Patent Abstract:
A multistage stacked disk choke includes a housing having a high pressure inlet port and a low pressure outlet port, an assembly, a cage, a seat, and a plug. The assembly includes: a tubular inlet port, a galley intersecting the tubular inlet port, a tubular outlet port, and a bore inward from the tubular outlet port. The cage has an inlet port in communication with the tubular inlet port. The seat is configured to support the assembly. The plug moves inside the assembly bore and restricts flow through the tubular outlet port and/or the tubular inlet port. Operation fluid flows from the high pressure inlet port through the cage inlet port into the tubular inlet port and is redirected into the galley and into the tubular outlet port into the bore of the assembly to a bore in the seat, and out through the low pressure outlet port.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 national phase entry of, and claims priority to, PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/055862, filed Sep. 16, 2014, and entitled “Multistage Stacked Disc Choke” which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein for all purposes. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Chokes have been used for decades in oilfield operations to reduce the fluid pressure of high pressure flowing fluids. The life of a choke is significantly reduced by cavitation and/or flashing that occurs when high pressure fluids are decompressed. Cavitation occurs when the pressure of a fluid drops below its vapor pressure and then recovers to above its vapor pressure. The desired pressure drop across a choke can cause cavitation, resulting in voids, such as small bubbles, in the fluid. When the pressure recovers to above its vapor pressure near the outlet, the voids can implode and collapse. The repetitive implosions near metal surfaces of the outlet can cause material loss. 
         [0005]    Various attempts have been made to reduce cavitation and flashing in chokes. Multiple stages can be used to spread the overall desired pressure drop across the stages to help the pressure remain above its vaporization pressure as the pressure is reduced. Some of the challenges of multistage chokes are the price of the choke, which may be 10-15 times greater than a single stage choke, the short wear life of the choke when solids are present, and clogging of very fine labyrinth passages within a choke. 
         [0006]    Multiple concentric cages or multiple stacked disks may be used to define a torturous path through a choke. Stacked disks are disclosed, for example, are made by Weir Power &amp; Industrial in the USA under the brand X-Stream choke. However, the cost of manufacturing multiple disks with varying diameter staggered cylinders extending from the disk face is a significant drawback to these designs. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there remains a need for an improved system and method for a multiple stacked disk choke that can be efficiently produced. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The invention provides an improved multistage stacked disc choke that can be manufactured from a sintering process. The choke includes a plurality of stacked disks that are produced in a “green” sintered state, then stacked, and sintered into a monolithic assembly. The stacked disk monolithic assembly is fitting into a steel cage with porting that aligns with porting on the outside surface of the stacked disks. A seat can be inserted into the steel cage and the assembly inserted into the choke. A plug is then able to be moved axially within the choke to adjust the opening and closing of the porting in the stacked disk assembly. The radial flow paths through the disks are offset from stage to stage, so that the flow impinges on surfaces as the flow progresses through the disks. The porting has a circular cross section to minimize wear and reduce stress risers. 
         [0009]    The disclosure provides a multistage stacked disk choke, comprising: a housing having a high pressure inlet port and a low pressure outlet port; a monolithic assembly of at least two sintered disks comprising a circular tubular inlet port in fluid communication with an outer periphery of the monolithic assembly and in fluid communication with the housing inlet port, a circular circumferential galley formed between the outer periphery and an inner periphery of the monolithic assembly and formed to intersect the circular tubular inlet port, and a circular tubular outlet port in fluid communication with the circular circumferential galley, and an internal bore radially inward from the tubular outlet port and in fluid communication with the tubular outlet port; a cage having a bore with a cross section sized to receive the monolithic assembly within the bore, the cage having a cage inlet port in fluid communication with the circular tubular inlet port of the monolithic assembly; a seat in the choke configured to longitudinally support the monolithic assembly, the seat having a seat bore in fluid communication with the low pressure outlet port of the choke; and a plug sized to move longitudinally inside the bore of the monolithic assembly and selectively restrict flow through the tubular outlet port, the tubular inlet port, or a combination thereof, such that in operation fluid flows from the high pressure inlet port through the cage inlet port into the circular tubular inlet port of the monolithic assembly, and is redirected into the circular circumferential galley intersecting the circular tubular inlet port and into the circular tubular outlet port offset from the circular circumferential galley, into the bore of the monolithic assembly to the bore in the seat, and out through the low pressure outlet port. 
         [0010]    The disclosure provides a method of flowing fluid through a choke, the choke with a housing having a high pressure inlet port and a low pressure outlet port; a monolithic assembly of at least two sintered disks comprising a circular tubular inlet port in fluid communication with an outer periphery of the monolithic assembly and in fluid communication with the housing inlet port, a circular circumferential galley formed between the outer periphery and an inner periphery of the monolithic assembly and formed to intersect the circular tubular inlet port, and a circular tubular outlet port in fluid communication with the circular circumferential galley, and an internal bore radially inward from the tubular outlet port and in fluid communication with the tubular outlet port; a cage having an internal bore with a cross section sized to receive the monolithic assembly within the bore, the cage having a cage inlet port in fluid communication with the circular tubular inlet port of the monolithic assembly; a seat in the choke configured to longitudinally support the monolithic assembly, the seat having a seat bore longitudinally aligned with the bore of the monolithic assembly and fluid communication with the low pressure outlet port of the choke; a plug sized to move longitudinally inside the bore of the monolithic assembly and selectively restrict flow through the tubular outlet port, the tubular inlet port, or a combination thereof, the method comprising: allowing fluid to flow from the high pressure inlet port through the cage inlet port into the circular tubular inlet port of the monolithic assembly, into the circular circumferential galley intersecting the circular tubular inlet port and into the circular tubular outlet port offset from the circular circumferential galley, into the bore of the monolithic assembly to the bore in the seat, and out through the low pressure outlet port. 
         [0011]    These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the figures in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of one embodiment of a multistage stacked disk choke having a monolithic assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an enlarged portion of the exemplary choke of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective schematic view of a plurality of disks to form the monolithic assembly of stacked disks for the choke. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view schematic of an exemplary monolithic assembly of stacked disks assembled for sintering in an oven. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a monolithic assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of a multistage stacked disk choke having a combination of zones. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    The Figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicant has invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present disclosure will require numerous implementationspecific decisions to achieve the developer&#39;s ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time. While a developer&#39;s efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in this art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. The use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” and the like are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims. Where appropriate, one or more elements may have been labeled with an “A” or “ 8 ” to designate various members of a given class of an element. When referring generally to such elements, the number without the letter can be used. Further, such designations do not limit the number of members that can be used for that function. 
         [0019]    The disclosure provides an improved multistage stacked disc choke that can be manufactured from a sintering process. The choke includes a plurality of stacked disks that are produced in a “green” sintered state, then stacked, and sintered into a monolithic assembly. The stacked disk monolithic assembly is fitting into a steel cage with porting that aligns with porting on the outside surface of the stacked disks. A seat can be inserted into the steel cage and the assembly inserted into the choke. A plug is then able to be moved axially within the choke to adjust the opening and closing of the porting in the stacked disk assembly. The radial flow paths through the disks are offset from stage to stage, so that the flow impinges on surfaces as the flow progresses through the disks. The porting has a circular cross section to minimize wear and reduce stress risers. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of one embodiment of a choke.  FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an enlarged portion of the exemplary choke of  FIG. 1 . The figures will be described in conjunction with each other. A choke  10  includes a housing  12  having a high pressure inlet port  14  and a low pressure outlet port  16 . A cap  38  can be coupled to the housing  12  and an actuator  32  coupled to the cap. The actuator  32  can be manual or powered, and can be remotely controlled. As an exemplary actuator, a handle  36  is shown to turn elements in a gear assembly  34  to longitudinally raise and lower the plug  28 . 
         [0021]    A cage  18  is positioned within the housing  12  and has an internal bore  19 . A monolithic assembly  20  can be formed of pressure reducing disks and mounted in the cage  18  at least partially within the bore  19 . A choke seat  20  may be coupled to the housing  12  to receive the cage  18  and/or the monolithic assembly  20 . The cage  18  may be shrunk fit or otherwise secured to the choke seat  22 . The monolithic assembly  20  is formed with an internal bore  24  fluidicly coupled with the low pressure outlet port  16 . A plug  28  can longitudinally move by motion of the actuator  32  along the centerline  58  within the monolithic assembly bore  24  to control the flow through the monolithic assembly by at least partially blocking portions therein. In  FIG. 1 , the plug  28  is shown on the left side of the centerline  58  partially blocking the flow through the monolithic assembly in a partially open position on the choke, and the plug is shown on the right side of the centerline  58  in a raised position that is not at least partially blocking flow through the monolithic assembly so that the choke is in a fully open position. 
         [0022]    The monolithic assembly  20  generally includes a stack of disks with internal ports formed therein by the combined assembly of the disks. In at least one embodiment, the longitudinal middle portion of the monolithic assembly include one or more disks  42  that have partial passageways formed on both faces of the disks that when coupled together form the whole passageways. The top and bottom of the monolithic assembly include one or more end disks having partial passageways formed on one face to be coupled with the face of an adjacent disk  42  to form the whole passageways, while the other face of the end disks may have no partial passageways formed thereon. Further details are described herein. 
         [0023]    In operation, generally fluid would enter through the side of the housing  12  through the inlet port  14  and flow into an annulus in the housing around the cage  18  and through the cage inlet ports  40 . The fluid can enter the monolithic assembly  20  and flow therethrough for a pressure reduction, and then into the bore  24  of the monolithic assembly, subject to restricted flow from the plug  28  positioned in the bore. The fluid can exit through the outlet port  16  at a reduced pressure. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective schematic view of a plurality of disks to form the monolithic assembly of stacked disks for the choke. A disk  42  has several semicircular flow passageways for forming the different flow passages therein. In the exemplary embodiment, three stages are shown. However, it is understood that any number of stages (lesser or greater) can be used and the exemplary embodiment is for illustrative purposes. 
         [0025]    Starting from the outer periphery  44  of the disks that collectively form the monolithic assembly, a plurality of semi-circular tubular inlet ports  46  are formed radially around the outer periphery  44  as a first stage in the disk  42 A and ultimately the monolithic assembly  20 . The inlet ports  46  intersect a semi-circular first circumferential galley  48 . The galley  48  provides a pathway for flow from the inlet ports  46  to be distributed in a circumferential manner. 
         [0026]    On a distal side of the galley  48  from the inlet ports, a plurality of semicircular access ports  50  are formed radially around the galley  48  as a second stage of flow in the disk. The semi-circular access ports  50  are generally offset from a radial alignment with the inlet ports  46 . The offset provides an obstruction of the galley wall to the incoming flow from the inlet ports to cause turbulence and pressure reduction as the fluid impinges on the galley wall from the inlet ports and must turn several angles by first turning into the galley, and then turning into the radially offset access port  50 . In at least one embodiment, one or more ports on one side of the galley can be offset about halfway between one or more ports on the other side of the galley. Further, the cross-sectional size of the ports in the different stages can vary as may be determined from flow considerations. 
         [0027]    The disk face  45  can further be formed with a semi-circular second circumferential galley  52 , so that the semi-circular access port  50  intersects the semicircular second circumferential galley  52  to distribute flow from the access port into the second galley. 
         [0028]    A semi-circular tubular outlet port  54  is formed to intersect the semicircular second circumferential galley  52  as a third stage. Likewise, the semi-circular tubular outlet ports  54  can be formed around the disk face  45  in an alignment that is radially offset from the access ports  50 . The offset alignment similarly allows fluid flowing through the access port  50  to encounter resistance as the fluid impinges the wall of the galley  52  and must turn at angles in the galley to exit through the outlet ports  54 , thus causing turbulence, further flow resistance, and pressure reduction. The disk  42 A includes an inner periphery  56  that forms a bore  60  of the disks  42 , where the bore is generally aligned with a centerline  58 . The cumulative bores  60  of multiple disks  42  can form the bore  24  of the monolithic assembly described above. 
         [0029]    Disk  42 B can generally be formed in the same manner as disk  42 A. For example, the underside face  45 A of the disk  42 A can be formed similarly as the upper face  45 B of the disk  42 B, so that a semi-circular tubular inlet port  46 A on disk  42 A has a mating semi-circular tubular inlet port  46 B on disk  42 B, and likewise a semi-circular first circumferential galley  48 A has a mating semi-circular first circumferential galley  48 B, a semi-circular access port  50 A has a mating semi-circular access port  50 B, a semi-circular second circumferential galley  52 A has a mating semi-circular second circumferential galley  52 B, and a semi-circular tubular outlet port  54 A has a mating semi-circular tubular outlet port  54 B. When the disks are mounted together and properly aligned face to face, the semi-circular portions of the disk  42 A coupled to the semi-circular portions of the disk  42 B complete the cross-sectional circular shapes to form the circular ports and flow passages described herein. Other disks could be used and are contemplated, so that for example, the underside face of disk  42 B could be formed in a similar manner as the top face of disk  42 A and further stacked on top or under other disks to form additional flow passages as described herein. The circular shapes assist in reducing erosion that would otherwise be encompassed by sharp angles and corners. The term “circular” is used broadly herein and includes generally round, oval, and elliptical shapes, and other shapes that are absent 90-degree corners of a cross-section of a square or rectangle. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a side view schematic of an exemplary monolithic assembly of stacked disks assembled for sintering in an oven. The disks are generally formed from tungsten carbide or other abrasive resistant (but generally brittle) material, such as hardened stainless or nickel-based metals. Due to difficulties in machining such materials, it is envisioned that the individual disks  42  be formed as molded shapes through powder metallurgy or other fabrication processes. However, the disks  42  are prepared to a “green” state, such that they can retain their shapes for temporary handling, but require further processing for completion. When the disks are formed in a green state so that they can be handled, the disks can be assembled together, for example, in the manner shown in  FIG. 4 . To retain the stack of green disks in a proper alignment and shape, the disks can be held in position with an exemplary fixture  76 . The assembly of the several disks and fixture  76  can be placed in a sintering oven  74 , using for example a sintering hot isostatic pressing operation, for completion of the process to sinter the green disks together into the monolithic assembly  20 . Thus, when the disks are assembled, the face of one disk with its semicircular portions of the flow passageways mates with a corresponding face of an adjacent disk and its semi-circular portions to form the full circular passageways shown therein. For example, a semi-circular tubular inlet port  46 A of disk  42 A can be aligned with a semi-circular tubular inlet port  46 B of the disk  42 B, so that the semicircular tubular inlet ports  46 A,  46 B form in combination a circular tubular inlet port  62 A. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the monolithic assembly will include one or more end disks  70 . The end disks  70  are similar to the disks  42  with the primary difference being that the end disks have only one face formed with the semi-circular flow passageways. The other face is generally absent such flow passageways, because no choking function through the valve is contemplated across the end faces  72 A and  72 B of the end disks  70 A and  70 B, respectively. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of a monolithic assembly, more specifically, a partial cross section of the monolithic assembly  20  to the left side of the centerline  58  of monolithic bore  24 . The monolithic assembly  20  has been sintered from the assembly of green disks  42 , and thus the lines shown in  FIG. 5  and the demarcations of each of the disks described in  FIG. 5 , are for illustrative purposes and may not in fact exist as separate units or discreet surfaces between the disks after the sintering process in the produced article. \ 
         [0033]    Starting from the left of the sheet with the outer periphery  44  of disks of the monolithic assembly, the top end disk  70 A is coupled to the disk  42 A with flow passageways aligned to allow flow therethrough. The end disk  70 A can have an end face  72 A which generally will not have partial flow passages formed thereon, because no flow is expected to be controlled over the end face. In this particular cross-section, the tubular inlet port  62 B at the interfaces between the end disk  70 A and disk  42 A is shown existing in a different plane from the particular cross-section chosen. The circular tubular inlet port  62 B intersects the circular tubular first galley  64 A formed by the mating coupling of the semi-circular first circumferential galleys  48 A and  48 B. In the plane of the particular cross-section chosen for  FIG. 5 , the semi-circular access ports  50 A and  50 B are shown in solid lines and form the circular tubular access port  66 A. In the exemplary embodiment with optional other stages, a circular tubular second galley  67  is formed from the semi-circular second circumferential galleys  52 A and  52 B. A circular tubular outlet port  68 A is formed radially inward from the second galley  67  A by the mating coupling of semi-circular tubular outlet ports  54 A and  54 B. Thus, the circular tubular inlet port  62 B and the circular tubular outlet port  68 A are generally not aligned radially with the circular tubular access port  66 A. Further, the circular tubular inlet port  62 B may also not be radially aligned with the circular tubular outlet port  68 A. 
         [0034]    In a similar fashion, the faces of the disks  42 A and  42 B can be coupled together in the sintering process to form flow passageways therebetween. In the particular cross-section shown, the circular tubular inlet port  62 A is formed from the two semi-circular tubular inlet ports  46 A and  46 B. In the embodiment shown, the circular tubular inlet port  62 A may not be radially aligned with the inlet port  62 B. Also, the access port  66 B on the distal side of the circular tubular first galley  64  will generally not be radially aligned with the inlet port  62 A. The outlet port  68 B on the other side of the circular tubular second galley  67  will generally not be aligned with the access port  66 B, and mayor may not be aligned with the inlet port  62 A. 
         [0035]    An end disk  70 B may be coupled with the disk  42 B to form the flow passages therethrough similarly as described above relative to the end disk  70 A and disk  42 A. The inlet port  62 C is generally not aligned with the access port  66 C and the access port  66 C is generally not aligned with the outlet port  68 C. In the embodiment shown, the access port  66 A can be radially aligned with the access port  66 C. The end disk  70 B has an end face  72 B that may not have access ports formed thereon, because no flow is expected to be directed across the end face  72 B for control and pressure reduction. 
         [0036]    Thus, the monolithic assembly  20  can form flow passageways from the outer periphery  44  to the inner periphery  56  of the monolithic assembly with radially offset passageways for pressure reduction across multiple stages, but in a manner that is cost effective by preforming certain portions of the assembly and then sintering the portions into a final monolithic assembly. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of a multistage stacked disk choke having a combination of zones. The choke  10  is similar to the choke described above, but includes a zoned monolithic assembly  78  and related flow passages through the cage. There are flow regimes when a high flow does not need multistages for a choke, such as to avoid cavitation, but other flow regimes through the same choke can use multistages for the choke. A combination choke having different flow zones for the stages can be used to satisfy the multiple flow regimes. 
         [0038]    In the exemplary choke  10 , the housing  12  includes a high pressure inlet port  14  and a low pressure outlet port  16 . A cage  18  is disposed in the choke housing and has a bore  19  to receive the zoned monolithic assembly  78  having a bore  24 . A seat  22  is positioned below the assembly  78  and has a bore  26  in fluid communication with the bore  24 . A plug  28  is coupled to a stem  30  and selectively moveable along a longitudinal centerline  58  within the bore  24  of the zoned monolithic assembly  78 . The cage  18  has at least one cage inlet port  84  for a first zone of the zoned monolithic assembly  78  and at least one cage inlet port  40  for a second zone of the zoned monolithic assembly  78 . 
         [0039]    The zoned monolithic assembly  78  includes a first zone  80  having an assembly inlet port  86  in fluid communication with the cage inlet port  84  on an upstream side and the bore  24  on a downstream side. The first zone  80  can have larger, more open flow passageways than the second zone to allow higher flows with less flow resistance in the choke in a first flow regime. For illustrative purposes and without limitation, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  is representative of a single stage for the first zone  80  in the zoned monolithic assembly  78 . 
         [0040]    The zoned monolithic assembly  78  also includes a second zone  82  having the inlet ports and other ports in the monolithic assembly that are described in more detail in reference to  FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 . The inlet ports of the second zone  82  are in fluid communication with the cage inlet port  40  on an upstream side and the bore  24  on a downstream side. The second zone  82  can have smaller, more restrictive and circuitous flow passageways than the first zone  80  to cause more pressure drop at lower flows through the choke in a second flow regime. For illustrative purposes and without limitation, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  is representative of a multistage assembly having three stages in the zoned monolithic assembly  78 . 
         [0041]    Optionally, the zoned monolithic assembly  78  can be split into separate assemblies of the first zone  80  and the second zone  82  and are included herein as a “monolithic assembly.” 
         [0042]    In operation, when a high flow rate occurs, the stem  30  can move the plug  28  longitudinally upward in the bore  24  to allow higher flows through the cage inlet port  84  and first zone  80  of the monolithic assembly, and generally through the second zone as well. As more pressure drop in the flow is desired, the plug can be extended into the bore  24  to at least partially restrict the flow through the first zone and force a higher percentage of the flow through the second zone causing a greater pressure drop. The plug  38  can be further extended to restrict entirely flow through the first zone and at least partially or fully restrict flow through the second zone. 
         [0043]    The monolithic assembly can be made without requiring stacked disks by using recent technological advances in additive manufacturing also known as three-dimensional printing. Under such technology, additive manufacturing or  3 D printing refers to any of various processes for making a three-dimensional object primarily through additive processes in which successive layers of material are laid down under computer control. Such processes can use metal sintering forms of additive manufacturing, including without limitation, selective laser sintering and direct metal laser sintering. Thus, the lines in  FIG. 4  representing the prior stacked disks would not be present in such an embodiment. 
         [0044]    Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the invention described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of Applicant&#39;s invention. For example and without limitation, it is possible to have any number of stages, any number of zones for different flow regimes, to have an assembly without end disks with the understanding that any semi-circular flow passages existing on the top and bottom faces of the monolithic assembly may not be used for flow reduction, to not have multiple sets of access ports for various stages between the inlet and outlet ports, or to have no access ports so that the inlet ports and outlet ports are separated by a galley directly. 
         [0045]    Further, the various methods and embodiments of the system can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. Discussion of singular elements can include plural elements and vice-versa. References to at least one item may include one or more items. Also, various aspects of the embodiments could be used in conjunction with each other to accomplish the understood goals of the disclosure. Unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising,” should be understood to imply the inclusion of at least the stated element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof, and not the exclusion of a greater numerical quantity or any other element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof. The device or system may be used in a number of directions and orientations. The term “coupled,” “coupling,” “coupler,” and like terms are used broadly herein and may include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operably, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and may further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unity fashion. The coupling may occur in any direction, including rotationally. 
         [0046]    The order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions. 
         [0047]    The invention has been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicant, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicant intends to protect fully all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5