System for maintaining acceptable battery cycle life for electric-powered vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for maintaining battery cycle life for battery-powered electric vehicles. Current battery-powered electric vehicles such as automobiles and trucks suffer from short cycle lifes of their batteries, meaning that these vehicles' batteries will become unusable well before the normal useful life of combustion engine powered vehicles. Owners of vehicles using my system will enjoy vehicles with acceptable ranges, acquisition and operating costs, yet will enjoy battery lifes as long or as longer than the useful life of combustion engine vehicles.

Claims

1. A system comprising: an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle being an all-electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including at least one set of batteries, the at least one set of batteries including one set of batteries that powers the electric vehicle; a control system that includes a manual adjustment, as part of the electric vehicle, that adjusts a limit value of an amount that the at least one set of batteries are allowed to discharge to, the limit value being a threshold, such that a discharging of the at least one set of batteries below the threshold, causes the control system to disconnect the at least one set of batteries from powering propulsion of the electric vehicle, and a user display that is operable by the vehicle driver while the vehicle is in operation to manually adjust the limit value at which the batteries are allowed to discharge to, therein adjusting the threshold, which adjusts when the control system disconnects the batteries from powering the propulsion of the electric vehicle and wherein the manual adjustment is controlled by a switch that, when manually activated adjusts the limit value of the amount that the at least one set of batteries are allowed to discharge to; a plurality of sets of removable battery modules, each set of removable battery modules having one or more removable battery modules, each removable battery module of each set of removable battery modules holds one or more individual batteries which are a power source for the electric vehicle, the plurality of sets of removable battery modules includes at least two sets of removable battery modules, each set of removable battery modules provides enough power to power the electric vehicle therein providing each set of removable battery modules enough power to propel the electric vehicle, each set of removable battery modules having a casing, via which the set of removable battery modules is removable as one unit, the at least one set of batteries being batteries stored in one of the plurality of sets of removable battery modules; wherein when the vehicle has been operated to the desired discharge limit, the battery modules can be removed and an alternate set installed.

2. The system of claim 1, the electric vehicle further including at least an external battery charger that recharges at least one set of the removable battery modules after being removed from the electric vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an internal battery recharger installed within the vehicle, the internal battery recharger being capable of recharging a set of batteries capable of powering the vehicle.

4. A system comprising: an all electric vehicle that is propelled by at least an electric motor; at least one set of electric battery modules that is currently installed, the at least one set of electric battery modules being removable from the vehicle for recharging, the at least one set of electric battery modules providing electric power to the electric motor while the vehicle is in operation; the vehicle including at least a sensor that measures an amount of charge remaining in the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the electric motor; the vehicle further including at least an indicator that indicates the amount of remaining charge measured by the sensor; and the vehicle also including at least a control system that includes a manual adjustment that adjusts a limit value of an amount that the at least one set of battery modules is allowed to discharge to, the control system being configured to perform a test for determining when the charge remaining in the at least one set of electric battery modules is lower than the limit value, the control system being configured to disconnect the at least one set of electric battery modules from the electric motor when the amount of remaining charge is lower than the limit value, wherein a vehicle operator can manually adjust the limit value at which the batteries are allowed to discharge to, while the vehicle is in operation; a first switch that, when manually activated adjusts the limit value of the amount that the at least one set of batteries are allowed to discharge to; the least one set of battery modules being one of a plurality of sets of removable battery modules, each set of removable battery modules having one or more removable battery modules, each removable battery module of each set of removable battery modules holds one or more individual batteries which are a power source for the electric vehicle, the plurality of sets of removable battery modules includes at least two sets of removable battery modules, each set of removable battery modules provides enough power to power the electric vehicle therein providing each set of removable battery modules enough power to propel the electric vehicle, each set of removable battery modules having a casing, via which the set of removable battery modules is removable as one unit; wherein when the vehicle has been operated to the desired discharge limit, the battery modules can be removed and an alternate set installed.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein, the limit value is a limit of the value of an amount measured of remaining charge and wherein prior to adjustment, the limit value is set to between 40% and 60% of a full amount of charge of the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the electric motor.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein, prior to adjustment, the limit value is above 50% of a full amount of charge of the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the electric motor.

7. The system of claim 4, at least one set of electric battery modules further including a plurality of battery modules placed inside a housing, the housing being fitted inside the vehicle and removable from the vehicle, wherein a handle is attached to each of the plurality of battery modules to facilitate removal of the battery modules from the housing.

8. The system of claim 7, each of the plurality of battery modules further including a plurality of battery cells placed in a frame, the plurality of battery cells being connected in parallel and each of the plurality of battery cells being removable from the frame without removing others of the plurality of batteries.

9. The system of claim 8, each of the plurality of battery modules having at least one column of 50 battery cells, wherein the housing is so dimensioned as to be insertable under a hood of a sedan or inside a trunk of a sedan, and the housing is so dimensioned as to house the at least one column of battery cells.

10. The system of claim 8, of the plurality of battery modules includes a plurality of battery holders rigidly connected to one another to form the rack; each battery holder of the plurality of battery holders removably holding one battery, so that each battery may be removed without removing any other batteries that are in the battery module from their battery holder.

11. The system of claim 4, further comprising: a charger that is external to the vehicle, the charger being connected to a power source, wherein the charger recharges at least one set of electric battery modules.

12. The system of claim 4, further comprising: the at least one set of electric battery modules further including at least one power unit having a plurality of battery modules placed inside a housing, the housing being fitted inside the vehicle and removable from the vehicle, wherein a handle is attached to each of the plurality of battery modules to facilitate removal of the battery modules from the housing; the manual adjustment being an adjustment operable, via the display, which when manually activated adjusts the limit value of the amount of discharge of the first removable set of battery modules, an override second switch, which when manually activated, causes the at least one set of electric battery modules to be connected to the electric motor even when the amount of remaining charge is lower than the limit value, therein overriding the control system from disconnecting the first removable set of battery modules; wherein when the vehicle has been operated to the desired discharge limit, a first removable set of battery modules can be removed, and a second removable set of battery modules can be installed as a power source for the electric vehicle to power the electric vehicle; the sensor measuring an amount of charge remaining in the first removable set of electric battery modules, while the first removable set of electric battery modules powers the electric motor; the control system being configured to perform a test for determining whether remaining charge is lower than the limit value, the control system being configured to automatically disconnect the first removable set of battery modules from the electric motor when the amount of remaining charge is lower than the limit value; wherein the control system disconnects the at least one set of electric battery modules from the electric motor when the first marking is lower than the second marking only when the override second switch is not activated; wherein, prior to adjustment, the limit value is above 50% of a full amount of charge of the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the electric motor; a charger that is external to the vehicle, the charger being connected to a power source, wherein the charger recharges at least one set of electric battery modules.

13. The system of claim 4, further comprising an internal recharger being permanently installed within the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 13, the at least one set of batteries including a first set of batteries that powers the vehicle and a second set of batteries that is connected to the internal recharger for recharging while the first set of batteries is connected for operating the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the battery module requires being re-charged slowly over 7 or more hours to avoid damage.

16. The system of claim 4, further comprising a battery recharger and battery module that re-charge slowly over 7 or more hours to avoid damage.

17. The system of claim 4, wherein, prior to adjustment, the limit value is set to 75% of a full amount of charge of the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the electric motor.

18. The system of claim 4, wherein, prior to adjustment, the limit value is set to 85% of a full amount of charge of the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the electric motor.

19. A system comprising: an all electric vehicle that is propelled by at least an electric motor; the vehicle including at least one set of electric battery modules that is removable from the vehicle for recharging, the at least one set of electric battery modules, alone, providing electric power to the electric motor while the vehicle is in operation; the vehicle including at least a sensor that measures an amount of charge remaining in the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the electric motor; an indicator that indicates the amount of remaining charge measured by the sensor; and the vehicle including a control system that includes a manual adjustment that adjusts a limit value of an amount that the at least one set of battery modules is allowed to discharge to, the control system being configured to perform a test for determining when the remaining charge is lower than the limit value, the control system being configured to automatically disconnect the at least one set of electric battery modules from the electric motor when the amount of remaining charge is lower than the limit value, the control system further including at least a first switch, which when manually activated, causes the at least one set of electric battery modules to be connected to the electric motor even when the amount of remaining charge is lower than the limit value; a second switch that, when manually activated adjusts the limit value of the amount that the at least one set of batteries are allowed to discharge to; the at least one set of electric battery modules being one of a plurality of sets of removable battery modules, each set of removable battery modules having one or more removable battery modules, each removable battery module of each set of removable battery modules holds one or more individual batteries which are a power source for the electric vehicle, the plurality of sets of removable battery modules includes at least two sets of removable battery modules, each set of removable battery modules provides enough power to power the electric vehicle therein providing each set of removable battery modules enough power to propel the electric vehicle, each set of removable battery modules having a casing, via which the set of removable battery modules is removable as one unit; wherein when the vehicle has been operated to the desired discharge limit, the battery modules can be removed and an alternate set installed.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a user display that is operable by the vehicle driver while the vehicle is in operation, the user display includes at least a needle dial that has at least: a dial face with markings indicating remaining charge; a first needle acting as the indicator, which when pointing to a first marking indicates measured charge remaining in the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the vehicle; a second needle acting as the manual adjustment, which is moved manually to adjust the limit value, the limit value being determined by which marking the second needle points to, wherein the control system disconnects the at least one set of electric battery modules from the electric motor when the first marking is lower than the second marking only when the switch is not activated.

21. A method, comprising: propelling an all electric vehicle by at least an electric motor, the electric motor being powered by at least one set of electric battery modules; measuring, by at least a sensor that is part of the vehicle, an amount of charge remaining in the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the electric motor; indicating, by an indicator that is part of the vehicle, the amount of remaining charge measured by the sensor; manually setting a manual adjustment that is part of the vehicle to a limit value in a control system; electronically determining, by the sensor, whether the amount of remaining charge is lower than the limit value that was set manually, and in response to automatically electronically determining, by the sensor, that the amount of remaining charge is lower than the limit value that was set manually, disconnecting, by the control system, the at least one set of electric battery modules from the motor; and wherein the at least one set of electric battery modules are removable from the vehicle for recharging; the all electric vehicle including at least a switch that, when manually activated adjusts the limit value of the amount that the at least one set of batteries are allowed to discharge to; a plurality of sets of removable battery modules, each set of removable battery modules having one or more removable battery modules, each removable battery module of each set of removable battery modules holds one or more individual batteries which are a power source for the electric vehicle, the plurality of sets of removable battery modules includes at least two sets of removable battery modules, each set of removable battery modules provides enough power to power the electric vehicle therein providing each set of removable battery modules enough power to propel the electric vehicle, each set of removable battery modules having a casing, via which the set of removable battery modules is removable as one unit; wherein when the vehicle has been operated to the desired discharge limit, the battery modules can be removed and an alternate set installed.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: setting the manual adjustment to a limit value between 40% and 60% of a full amount of charge of the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the electric motor.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising: manually activating a switch, causing the at least one set of electric battery modules to be connected to the electric motor even when the amount of remaining charge is lower than the limit value, therein overriding the disconnecting, by the control system of the battery from the motor that was in response to the automatically electronically determining, by the sensor, that the amount of remaining charge is lower than the limit value that was set manually.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising: removing the at least one set of electric battery modules from the vehicle; and connecting the at least one set of electric battery modules to an external charger that is connected to a power source.

25. The method of claim 24, the at least one set of electric battery modules being a first set of electric battery modules within a first housing; the removing the at least one set of electric battery modules from the vehicle being performed by at least removing the first housing from the vehicle, therein removing the first set of electric battery modules; the method further comprising: connecting a second housing to a cable to the motor of the vehicle, therein electrically connecting a second set of electric battery modules to the motor, the second set of electric battery modules being connected to the motor and providing power source for the motor that is capable of powering the motor, while the first set of electric battery modules are charging.

26. A system comprising: an electric vehicle, including at least one set of batteries that powers the electric vehicle; and a control system that includes a manual adjustment, as part of the electric vehicle, that adjusts a limit value of an amount that the at least one set of batteries are discharged, the limit value being a threshold, such that a discharging of the at least one set of batteries below the threshold, causes the control system to disconnect the at least one set of batteries from the electric vehicle, and a user display that is operable by the vehicle driver while the vehicle is in operation, the electric vehicle being propelled by at least an electric motor; the at least one set of batteries including a plurality of batteries; the plurality of batteries being housed within at least a plurality of removable sets of battery modules including at least a first removable set of battery modules and a second removable set of battery modules; the first removable set of electric battery modules further including a first plurality of battery modules that are placed inside a first housing, the first housing being fitted inside the vehicle and being removable from the vehicle; each of the first plurality of battery modules having a handle to facilitate removal of the battery modules of the first removable set of battery modules from the first housing; each of the first plurality of battery modules includes a plurality of battery holders rigidly connected to one another; each battery holder of the plurality of battery holders including a receptacle that removably holds one battery in electrical contact with the battery holder, so that each battery may be removed without removing any other batteries that are in the battery module from their battery holder; the first removable set of battery modules, when fitted in the electric vehicle and electrically connected to the electric motor, being a power source for the electric vehicle that is capable of entirely powering the electric motor of the electric vehicle, the second removable set of electric battery modules further including a second plurality of battery modules placed inside a second housing, the second housing being fittable inside the vehicle to replace the first removable set of battery modules and after being fitted into the electric vehicle are removable from the vehicle; each of the second plurality of battery modules having a handle to facilitate removal of the battery modules of the second plurality of battery modules from the second housing; each of the second plurality of battery modules includes a plurality of battery holders rigidly connected to one another; each battery holder of the plurality of battery holders including a receptacle removably holding one battery in electrical contact with the battery holder, so that each battery may be removed without removing any other batteries that are in the battery module from their battery holder; the second removable set of battery modules being an alternate power source for the electric vehicle that is capable of entirely powering the electric vehicle and the second removable set of battery modules, after being fitted into the electric vehicle, being removable from the electric vehicle for recharging; the electric vehicle further including at least wherein when the vehicle has been operated to a desired discharge limit, the first removable set of battery modules can be removed and the second removable set of battery modules can be installed as a power source for the electric vehicle to power the electric vehicle; at least a sensor that measures an amount of charge remaining in the first removable set of electric battery modules, while the first removable set of electric battery modules powers the electric motor; an indicator that indicates the amount of remaining charge measured by the sensor; the control system includes a manual adjustment that adjusts the limit value; the control system being configured to perform a test for determining whether remaining charge is lower than the limit value, the control system being configured to automatically disconnect the first removable set of battery modules from the electric motor when the amount of remaining charge is lower than the limit value; the control system also including at least a switch, which when manually activated, causes the at least one set of electric battery modules to be connected to the electric motor even when the amount of remaining charge is lower than the limit value, therein overriding the control system from disconnecting the first removable set of battery modules; a user display that is operable by the vehicle driver while the vehicle is in operation, the user display includes at least a needle dial that has at least: a dial face with markings indicating remaining charge; a first needle acting as the indicator, which when pointing to a first marking indicates measured charge remaining in the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the vehicle; a second needle acting as the manual adjustment, which when manually moved, points to a second marking that represents the limit value, wherein the control system disconnects the at least one set of electric battery modules from the electric motor when the first marking is lower than the second marking only when the switch is not activated, wherein, prior to adjustment, the limit value is above 50% of a full amount of charge of the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the electric motor; a charger that is external to the vehicle, the charger being connected to a power source, wherein the charger recharges at least one set of electric battery modules.

27. A system comprising: an electric vehicle, including at least one set of batteries that powers the electric vehicle; and a control system that includes a manual adjustment, as part of the electric vehicle, that adjusts a manual adjustable limit value of an amount that the at least one set of batteries are discharged, the manual adjustable limit value being a threshold, such that a discharging of the at least one set of batteries below the threshold, causes the control system to disconnect the at least one set of batteries from the electric vehicle, and a user display that is operable by the vehicle driver while the vehicle is in operation, the electric vehicle being propelled by at least an electric motor; the at least one set of batteries including a plurality of batteries; the plurality of batteries being housed within at least a plurality of removable sets of battery modules including at least a first removable set of battery modules and a second removable set of battery modules; the first removable set of electric battery modules further including a first plurality of battery modules that are placed inside a first housing, the first housing being fitted inside the vehicle and being removable from the vehicle; each of the first plurality of battery modules having a handle to facilitate removal of the battery modules of the first removable set of battery modules from the first housing; each of the first plurality of battery modules includes a plurality of battery holders connected to one another; each battery holder of the plurality of battery holders including a receptacle that removably holds one battery in electrical contact with the battery holder, so that each battery may be removed without removing any other batteries that are in the battery module from their battery holder; the first removable set of battery modules, when fitted in the electric vehicle and electrically connected to the electric motor, being a power source for the electric vehicle that is capable of entirely powering the electric motor of the electric vehicle, the second removable set of electric battery modules further including a second plurality of battery modules placed inside a second housing, the second housing being fittable inside the vehicle to replace the first removable set of battery modules and after being fitted into the electric vehicle are removable from the vehicle; each of the second plurality of battery modules having a handle to facilitate removal of the battery modules of the second plurality of battery modules from the second housing; each of the second plurality of battery modules includes a plurality of battery holders connected to one another; each battery holder of the plurality of battery holders including a receptacle removably holding one battery in electrical contact with the battery holder, so that each battery may be removed without removing any other batteries that are in the battery module from their battery holder; the second removable set of battery modules being an alternate power source for the electric vehicle that is capable of entirely powering the electric vehicle and the second removable set of battery modules, after being fitted into the electric vehicle, being removable from the electric vehicle for recharging; the electric vehicle further including at least a switch, when manually activated, causes the at least one set of electric battery modules to be connected to the electric motor even when the amount of remaining charge is lower than the manual adjustable limit value, therein overriding the control system from disconnecting the first removable set of battery modules; wherein when the vehicle has been operated to a desired discharge limit, the first removable set of battery modules can be removed and the second removable set of battery modules can be installed as a power source for the electric vehicle to power the electric vehicle; at least a sensor that measures an amount of charge remaining in the first removable set of electric battery modules, while the first removable set of electric battery modules powers the electric motor; an indicator that indicates the amount of remaining charge measured by the sensor; the control system includes the manual adjustment that adjusts the manual adjustable limit value; the control system being configured to perform a test for determining whether remaining charge is lower than the manual adjustable limit value, the control system being configured to automatically disconnect the first removable set of battery modules from the electric motor when the amount of remaining charge is lower than the manual adjustable limit value; the control system also including at least a user display that is operable by the vehicle driver while the vehicle is in operation, the user display includes at least a needle dial that has at least: a dial face with markings indicating remaining charge; a first needle acting as the indicator, which when pointing to a first marking indicates measured charge remaining in the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the vehicle; a second needle acting as the manual adjustment, which when manually moved, points to a second marking that represents the manual adjustable limit value, wherein the control system disconnects the at least one set of electric battery modules from the electric motor when the first marking is lower than the second marking only when the switch is not activated, wherein, prior to adjustment, the manual adjustable limit value is above 50% of a full amount of charge of the at least one set of electric battery modules that powers the electric motor; a charger that is external to the vehicle, the charger being connected to a power source, wherein the charger recharges at least one set of electric battery modules.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Having thus described the invention and it's components, reference will be now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a vehicle containing battery module housings containing battery modules enclosed within them.

(3) FIG. 2 shows battery modules with handles enclosed within housings from which electric cables run to power the vehicle.

(4) FIG. 3 shows the interior of the battery module housing with its coupling and cable.

(5) FIG. 4a shows a battery module housing. 4b shows individual battery cells encased within the framework composing the internal structure of the battery module. 4c shows the battery module into which the internal structure is found and which is fitted into the battery module housing when that set of battery modules powers the vehicle.

(6) FIG. 5 shows the bottom of the battery module showing the placement of the coupling which connects the battery module and its cells to the circuit powering the vehicle.

(7) FIG. 6 shows the discharge limit indicator as a needle dial in which one needle is movable by the owner as an adjustment to set the discharge limit while another needle reads the actual charge left on the aggregate of the battery modules in the vehicle at that time, and the over-ride switch permitting the operator to over-ride the discharge limiter and continue using the batteries under emergency conditions.

(8) FIG. 7 shows the external battery charger with the placement of an individual battery module within it and the battery charger's cable extending out from it and the battery charger's cable extending out from it to an external power source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) The present invention now will be described more fully hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some drawings, in which some examples of the embodiments of the inventions are shown, Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be constructed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.

(10) Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

(11) FIG. 1 Illustrates a vehicle seen from the side loaded with battery modules, with 101 being the vehicle body and 102 being battery module housings into which individual battery modules are placed.

(12) FIG. 2 Is a perspective drawing of three battery modules fitted into a housing residing inside a vehicle, with 201 being the housing body, 202 being the individual battery modules, 203 being the handles by which the battery modules are moved from place to place such as fitted into the housing, and 204 being a connecting electric cable which conveys current from the battery through the housing and outward from the housing to the power requirements of the vehicles, principally the drivetrain.

(13) FIG. 3 Is a cutawary perspective drawing of the interior of the battery module housing in which 301 is a coupling, which connects a battery module to the housing from which current is conveyed outside the housing using a cable 302, and the housing body represented by 303.

(14) FIG. 4a is a perspective drawing of a battery module housing with 401 being the housing body, 402 being the individual battery modules fitted into the body, and 403 being the handles by which the battery modules are moved.

(15) FIG. 4b is the interior structure of the battery module which is found inside of a battery module, in which 404 is the structure framework which holds the individual battery cells and conveys their currents through the battery module via a coupling, and 405 are individual cells.

(16) FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of the bottom of a battery module 501 and showing the placement of a coupling 502 which conveys current to the framework inside in which resides individual cells.

(17) FIG. 6 Illustrates the discharge limit indicator in the form of a needle dial with a measured dial face 601 so that the vehicle operator can see the amount of charge remaining on the aggregated of the battery modules set installed within the vehicle as a percentage of the total charge capacity of the battery modules' aggregate. 602 represents a movable needle which is the control setting for the discharge limit indicator in which the setting has been set by the vehicle's owner at the mid-point of the aggregate charge of the installed battery module set, or 50% of charging capacity. 603 represents a gauge needle which reads the actual remaining charge left on the aggregate of the battery modules installed in the vehicle, and is reading that the remaining charge is at 75% of total charge capacity. The gauge dial reads left to right with a minus sign on the left of the dial and a positive sign on the right of the dial. 604 represents an over-ride switch which may be used by the vehicle operator so that the battery modules do not automatically disconnect from the drivetrain of the vehicle once their aggregate charge has reached 50% of full charge capacity as indicated by the setting of the movable needle. In this way everything below 50% of full charge is considered a capacity reserve only to be used in emergency conditions so that the cycle life of the batteries will be maintained so that they may be recharged for thousands of times.

(18) FIG. 7 Illustrates the external battery charger into which the set of battery modules which is not presently in the vehicle are placed so that the batteries can be recharged over a minimum of seven or eight hours of low current to preserve the cycle life of the batteries. The external battery charger outside is 701, while 702 is an interior depiction of the placement of an individual battery module with its handle 703 so it may be placed within the charger and removed from it. 703 is a coupling inside the charger which connects to the coupling inside the battery module so current from the outside charger may be conveyed to the battery module and distributed to the individual cells within it. 704 is an electric cable connecting the external battery charger to an outside power source.

(19) Many modifications and other embodiments of the innovation set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not limited to the specific examples of the embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation.