15.875 mm). Optionally, the protruding ring is made metals, metal alloys, hard plastics, ceramics, or rubbers having a durometer greater than a durometer of a rubber making up the wiper cup. Optionally, the wiper cup further comprises a plurality of buttons spaced circumferentially around the wiper cup at the second outer diameter. Optionally, the plurality of buttons are configured to create a fold between two adjacent buttons when the wiper cup passes through a tool joint. Optionally, a distance between each of the plurality of buttons is in a range from 1.5 to 3 inches (3.8 to 7.6 cm). Optionally, the wiper cup further comprises a plurality of splines spaced circumferentially around the wiper cup that traverse from the edge of the wiper cup and through a second diameter area. Optionally, the first outer diameter is selected such that the first outer diameter area has a maximum and minimum wiping inner diameter, and wherein the second outer diameter is selected such that the second outer diameter area has a maximum and minimum wiping inner diameter. Optionally, a first diameter area comprises a first inner diameter and the difference between the first inner diameter and the first outer diameter defines a thickness of the wiper cup along a length of the first diameter area, and wherein a second diameter area comprises a second inner diameter and the difference between the second inner diameter and the second outer diameter defines a thickness of the wiper cup along a length of the second diameter area. Optionally, the thickness of the second diameter area tapers from being thicker at a location closer to the first diameter area and thinner at edges of the wiper cup. Optionally, the first outer diameter is in a range from 3.25 to 6 inches (8.3 to 15.2 cm), and wherein the second outer diameter is in a range from 4 to 8 inches (10.2 to 20.3 cm). Optionally, the wiper cup has a length in a range of 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm).
Therefore, the various embodiments are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the various embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art and having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is, therefore, evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
As used herein, the words “comprise,” “have,” “include,” and all grammatical variations thereof are each intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning that does not exclude additional elements or steps. While compositions, systems, and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions, systems, and methods also can “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. It should also be understood that, as used herein, “first,” “second,” and “third,” are assigned arbitrarily and are merely intended to differentiate between two or more pipe sections, outer diameters, etc., as the case may be, and does not indicate any sequence. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the mere use of the word “first” does not require that there be any “second,” and the mere use of the word “second” does not require that there be any “third,” etc.
Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent(s) or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20250084732 A1 | Mar 2025 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18466159 | Sep 2023 | US |
| Child | 18493468 | US |
