TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to pipe repair, in general, and more specifically to a method for repairing a pipe and an associated pipe repair kit.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application .

[0003] Piping is ubiquitous in a wide range of residential, commercial, and industrial applications. For example, piping may be employed in utility distribution, manufacturing processes, chemical/petrochemical transport, energy transmission, plumbing, heating and cooling, sewage systems, as well as in the recovery of spent chemicals/compounds, such as discharges of exhausted chemicals, contaminated water, and so forth. In operation, piping within facilities and over longer distances may serve to collect, distribute, and transport water, steam, chemicals, petrochemicals, crude oil, natural gas, and a variety of other liquids, gases, and components .

[0004] Pipe failures and damage may be caused by mechanical harm, corrosion, erosion, damaged coatings, failing insulation, adverse operating conditions, weather, and so on. Internal erosion, for example, may occur due to the flow of the contents through the pipeline. Such erosion may be exacerbated by centrifugal forces associated with changes in the direction of the flow path. In regard to corrosion, the external surface of piping may be exposed to corrosive soil or above-ground corrosive environments, and the internal surface of piping may be exposed to corrosive contents. Significantly, erosion, corrosion, and other damage may reduce the wall thickness of the pipe and thus reduce the pressure rating or pressure-holding capacity of the pipe or pipeline. Defects such as corrosion, mill defects, third party damage (e.g. dents, scratches, gouges), stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen induced cracking have the potential to cause catastrophic failure in pipelines that are in operation.

[ 0005 ] Various internal and external inspection methods for pipelines are well known in the art. When a defect has been identified, one of several prior art methods of repair may be selected based on the location of the pipeline, the type of defect and size of defect. In evaluating repair decisions, pipeline operators and service providers typically consider the pipeline downtime, pipe specifications, the pipe area to be repaired, contents of the piping or pipeline, pipeline operating conditions, and the like. Of course, the pipeline operators and service providers should accommodate regulatory constraints, appropriate industry standards, manufacturer recommendations, and so on. Moreover, the maintenance approach ultimately selected may involve repair of a leak or other failure, or the pre-emptive repair of a pipe area prior to failure (e.g., leak, rupture, etc.) of the pipeline. Finally, in an effort to maintain pipeline integrity while being mindful of costs, the environment, regulatory constraints, and so on, the pipeline operators and service providers typically assess the maintenance, replacement, and repair of piping/pipelines based on available engineering alternatives and the economic impact of those alternatives. In the case of a repair, several technologies, application techniques, and materials are available .

[ 0006 ] Common repair technologies employ metal sleeves that are disposed about a section of a pipe to reinforce the pipe. Both welded sleeves and non-welded (mechanical) sleeves may be installed over varying lengths and diameters of piping to repair pipe leaks and other failures. However, non-welded and welded sleeve repair of pipelines may result in embrittlement and residual stresses at the point of repair on the pipeline. For welded sleeves, the sleeves may be welded around the pipe to be repaired, encasing the pipe segment to be reinforced. The mating edges of the sleeve halves may be welded to each other, and the ends of the erected sleeve welded to the pipe, to seal and secure the welded sleeve to the pipe. Costs associated with welding repairs, including welded-sleeve repairs (e.g., on high-pressure transmission pipelines), may be attributed to the use of highly-skilled welders, the shutdown of the pipeline, and the shutdown of associated manufacturing facilities, chemical/petrochemical processes, and so on. In addition, some pipes cannot be welded if manufactured from, for example, stainless steel or carbon steel, or the like.

[ 0007 ] Generally, it is desirable from an operating cost standpoint to repair piping while the pipeline remains in service, thus eliminating costly downtime. Repair techniques that avoid welding or cutting of the pipe, for example, may make it feasible to maintain the pipeline in service during the repair and thus avoid the costs associated with pipeline downtime. It should be emphasised that a shutdown of a pipeline for repair can potentially force the shutdown of upstream and downstream facilities, resulting in lost production, lost sales, shutdown and start-up costs, and so forth.

[0008] Non-welded sleeves address this concern, because they generally do not require welding or cutting. Non-welded reinforcement sleeves are mechanically coupled to the pipe section to be repaired. In other words, these non-welded sleeves (also called mechanical sleeves) may be positioned and secured to the pipe by clamps, bolts, and so on. Repair with non-welded sleeves may advantageously avoid welding at the on site repair, such as in pipeline areas and in chemical/petrochemical process areas, for example. Further, as indicated, non-welding approaches generally permit uninterrupted operation of the pipeline. On the other hand, in certain configurations for non-welded (mechanical) sleeves, the pipeline may be temporarily taken out of service if significant mechanical force is to be applied to the pipe or because of other factors, such as safety to personnel, during installation of the non-welded sleeve. In addition, mechanical sleeves and/or sealant pressure injection can crush pipes if fitted incorrectly, often leading to process shutdown whilst pipe replacements are effected.

[0009] Unfortunately, the special case of repair of piping elbows, piping tees, pipeline bends, and so on, is problematic for both welded and mechanical (non-welded) sleeves due to the difficultly of placing a rigid metal sleeve around the curved pipe bend to be repaired. Further, the rigid metal sleeves may be unable to make adequate contact at the pipeline bends, and thus be unable to reinforce the stressed points that typically exist at the pipeline bends. Furthermore, it may be difficult to appropriately match the radius of curvatures of the outer metal sleeve and the pipeline elbow or bend. Welds on pipe bends typically sit proud of the pipeline making such curvature matching more difficult. To avoid these problems with installing sleeves at pipeline bends, a weld filler metal (in lieu of a sleeve) may be deposited on the bend (e.g., in a cavity of an anomaly) but such welded filler repairs are generally appropriate only for limited ranges of pipeline operating pressures and wall thicknesses.

[ 0010 ] As can be seen from the discussion in the paragraphs above, a variety of challenges exist with welded and non-welded (mechanical) sleeves. On the whole, these established techniques of using reinforcement sleeves, whether welded or non-welded, tend to be costly, require highly skilled labour, result in increased pipe stresses, and increase the need to interrupt pipeline service. A need exists for improved techniques of pipe repair.

[0011] In response to the problems and challenges associated with the conventional approaches of welded and non- welded sleeves in the repair of both straight pipe and pipe bends, new technologies have emerged that involve special resins and epoxies and the use of fibre-reinforced bandages or wraps, and the like. Such repairs may reduce costs and provide for less embrittlement and residual stresses than traditional welded and mechanical sleeves.

[ 0012 ] However, fabrication of these resin wrap repairs tends to be labour intensive. For example, each layer of the fibre wrap is wetted with dripping resin prior to wrapping the fibre around the pipe. Several layers of fibre and resin are methodically applied by hand one layer at a time, with the fibres slowly and carefully pre-wetted in resin prior to the application of each fibre layer. For example, the fibre (e.g., fibre tape) may be pulled through a bath of epoxy or resin as the fibre is cumbersomely applied to the pipe. Such tedious handling and open installations pose environmental, worker safety and application challenges, including increased handling and worker exposure to potentially toxic resins, chemicals and solvents, increased labour time, and the like.

[ 0013 ] In addition, as appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the worker should be aware of the resin pot life (i.e. resin set-up time in minutes or hours) where the viscosity of the resin significantly increases as the pot life expires, making it difficult to properly apply the resin to the fibre, and to effectively mold and form the polymer resin composite. The pot life (and associated increase in viscosity) of such resin systems may typically only comprise a few minutes. Undoubtedly, an installation not completed prior to expiration of the resin pot life could result in a flawed composite structure surrounding the pipe and pipe anomaly. In addition, the resin pot life should not be confused with the resin cure time which is the time for the resin to form a cross-linked thermoset, typically occurring a day or even several days later, further affecting operation of the pipe.

[ 0014 ] Applicant has identified a need for improvements in the art of pipe repairs and the current invention was conceived with the above shortcomings in mind in an attempt to ameliorate, at least in part, such shortcomings associated with welded, non-welded and resin and wrap based pipe repair methodologies and techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[ 0015 ] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for repairing a pipe leak, said method comprising the steps of: providing an elastic resiliently deformable patch defining a first surface and an opposite second surface defining a protuberance;

placing the patch over a leak of the pipe with the first surface abutting the pipe; and

providing an elastic resiliently deformable tape and repeatedly tension wrapping said tape around the pipe over the protuberance and second surface to urge the patch onto the leak .

[0016] Typically, the first surface defines an abutment which is operatively placed onto the leak.

[0017] Typically, the abutment is configured to have a modulus of elasticity different to that of the first surface.

[0018] Typically, the protuberance is configured to have a modulus of elasticity different to that of the second surface.

[0019] Typically, the protuberance is located over the abutment .

[0020] Typically, the patch is saucer shaped with a bulge protuberance .

[0021] Typically, the abutment has a shape selected from a group comprising a spherical shape, a pyramidal shape, a planar shape, a frustum shape, a conical shape, or the like.

[0022] Typically, first surface defines at least one indentation therein for operatively receiving a sealing compound . [0023] In such an embodiment, the method typically includes the step of applying a sealing compound into said indentation before placing the patch over the leak of the pipe.

[0024] Typically, the protuberance is located over the indentation .

[0025] Typically, a surface area of the protuberance exceeds a surface area of the indentation.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first surface is ribbed around said abutment and/or indentation to facilitate the first surface sealing the leak.

[0027] Typically, the patch is manufactured from a silicon material having a heat rating in excess of 150°C, such as 200°C+, or the like.

[0028] Typically, the tape is manufactured from a silicon material having a heat rating in excess of 150°C.

[0029] Typically, the tape is manufactured from a material having a highly-visible colour, such as canary yellow, to facilitate easy visual identification of a patched leak from a distance.

[0030] Typically, the tape is manufactured from a material which, when said tape is tension wrapped around the pipe, the tape becomes cohesive to stay in place about the pipe.

[0031] It is to be appreciated that the elasticity and deformability of the tape which is tensioned wrapped around the pipe and patch urges the patch, abutment and/or sealing compound onto, over and/or into the leak, effectively sealing the leak.

[0032] Typically, the patch is circular and has a diameter in the range of 50mm to 150mm.

[0033] Typically, the tape has a width in the range of 50mm to 150mm.

[0034] Typically, the sealing compound comprises a metal putty, such as a high-heat metal putty.

[0035] In one embodiment, the method includes an initial step of preparing a surface of the pipe around the leak. Such surface preparation may include cleaning the surface of the pipe, abrading or roughening a surface thereof, or the like.

[0036] Typically, the step of tension wrapping the tape around the pipe over the patch includes covering the patch and wrapping the pipe a predetermined distance adjacent both sides of the patch.

[0037] Typically, the predetermined distance adjacent the patch is in the range of 20mm to 80mm.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a patch kit for repairing a pipe leak, said kit comprising :

an elastic resiliently deformable patch defining a first surface and an opposite second surface defining a protuberance, said patch operatively placeable over a leak of the pipe with the first surface abutting the pipe; and

an elastic resiliently deformable tape which is operatively repeatedly tension wrappable around the pipe over the protuberance and second surface to urge the patch onto the leak .

[0039] Typically, the first surface defines an abutment which is operatively placed onto the leak.

[0040] Typically, the abutment is configured to have a modulus of elasticity different to that of the first surface.

[0041] Typically, the protuberance is configured to have a modulus of elasticity different to that of the second surface.

[0042] Typically, the protuberance is located over the abutment .

[0043] Typically, the patch is saucer shaped with a bulge protuberance .

[0044] Typically, the abutment has a shape selected from a group comprising a spherical shape, a pyramidal shape, a planar shape, a frustum shape, a conical shape, or the like.

[0045] Typically, first surface defines at least one indentation therein for operatively receiving a sealing compound .

[0046] Typically, the protuberance is located over the indentation .

[0047] Typically, a surface area of the protuberance exceeds a surface area of the indentation. [0048] In one embodiment, the first surface is ribbed around said abutment and/or indentation to facilitate the first surface sealing the leak.

[0049] Typically, the patch is manufactured from a silicon material having a heat rating in excess of 150°C, such as 200°C+, or the like.

[0050] Typically, the tape is manufactured from a silicon material having a heat rating in excess of 150°C.

[0051] Typically, the tape is manufactured from a material having a highly-visible colour, such as canary yellow, to facilitate easy visual identification of a patched leak from a distance.

[0052] Typically, the tape is manufactured from a material which, when said tape is tension wrapped around the pipe, the tape becomes cohesive to stay in place about the pipe.

[0053] It is to be appreciated that the elasticity and deformability of the tape which is tensioned wrapped around the pipe and patch urges the patch, abutment and/or sealing compound onto, over and/or into the leak, effectively sealing the leak.

[0054] Typically, the patch is circular and has a diameter in the range of 50mm to 150mm.

[0055] Typically, the tape has a width in the range of 50mm to 150mm.

[0056] Typically, the sealing compound comprises a metal putty, such as a high-heat metal putty. [0057] In one embodiment, the kit includes gloves, such as nitrile, latex or rubber gloves.

[0058] In one embodiment, the kit includes surface preparation means for preparing a surface of the pipe around the leak.

[0059] Typically, the surface preparation means includes a cleaning material for cleaning the surface of the pipe, emery or sanding paper for abrading or roughening a surface of the pipe, or the like.

[0060] The invention also extends in a further aspect thereof to an elastic resiliently deformable patch substantially as described and illustrated herein.

[0061] In a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided an elastic resiliently deformable tape substantially as described and illustrated herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view diagrammatic representation of a pipe repair according to a method for repairing a pipe leak, in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic representation of an application of a sealing compound and a deformable patch for pipe repair; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic representation of the pipe repair of Figure 1, along section III-III, as indicated;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic representation of an application of a sealing compound and a further embodiment of a deformable patch for pipe repair;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic representation of the pipe repair of Figure 1, using the patch of Figure 4;

Figures 6A-C are cross-sectional diagrammatic representations of different examples of the deformable patch for pipe repair; and

Figures 7A-C are cross-sectional diagrammatic representations of further examples of the deformable patch for pipe repair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0062] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention to the skilled addressee. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of the example embodiment or embodiments, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout.

[0063] With reference now to the accompanying figures, there is shown a general method and associated components to effect pipe repair. Such a method is generally applicable to repair a leak 8, such as an unwanted break, hole or aperture 8 in a pipe wall 6, or the like.

[0064] The pipe repair constituent parts generally comprise a patch kit for repairing a pipe leak 8, with the kit including an elastic resiliently deformable patch 10 defining a first surface 12 having at least one indentation 14 therein for operatively receiving a sealing compound 16. The patch 10 further defines a second surface 18 defining a protuberance 20. The patch 12 is generally circular and has a non-limiting diameter in the range of 50mm to 150mm. The patch 10 is generally manufactured from a suitable material, such as a polymer, to provide desired elasticity and resiliency to facilitate sealing of the leak 8 when compressed against the pipe 6, as described below.

[0065] The kit also generally includes a sealing compound 16 for operative placement into the indentation 14, whereafter the indentation 14 is generally placeable over leak 8 of the pipe 6 with the first surface 12 abutting the pipe 6, as shown. The sealing compound 16 typically comprises a metal putty, or the like. Such putty is typically a high-heat putty or similar compound configured to withstand high temperatures whilst hardening over time to seal a leak. In other embodiments, other types of sealants or putties can also be used for underwater use and wet conditions, etc.

[0066] The kit further includes an elastic resiliently deformable tape 22 which is repeatedly tension wrappable around the pipe 6 and over the protuberance 20 and second surface 18 to urge the patch 18 onto and over the leak 8. The tape 22 is manufactured from a silicon rubber in a preferred embodiment. As will be appreciated, due to the elastic and resilient qualities of the tape 22, the more tension wrapped the tape 22 is around the pipe 6, the more inward pressure is generally exerted on the pipe leak 8. As a result, an entire length or roll of the tape 22 is typically applied around the pipe 6 to effect pipe repair.

[0067] Similarly, the tape 22 is generally manufactured from a material which, when said tape 22 is tension wrapped around the pipe 6, resilient deformation of the tape 22 causes cohesion so that the wrapped tape stays in place around the pipe 6, keeping the patch urged tightly against the leak 8.

[0068] Typically, the tape 22 is manufactured from a silicon material having a heat rating in excess of 150°C. For example, the tape 22 may be required to withstand continuous temperatures of 200°C, or even more. In one embodiment, the tape 22 is manufactured from a material having a highly-visible colour, such as canary yellow, to facilitate easy visual identification of a patched leak from a distance. The tape 22 typically has a non-limiting width in the range of 50mm to 150mm.

[0069] The patch 10 is typically manufactured from a silicon material having a heat rating in excess of 150°C, but other variations are possible. In the exemplified embodiment, the patch 10 is saucer shaped with a bulge protuberance 20, but variations hereon are possible and within the scope of the invention. The protuberance 20 is typically shaped and dimensioned to facilitate the tape 22 in applying pressure over said patch 20 onto the leak 8, when in use. Typically, the protuberance 20 is located over the indentation 14, as shown. A surface area of the protuberance 20 typically exceeds a surface area of the indentation 14, but this is not a requirement . [0070] In one embodiment, the first surface 12 is ribbed 24 around the indentation 14 to facilitate the first surface 12 sealing the leak 8, as shown. The indentation 14 is generally bowl-shaped, but other shapes are possible and within the scope of the invention, some examples of which are shown in Figures 7. The ribs 24 are generally deformably pressed against the pipe leak 8 as the elastic tape 22 is tension wrapped around the pipe 6 multiple times.

[0071] In one possible embodiment, generally shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first surface 12 defines a second indentation 26 about the first indentation 14, the second indentation 26 for operatively receiving sealing compound 16 therein, as shown. Such a second indentation 26 may function as a backup should the first indentation 14 with sealing compound 16 not adequately seal the leak 8. In addition, the ribs 24 further aid in sealing the leak, in use, as they add a further line of defence should the patch 10 or indentations 14 and 26 with sealing compound 16 fail.

[0072] In one embodiment, the kit may include gloves, such as nitrile, latex or rubber gloves, to facilitate handling of the sealing compound 16, or the like. Similarly, in a particular embodiment, the kit may include some manner of surface preparation means (not shown) for preparing a surface of the pipe 6 around the leak 8 to facilitate adherence of the patch 10, sealing compound 16 or tape 22 thereto, as is known in the art of pipe repair. Such surface preparation means may include a cleaning material for cleaning the surface of the pipe 6, emery or sanding paper for abrading or roughening a surface of the pipe, or the like.

[0073] The skilled addressee will appreciate that the invention includes an associated method for repairing a pipe leak 8. Such a method typically comprises the steps of providing an elastic resiliently deformable patch 10 defining a first surface 12 having at least one indentation 14 therein for operatively receiving a sealing compound 16, and a second surface 18 defining a protuberance 20.

[0074] The method then includes the step of applying a sealing compound 16 into the indentation 14 and placing the indentation 14 over a leak 8 of the pipe 6 with the first surface 12 abutting the pipe 6, as well as providing an elastic resiliently deformable tape 22 and repeatedly tension wrapping said tape 22 around the pipe 6 over the protuberance 20 and second surface 18 to urge the patch 10 onto the leak 8.

[0075] The step of tension wrapping the tape around the pipe 6 over the patch 10 generally includes covering the patch 10 and wrapping the pipe 6 a predetermined distance adjacent both sides of the patch 10. Typically, the predetermined distance adjacent the patch 10 is in the non-limiting range of 20mm to 80mm, but variations hereon are possible and within the scope of the invention.

[0076] As described above, in one embodiment, the first surface 12 defines a second indentation 26 about the first indentation 14, such second indentation 26 for operatively receiving sealing compound 16 therein. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the method includes the step of applying sealing compound 16 into the second indentation 26 before placing the patch 10 over leak 8.

[0077] In one embodiment, the method also includes an initial step of preparing a surface of the pipe 6 around the leak 8, such as cleaning the surface of the pipe, abrading or roughening a surface thereof, or the like. [0078] With specific reference to Figures 6C and 7A-B, the skilled addressee will also appreciate that the present invention extends to another embodiment of a patch kit (and associated method, as described above) for repairing a pipe leak. Such an alternative kit typically comprises an elastic resiliently deformable patch 10 defining a first surface 12 generally placeable over a leak of the pipe with the first surface 12 abutting the pipe. The patch 10 also includes a second surface defining a protuberance, as described above. Importantly, in such an embodiment, the first surface 12 defines an abutment or bulge 28 which is operatively placeable over and/or into the leak to facilitate in sealing said leak. Such an embodiment may use the sealing compound 16 or exclude it altogether, depending on requirements.

[0079] As shown, the first surface 12 generally defines an abutment 28 which is operatively placed onto the leak. The abutment 28 may be configured to have a modulus of elasticity different to that of the first surface 12. Similarly, the protuberance 20 may be configured to have a modulus of elasticity different to that of the second surface 18. Such respective modulus of elasticity is selectable according to requirements, e.g. a 'softer' rubber material for the abutment 28 that is able to enter and conform to the seal when the patch is urged against the pipe 6, or the like.

[0080] In general, the protuberance 20 is located over the abutment 18, as shown. The patch 10 is generally is saucer shaped with a bulge protuberance 20. The abutment 28 can have a variety of shapes, according to requirements, such as a spherical shape, a pyramidal shape, a planar shape, a frustum shape, a conical shape, or the like. Such an embodiment can be very advantageous in 'quick' repairs, where the abutment 28 takes the full pressure at the leak while surrounded by sealing compound or putty that is curing. In another embodiment, the sealing compound may not even be necessary, e.g. where the abutment 28 has a modulus of elasticity configured to enter and seal the leak, etc.

[0081] As above, the kit includes an elastic resiliently deformable tape which is repeatedly tension wrappable around the pipe over the protuberance and second surface to urge the patch and bulge 28 onto the leak.

[0082] Applicant believes is particularly advantageous that the present invention provides for pipe repair applicable to a variety of piping in a manner which is tolerant of heat, chemicals, steam, hydrocarbons, unleaded fuel, oils, alkalis, acids and abrasive slurry materials due to the specific compounds used in the patch 10 and tape 22 to suit each application. The described pipe repair can be easily and quickly applied without undue interruption to use of the pipe.

[0083] Further advantages of the invention include the yellow silicone rubber tape 22 manufactured from a specially formulated compound that provides the elasticity and the high and low temperature performance (-60 to +200C) desired. The tape 22 has been developed to encompass low pressure steam and condensate pipe repairs in particular. The tape 22 typically has good compressibility, is resistant to weathering, has a good fire rating and excellent electrical insulation.

[0084] The tape can be applied readily to stop environmental leaks fast where more permanent repairs cannot be made. The tape is also typically bright yellow in colour so it can be readily seen in a process or plant system. The silicone rubber tape pipe leak repair is based on the fact that if you stretch or tension wrap a rubber band around your finger multiple times it would become tighter and tighter as you kept wrapping. This provides inward pressure to keep the patch in place on the leak, whilst the tape effectively sticks to itself to remain in place on the pipe., i.e. tension-wrapped cohesion.

[0085] Emergency pipe repair performed using the invention can save thousands of dollars as the industrial process requiring the pipe can remain running. As described above, conventional prior art fibre-impregnated bandages set very hard and are difficult to remove when repairs to the area need to be made, making such conventional techniques not user- friendly. With the pipe repair of the present invention, the tape can just be unwrapped to effect more-permanent repairs to the pipe. In addition, if pipe pressure is a concern, this can be addressed by simply wrapping more of the tape over the patch or leak area.

[0086] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. In the example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail, as such will be readily understood by the skilled addressee .

[0087] The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including, " and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter .

[0088] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner", "outer", "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", "opposite" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element (s) or feature (s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0089] It is to be appreciated that reference to "one example" or "an example" of the invention, or similar exemplary language (e.g., "such as") herein, is not made in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and/or graphically, for carrying out the claimed subject matter. [ 0090 ] Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are exemplified in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in performing the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Variations (e.g. modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor (s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor (s) intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

[ 0091 ] Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.