U.S. patent application number 11/356899 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-08 for expansion system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Enventure Global Technology, LLC. Invention is credited to William Patrick Parker.
Application Number | 20070051520 11/356899 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37908720 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070051520 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parker; William Patrick |
March 8, 2007 |
Expansion system
Abstract
An apparatus for the radial expansion and plastic deformation of
a tubular member that includes a coating to reduce the frictional
forces of expansion.
Inventors: |
Parker; William Patrick;
(Katy, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAYNES AND BOONE, LLP
901 MAIN STREET, SUITE 3100
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Assignee: |
Enventure Global Technology,
LLC
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
37908720 |
Appl. No.: |
11/356899 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10199524 |
Jul 19, 2002 |
7159665 |
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11356899 |
Feb 17, 2006 |
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09454139 |
Dec 3, 1999 |
6497289 |
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10199524 |
Jul 19, 2002 |
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60111293 |
Dec 7, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
166/380 ;
166/207; 166/212; 166/242.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 43/105
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/380 ;
166/207; 166/212; 166/242.1 |
International
Class: |
E21B 19/16 20060101
E21B019/16; E21B 23/02 20060101 E21B023/02 |
Claims
1. An expansion device for radially expanding a tubular member
comprising: a first outer surface comprising a first angle of
attack; wherein the first outer surface comprises a tungsten
disulfide coating.
2. The expansion device of claim 1, further comprising: a second
outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the
first outer surface; wherein the first angle of attack is greater
than the second angle of attack; and wherein the second outer
surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating.
3. The expansion device of claim 1, further comprising: a rear end
coupled to the second outer surface.
4. The expansion device of claim 2, wherein the first angle of
attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees; and wherein the second
angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees.
5. The expansion device of claim 2, further comprising one or more
intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second
outer surfaces; wherein the one or more intermediate outer surfaces
comprise a tungsten disulfide coating.
6. The expansion device of claim 5, wherein the angle of attack of
the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the
first outer surface to the second outer surface.
7. The expansion device of claim 5, wherein the angle of attack of
the intermediate outer surfaces decreases in steps from the first
outer surface to the second outer surface.
8. The expansion device of claim 5, wherein the angle of attack of
the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation.
9. An expansion device for radially expanding a tubular member
comprising: a first outer surface comprising a first angle of
attack; wherein the first outer surface comprises a tungsten
disulfide coating; wherein the first angle of attack ranges from
about 8 to 20 degrees; a second outer surface comprising a second
angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the
second outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating;
wherein the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15
degrees; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the
second angle of attack; and a rear end coupled to the second outer
surface.
10. An expansion device for radially expanding a tubular member
comprising: a first outer surface comprising a first angle of
attack; wherein the first outer surface comprises a tungsten
disulfide coating; a second outer surface comprising a second angle
of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the second
outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating; wherein the
first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack;
and further comprising one or more intermediate outer surfaces
coupled between the first and second outer surfaces; wherein the
one or more intermediate outer surfaces comprise a tungsten
disulfide coating; wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate
outer surfaces continually decreases from the first outer surface
to the second outer surface; and wherein the angle of attack of the
outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation.
11. An expandable tubular member for traversing a borehole in a
subterranean formation comprising: a tungsten disulfide coating
applied to the interior surface of the expandable tubular
member.
12. An expansion system for radially expanding a tubular member
comprising: an expansion device comprising a first outer surface
comprising a first angle of attack; wherein at least one of the
following surfaces comprises a tungsten disulfide coating: the
first outer surface of the expansion device and the interior
surface of the expandable tubular member; and means for displacing
the expansion device relative to the expandable tubular member.
13. The expansion system of claim 12, wherein the expansion device
further comprises a second outer surface comprising a second angle
of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein the first
angle of attack is greater than the second angle of attack; and
wherein the second outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide
coating.
14. The expansion device of claim 12, wherein the expansion device
further comprises a rear end coupled to the second outer
surface.
15. The expansion system of claim 13, wherein the first angle of
attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees; and wherein the second
angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees.
16. The expansion system of claim 13, wherein the expansion device
further comprises one or more intermediate outer surfaces coupled
between the first and second outer surfaces; wherein the one or
more intermediate outer surfaces comprise a tungsten disulfide
coating.
17. The expansion system of claim 16, wherein the angle of attack
of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the
first outer surface to the second outer surface.
18. The expansion system of claim 16, wherein the angle of attack
of the intermediate outer surfaces decreases in steps from the
first outer surface to the second outer surface.
19. The expansion system of claim 16, wherein the angle of attack
of the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation.
20. An expansion system for radially expanding a tubular member
comprising: an expansion device comprising a first outer surface
comprising a first angle of attack; wherein the first angle of
attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees; a second outer surface
comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer
surface; wherein the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to
15 degrees; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the
second angle of attack; and a rear end coupled to the second outer
surface; and means for displacing the expansion device relative to
the expandable tubular member; wherein at least one of the
following surfaces comprises a tungsten disulfide coating: the
first and second outer surfaces of the expansion device and the
interior surface of the expandable tubular member.
21. An expansion system for radially expanding a tubular member
comprising: an expansion device comprising a first outer surface
comprising a first angle of attack; a second outer surface
comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer
surface; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the
second angle of attack; and further comprising one or more
intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second
outer surfaces; wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate
outer surfaces continually decreases from the first outer surface
to the second outer surface; wherein the angle of attack of the
outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation; and means for
displacing the expansion device in an expandable tubular member;
wherein at least one of the following surfaces comprises a tungsten
disulfide coating: the first, second, and intermediate outer
surfaces of the expansion device and the interior surface of the
expandable tubular member.
22. A method of expanding an expandable tubular member comprising:
radially expanding at least a portion of the tubular member by
extruding at least a portion of the tubular member off of an
expansion device; wherein the expansion device comprises a first
outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein a
tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at least one of the
following surfaces: the interior surface of the expandable tubular
member and the first outer surface of the expansion device.
23. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22,
wherein the expansion device further comprises: a second outer
surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first
outer surface; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than
the second angle of attack; and wherein a tungsten disulfide
coating is applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the
interior surface of the expandable tubular member and the first and
second outer surfaces of the expansion device.
24. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22,
wherein the expansion device further comprises: a rear end coupled
to the second outer surface.
25. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22,
wherein the first angle of attack ranges from about 8 to 20
degrees; and wherein the second angle of attack ranges from about 4
to 15 degrees.
26. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22,
wherein the expansion device further comprises one or more
intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second
outer surfaces; wherein a tungsten disulfide coating is applied to
at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the
expandable tubular member and the first, second, and intermediate
outer surfaces of the expansion device.
27. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22,
wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces
continually decreases from the first outer surface to the second
outer surface.
28. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22,
wherein the angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces
decreases in steps from the first outer surface to the second outer
surface.
29. The method of expanding a tubular member according to claim 22,
wherein the angle of attack of the outer surfaces is defined by a
parabolic equation.
30. A method of expanding an expandable tubular member comprising:
radially expanding at least a portion of the tubular member by
extruding at least a portion of the tubular member off of an
expansion device; wherein the expansion device comprises a first
outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein the first
angle of attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees; a second outer
surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first
outer surface; wherein a tungsten disulfide coating is applied to
at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the
expandable tubular member and the first and second outer surfaces
of the expansion device; wherein the second angle of attack ranges
from about 4 to 15 degrees; wherein the first angle of attack is
greater than the second angle of attack; and a rear end coupled to
the second outer surface.
31. A method of expanding an expandable tubular member comprising:
radially expanding at least a portion of the tubular member by
extruding at least a portion of the tubular member off of an
expansion device; wherein the expansion device comprises a first
outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; a second outer
surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first
outer surface; wherein the first angle of attack is greater than
the second angle of attack; and further comprising one or more
intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first and second
outer surfaces; wherein a tungsten disulfide coating is applied to
at least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the
expandable tubular member and the first, second, and intermediate
outer surfaces of the expansion device; wherein the angle of attack
of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the
first outer surface to the second outer surface; and wherein the
angle of attack of the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic
equation.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/199,524, attorney docket number 25791.100,
filed on Jul. 19, 2002, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket number 25791.3.02,
filed Dec. 3, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, issued Dec. 24,
2002) which claimed priority to U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/111,293, attorney docket no. 25791.3, filed on Dec. 7,
1998, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
This application is related to the following co-pending
applications: (1) U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no.
25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999 from provisional application
60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (2) U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/510,913, attorney docket no. 25791.7.02, filed on Feb. 23,
2000, which claims priority from provisional application
60/121,702, filed on Feb. 25, 1999, (3) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/502,350, attorney docket no. 25791.8.02, filed on Feb.
10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application
60/119,611, filed on Feb. 11, 1999, (4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113,
which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338,
attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which
claims priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on
Nov. 16, 1998, (5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/169,434,
attorney docket no. 25791.10.04, filed on Jul. 1, 2002, which
claims priority from provisional application 60/183,546, filed on
Feb. 18, 2000, (6) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468,
attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which
claims priority from provisional application 60/124,042, filed on
Mar. 11, 1999, (7) U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as
patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no.
25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims priority from
provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (8)
U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,240, which was filed as patent application Ser.
No. 09/511,941, attorney docket no. 25791.16.02, filed on Feb. 24,
2000, which claims priority from provisional application
60/121,907, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (9) U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640,
which was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney
docket no. 25791.17.02, filed on Jun. 7, 2000, which claims
priority from provisional application 60/137,998, filed on Jun. 7,
1999, (10) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/981,916, attorney
docket no. 25791.18, filed on Oct. 18, 2001 as a
continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113a, which
was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney
docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims
priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16,
1998, (11) U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,763, which was filed as application
Ser. No. 09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02, filed on Apr.
26, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application
60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, (12) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/030,593, attorney docket no. 25791.25.08, filed on Jan.
8, 2002, which claims priority from provisional application
60/146,203, filed on Jul. 29, 1999, (13) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/143,039, attorney docket no. 25791.26,
filed on Jul. 9, 1999, (14) U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/111,982, attorney docket no. 25791.27.08, filed on Apr. 30,
2002, which claims priority from provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/162,671, attorney docket no. 25791.27, filed on Nov. 1,
1999, (15) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/154,047,
attorney docket no. 25791.29, filed on Sep. 16, 1999, (16) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/438,828, attorney docket
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which was filed as application Ser. No. 09/679,907, attorney docket
no. 25791.34.02, on Oct. 5, 2000, which claims priority from
provisional patent application Ser. No 60/159,082, attorney docket
no. 25791.34, filed on Oct. 12, 1999, (18) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/089,419, filed on Mar. 27, 2002, attorney docket no.
25791.36.03, which claims priority from provisional patent
application Ser. No 60/159,039, attorney docket no. 25791.36, filed
on Oct. 12, 1999, (19) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/679,906,
filed on Oct. 5, 2000, attorney docket no. 25791.37.02, which
claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/159,033, attorney docket no. 25791.37, filed on Oct. 12, 1999,
(20) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/303,992, filed on Nov. 22,
2002, attorney docket no. 25791.38.07, which claims priority from
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/212,359, attorney docket
no. 25791.38, filed on Jun. 19, 2000, (21) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/165,228, attorney docket no. 25791.39,
filed on Nov. 12, 1999, (22) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/455,051, attorney docket no. 25791.40, filed on Mar.
14, 2003, (23) PCT application US02/2477, filed on Jun. 26, 2002,
attorney docket no. 25791.44.02, which claims priority from U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/303,711, attorney docket
no. 25791.44, filed on Jul. 6, 2001, (24) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/311,412, filed on Dec. 12, 2002, attorney docket no.
25791.45.07, which claims priority from provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/221,443, attorney docket no. 25791.45,
filed on Jul. 28, 2000, (25) U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/______, filed on Dec. 18, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.46.07,
which claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No
60/221,645, attorney docket no. 25791.46, filed on Jul. 28, 2000,
(26) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/322,947, filed on Jan. 22,
2003, attorney docket no. 25791.47.03, which claims priority from
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/233,638, attorney docket
no. 25791.47, filed on Sep. 18, 2000, (27) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/406,648, filed on Mar. 31, 2003, attorney docket no.
25791.48.06, which claims priority from provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/237,334, attorney docket no. 25791.48,
filed on Oct. 2, 2000, (28) PCT application US02/04353, filed on
Feb. 14, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.50.02, which claims
priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/270,007, attorney docket no. 25791.50, filed on Feb. 20, 2001,
(29) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/465,835, filed on Jun. 13,
2003, attorney docket no. 25791.51.06, which claims priority from
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/262,434, attorney docket
no. 25791.51, filed on Jan. 7, 2001, (30) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/465,831, filed on Jun. 13, 2003, attorney docket no.
25791.52.06, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/259,486, attorney docket no. 25791.52,
filed on Jan. 3, 2001, (31) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/452,303, filed on Mar. 5, 2003, attorney docket no.
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application Ser. No. 09/850,093, filed on May 7, 2001, attorney
docket no. 25791.55, as a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No.
6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999,
which claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293,
filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (33) U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,227, which was
filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/852,026, filed on May 9,
2001, attorney docket no. 25791.56, as a divisional application of
U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289, which was filed as U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/454,139, attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec.
3, 1999, which claims priority from provisional application
60/111,293, filed on Dec. 7, 1998, (34) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/852,027, filed on May 9, 2001, attorney docket no.
25791.57, as a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,289,
which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/454,139,
attorney docket no. 25791.03.02, filed on Dec. 3, 1999, which
claims priority from provisional application 60/111,293, filed on
Dec. 7, 1998, (35) PCT Application US02/25608, attorney docket no.
25791.58.02, filed on Aug. 13, 2002, which claims priority from
provisional application 60/318,021, filed on Sep. 7, 2001, attorney
docket no. 25791.58, (36) PCT Application US02/24399, attorney
docket no. 25791.59.02, filed on Aug. 1, 2002, which claims
priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/313,453, attorney docket no. 25791.59, filed on Aug. 20, 2001,
(37) PCT Application US02/29856, attorney docket no. 25791.60.02,
filed on Sep. 19, 2002, which claims priority from U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/326,886, attorney docket no.
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attorney docket no. 25791.61.02, filed on Jun. 26, 2002, which
claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/303,740, attorney docket no. 25791.61, filed on Jul. 6, 2001,
(39) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,469, filed on Sep. 25,
2001, attorney docket no. 25791.62, which is a divisional of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no.
25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from
provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (40)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,470, filed on Sep. 25,
2001, attorney docket no. 25791.63, which is a divisional of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no.
25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from
provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (41)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,471, filed on Sep. 25,
2001, attorney docket no. 25791.64, which is a divisional of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no.
25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from
provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (42)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,467, filed on Sep. 25,
2001, attorney docket no. 25791.65, which is a divisional of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no.
25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from
provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (43)
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/962,468, filed on Sep. 25,
2001, attorney docket no. 25791.66, which is a divisional of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no.
25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from
provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (44)
PCT application US 02/25727, filed on Aug. 14, 2002, attorney
docket no. 25791.67.03, which claims priority from U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/317,985, attorney docket no.
25791.67, filed on Sep. 6, 2001, and U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/318,386, attorney docket no. 25791.67.02,
filed on Sep. 10, 2001, (45) PCT application US 02/39425, filed on
Dec. 10, 2002, attorney docket no. 25791.68.02, which claims
priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/343,674, attorney docket no. 25791.68, filed on Dec. 27, 2001,
(46) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/969,922, attorney
docket no. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, which is a
continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which
was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney
docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims
priority from provisional application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16,
1998, (47) U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/516,467,
attorney docket no. 25791.70, filed on Dec. 10, 2001, which is a
continuation application of U.S. utility patent application Ser.
No. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69, filed on Oct. 3,
2001, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. No.
6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02, filed on Nov. 15,
1999, which claims priority from provisional application
60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (48) PCT application US
03/00609, filed on Jan. 9, 2003, attorney docket no. 25791.71.02,
which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser.
No. 60/357,372, attorney docket no. 25791.71, filed on Feb. 15,
2002, (49) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,703, attorney
docket no. 25791.74, filed on Feb. 12, 2002, which is a divisional
of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application
Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb.
24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application
60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (50) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/074,244, attorney docket no. 25791.75, filed on Feb.
12, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which
was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney
docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims
priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26,
1999, (51) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/076,660, attorney
docket no. 25791.76, filed on Feb. 15, 2002, which is a divisional
of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application
Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb.
24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application
60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (52) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/076,661, attorney docket no. 25791.77, filed on Feb.
15, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which
was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney
docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims
priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26,
1999, (53) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/076,659, attorney
docket no. 25791.78, filed on Feb. 15, 2002, which is a divisional
of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which was filed as patent application
Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb.
24, 2000, which claims priority from provisional application
60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26, 1999, (54) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/078,928, attorney docket no. 25791.79, filed on Feb.
20, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,471, which
was filed as patent application Ser. No. 09/512,895, attorney
docket no. 25791.12.02, filed on Feb. 24, 2000, which claims
priority from provisional application 60/121,841, filed on Feb. 26,
1999, (55) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/078,922, attorney
docket no. 25791.80, filed on Feb. 20, 2002, which is a divisional
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(66) PCT application US 02/39418, filed on Dec. 10, 2002, attorney
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(77) PCT application US 03/19993, filed on Jun. 24, 2003, attorney
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No. 60/398,061, attorney docket no. 25791.110, filed on Jul. 24,
2002, (81) PCT application US 03/20870, filed on Jul. 2, 2003,
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application Ser. No. 60/412,487, attorney docket no. 25791.112,
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20, 2002, (84) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/280,356,
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docket no. 25791.55, as a divisional application of U.S. Pat. No.
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provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/405,394, attorney docket
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(91) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/423,363,
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provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/412,196, attorney docket
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continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,640, which was filed as patent
application Ser. No. 09/588,946, attorney docket no. 25791.17.02,
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filed on Jul. 22, 2003, which is a divisional of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/502,350, attorney docket no. 25791.8.02,
filed on Feb. 10, 2000, which claims priority from provisional
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60/462,750, attorney docket no. 25791.193, filed on Apr. 14, 2003,
(101) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/436,106,
attorney docket no. 25791.200, filed on Dec. 23, 2002, (102) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/442,942, attorney docket
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patent application Ser. No. 60/442,938, attorney docket no.
25791.225, filed on Jan. 27, 2003, (104) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/418,687, attorney docket no. 25791.228,
filed on Apr. 18, 2003, (105) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/454,896, attorney docket no. 25791.236, filed on Mar.
14, 2003, (106) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/450,504, attorney docket no. 25791.238, filed on Feb. 26, 2003,
(107) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/451,152,
attorney docket no. 25791.239, filed on Mar. 9, 2003, (108) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/455,124, attorney docket
no. 25791.241, filed on Mar. 17, 2003, (109) U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/453,678, attorney docket no.
25791.253, filed on Mar. 11, 2003, (110) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/421,682, attorney docket no. 25791.256, filed on Apr.
23, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no. 25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10,
2000, which claims priority from provisional application
60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (111) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/457,965, attorney docket no. 25791.260,
filed on Mar. 27, 2003, (112) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/455,718, attorney docket no. 25791.262, filed on Mar.
18, 2003, (113) U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,821, which was filed as patent
application Ser. No. 09/811,734, filed on Mar. 19, 2001, (114) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/436,467, attorney docket no.
25791.268, filed on May 12, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S.
Pat. No. 6,604,763, which was filed as application Ser. No.
09/559,122, attorney docket no. 25791.23.02, filed on Apr. 26,
2000, which claims priority from provisional application
60/131,106, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, (115) U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/459,776, attorney docket no. 25791.270,
filed on Apr. 2, 2003, (116) U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/461,094, attorney docket no. 25791.272, filed on Apr.
8, 2003, (117) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/461,038, attorney docket no. 25791.273, filed on Apr. 7, 2003,
(118) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/463,586,
attorney docket no. 25791.277, filed on Apr. 17, 2003, (119) U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/472,240, attorney docket
no. 25791.286, filed on May 20, 2003, (120) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/619,285, attorney docket no. 25791.292, filed on Jul.
14, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. utility patent
application Ser. No. 09/969,922, attorney docket no. 25791.69,
filed on Oct. 3, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part application
of U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,113, which was filed as U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/440,338, attorney docket number 25791.9.02,
filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which claims priority from provisional
application 60/108,558, filed on Nov. 16, 1998, (121) U.S. utility
patent application Ser. No. 10/418,688, attorney docket no.
25791.257, which was filed on Apr. 18, 2003, as a division of U.S.
utility patent application Ser. No. 09/523,468, attorney docket no.
25791.11.02, filed on Mar. 10, 2000, which claims priority from
provisional application 60/124,042, filed on Mar. 11, 1999, (122)
PCT patent application serial no. PCT/US04/06246, attorney docket
no. 25791.238.02, filed on Feb. 26, 2004, (123) PCT patent
application serial number PCT/US04/08170, attorney docket number
25791.40.02, filed on Mar. 15, 2004, (124) PCT patent application
serial number PCT/US04/08171, attorney docket number 25791.236.02,
filed on Mar. 15, 2004, (125) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US04/08073, attorney docket number 25791.262.02, filed on Mar.
18, 2004, (126) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US04/07711, attorney docket number 25791.253.02, filed on Mar,
11, 2004, (127) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2004/009434, attorney docket number 25791.260.02, filed on
Mar. 26, 2004, (128) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2004/010317, attorney docket number 25791.270.02, filed on
Apr. 2, 2004, (129) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2004/010712, attorney docket number 25791.272.02, filed on
Apr. 7, 2004, (130) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2004/010762, attorney docket number 25791.273.02, filed on
Apr. 6, 2004, (131) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/2004/011973, attorney docket number 25791.277.02, filed on Apr.
15, 2004, (132) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
60/495,056, attorney docket number 25791.301, filed on Aug. 14,
2003, (133) U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/600679,
attorney docket number 25791.194, filed on Aug. 11, 2004, (134) PCT
patent application serial number PCT/US2005/027318, attorney docket
number 25791.329.02, filed on Jul. 29, 2005, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference. (135) PCT patent
application serial number PCT/US2005/028936, attorney docket number
25791.338.02, filed on Aug. 12, 2005, (136) PCT patent application
serial number PCT/US2005/028669, attorney docket number
25791.194.02, filed on Aug. 11, 2005, (137) PCT patent application
serial number PCT/US2005/028453, attorney docket number 25791.371,
filed on Aug. 11, 2005, (138) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2005/028641, attorney docket number 25791.372, filed on Aug.
11, 2005, (139) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2005/028819, attorney docket number 25791.373, filed on Aug.
11, 2005, (140) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2005/028446, attorney docket number 25791.374, filed on Aug.
11, 2005, (141) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2005/028642, attorney docket number 25791.375, filed on Aug.
11, 2005, (142) PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2005/028451, attorney docket number 25791.376, filed on Aug.
11, 2005, and (143). PCT patent application serial number
PCT/US2005/028473, attorney docket number 25791.377, filed on Jul.
29, 2005, (144) U.S. National Stage application Ser. No. 10/546084,
attorney docket no. 25791.185.05, filed on Aug. 17, 2005; (145)
U.S. National Stage application Ser. No. 10/546082, attorney docket
no. 25791.378, filed on Aug. 17, 2005; (146) U.S. National Stage
application Ser. No. 10/546076, attorney docket no. 25791.379,
filed on Aug. 17, 2005; (147) U.S. National Stage application Ser.
No. 10/546936, attorney docket no. 25791.380, filed on Aug. 17,
2005; (148) U.S. National Stage application Ser. No. 10/546079,
attorney docket no. 25791.381, filed on Aug. 17, 2005; (149) U.S.
National Stage application Ser. No. 10/545941, attorney docket no.
25791.382, filed on Aug. 17, 2005; (150) U.S. National Stage
application Ser. No. 10/546078, attorney docket no. 25791.383,
filed on Aug. 17, 2005; (151) U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/702935, attorney docket no. 25791.133filed on Jul. 27, 2005;
(152) U.S. National Stage application Ser. No. 10/548934, attorney
docket no. 25791.253.05, filed on Sep. 12, 2005; (153) U.S.
National Stage application Ser. No. 10/549410, attorney docket no.
25791.262.05, filed on Sep. 13, 2005; (154) U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/717391, attorney docket no. 25791.214 filed on
Sep. 15, 2005; (155) U.S. National Stage application Ser. No.
10/550906, attorney docket no. 25791.260.06, filed on Sep. 27,
2005; (156) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/721579,
attorney docket no. 25791.327 filed on Sep. 28, 2005; (157) U.S.
National Stage application Ser. No. 10/551880, attorney docket no.
25791.270.06, filed on Sep. 30, 2005; (158) U.S. National Stage
application Ser. No. 10/552253, attorney docket no. 25791.273.06,
filed on Oct. 4, 2005; (159) U.S. National Stage
application Ser. No. 10/552790, attorney docket no. 25791.272.06,
filed on Oct. 11, 2005; (160) U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/725181, attorney docket no. 25791.184 filed on Oct. 11,
2005; (161) U.S. National Stage application Ser. No. 10/553094,
attorney docket no. 25791.193.03, filed on Oct. 13, 2005; (162)
U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/249967, attorney docket
no. 25791.384 filed on Oct. 13, 2005; (163) U.S. National Stage
application Ser. No. 10/553566, attorney docket no. 25791.277.06,
filed on Oct. 17, 2005; (164) U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/721579, attorney docket no. 25791.327 filed on Nov. 4, 2005;
(165) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/734302, attorney
docket no. 25791.24 filed on Nov. 7, 2005; (166) PCT Patent
Application No. PCT/US2005/______, attorney docket no.
25791.326.02; (167) PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/______,
attorney docket no. 25791.324.02 filed on Jan. 20, 2006, and (168)
PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/______, attorney docket no.
25791.348.02 filed on Feb. 9, 2006 the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to wellbore
casings, and in particular to wellbore casings that are formed
using expandable tubing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a conventional method for
drilling a borehole in a subterranean formation.
[0005] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a device for coupling an
expandable tubular member to an existing tubular member.
[0006] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a hardenable fluidic sealing
material being pumped down the device of FIG. 2.
[0007] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the expansion of an expandable
tubular member using the expansion device of FIG. 2.
[0008] FIG. 5 is an illustration of the completion of the radial
expansion and plastic deformation of an expandable tubular
member.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an
expansion device of FIG. 2.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of an
expansion device of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a method of applying tungsten
disulfide to an expansion device of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a method of applying tungsten
disulfide to the interior surface of the expandable tubular member
of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a conventional device 100 for
drilling a borehole 102 in a subterranean formation 104 is shown.
The borehole 102 may be lined with a casing 106 at the top portion
of its length. An annulus 108 formed between the casing 106 and the
formation 104 may be filled with a sealing material 110, such as,
for example, cement. In an exemplary embodiment, the device 100 may
be operated in a conventional manner to extend the length of the
borehole 102 beyond the casing 106.
[0014] Referring now to FIG. 2, a device 200 for coupling an
expandable tubular member 202 to an existing tubular member, such
as, for example, the existing casing 106, is shown. The device 200
includes a shoe 206 that defines a centrally positioned valveable
passage 206a adapted to receive, for example, a ball, plug or other
similar device for closing the passage. An end of the shoe 206b is
coupled to a lower tubular end 208a of a tubular launcher assembly
208 that includes the lower tubular end, an upper tubular end 208b,
and a tapered tubular transition member 208c. The lower tubular end
208a of the tubular launcher assembly 208 has a greater inside
diameter than the inside diameter of the upper tubular end 208b.
The tapered tubular transition member 208c connects the lower
tubular end 208a and the upper tubular end 208b. The upper tubular
end 208b of the tubular launcher assembly 208 is coupled to an end
of the expandable tubular member 202. One or more seals 210 are
coupled to the outside surface of the other end of the expandable
tubular member 202.
[0015] An expansion device 212 is centrally positioned within and
mates with the tubular launcher assembly 208. The expansion device
212 defines a centrally positioned fluid pathway 212a, and includes
a lower section 212b, a middle section 212c, and an upper section
212d. The lower section 212b of the expansion device 212 defines an
inclined expansion surface 212ba that supports the tubular launcher
assembly 208 by mating with the tapered tubular transition member
208c of the tubular launcher assembly. The upper section 212d of
the expansion device 212 is coupled to an end of a tubular member
218 that defines a fluid pathway 218a. The fluid pathway 218a of
the tubular member 218 is fluidicly coupled to the fluid pathway
212a defined by the expansion device 212. One or more spaced apart
cup seals 220 and 222 are coupled to the outside surface of the
tubular member 218 for sealing against the interior surface of the
expandable tubular member 202. In an exemplary embodiment, cup seal
222 is positioned near a top end of the expandable tubular member
202. A top fluid valve 224 is coupled to the tubular member 218
above the cup seal 222 and defines a fluid pathway 226 that is
fluidicly coupled to the fluid pathway 218a.
[0016] During operation of the device 200, as illustrated in FIG.
2, the device 200 is initially lowered into the borehole 102. In an
exemplary embodiment, during the lowering of the device 200 into
the borehole 102, a fluid 228 within the borehole 102 passes
upwardly through the device 200 through the valveable passage 206a
into the fluid pathway 212a and 218a and out of the device 200
through the fluid pathway 226 defined by the top fluid valve
224.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, a
hardenable fluidic sealing material 300, such as, for example,
cement, is then pumped down the fluid pathway 218a and 212a and out
through the valveable passage 206a into the borehole 102 with the
top fluid valve 224 in a closed position. The hardenable fluidic
sealing material 300 thereby fills an annular space 302 between the
borehole 102 and the outside diameter of the expandable tubular
member 202.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 4, a plug 402 is then injected with a
fluidic material 404. The plug thereby fits into and closes the
valveable passage 206a to further fluidic flow. Continued injection
of the fluidic material 404 then pressurizes a chamber 406 defined
by the shoe 206, the bottom of the expansion device 212, and the
walls of the launcher assembly 208 and the expandable tubular
member 202. Continued pressurization of the chamber 406 then
displaces the expansion device 212 in an upward direction 408
relative to the expandable tubular member 202 thereby causing
radial expansion and plastic deformation of the launcher assembly
208 and the expandable tubular member.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 5, the radial expansion and plastic
deformation of the expandable tubular member 202 is then completed
and the expandable tubular member is coupled to the existing casing
106. The hardenable fluidic sealing material 300, such as, for
example, cement fills the annulus 302 between the expandable
tubular member 202 and the borehole 102. The device 200 has been
withdrawn from the borehole and a conventional device 100 for
drilling the borehole 102 may then be utilized to drill out the
shoe 206 and continue drilling the borehole 102, if desired.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 6, an expansion cone 600 defines an
upper cone 602, a middle cone 604, and a lower tubular end 606. The
upper cone 602 has a leading surface 608 and an outer inclined
surface 610 that defines an angle .alpha..sub.1. The middle cone
604 has an outer inclined surface 612 that defines an angle
.alpha..sub.2. In an exemplary embodiment, the angle .alpha..sub.1
is greater than the angle .alpha..sub.2. The outer inclined
surfaces 610 and 612 together form the expansion surfaces 614 that
upon displacement of the expansion cone 600 relative to the
expandable tubular member 202 radially expand and plastically
deform the expandable tubular member.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary embodiment of an
expansion cone 700 with an outside expansion surface 702 defining a
parabolic equation, is shown. The expansion cone 700 has an upper
expansion section 704 and a lower tubular end 706. The upper
expansion section 704 has a leading surface 708 and the outside
expansion surface 702 defined by a parabolic equation.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the expansion device 212
consists of one or more of the expansion devices 600 and 700.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 8, in an exemplary embodiment, a
method of applying tungsten disulfide 800 to the expansion cone 600
is shown. Tungsten disulfide powder 800 is sprayed onto the
expansion surfaces 614 and the circumferential surface of the lower
tubular end 606 of the expansion cone 600 of FIG. 6 through the use
of a sprayer 802, such as, for example, a sandblast sprayer, and a
nozzle 804. In an exemplary embodiment, the tungsten disulfide 800
forms a bond with the surface of the expansion cone 600.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, tungsten disulfide is applied to
the outside expansion surface 702 of the expansion cone 700.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 9, in an exemplary embodiment, a
method of applying tungsten disulfide 800 to the interior of the
expandable tubular member 202 is shown. Tungsten disulfide powder
800 is sprayed onto the interior surface of expandable tubular
member 202 through the use of a sprayer 802, such as, for example,
a sandblast sprayer, and a nozzle 900. In an exemplary embodiment,
the tungsten disulfide 800 forms a bond with the interior surface
of the expandable tubular member 202.
[0026] Alternative methods of applying tungsten disulfide include,
but are not limited to, mixing the tungsten disulfide powder with a
carrier, such as, for example, isopropyl alcohol, and buffing the
mixture onto the outside surfaces of the expansion cone.
[0027] Reduced expansion and initiation forces are achieved by the
coating of tungsten disulfide on the expansion surface of an
expansion device. Alternatively, or in addition to the application
of tungsten disulfide to the expansion surface of an expansion
device, reduced expansion and initiation forces may also be
achieved by the coating of tungsten disulfide on the interior
surface of an expandable tubular member.
[0028] An expansion device for radially expanding a tubular member
has been described that includes a first outer surface comprising a
first angle of attack; wherein the first outer surface comprises a
tungsten disulfide coating and the first angle of attack ranges
from about 8 to 20 degrees. A second outer surface comprising a
second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein
the second outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating;
the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15 degrees; and
wherein the first angle of attack is greater than the second angle
of attack. A rear end is coupled to the second outer surface.
[0029] An expandable tubular member for traversing a borehole in a
subterranean formation has been described that includes a tungsten
disulfide coating applied to the interior surface of the expandable
tubular member.
[0030] An expansion device for radially expanding a tubular member
has been described that includes a first outer surface comprising a
first angle of attack; wherein the first outer surface comprises a
tungsten disulfide coating. A second outer surface comprising a
second angle of attack coupled to the first outer surface; wherein
the second outer surface comprises a tungsten disulfide coating.
The first angle of attack is greater than the second angle of
attack. One or more intermediate outer surfaces are coupled between
the first and second outer surfaces; wherein the one or more
intermediate outer surfaces comprise a tungsten disulfide coating.
The angle of attack of the intermediate outer surfaces continually
decreases from the first outer surface to the second outer surface
and is defined by a parabolic equation.
[0031] An expansion system for radially expanding a tubular member
has been described that includes an expansion device comprising a
first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack; wherein the
first angle of attack ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees. The
expansion device further comprises a second outer surface
comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the first outer
surface; wherein the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to
15 degrees and the first angle of attack is greater than the second
angle of attack. A rear end is coupled to the second outer surface
and there are means for displacing the expansion device relative to
the expandable tubular member. A tungsten disulfide coating is
applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the interior
surface of the expandable tubular member and the first and second
outer surfaces of the expansion device.
[0032] An expansion system for radially expanding a tubular member
has been described that includes an expansion device comprising a
first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack and a second
outer surface comprising a second angle of attack coupled to the
first outer surface. The first angle of attack is greater than the
second angle of attack and the expansion device further comprises
one or more intermediate outer surfaces coupled between the first
and second outer surfaces; wherein the angle of attack of the
intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases from the first
outer surface to the second outer surface. The angle of attack of
the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic equation; and there
are means for displacing the expansion device in an expandable
tubular member. A tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at least
one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the
expandable tubular member and the first, second, and intermediate
outer surfaces of the expansion device.
[0033] A method of expanding an expandable tubular member has been
described that includes radially expanding at least a portion of
the tubular member by extruding at least a portion of the tubular
member off of an expansion device; wherein the expansion device
comprises a first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack
that ranges from about 8 to 20 degrees. A second outer surface
comprising a second angle of attack is coupled to the first outer
surface, the second angle of attack ranges from about 4 to 15
degrees and the first angle of attack is greater than the second
angle of attack. A tungsten disulfide coating is applied to at
least one of the following surfaces: the interior surface of the
expandable tubular member and the first and second outer surfaces
of the expansion device. A rear end is coupled to the second outer
surface.
[0034] A method of expanding an expandable tubular member has been
described that includes radially expanding at least a portion of
the tubular member by extruding at least a portion of the tubular
member off of an expansion device. The expansion device comprises a
first outer surface comprising a first angle of attack, and a
second outer surface comprising a second angle of attack is coupled
to the first outer surface. The first angle of attack is greater
than the second angle of attack; and the expansion device further
comprises one or more intermediate outer surfaces coupled between
the first and second outer surfaces. A tungsten disulfide coating
is applied to at least one of the following surfaces: the interior
surface of the expandable tubular member and the first, second, and
intermediate outer surfaces of the expansion device. The angle of
attack of the intermediate outer surfaces continually decreases
from the first outer surface to the second outer surface, and the
angle of attack of the outer surfaces is defined by a parabolic
equation.
[0035] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been
shown and described, a wide range of modification, changes and
substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. In some
instances, some features of the present invention may be employed
without a corresponding use of the other features, and some steps
of the present invention may be executed without a corresponding
execution of other steps. Accordingly, all such modifications,
changes and substitutions are intended to be included within the
scope of this invention as defined in the following claims, and it
is appropriate that the claims be construed broadly and in a manner
consistent with the scope of the invention. In the claims,
means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures
described herein as performing the recited function and not only
structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.
* * * * *