Patent ID: 12241588

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures. Like elements in the various figures may be denoted by like reference numerals for consistency. Further, in the following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. Additionally, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the scale of the elements presented in the accompanying Figures may vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure generally relate to seal assemblies and, more particularly, to mitigating oil leakage from journal bearing seal assemblies used in conjunction with rotating equipment. Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for monitoring identified parameters in bearing lubrication systems, and controlling air pressure supplied to a seal assembly based on detected bearing housing pressure, which may help reduce lubricant leakage through the seal assembly. The systems described herein provide methods of implementing automated corrective action to eliminate lubrication leakage through bearing seals. Embodiments disclosed herein describe bearing lubrication systems configured to monitor bearing housing pressure online through pressure gauges and/or pressure transmitters, and controlling a supply of pressurized air to seal assemblies via automatic actuation of a control valve, which ensures effective sealing and prevents migration of liquid lubricant inside or outside of rotating equipment. The bearing lubrication systems described herein may also be configured to monitor potential lubricant leakage using flow transmitters fitted at supply and return lines, and automatically notifying an operator when exceeding the limit for maintenance.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of an example bearing lubrication system100that may incorporate the principles of the present disclosure. The bearing lubrication system100(hereafter “the system100”) may be configured to support operation of at least one piece of rotating equipment102. Examples of the rotating equipment102include, but are not limited to, a turbomachine, a turbine (e.g., a steam or gas turbine), a compressor, a pump, an expander, a motor (e.g., an electric motor), a gearbox, or any combination thereof.

As illustrated, the rotating equipment102includes a rotor shaft104that extends through the rotating equipment102and exits at least one end of the rotating equipment102. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor shaft104exits both ends of the rotating equipment, however, in other embodiments, the rotor shaft104may exit only one end of the rotating equipment102. As the rotating equipment102operates, the rotor shaft104rotates. While not shown inFIG.1, one or both ends of the rotor shaft104may be operatively coupled to corresponding machines or systems. Depending on the type of rotating equipment102and its intended operation, such corresponding machines or systems may either be configured to provide torque to the rotor shaft104to drive (power) the rotating equipment102, or receive torque generated by the rotating equipment102from the rotor shaft104. In some cases, for example, the rotating equipment102may comprise a pump used to pump a fluid, and in such cases the rotor shaft104would drive the rotating equipment102. In other cases, however, the rotating equipment102may comprise a turbine, and in such cases the rotating equipment102would power (drive) the rotor shaft104.

At least one end of the rotor shaft104may be journalled and otherwise supported by a bearing106. While not shown, the opposing end of the rotor shaft104may also be supported by a bearing. The bearing106includes a bearing housing108through which the rotor shaft104extends. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing106comprises an oil-fed bearing in fluid communication with a lubricant reservoir110, which forms part of the system100. The lubricant reservoir110may contain a supply of a liquid lubricant112that is provided to the bearing housing108to lubricate the bearing106during operation (e.g., rotation of the rotor shaft104). Examples of the liquid lubricant112include, but are not limited to, a petroleum oil or a synthetic lubricant.

The bearing106fluidly communicates with the lubricant reservoir110via a supply line114aextending between the lubricant reservoir110and the bearing housing108. While the rotor shaft104rotates, the liquid lubricant112may be supplied to the bearing106via the supply line114ato help mitigate friction and wear between the rotating rotor shaft104and the inner walls of the bearing housing108, and may further help prevent corrosion and control temperature. In some embodiments, the system100includes a pump115arranged within the supply line114aand otherwise operable to pump the liquid lubricant112to the bearing housing108. In at least one embodiment, a check valve115amay be arranged within the supply line114aon the discharge side of the pump115and configured to prevent backflow of the liquid lubricant112back into the lubricant reservoir110. Used liquid lubricant112may be conveyed back to the lubricant reservoir110via a return line114b, which extends between the bearing housing108and the lubricant reservoir110.

To help prevent the liquid lubricant112from migrating along the rotor shaft104and out of either end of the bearing housing108, the system100may further include one or more bearing seals. In the illustrated embodiment, where the rotor shaft104extends from both ends of the bearing housing108, the system100may include first and second seal assemblies116aand116barranged laterally adjacent the bearing housing108. More specifically, the first seal assembly116a, alternately referred to as an “outboard seal assembly,” may be arranged at a first end of the bearing housing108, and the second seal assembly116b, alternately referred to as an “inboard seal assembly,” may be arranged at the opposing second end of the bearing housing108. In embodiments where the rotor shaft104only extends through one end of the bearing housing108, however, the system100may only include one seal assembly (e.g., the inboard seal assembly116b), without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

As described in more detail below, one or both of the seal assemblies116a,bmay comprise labyrinth seals. To help prevent the liquid lubricant112from migrating along the rotor shaft104and being discharged into the environment or inside the rotating equipment102, pressurized air may be injected into each seal assembly116a,bvia an air supply line118. The air supply line118may be in fluid communication with a source of pressurized air120, such as an instrument air compressor or the like. As the bearing106operates, the pressurized air is injected into the seal assemblies116a,b, and pressurized air is simultaneously discharged or vented from each seal assembly116a,bvia corresponding air discharge lines122aand122b. In some embodiments, the discharged pressurized air is vented to the environment, but could alternatively be recycled back to the source of pressurized air120.

In some embodiments, as illustrated, a control valve123may be arranged within the air supply line118and is operable to regulate the flow of the pressurized air into the seal assemblies116a,b. During normal operation of the bearing106, the control valve123may be arranged at a set orientation between open and closed, thereby injecting a known quantity of the pressurized air into the seal assemblies116a,b. As described in more detail below, however, the control valve123may be adjusted to increase or decrease the flow of the pressurized air into the seal assemblies116a,b, depending on need. The control valve123may be operatively coupled to motor125, such as a servo or other type of motor operable to adjust the operational position of the control valve123between the open and closed positions.

Injecting the pressurized air into the seal assemblies116a,bhelps slow the migration of the liquid lubricant112out of the bearing housing108, along the rotor shaft104, and out either end of the seal assemblies116a,b. More specifically, if any liquid lubricant112migrates into the seal assemblies116a,bfrom the bearing housing108, the pressurized air injected into the seal assemblies116a,bwill impel the migrating liquid lubricant112back into the bearing housing108. The migrated liquid lubricant112accumulated in the seal assemblies116a,bgets drained out through drain lines124aand124bextending from each seal assembly116a,b. Each drain line124a,bmay communicate with a main drain line126in fluid communication with a lubricant disposal tank128. Accordingly, any liquid lubricant112forced out of the seal assemblies116a,bmay be conveyed to the lubricant disposal tank128for proper handling and/or disposal.

In some embodiments, the system100may further include a sight glass130arranged within the main drain line126. The sight glass130may allow a user or operator to view the draining of the liquid lubricant112to the lubricant disposal tank128. The sight glass130may allow the operator to monitor the draining of liquid lubricant112and confirm that there is no blockage in the drain lines.

In some embodiments, the system100may further include a packing seal132interposing and otherwise arranged between the inboard seal assembly116band the rotating equipment102. The packing seal132may be designed and otherwise configured with minimal clearance against the rotor shaft104, and may be operable to receive and absorb any liquid lubricant112(e.g., a mist of the liquid lubricant112) that may migrate out of the inboard seal assembly116b. In at least one embodiment, the packing seal132may be made of cellulose fibers. The packing seal132may prove advantageous in preventing the migration of the liquid lubricant112into the inside of the rotating equipment102. In some embodiments, the packing seal132may change appearance (e.g., color) when it is saturated with the liquid lubricant112. Upon noticing the change in appearance of the packing seal132, an operator may then proceed to replace the packing seal132for ensuring further effective absorption of the liquid lubricant112or a mist of the liquid lubricant112.

FIG.2is an enlarged, schematic view of the bearing106and the outboard seal assembly116a, according to one or more embodiments. WhileFIG.2depicts the outboard seal assembly116a, the following discussion is equally applicable to the inboard seal assembly116b(FIG.1), without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As mentioned above, the bearing106includes the bearing housing108and the rotor shaft104extends through the bearing housing108. During operation of the bearing106, a supply of the liquid lubricant112(FIG.1) from the lubricant reservoir110may be conveyed to the bearing housing108via the supply line114a, and used liquid lubricant112may be conveyed back to the lubricant reservoir110via the return line114b.

The outboard seal assembly116ais arranged at a first or “outboard” end202of the bearing housing108and provides a seal housing204sized to receive the rotor shaft104therethrough. As illustrated, the outboard seal assembly116amay comprise a labyrinth seal that provides a plurality of projections or “teeth”206that extend radially inward from the seal housing204and toward the rotor shaft104. The radially-projecting teeth206provide a tortuous pathway for the liquid lubricant112to traverse as it attempts to migrate away from the bearing housing108, as indicated by the arrows.

To help prevent the liquid lubricant112from migrating along the rotor shaft104, as briefly described above, pressurized air may be injected into the outboard seal assembly116avia the air supply line118, which extends from the source of pressurized air120. As the bearing106operates, pressurized air is simultaneously discharged or vented from the outboard seal assembly116avia the discharge line122a, as also briefly described above. Injecting the pressurized air into the outboard seal assembly116amay impel migrating liquid lubricant112back into the bearing housing108. Any migrated liquid lubricant112from the bearing housing108may accumulate into one or more lubricant accumulation chambers208(two shown). The lubricant accumulation chambers208may be defined on the bottom half of the seal housing204, and receive the migrating liquid lubricant112under the force of gravity. In the illustrated embodiment, the lubricant accumulation chambers208may be in fluid communication with the first drain line124a, which communicates with the main drain line126to convey accumulated liquid lubricant112to the lubricant disposal tank128for proper handling and/or disposal.

Referring again toFIG.1, the system100may further include a blower134in fluid communication with the lubricant reservoir110. Operating the blower134may create a slight vacuum (e.g., a pressure slightly lower than atmospheric pressure) inside the lubricant reservoir110and above the fluid level of the liquid lubricant112. Generating the vacuum inside the lubricant reservoir110may help drain the used liquid lubricant112from the bearing housing108and draw the used liquid lubricant back into the lubricant reservoir110.

The blower134may be operatively coupled to a motor136configured to drive operation of the blower134. In at least one embodiment, the motor136may comprise a variable frequency drive (VFD) type of motor. In such embodiments, the speed of the motor138may be varied, which may prove advantageous in adjusting the speed of the blower134and thereby altering the pressure within the lubricant reservoir110.

In at least one embodiment, the system100may also include a breather138in fluid communication with the lubricant reservoir110above the fluid level of the liquid lubricant112. The breather138supplies clean (fresh) air into the lubricant reservoir110, and may also prove advantageous in helping to prevent hydraulic lock within the lubricant reservoir110.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the system100may further include a control system140operable to monitor, regulate, and control all aspects of the system100. The control system140may comprise a computer having one or more processors and a computer readable medium (or memory) on which programmable instructions may be stored. The computer readable medium can include a nonvolatile or non-transitory memory with data and instructions that are accessible to the processors and executable thereby. The computer readable medium may also be pre-programmed or selectively programmable with instructions for operating the system100or any of the method steps described herein.

The system100may further include a pressure sensor or gauge142in communication with the bearing housing108and configured to measure the pressure within the bearing housing108. A pressure transmitter144may communicate with the pressure gauge142and may be in communication with the control system140via any wired or wireless means. The pressure transmitter144may be configured to transmit the real-time pressure within the bearing housing108to the control system140for processing. It should be noted that, in at least one embodiment, the pressure gauge142and the pressure transmitter144may be combined into a single component part.

During example operation of the bearing106, the control system140may be programmed to operate the system100such that the pressure within the bearing housing108is maintained at a level slightly higher than atmospheric pressure. Maintaining a pressure slightly higher than atmospheric pressure may help eliminate ingression of external contaminants into the bearing housing108, which could damage the bearing106or cause the bearing106to malfunction. The control system140may be programmed with a predetermined pressure range at which the bearing106optimally operates. More specifically, the predetermined pressure range may be stored on the memory included in the control system140, and pressure readings obtained by the pressure gauge142may be compared against the predetermined pressure range.

If the pressure inside the bearing housing108exceeds the predetermined pressure range, as measured by the pressure gauge142, the control system140may be programmed to increase the pressure within the seal assemblies116a,b. More specifically, the control system140may be in communication (either wired or wirelessly) with the motor125that controls operation of the control valve123arranged within the air supply line118. When the pressure within the bearing housing108exceeds the predetermined pressure range, the control system140may be configured to send a command signal to the motor125, which causes the control valve123to be opened to a greater degree, and thereby increasing the airflow to the seal assemblies116a,b. Increasing the airflow to the seal assemblies116a,bwill correspondingly increase the pressure within the seal assemblies116a,b, and thereby help to reduce migration of the liquid lubricant112from the bearing housing108and into the seal assemblies116a,b. This may also help stop leakage of the liquid lubricant112from the seal assemblies116a,b, and thereby help eliminate potential migration of the liquid lubricant112into the rotating equipment102or otherwise to the surrounding atmosphere (environment).

Moreover, when the pressure inside the bearing housing108exceeds the predetermined pressure range, the control system140may further be programmed to decrease the pressure within the lubricant reservoir110. More specifically, the control system140may be in communication (either wired or wirelessly) with the motor136, and when the pressure of the bearing housing108exceeds the predetermined pressure range, a command signal may be sent to the motor136to increase the speed of the blower134, which correspondingly increases the vacuum within the lubricant reservoir110. Increasing the vacuum within the lubricant reservoir110, may help draw the used lubricant liquid112from the bearing housing108and to the lubricant reservoir110.

In contrast, if the pressure inside the bearing housing108is lower than the predetermined pressure range, the control system140may be programmed to decrease the pressure within the seal assemblies116a,b. More specifically, when the pressure within the bearing housing108descends below the predetermined pressure range, the control system140may be configured to send a command signal to the motor125, which causes the control valve123to be closed to a greater degree, thereby allowing a baseline amount of pressurized air to be injected into the seal assemblies116a,bfrom the source of pressurized air120. This decreases the airflow to the seal assemblies116a,b, which correspondingly helps to maintain the pressure in the seal assemblies116a,babove the pressure within the bearing housing108. Maintaining the pressure in the seal assemblies116a,babove the pressure within the bearing housing108reduces migration of the liquid lubricant112to the seal assemblies116a,bfrom the bearing housing108, while simultaneously helping to stop the liquid lubricant112from leaking from the seal assemblies116a,binto the rotating equipment102or otherwise to the surrounding atmosphere (environment).

Moreover, if the pressure inside the bearing housing108is lower than the predetermined pressure range, the control system140may further be programmed to send a command signal to the motor136to slow the speed of the blower134. In such embodiments, the speed of the blower134may be slowed to a point where the vacuum inside the lubricant reservoir110is maintained at design conditions, thereby facilitating the return of the liquid lubricant112from the bearing housing108to the lubricant reservoir110.

In some embodiments, the system100may further include a first flowmeter146aarranged within or otherwise in communication with the supply line114a, and a second flowmeter146barranged within or otherwise in communication with the return line114b. The flowmeters146a,bmay be configured to monitor the flow rate of the liquid lubricant112within the supply and return lines114a,b, respectively. More specifically, the first flowmeter146amay be configured to measure the flow rate of the liquid lubricant112being injected into the bearing housing108via the supply line114a, and the second flowmeter146bmay be configured to measure the flow rate of the used liquid lubricant112returning to the lubricant reservoir110within the return line114b.

The first and second flowmeters146a,bmay also be in communication (wired or wirelessly) with the control system140, and thereby able to provide real-time flow rate measurements to the control system140for processing. In particular, the control system140may be configured to calculate the difference between the flow rates measured by the first and second flowmeters146a,b. When the difference in the flow rates measured by the first and second flowmeters146a,bexceeds a predetermined value, that may be an indication of excessive leakage of the liquid lubricant112. In such cases, the operator may decide to add additional liquid lubricant112to the lubricant reservoir110and plan for maintenance to resolve the lubricant leakage issue.

In some embodiments, when the difference in the flow rates exceeds the predetermined value, the control system140may be configured to send (transmit) an alert148. In some embodiments, the alert148may comprise an audible or visual signal that may be perceived by an operator. In other embodiments, however, the alert148may comprise a notification sent to the operator, such as a text message, an email, or the like. Upon receiving the alert148, the operator may then proceed to carry out maintenance work to resolve the issue which is causing excessive leakage of the liquid lubricant112.

FIG.3Ais a schematic diagram of an example method300of lubricating a bearing, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The method300may include conveying a liquid lubricant from a lubricant reservoir to a bearing housing of the bearing, as at302. A rotor shaft may extend from rotating equipment and into the bearing housing. Pressurized air from an air supply line may be injected into a seal housing of a seal assembly arranged laterally adjacent the bearing housing, as at304. A portion of the rotor shaft may extend into the seal housing.

The method300may further include measuring a pressure within the bearing housing, as at306, and transmitting pressure readings of the bearing housing to a control system in communication with a control valve arranged within the air supply line. The operational position of the control valve may then be adjusted with the control system to increase a pressure within the seal housing when the pressure inside the bearing housing exceeds a predetermined pressure range, as at310. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the operational position of the control valve may be adjusted with the control system to decrease the pressure within the seal housing when the pressure within the bearing housing descends below the predetermined pressure range, as at312.

When the pressure within the bearing housing exceeds the predetermined pressure range, as at310, the method300may further include sending a command signal from the control system to increase the speed of a blower, as at314. This will increase a vacuum pressure within the lubricant reservoir. When the pressure within the bearing housing descends below the predetermined pressure range, however, as at312, the method300may further include sending a command signal from the control system to either maintain or decrease the speed of a blower, as at316. This will either maintain or decrease the vacuum pressure within the lubricant reservoir.

In view of the foregoing structural and functional description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that portions of the embodiments may be embodied as a method, data processing system, or computer program product. Accordingly, these portions of the present embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware, such as shown and described with respect to the control system140ofFIG.1. Furthermore, portions of the embodiments may be a computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having computer readable program code on the medium. Any non-transitory, tangible storage media possessing structure may be utilized including, but not limited to, static and dynamic storage devices, hard disks, optical storage devices, and magnetic storage devices, but excludes any medium that is not eligible for patent protection under 35 U.S.C. § 101 (such as a propagating electrical or electromagnetic signal per se). As an example and not by way of limitation, a computer-readable storage media may include a semiconductor-based circuit or device or other IC (such, as for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an ASIC), a hard disk, an HDD, a hybrid hard drive (HHD), an optical disc, an optical disc drive (ODD), a magneto-optical disc, a magneto-optical drive, a floppy disk, a floppy disk drive (FDD), magnetic tape, a holographic storage medium, a solid-state drive (SSD), a RAM-drive, a SECURE DIGITAL card, a SECURE DIGITAL drive, or another suitable computer-readable storage medium or a combination of two or more of these, where appropriate. A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile, where appropriate.

Certain embodiments have also been described herein with reference to block illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products. It will be understood that blocks of the illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the illustrations, can be implemented by computer-executable instructions. These computer-executable instructions may be provided to one or more processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus (or a combination of devices and circuits) to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor, implement the functions specified in the block or blocks.

These computer-executable instructions may also be stored in computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory result in an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

In this regard,FIG.4illustrates one example of the control system140that can be employed to execute one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Control system140can be implemented on one or more general purpose networked computer systems, embedded computer systems, routers, switches, server devices, client devices, various intermediate devices/nodes or standalone computer systems. Additionally, control system140can be implemented on various mobile clients such as, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop computer, pager, and the like, provided it includes sufficient processing capabilities.

Control system140includes processing unit401, system memory402, and system bus403that couples various system components, including the system memory402, to processing unit401. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processor architectures also can be used as processing unit401. System bus403may be any of several types of bus structure including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. System memory402includes read only memory (ROM)404and random access memory (RAM)405. A basic input/output system (BIOS)406can reside in ROM404containing the basic routines that help to transfer information among elements within control system140.

Control system140can include a hard disk drive407, magnetic disk drive408, e.g., to read from or write to removable disk409, and an optical disk drive410, e.g., for reading CD-ROM disk411or to read from or write to other optical media. Hard disk drive407, magnetic disk drive408, and optical disk drive410are connected to system bus403by a hard disk drive interface412, a magnetic disk drive interface413, and an optical drive interface414, respectively. The drives and associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures, and computer-executable instructions for control system140. Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk and a CD, other types of media that are readable by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks and the like, in a variety of forms, may also be used in the operating environment; further, any such media may contain computer-executable instructions for implementing one or more parts of embodiments shown and described herein.

A number of program modules may be stored in drives and RAM405, including operating system415, one or more application programs416, other program modules417, and program data418. In some examples, the application programs416can include an algorithm for adjusting the control valve123(FIG.1) and thereby regulating the flow of the pressurized air into the seal housing204(FIG.2). In particular, such an algorithm may be configured to adjust the operational position of the control valve123to increase a pressure within the seal housing204when a pressure inside the bearing housing108(FIG.1) exceeds a predetermined pressure range, and further configured to adjust the operational position of the control valve123to increase the pressure within the seal housing204when the pressure inside the bearing housing108descends below the predetermined pressure range. The application programs416can also include an algorithm for comparing the flow rate measurements obtained from the flow meters146a,b(FIG.1). Modules for instructing the motors125,136(FIG.1), calculating pressure differentials, comparing the pressure differentials, etc. may also be included in the application programs416.

A user may enter commands and information into control system140through one or more input devices420, such as a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, touch screen), keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, scanner, and the like. For instance, the user can employ input device420to enter predefined pressure ranges for comparison with the upstream pressure reading222in step304, and predefined thresholds for comparison with the pressure differential220in step310. These and other input devices420are often connected to processing unit402through a corresponding port interface422that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, serial port, or universal serial bus (USB). One or more output devices424(e.g., display, a monitor, printer, projector, or other type of displaying device) is also connected to system bus403via interface426, such as a video adapter.

Control system140may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer428. Remote computer428may be a workstation, computer system, router, peer device, or other common network node, and typically includes many or all the elements described relative to control system140. The logical connections, schematically indicated at430, can include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN). When used in a LAN networking environment, control system140can be connected to the local network through a network interface or adapter432. When used in a WAN networking environment, control system140can include a modem, or can be connected to a communications server on the LAN. The modem, which may be internal or external, can be connected to system bus403via an appropriate port interface. In a networked environment, application programs416or program data418depicted relative to control system140, or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device440.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, for example, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “contains”, “containing”, “includes”, “including.” “comprises”, and/or “comprising.” and variations thereof, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Terms of orientation are used herein merely for purposes of convention and referencing and are not to be construed as limiting. However, it is recognized these terms could be used with reference to an operator or user. Accordingly, no limitations are implied or to be inferred. In addition, the use of ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) is for distinction and not counting. For example, the use of “third” does not imply there must be a corresponding “first” or “second.” Also, if used herein, the terms “coupled” or “coupled to” or “connected” or “connected to” or “attached” or “attached to” may indicate establishing either a direct or indirect connection, and is not limited to either unless expressly referenced as such.

The use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, uphole, downhole and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure, the uphole direction being toward the surface of the well and the downhole direction being toward the toe of the well.

While the disclosure has described several exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents can be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt a particular instrument, situation, or material to embodiments of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, or to the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, or component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative.