Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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FILTER CARTRIDGE INTERFACE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to India Provisional Patent
Application No.
3508/CHE/2014, entitled "FILTER CARTRIDGE INTERFACE," filed on July 17, 2014,
which is
herein incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to lubrication filtration
systems having two filter
element cartridges.
BACKGROUND
[0003] An internal combustion engine typically includes a lubrication system
that circulates a
lubricant (e.g., oil) to the various components of the engine. The lubricant
is recirculated
throughout the engine during use. During recirculation, the lubricant may pick
up dirt and debris
from the components of the engine. Accordingly, many lubrication systems
include a filtration
system. The filtration system generally passes the lubricant through a filter
element having a filter
media. For maximum lubrication system performance, the filter element should
provide low flow
restriction, long life, and high efficiency. However, these ideal
characteristics contradict with
each other and are generally not achievable with a single filter element. For
example, a high
efficiency filter element (e.g., a filter element that captures a high
percentage of dirt and debris)
generally causes a higher than desired flow restriction. Accordingly, the use
of a single filter
element may not be able to provide the desired filter characteristics for a
lubrication system.
SUMMARY
[0004] One embodiment relates to a filter unit. The filter unit includes a
first filter cartridge
having a first filter media positioned between a first endcap and a second
endcap. The filter unit
further includes a second filter cartridge having a second filter media
positioned between a third
endcap and a fourth endcap. The filter unit includes an insert positioned
between the second
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endcap and the third endcap, thereby connecting the first filter cartridge and
the second filter
cartridge via a snap-fit connection.
[0005] Another embodiment relates to an insert for connecting two filter
cartridges. The insert
includes a cylindrical wall defining a central opening, a plurality of
circumferential ridges on the
cylindrical wall opposite of the central opening, an upper barb, and a lower
barb. The insert
further includes a first recess positioned between the upper barb and the
plurality of
circumferential ridges. The insert includes a second recess positioned between
the lower barb and
the plurality of circumferential ridges.
[0006] These and other features, together with the organization and manner of
operation thereof,
will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter cartridge is shown according
to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0008] FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the filter cartridge of FIG.
1 assembled in a
housing are shown.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insert of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the insert of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the insert of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the insert of FIG. 1 at
section B as marked in
FIG. 6.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the insert of FIG. 1 at
section C as marked in
FIG. 6.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the insert of FIG. 1 connected to
the endcaps.
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[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an endcap installed on the insert of
FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of two endcaps partially installed on the
insert of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIGS. 12, 13, and 15-20 are views of specific configurations of inserts
according to
exemplary embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a graph of installation force required to install the insert
of FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0019] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of an insert according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 22 is a graph of installation force required to install an insert.
[0021] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an insert is shown according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of an insert is shown according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Referring to the figures generally, a filtration system for a
lubrication system is
described. In some arrangements, the filtration system is used for the
lubrication system of an
internal combustion engine. The filtration system includes an open full flow
filter element and a
fine filter element connected by an insert. The full flow filter element
provides low restriction and
long life. The fine filter element provides high efficiency. Although both
filter elements arranged
in this manner will not filter the lubricant on a single pass, lubricant will
ultimately flow through
both filter elements due to the recirculation of the lubricant in the
lubrication system. The insert
connects (e.g., via a snap connection, a threaded spin-on connection, etc.)
the full flow filter
element and the fine filter element. Additionally, the insert seals the
interfaces between the two
filter elements. The insert is connected to two endplates ¨ one from each
filter element.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a filter cartridge 100 is
shown according to an
exemplary embodiment. The filter cartridge 100 includes two filter elements: a
first filter element
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102 and a second filter element 104. The first filter element 102 includes a
first filter media 106
positioned between a first endcap 108 and a second endcap 110. The second
filter element 104
includes a second filter media 112 positioned between a third endcap 114 and a
fourth endcap 116.
The endcaps 108, 110, 114, and 116 may be composite endcaps. In some
arrangements, the first
filter media 106 is an open full flow filter media, and the second filter
media 112 is a fine filter
media. As shown in FIG. 1, the first filter element 102 has a longer axial
length than the second
filter element 104. Accordingly, there the first filter media 106 has a larger
surface area than the
second filter media 112. In alternative arrangements, the first filter element
102 has the same or a
shorter axial length as the second filter element 104.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, cross-sectional views of an assembled
filter unit 200
including the filter cartridge 100 received in an installed position within a
housing 202 are shown.
The first filter element 102 is coupled to the second filter element 104
through an insert 204
positioned between the second endcap 110 and the third endcap 114. The filter
cartridge 100 is
positioned between a support spring 204 at a closed base of the housing 202
and a nutplate 206 at
an open top of the housing 202. The top of the housing 202 includes a
receiving channel 208 that
retains the nutplate 206 in position. A lower seal 210 is positioned between
the nutplate 206 and
the first endcap 108. An upper seal 212 is positioned at the top of the
housing 202. The upper
seal 212 is retained by a lip in the housing 202 that forms the receiving
channel 208. The nutplate
206 includes internal threading 214 such that the filter unit 200 can be
attached to mating external
threading of a filter head (not shown).
[0026] Each of the endcaps 108, 110, 114, and 116 are sealed across the
corresponding ends of
filter elements 106 and 112 in order to prevent lubricant flow out through the
ends of the filter
elements 106 and 112. The first endcap 108 is an open endcap such that a
portion of the lower
seal 210 can wrap around a portion of the first endcap 108. The second endcap
110 and the third
endcap 114 are open endcaps and are removably coupled to the insert 204
thereby connecting the
first filter element 106 to the second filter element 112. The second endcap
110 and the third
endcap 114 each form a snap-fit connection with the insert 204. The snap-fit
connection also seals
an inner surface of each endcap to an outer surface of the insert 204 as
described in further detail
below. The second endcap 110 and the third endcap 114 may each have a lip that
extends over the
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insert 204. In an alternative arrangement, the second endcap 110 and the third
endcap 114 are
internally threaded such that the internal threads mate with external threads
on the insert 204. The
fourth endcap 204 is a closed endcap.
[0027] When the filter unit 200 is affixed to the filter head, lubricant to be
filtered flows along
the path designated by the arrows in FIG. 2. Accordingly, lubricant flows
through openings in the
nutplate 206 into a cavity 216 formed between the housing 202 and the dirty
side of the filter
elements 106 and 112. The lubricant then passes through the filter elements
106 and 112 and out
of the housing through a central opening 218 in the lower seal 210 such that
filtered lubricant
flows back into the filter head for recirculation.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 4 through 9, additional views of the insert 204 are
shown. FIG. 4
shows a perspective view of the insert 204. FIG. 5 shows a top perspective
view of the insert 204.
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the insert 204. FIG. 7 shows a close-up
cross-sectional
view of the insert 204 at section B. FIG. 8 shows a close-up cross-sectional
view of the insert 204
at section C. FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the insert 204 when
connected to the second
endcap 110 and the third endcap 114.
[0029] The insert 204 includes a cylindrical opening 402. The cylindrical
opening 402 provides
a flow path for clean lubricant between the first filter element 102 and the
second filter element
104. The cylindrical opening 402 is formed by a cylindrical wall 404. The
cylindrical wall 404
provides column strength for the filter cartridge 100 formed by the coupling
of the first filter
element 102 and the second filter element 104 by the insert 204. When
connected to the first and
second filter elements 102 and 104 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2), the insert
aligns the first and second
filter elements 102 and 104 for proper positioning within the housing 202.
Additionally, the
spring force provided by spring 204 assists in keeping the first and second
filter elements 102 and
104 compressed (e.g., to keep the filter elements 102 and 104 connected) post
assembly onto the
insert 204.
[0030] The insert 204 includes a plurality of circumferential ridges 406
formed on the outside of
the cylindrical wall 404 (the opposite side of the cylindrical wall 404 than
the opening 402). The
plurality of circumferential ridges 406 function as sealing rings between the
insert 204 and the
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inner surfaces of the endcaps 110 and 114 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9). In some
arrangements, the
plurality of circumferential ridges 406 engage with detents on the inner
surfaces of the endcaps
110 and 114 to form the seals and to assist with the snap-fit connections
between the insert 204
and the endcaps 110 and 114 to connect and lock together the first and second
filter elements 102
and 104. In other arrangements, the ridges 406 are angled to form external
threading on the
cylindrical wall 404. In such arrangements, the endcaps 110 and 114 may have
mating threading
such that the endcaps 110 and 114 can be spun-on to the insert 204 to connect
and seal the first
and second filter elements 102 and 104.
[0031] Still referring to FIGS. 4 through 9, the insert 204 includes opposing
circumferential
recesses 602 and 604. Each of the recesses 602 and 604 are formed in the
cylindrical wall 404
between the plurality of circumferential ridges 406 and upper and lower barbs
606 and 608. The
plurality of circumferential ridges 406 extend a greater distance from a
surface of the cylindrical
wall 404 than the upper and lower barbs 606 and 608. The opposing
circumferential recesses 602
and 604 are positioned along opposite ends of the cylindrical wall 404. The
plurality of
circumferential ridges 406 are positioned between the opposing circumferential
recesses 602 and
604. As shown in FIG. 9, the first circumferential recess 602 receives a
portion 902 of the second
endcap 110 when the second endcap 110 is connected to the insert 204. The
second
circumferential recess 604 receives a portion 904 of the third endcap 114 when
the third endcap
114 is connected to the insert 204. The portions 902 and 904 of the endcaps
110 and 114 are
retained in the circumferential recesses 604 by the barbs 606 and 608. The
circumferential
recesses 602 and 604 and the barbs 606 and 608 receive the portions 902 and
904 of the endcaps
110 and 114 to form snap-fit connections between the insert 204 and the
endcaps 110 and 114.
[0032] The connection formed between the first filter element 102, the second
filter element
104, and the insert 204 provides a seal between the first filter element 102
and the second filter
element 104 through the circumferential ridges 406. In effect, two seals are
formed between the
insert 204 and each of the endcaps 110 and 114 through the pairs of
circumferential ridges 406.
The seal formed eliminates the need for an additional seal member or adhesive
(e.g., glue or
epoxy) at the interface, thereby avoiding the risk of the adhesive or seal
releasing downstream and
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causing issues within the lubrication system. The seal is achieved through
interaction between the
circumferential ridges 406 and the endcaps 110 and 114.
[0033] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the third endcap 114 at least
partially installed on
the insert 204. FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the third endcap 114 and
the second endcap
110 partially installed on the insert 204. When the second and third endcaps
110 and 114 are fully
installed on the insert 204, the gap between the second and third endcaps 110
and 114 is
minimized.
[0034] The above-described insert 204 may be constructed entirely or
substantially out of metal,
plastic, epoxy, plastisol, or another suitable material. The insert 204 may be
manufactured using
an existing manufacturing process to avoid new machine and tooling costs. The
material of the
insert 204 does not deteriorate under fluid conditions during use of the
filter unit 200.
Additionally, because the insert 204 connects the first and second filter
elements 102 and 104 and
forms a seal without additional components, the first and second filter
elements 102 and 104 may
be produced on the regular spin-on production line, reducing manufacturing
costs and tooling
time. Alternatively, the first and second filter elements 102 and 104 are
modular filter elements.
[0035] The above-described insert 204 can utilize different shaped
circumferential ridges 406 to
achieve different sealing characteristics against the portions 902 and 904 of
the endcaps 110 and
114. As described below with respect to FIGS. 12-20, various specific
configurations for the
insert 204 are described.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a cross-sectional view and a side view of
an insert 1200
are shown according to an example embodiment. The insert 1200 is generally of
the same shape
and configuration of the insert 204. As described above with respect to the
insert 204, the insert
1200 can be used to connect the first filter element 102 to the second filter
element 104 while
providing a flow path for clean lubricant between the first filter element 102
and the second filter
element 104. The significant difference between the insert 204 and the insert
1200 is that the
insert 1200 has a different circumferential ridge arrangement. The insert 1200
includes four
circumferential ridges 1202. Each of the circumferential ridges 1202 has a
generally triangular
shape (i.e., saw-tooth shape). Each of the circumferential ridges 1202 extends
a height 1204 from
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an outer wall 1206 of the insert 1200. The insert 1200 has a thickness 1208
between a cylindrical
opening 1210 (e.g., similar to the cylindrical opening 402 of the insert 204)
and the outer wall
1206. Each of the circumferential ridges 1202 has a total ridge height 1212
from a central axis
1214 of the insert 1200. In some arrangements, the uppermost pair of ridges
has a total ridge
height of 51.69mm, and the lowermost pair of ridges has a total ridge height
of 51.8mm. In such
arrangements, the distance 1302 between adjacent ridges 1202 is 3mm, and the
distance 1304
between the uppermost ridge or the lowermost ridge and the hard stop 1306 is
3mm.
[0037] As noted above, the insert 1200 is manufactured to have an uneven
thickness across the
circumferential ridges 1202. The circumferential ridges 1202 are designed to
sustain a seal under
a pressure differential of 200 psi (e.g., 300 psi of clean-side fluid pressure
and 100psi of dirty-side
fluid pressure). However, the relatively short height 1204 of each ridge
provides for a high ridge
stiffness. The high ridge stiffness requires a high installation force. The
high installation force
may cause yielding at the portions 902 and 904 of the endcaps 110 and 114
beyond the yield
strength of the endcaps 110 and 114 during installation. FIG. 14 shows a graph
1400 of
installation force required during installation of the first filter element
102 and second filter
element 104 onto the insert 1200. As shown in the graph 1400, an installation
force of
approximately 450N is needed to install the first and second filter elements
102 and 104 onto the
insert 1200, which causes yielding of the endplates 110 and 114 due to the
high radial force caused
by the circumferential ridges 1202.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, cross-sectional views of an insert 1500
are shown
according to an example embodiment. The insert 1500 is generally of the same
shape and
configuration of the insert 204 and the insert 1200. As described above with
respect to the inserts
204 and 1200, the insert 1500 can be used to connect the first filter element
102 to the second filter
element 104 while providing a flow path for clean lubricant between the first
filter element 102
and the second filter element 104. The significant difference between the
inserts 204 and 1200
and the insert 1500 is that the insert 1500 has a different circumferential
ridge arrangement. The
insert 1500 includes four circumferential ridges 1502 of a similar shape to
the circumferential
ridges 1202 of the insert 1200. However, a thickness 1504 of the insert 1500
is smaller than the
thickness 1208 of the insert 1200. The smaller thickness 1504 helps to avoid
plastic
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manufacturing defects. In some arrangements, a total ridge height 1602 for the
uppermost pair of
ridges 1502 is 51mm, and a total ridge height 1604 for the lowermost pair of
ridges 1504 is
51.1mm. In such arrangements, the distance 1606 between adjacent ridges 1502
is 3mm, and the
distance 1608 between the uppermost ridge or the lowermost ridge and the hard
stop 1610 is 3mm.
The smaller thickness 1504 results in the insert 1500 having ridges 1502 with
a height 1506
greater than the height 1208 of the ridges 1202 of the insert 1200. The larger
height 1506 results
in the insert 1500 having more flexible circumferential ridges 1502 than the
insert 1200, which
results in a lower required installation force compared to the insert 1200.
However, the more
flexible circumferential ridges 1502 create a weaker seal against the
endplates 110 and 114 than
the circumferential ridges 1202 of the insert 1200.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, cross-sectional views of an insert 1700
are shown
according to another example embodiment. The insert 1700 is generally of the
same shape and
configuration of the above-described inserts 204, 1200, and 1500. As described
above with
respect to the inserts 204 1200, and 1500, the insert 1700 can be used to
connect the first filter
element 102 to the second filter element 104 while providing a flow path for
clean lubricant
between the first filter element 102 and the second filter element 104. The
significant difference
between the inserts 204, 1200, and 1500 and the insert 1700 is that the insert
1700 has a different
circumferential ridge arrangement. The insert 1700 includes four
circumferential ridges 1702
having a trapezoidal shape. The trapezoidal shape provides a better seal
between the
circumferential ridges 1702 and the endplates 110 and 114 than the triangular
or saw-tooth shape
ridges of inserts 1200 and 1500. In some arrangements, a total ridge height
1802 for the
uppermost pair of ridges 1702 is 51.15mm, and a total ridge height 1804 for
the lowermost pair of
ridges 1702 is 51.2mm. In such arrangements, the distance 1806 between
adjacent ridges 1702 is
3mm, and the distance 1808 between the uppermost ridge or the lowermost ridge
and the hard stop
1810 is 3mm. The described arrangement can provide a seal between the insert
1700 and the
endplates 110 and 114 up to 150 psi.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, cross-sectional views of an insert 1900
are shown
according to still another example embodiment. The insert 1900 is generally of
the same shape
and configuration of the above-described inserts 204, 1200, 1500, and 1700. As
described above
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with respect to the inserts 204 1200, 1500, and 1700, the insert 1900 can be
used to connect the
first filter element 102 to the second filter element 104 while providing a
flow path for clean
lubricant between the first filter element 102 and the second filter element
104. The significant
difference between the inserts 204, 1200, 1500, and 1700 and the insert 1900
is that the insert
1900 has a different circumferential ridge arrangement. The insert 1900
includes four
circumferential ridges 1902 having a trapezoidal shape. As noted above, the
trapezoidal shape
provides a better seal between the circumferential ridges 1902 and the
endplates 110 and 114 than
the triangular or saw-tooth shape ridges of inserts 1200 and 1500. In some
arrangements, a total
ridge height 2002 for the uppermost pair of ridges 1902 is 51.15mm, and a
total ridge height 2004
for the lowermost pair of ridges 1902 is 51.3mm. In such arrangements, the
distance 2006
between adjacent ridges 1902 is 3.5mm, and the distance 2008 between the
uppermost ridge or the
lowermost ridge and the hard stop 2010 is 1.5mm. The described arrangement can
provide a seal
between the insert 1700 and the endplates 110 and 114 up to 200 psi (e.g.,
e.g., 500 psi of clean-
side fluid pressure and 200 psi of dirty-side fluid pressure).
[0041] Referring to FIG. 21, a cross-sectional view of a representative insert
2100 is shown
according to an example embodiment. Insert 2100 is used to describe various
insert optimization
parameters. Insert 2100 is of a similar arrangement to the above-described
inserts 204, 1200,
1500, 1700, and 1900. Accordingly, insert 211 includes four circumferential
ridges 2102 and a
central cylindrical opening 1204. The circumferential ridges 2102 are arranged
in an upper ridge
pair 2106 having an outer ridge 2106o and an inner ridge 2106i, and a lower
ridge pair 2108
having an inner ridge 2108i and an outer ridge 21080. In this arrangement, the
outer ridges are
positioned axially closer to the opening of the cylindrical opening 1204, and
the inner ridges are
positioned axially further from the opening of the cylindrical opening 1204.
Ll is the distance
between an outer ridge and a corresponding hard stop 2110. L2 is a distance
between the outer
ridge and the inner ridge of a given pair of ridges. Based on the distance
parameters Ll and L2,
the function of the insert 2100 can be optimized as set forth below in Table
1.
L1 (mm) L2 (mm) Diameter difference mime (mm)
2.5 1.5 0.1-0.25
2.5 2 0.1-0.25
2.5 2.5 0.1-0.3
2 2.5 0.1-0.35
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1.5 2.5 0.1-0.4
Table 1
[0042] As set forth above, the final row of Table 1 corresponds to insert
1900. If the diameter
difference of a given insert is not within the specified range of Table 1, the
circumferential ridges
of the insert will lose contact with the endplates 110 and 114 due to the
draft on the endplates 110
and 114. When the circumferential ridges lose contact with the endplates 110
and 114, a leak path
is provided for dirty fluid to bypass the filter elements 102 and 104.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 22, a graph 2200 of installation force required is
shown for various
insert arrangements. As shown in the graph 2200, the larger the
circumferential ridge ("tooth")
displacement required for installation, the higher the installation force
required. Additionally, the
larger width circumferential ridges require higher installation forces than
narrow width
circumferential ridges.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 23, a cross-sectional view of an insert 2300 is shown
according to
another exemplary embodiment. The insert 2300 is similar to the insert 204.
The insert 2300 an
inner wall 2302 forming a central opening 2304. The insert 2300 includes an
axial extension 2306
connecting the inner wall 2302 and an outer wall 2308. The spaces between the
inner wall 2302
and the outer wall 2308 form two separate channels 2310 and 2312 separated by
the axial
extension 2306. The upper channel 2310 receives first filter media 2314 and
the lower channel
2312 receives second filter media 2316. The first filter media 2314 is an open
full flow filter
media. The second filter media 2316 is a fine filter media. The first and
second filter medias
2314 and 2316 are secured in the respective channels 2310 and 2312 through the
use of epoxy.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 24, a cross-sectional view of an insert 2400 is shown
according to still
another exemplary embodiment. The insert 2400 is similar to the insert 1200.
The insert 2400
includes an inner wall 2402 forming a central opening 2404. The insert 2400
includes a plastic
bottom endplate 2406 having a skirt forming a channel 2408. A flat seal 2410
is positioned along
the plastic bottom endplate 2406 opposite the channel 2408. The flat seal 2410
abuts a bottom
endcap 2412 of a first filter element having a first filter media 2414. A
second filter media 2416 is
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received in the channel 2408. The first filter media 2414 is an open full flow
filter media. The
second filter media 2416 is a fine filter media.
[0046] As utilized herein, the terms "approximately," "about,"
"substantially," and similar terms
are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted
usage by those
of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure
pertains. It should be
understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these
terms are intended to
allow a description of certain features described and claimed without
restricting the scope of these
features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms
should be interpreted
as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or
alterations of the subject matter
described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention
as recited in the
appended claims.
[0047] It should be noted that the term "exemplary" or "example" as used
herein to describe
various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible
examples,
representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term
is not intended to
connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative
examples).
[0048] The terms "coupled," "connected," and the like as used herein mean the
joining of two
members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary
(e.g., permanent) or
moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with
the two members or
the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally
formed as a single
unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and
any additional
intermediate members being attached to one another.
[0049] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., "top," "bottom,"
"above," "below,"
etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the
FIGURES. It should be
noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other
exemplary
embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the
present disclosure.
[0050] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the
various exemplary
embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been
described in
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detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure
will readily appreciate
that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,
structures, shapes and
proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting
arrangements, use of
materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the
novel teachings and
advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown
as integrally
formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of
elements may be reversed
or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or
positions may be altered or
varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or
re-sequenced
according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications,
changes and omissions
may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the
various exemplary
embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.
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