Temperature-dependent switch

Abstract

A temperature-dependent switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection and, in its second switching position, keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact and thereby disconnects the electrically conductive connection. The switch further comprises a closing lock that, once activated, prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping the switching mechanism in its second switching position. The closing lock comprises a locking element having a shape-memory alloy and is configured to change its shape upon exceeding a locking element switching temperature from a first shape, in which the locking element does not activate the closing lock, into a second shape, in which the locking element activates the closing lock.

Claims

1. A temperature-dependent switch, comprising: a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member, wherein in a first switching position, the switching mechanism presses the movable contact member against the first stationary contact, thereby producing an electrically conductive connection between the first stationary contact and the second stationary contact via the movable contact member, and, in a second switching position, the switching mechanism keeps the movable contact member spaced at a distance from the first stationary contact, thereby disconnecting the electrically conductive connection, wherein the temperature-dependent switching mechanism comprises a temperature-dependent snap-action part, which is configured to switch from a geometric low-temperature configuration to a geometric high-temperature configuration upon reaching a switching temperature, and which is configured to switch back from the geometric high-temperature configuration to the geometric low-temperature configuration upon subsequently reaching a reset temperature that is lower than the switching temperature, wherein a switching of the temperature-dependent snap-action part from the geometric low-temperature configuration to the geometric high-temperature configuration moves the switching mechanism from the first switching position to the second switching position, thereby opening the switch, wherein a closing lock is provided that, as long as it is activated, prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping the switching mechanism in its second switching position, wherein the closing lock comprises a locking element which comprises a shape-memory alloy and an opening through which the movable contact member protrudes, wherein the shape-memory alloy is configured to change a shape of the locking element upon reaching a locking element switching temperature from a first shape, in which the locking element does not activate the closing lock, to a second shape, in which the locking element activates the closing lock by exerting a force on a part of the switching mechanism, which force holds the switching mechanism in its second switching position, wherein the shape-memory alloy is a shape-memory alloy with two-way memory effect, and wherein the locking element is configured to change its shape from the second shape to the first shape when falling below a locking element reset temperature that is lower than the locking element switching temperature, wherein the locking element switching temperature is equal to or higher than the switching temperature of the temperature-dependent snap-action part, and wherein the locking element reset temperature is lower than the reset temperature of the temperature-dependent snap-action part.

2. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the locking element is plate-shaped or disc-shaped.

3. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the opening comprises a through hole.

4. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the opening is arranged centrally in the locking element.

5. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises at least one slit that adjoins the opening.

6. The switch according to claim 5, wherein the at least one slit is rectilinear and extends radially outward from the opening.

7. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises at least three slits, each of which adjoins the opening, is rectilinear and extends radially outward from the opening.

8. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a lower part and an upper part that is attached to the lower part, wherein the locking element rests on a circumferential shoulder that is arranged in the lower part, and wherein the locking element is clamped between the lower part and the upper part.

9. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the locking element is arranged on a first side of the temperature-dependent snap-action part facing the first contact and is configured to exert in its second shape the force directly or indirectly on the temperature-dependent snap-action part.

10. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the locking element is arranged on a second side of the temperature-dependent snap-action part facing away from the first contact and is configured to exert in its second shape the force directly or indirectly on the contact member.

11. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism comprises a temperature-independent spring part which is connected to the movable contact member, wherein the temperature-dependent snap-action part acts on the spring part upon reaching the switching temperature and thereby lifts off the movable contact member from the first contact.

12. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the temperature-dependent snap-action part is a bimetal or trimetal snap-action disc.

13. The switch according to claim 11, wherein the movable contact member comprises a movable contact part that is configured to interact with the first contact, and wherein the spring part is configured to interact with the second contact.

14. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the movable contact member comprises a current transfer member that is configured to interact with first stationary contact and the second stationary contact.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of the switch in its low-temperature position;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the first embodiment of the switch shown in FIG. 1 in its high-temperature position;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the first embodiment of the switch shown in FIG. 1 in its high-temperature position with activated closing lock;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the switch in its low-temperature position;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of the second embodiment of the switch shown in FIG. 4 in its high-temperature position;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the second embodiment of the switch shown in FIG. 4 in its high-temperature position with activated closing lock;

(7) FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of a third embodiment of the switch in its low-temperature position; and

(8) FIG. 8 shows a schematic top view of a locking element according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a switch 10, which is rotationally symmetrical in top view and preferably has a circular shape.

(10) The switch 10 comprises a housing 12 in which a temperature-dependent switching mechanism 14 is arranged. The housing 12 comprises a pot-shaped lower part 16 and an upper part 18, which is held to the lower part 16 by a bent or flanged upper edge 20.

(11) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, both the lower part 16 and the upper part 18 are made of an electrically conductive material, preferably metal. The upper part 18 rests on a shoulder 22 of the lower part with an interposed insulating foil 24. The shoulder 22 is designed as a circumferential shoulder and comprises a substantially annular bearing surface on which the upper part 18 rests with the interposed insulating foil 24.

(12) The insulating foil 24 provides electrical insulation of the upper part 18 against the lower part 16. The insulating foil 24 also provides a mechanical seal that prevents liquids or impurities from entering the interior of the housing from outside.

(13) Since the lower part 16 and the upper part 18 are in this embodiment each made of electrically conductive material, thermal contact to an electrical device to be protected can be produced via their outer surfaces. The outer surfaces are also used for the external electrical connection of the switch 10.

(14) Another insulating foil 26 can be applied to the outside of the upper part 18, as shown in FIG. 1.

(15) The switching mechanism 14 comprises a temperature-independent spring part 28 and a temperature-dependent snap-action part 30. The spring part 28 is preferably designed as a bistable spring disc. Accordingly, it has two temperature-independent stable geometric configurations. The first configuration is shown in FIG. 1. The temperature-dependent snap-action part 30 is preferably designed as a bimetal snap-action disc. It has two temperature-dependent configurations, a geometrical high-temperature configuration and a geometrical low-temperature configuration. In the first switching position of the switching mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 1, the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc 30 is in its geometrical low-temperature configuration.

(16) The temperature-independent spring disc 28 rests with its edge 32 on a further circumferential shoulder 34 formed in the lower part 16. In its low-temperature configuration, the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc 30 can be freely suspended in the housing 12 in such a way that its edge 36 does not contact the housing 12. Among other things, this has the advantage that the closing pressure in the closed state of the switch 10 is generated by the spring disc 28 alone. Also, when the switch 10 is closed, the current then flows only through the spring disc 28, but not through the bimetal snap-action disc 30.

(17) The edge 36 of the bimetal snap-action disc 30 in its low-temperature configuration can alternatively rest on the inner bottom surface 38 of the lower part 16. For this purpose, the inner bottom surface 38 may be laterally raised, as indicated by the dotted line 39 in FIG. 1. In such a case, the closing pressure of the switch 10 in its closed state would be generated not only by the spring disc 28 but also by the bimetal snap-action disc 30.

(18) The temperature-independent spring disc 28 is with its center 40 fixed to a movable contact member 42 of the switching mechanism 14. The temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc 30 is with its center 44 also fixed to this movable contact member 42.

(19) The movable contact member 42 comprises a contact part 46 and a ring 45 which is pressed onto the contact part 46. The ring 45 comprises a circumferential shoulder 47 on which the bimetal snap-action disc 30 rests with its center 44. The spring disc 28 is clamped between the ring 45 and the upper, widened section of the contact part 46. In this way, the temperature-dependent switching mechanism 14 is a captive unit consisting of contact member 42, spring disc 28 and bimetal snap-action disc 30. When mounting the switch 10, the switching mechanism 14 can thus be inserted as a unit directly into the lower part 16.

(20) The contact part 46 of the movable contact member 42 interacts with a fixed counter contact 48, which is arranged inside the upper part 18. This counter contact 48 is herein also referred to as the first stationary contact. The outside of the lower part 16 serves as the second stationary contact 50.

(21) In the position shown in FIG. 1, the switch 10 is in its low-temperature position, in which the spring disc 28 is in its initial configuration and the bimetal snap-action disc 30 is in its low-temperature configuration. The spring disc 28 presses the movable contact member 42 against the first stationary contact 48.

(22) In the closed low-temperature position of the switch 10 as shown in FIG. 1, an electrically conductive connection is thus established between the first stationary contact 48 and the second stationary contact 50 via the movable contact member 42 and the spring disc 28.

(23) If the temperature of the device to be protected, and thus the temperature of the switch 10 and the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc 30 arranged therein now increases, the snap-action disc will switch from the low-temperature configuration shown in FIG. 1 to its concave high-temperature configuration shown in FIG. 2. When this snap-action occurs, the edge 36 of the bimetal snap-action disc 30 is supported by a part of the switch 10, in this case by the edge 32 of the spring disc 28. Thereby, the snap-action disc 30 pulls with its center 44 the movable contact member 42 downwards and lifts off the movable contact member 46 from the first stationary contact 48. At the same time, it bends the temperature-independent spring disc 28 downwards at its center 40 so that the spring disc 28 switches from its first stable geometric configuration shown in FIG. 1 to its second stable geometric configuration shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 thus shows the high-temperature position of the switch 10 in which it is open. The electric circuit is thus disconnected.

(24) If the device to be protected and thus the switch 10 together with the temperature-dependent bimetal snap-action disc 30 then cool down again, the bimetal snap-action disc 30, upon reaching its reset temperature, would actually snap back to its low-temperature configuration as shown in FIG. 1. Then the bimetal snap-action disc 30 would actually move the spring disc 28 back to its first configuration as shown in FIG. 1 and thus close the switch again. However, with the switch 10 as shown in FIG. 1, this reset process can be prevented by a closing lock 52.

(25) The closing lock 52 comprises a locking element 54, which is substantially plate-shaped or disc-shaped. In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, this locking element 54 is clamped between the lower part 16 and the upper part 18. More precisely, the locking element 54 is clamped between the circumferential shoulder 22 and the insulating foil 24. In addition to this clamping arrangement, the locking element 54 can also be firmly bonded to the lower part 16 (e.g. glued, welded or soldered).

(26) An embodiment of the locking element 54 is shown in FIG. 8 in a schematic top view. At least a major part of the locking element 54 is made of a shape-memory alloy. This shape-memory alloy is configured to change the shape of the locking element 54 from a first shape to a second shape upon exceeding a predefined temperature, which is herein referred to as the locking element switching temperature. FIG. 8 shows the first shape of the locking element 54. This also corresponds to the shape of the locking element 54 indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the schematic section, in which the closing lock 52 is not yet activated.

(27) In its first shape, the locking element 54 has substantially the shape of a circular disc. It comprises an opening 56, which in the embodiment shown here is designed as a centrally arranged hole. The movable contact member 42 of the switching mechanism 14 protrudes through the opening 56 (see FIGS. 1-3). The opening 56 is therefore preferably dimensioned in such a way that the contact member 42 neither collides with the switching mechanism 14 in the first switching position of the switching mechanism 14 nor during its switching movement. It goes without saying that the opening 56 does not necessarily have to be a round hole, but can also have a different shape, e.g. oval, elliptical or angular.

(28) The edge 58 of the locking element 54, with which it is attached to the housing 12, is preferably made of an electrically insulating material or coated with an electrically insulating material. This additionally improves the electrical insulation between the lower part 16 and the upper part 18. In addition, the stability of the clamping of the locking element 54 in the housing 12 can be increased.

(29) For example, the base body of the locking element 54 can be made entirely of the shape-memory alloy, which is provided with an adhesive foil or plastic coating 60 at the edge 58. This adhesive foil or plastic coating 60 is preferably applied to both sides of the shape-memory alloy base body.

(30) The locking element 54 shown in FIG. 8 further comprises four slits 62, which extend radially outward from the opening 56 in a star-shaped manner. The slits 62 extend through the entire thickness of the locking element 54. Hence, they are not only superficially inserted into the locking element 54, but cut completely through it. Starting from the central opening 56, they run radially outward, but end before the outer edge 58 of the locking element 54.

(31) The slits 62 allow a kind of unfolding of the locking element 54 when the shape-memory alloy brings the locking element 54 into its second shape upon reaching the locking element switching temperature. The four sectors of the locking element 54 that are separated by the slits 62 then fold down as shown in FIG. 3. The individual sectors of the locking element 54 bend or bulge downwards.

(32) In FIG. 3 the curvature of the locking element 54 in its second shape is such that it may be convex on its upper side and concave on its lower side. Depending on the design of the shape-memory alloy, the curvature of the locking element 54 in its second shape can also be reversed so that its upper side is concave and its lower side is convex (similar to the two discs 28, 30 in FIG. 3).

(33) In principle, such a temperature-related change in shape can also be achieved with a shape-memory alloy locking element without slits 62 or with fewer slits 62. Slit 62, however, helps to reduce internal stresses caused by the deformation of the locking element 54. In addition, the shape change of the locking element 54 can be increased.

(34) In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1-3, the following interaction between the switching mechanism 14 and the closing lock 52 or the associated locking element 54 results: as long as the switching temperature of the bimetal snap-action disc 30 is not exceeded, the switch remains in its closed position as shown in FIG. 1. When the switching temperature is reached, the bimetal snap-action disc 30 snaps into its high temperature configuration as shown in FIG. 2 and lifts off the movable contact member 42 from the first stationary contact 48, thus opening the switch 10 and disconnecting the current flowing through the switch 10. The locking element switching temperature, i.e., the temperature at which the shape-memory alloy brings the locking element 54 to its second shape, is preferably selected to be slightly higher than the switching temperature of the bimetal snap-action disc 30. For example, the shape-memory alloy of the locking element 54 can be configured such that the locking element switching temperature is 5-40 K above the switching temperature of the bimetal snap-action disc 30. Hence, upon reaching the switching temperature, the locking element 54 initially remains in its first shape as shown in FIG. 2. The closing lock 52 is therefore not yet activated in the situation shown in FIG. 2.

(35) If the temperature of the switch 10 and thus also the temperature of the locking element 54 now increases further, the shape-memory alloy causes the already mentioned shape change of the locking element 54 when the locking element switching temperature is reached, so that it assumes its second shape as shown in FIG. 3. In this second shape or configuration, the locking element 54 presses on the top of the spring disc 28 as shown in FIG. 3, causing the locking element 54 to exert a force on the switching mechanism 14 which acts directly on the spring disc 28 and indirectly on the movable contact member 42. This force keeps the switching mechanism 14 in its second switching position. The closing lock 52 is activated.

(36) Even if the switch 10 now cools down again starting from the situation shown in FIG. 3, the switching mechanism 14 cannot be moved to its first switching position as long as the closing lock 52 is activated. If the switch 10 cools down below the reset temperature, the bimetal snap-action disc 30 would snap back into its low-temperature configuration as shown in FIG. 1. However, the switching mechanism 14 would still remain in its second switching position because the edge 36 of the bimetal snap-action disc 30 would snap into the void, so to speak, without being able to support itself on the housing 12.

(37) Even if the inner bottom surface 38 is laterally raised, as indicated in FIG. 1-3 by the dotted line 39, the bimetal snap-action disc 30 in its low-temperature configuration could be supported with its edge on the housing 12. However, as long as the closing lock 52 is activated, the spring disc 28 would still be pressed down by the locking element 54, so that the movable contact member 42 would remain spaced apart from the first stationary contact 48 and the switch 10 would remain open.

(38) In order to be able to effectively prevent an inadvertent closing of the switch 10 with the closing lock 52 activated, even if the bimetal snap-action disc 30 in its low-temperature configuration can rest on the housing 12, the spring constant of the locking element 54 is in such case preferably higher than the spring constant of the bimetal snap-action disc 30.

(39) Depending on the design of the locking element 54, deactivation of the closing lock 52 is either not possible at all or is possible by a cold treatment.

(40) In the first case of an irreversible closing lock 52, the switch 10 is a one-time switch. For this purpose, a shape-memory alloy with a one-way memory effect is selected for the locking element 54.

(41) By using a shape-memory alloy with a two-way memory effect, the closing lock 52 can alternatively be configured to be reversible. In this case, the shape-memory alloy of the locking element 54 is configured to return the shape of the locking element 54 from the second shape shown in FIG. 3 to the first shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 when the temperature of the locking element falls below a locking element reset temperature. In this case the locking element 54 can, so to speak, remember both forms.

(42) The shape-memory alloy of the locking element 54 is preferably configured such that the locking element reset temperature is lower than the reset temperature of the bimetal snap-action disc 30. For example, the shape-memory alloy of the locking element 54 can be configured such that the locking element reset temperature is lower than room temperature and, for example, set to be in a temperature range of 0-15° C. By means of a cold treatment, the closing lock 52 can thus be released again so that the switch 10 would return from the switching position shown schematically in FIG. 3 to the switching position shown schematically in FIG. 1.

(43) FIGS. 4-6 show a second embodiment of the switch 10.

(44) FIG. 4 shows, similar to FIG. 1 above, the switch 10 in its closed position, in which the switching mechanism 14 is in its first switching position, the bimetal snap-action disc 30 is in its low-temperature configuration and the closing lock 52 is not activated. FIG. 5 shows, similar to FIG. 2 above, the switch 10 in its open position, in which the switching mechanism 14 is in its second switching position, the bimetal snap-action disc 30 is in its high-temperature configuration and the closing lock 52 is not activated. FIG. 6 shows, similar to FIG. 3, the switch 10 in its open position, in which the switching mechanism 14 is still in its second switching position, but the closing lock 52 is activated.

(45) The switching function as well as the interaction between the switching mechanism 14 and the closing lock 52 in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6 is the same as mentioned above with regard to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3.

(46) In contrast to the first embodiment, the locking element 54 of the closing lock 52 in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6 is arranged on the opposite side of the switching mechanism 14. While the locking element 54 of the first embodiment of the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 is arranged on the upper side of the switching mechanism 14 facing the first contact 48, the locking element 54 of the second embodiment of the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 4-6 is arranged on the lower side of the switching mechanism 14 facing away from the first contact 48.

(47) The locking element 54 is clamped between two spacer rings 64, 66. The first spacer ring 64 is arranged on the inner bottom surface 38 of the lower part 16. The locking element 54 rests on this first spacer ring 64. The second spacer ring 66 is arranged on the locking element 54. The bimetal snap-action disc 30 rests with its edge 36 on the upper side of the second spacer ring 66.

(48) A further spacer ring 68 is arranged at the position where the locking element 54 was arranged between the lower part 16 and the upper part 18 according to the first embodiment. This spacer ring 68 serves as a spacer between the lower part 16 and the upper part 18. Furthermore, the spring disc 28 can be supported from below by this spacer ring 68 when the switching mechanism 14 is in its second switching position (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

(49) In the second embodiment of the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 4-6, the movable contact member 42 is further designed slightly differently. In the area of its lower end, it comprises a laterally protruding socket 70 whose diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the opening 56 provided in the locking element 54. The movable contact member 42 protrudes through the opening 56 provided in the locking element 54. The widened socket 70 is arranged below the locking element 54.

(50) The locking element 54 is designed in the same way as mentioned above with regard to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 (see FIG. 8). However, in its second shape, which it assumes after reaching the locking element switching temperature, the locking element 54 now directly engages the movable contact member 42. As shown in FIG. 6, the locking element 54 presses the widened base 70 from above, thus keeping the movable contact member 42 spaced apart from the first stationary contact 48. Thus, also in this embodiment, it is not possible to close the switch 10 again as long as the closing lock 52 is activated.

(51) Also in this embodiment, the closing lock 52 can be designed reversibly or irreversibly, depending on whether a shape-memory alloy with a one-way memory effect or a shape-memory alloy with a two-way memory effect is used for the shape-memory alloy of the locking element 54.

(52) FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the switch 10′. The closing lock 52 is designed in the same way as switch 10 shown in FIGS. 4-6.

(53) Since the interaction between the switching mechanism 14′ and the closing lock 52 is realized in the same way as mentioned before with the switch 10′ shown in FIG. 7, this will not be discussed again explicitly at this point. Likewise, the switch 10′ is only shown in its closed position, in which the switching mechanism 14′ is in its first switching position.

(54) The design of the switch 10′ shown in FIG. 7 is slightly different from the design of the switch 10 according to the first two embodiments shown in FIG. 1-6.

(55) The lower part 16′ is again made of electrically conductive material. The flat upper part 18′ is made of electrically insulating material. It is held to the lower part 16′ by the bent edge 20′.

(56) A spacer ring 68′ is provided between the upper part 18′ and the lower part 16′ to keep the upper part 18′ at a distance from the lower part 16′. On its inside, the upper part 18′ comprises a first stationary contact 48′ and a second stationary contact 50′. The contacts 48′ and 50′ are designed as rivets which extend through the upper part 18′ and end outside in the heads 72, 74 which serve for the external connection of the switch 10′.

(57) The movable contact member 42′ here comprises a current transfer member which is designed as a contact plate, the upper side of which is coated with an electrically conductive coating so that the current transfer member 76, in the closed position of the switch 10 shown in FIG. 7, rests on the contacts 48′, 50′ and provides an electrically conductive connection between the contacts 48′ and 50′. The current transfer member 76 is connected to the spring disc 28 and the bimetal snap-action disc 30 via a rivet 78, which is also to be regarded as part of the contact member 42′. Upon exceeding the switching temperature, the bimetal snap-action disc 30 of the switching mechanism 14′ ensures, similar to the previous one, that the switching mechanism 14′ is moved to its second switching position, in which the current transfer member 76 is kept spaced apart from the two contacts 48′, 50′ and the circuit is thus disconnected.

(58) A difference of the switch design shown in FIG. 7 is that, in contrast to the embodiment of the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6, no current flows through either the spring disc 28 or the bimetal snap-action disc 30 when switch 10 is closed. When the switch 10′ is closed, current flows only from the first external connection 72 via the first contact 48′, the current transfer member 76 and the second contact 50′ to the second external connection 74.

(59) The locking element 54 of the closing lock 52 engages the rivet 78 as soon as the closing lock 52 is activated, i.e. as soon as the temperature of the switch 10′ and thus the temperature of the locking element 54 exceeds the locking element switching temperature. Similar to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6, the rivet 78 is provided with a widened base 70 at its lower end. At this base 70, the locking element 54 engages to press down the rivet 78 and thus the entire movable contact member 42′ and to hold the switching mechanism 14′ in its second switching position as soon as the closing lock 52 is activated.

(60) In principle, the closing lock 52 can also be designed for the switch 10′, as shown schematically in FIG. 7, in the same way as the first embodiment of the switch 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3.

(61) A reversible design of the closing lock 52 is also possible with the third embodiment of the switch 10′ shown in FIG. 7.

(62) It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

(63) As used in this specification and claims, the terms “for example,” “e.g.,” “for instance,” “such as,” and “like,” and the verbs “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.