EXTERNAL SWITCH COUPLER FOR PAD-MOUNTED TRANSFORMERS

Abstract

An external switch actuator includes: a guide tube having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be attached to a door of a compartment in substantial alignment with both a hole in the door and a switch actuator within the compartment, and the second end configured to be disposed within an interior of the compartment and separated from the switch actuator by a gap when the door is closed; a coupling shaft configured to be operably placed within the guide tube, the coupling shaft having an electrical insulator disposed between an actuator side adapter and a switch side adapter, and a length equal to or greater than a distance between the switch actuator and the hole in the door when the door is closed.

Claims

1. An external switch actuator for a transformer comprising: a guide tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the guide tube configured to be attached to a door of a compartment of the transformer in substantial alignment with both a hole in the door and a switch actuator within the compartment, the second end of the guide tube is configured to be disposed within the compartment, and the guide tube has a length that does not interfere with opening the door while the guide tube is attached to the door.

2. The external switch actuator of claim 1, further comprising a coupling shaft operably configured to be placed within the guide tube, wherein the coupling shaft has a length equal to or greater than a distance between the switch actuator and the hole in the door.

3. The external switch actuator of claim 2, wherein the coupling shaft is insulated.

4. The external switch actuator of claim 2, further comprising: a motorized actuator operably configured to engage an actuator side adapter of the coupling shaft; and a controller communicably coupled to the motorized actuator.

5. The external switch actuator of claim 1, wherein the second end of the guide tube is separated from the switch actuator by a gap when the door is closed.

6. The external switch actuator of claim 1, further comprising a cover or enclosure attached to the first end of the guide tube or configured to be attached to an exterior of the door proximate to the hole, wherein the cover or enclosure has an open position and a closed position.

7. The external switch actuator of claim 6, further comprising a lockable fastener configured to secure the cover or enclosure in the closed position.

8. The external switch actuator of claim 6, wherein the cover or enclosure is removeably attached to the first end of the guide tube or the exterior of the door.

9. The external switch actuator of claim 6, wherein the cover or enclosure comprises a box having a door.

10. The external switch actuator of claim 6, wherein: the first end of the guide tube comprises a flange or plate; and the cover or enclosure is removably attached to the flange or plate.

11. The external switch actuator of claim 10, wherein: the cover or enclosure comprises a box having an angled or beveled side attached to the flange or plate with a hinge; and the angled or beveled side positions the box at an angle of about 70-90 degrees with respect to the door when the box is in the open position.

12. The external switch actuator of claim 1, further comprising a moveable flap operably connected to the second end of the guide tube.

13. A method for installing an external switch actuator on a transformer comprising: cutting a hole in a door of the transformer, wherein the hole is substantially aligned with a switch actuator within a compartment of the transformer; and attaching a first end of a guide tube to the door, wherein a second end of the guide tube is disposed within an interior of the compartment and the guide tube has a length that does not interfere with opening the door while the guide tube is attached to the door.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising positioning a coupling shaft within the guide tube, wherein the coupling shaft has a length equal to or greater than a distance between the switch actuator and the hole in the door.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising attaching a cover or enclosure to the first end of the guide tube or an exterior of the door proximate to the hole, wherein the cover or enclosure has an open position and a closed position.

16. The method of claim 15, securing the cover or enclosure in a closed position using a lockable fastener.

17. A method for operating a switch within a compartment of a transformer comprising; providing a guide tube having a first end and a second end, wherein: (1) the first end of the guide tube is attached to a door of the compartment in substantial alignment with both a hole in the door and a switch actuator within the compartment, (2) the guide tube has a length that does not interfere with opening the door while the guide tube is attached to the door, (3) the switch actuator is operably connected to the switch, and (4) the second end of the guide tube is within an interior of the compartment; providing or positioning a coupling shaft within the guide tube, wherein: (1) the coupling shaft has an actuator side adapter and a switch side adapter, and (2) the coupling shaft has a length equal to or greater than a distance between the switch actuator and the hole in the door; attaching a motorized actuator, a hot stick or a handle to the actuator side adapter while the door is closed, wherein the motorized actuator is communicably coupled to a controller; and opening or closing the switch using the controller, the hot stick or the handle to rotate the coupling shaft.

18. A transformer comprising: a tank containing an electrical transformer and a switch electrically connected to the electrical transformer; one or more compartments attached to the tank, wherein each of the one or more compartments has a door; a switch actuator within one of the one or more compartments and operably connected to the switch; a guide tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the guide tube has a length that does not interfere with opening the door while the guide tube is attached to the door; the first end of the guide tube attached to the door in substantial alignment with both a hole in the door and the switch actuator; and the second end of the guide tube disposed within an interior of the compartment when the door is closed.

19. The transformer of claim 18, further comprising a coupling shaft operably configured to be placed within the guide tube, wherein the coupling shaft has a length equal to or greater than a distance between the switch actuator and the hole in the door.

20. The transformer of claim 19, wherein the coupling shaft is insulated.

21. The transformer of claim 19, further comprising: a motorized actuator operably configured to engage an actuator side adapter of the coupling shaft; and a controller communicably coupled to the motorized actuator.

22. The transformer of claim 18, wherein the second end of the guide tube is separated from the switch actuator by a gap when the door is closed.

23. The transformer of claim 18, further comprising a cover or enclosure attached to the first end of the guide tube or configured to be attached to an exterior of the door proximate to the hole, wherein the cover or enclosure has an open position and a closed position.

24. The transformer of claim 23, further comprising a lockable fastener configured to secure the cover or enclosure in the closed position.

25. The transformer of claim 23, wherein the cover or enclosure is removeably attached to the first end of the guide tube or the exterior of the door.

26. The transformer of claim 23, wherein the cover or enclosure comprises a box having a door.

27. The transformer of claim 23, wherein: the first end of the guide tube comprises a flange or plate; and the cover or enclosure is removably attached to the flange or plate.

28. The transformer of claim 27, wherein: the cover or enclosure comprises a box having an angled or beveled side attached to the flange or plate with a hinge; and the angled or beveled side positions the box at an angle of about 70-90 degrees with respect to the door when the box is in the open position.

29. The transformer of claim 18, further comprising a moveable flap operably connected to the second end of the guide tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1A is a top view of a pad-mounted transformer according to the prior art.

[0024] FIG. 1B is view of a front tank wall inside the primary and secondary compartments of a pad-mounted transformer according to the prior art.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a side view of a pad-mounted transformer with an external switch actuator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIGS. 3A-3C are images illustrating the guide tube installed in the door of a pad-mounted transformer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 is an image of an exploded view of a coupling shaft in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIGS. 5A-5E are images illustrating the coupling shaft positioned within the guide tube in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIGS. 6A-6C are images of a cover or enclosure in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] FIGS. 7A-7D depict various views of a guide tube in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIGS. 8A-8D depict various views of a cover or enclosure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIGS. 9A-9C depicts various views of an electrical insulator (FIG. 9A), an actuator side adapter (FIG. 9B), and a switch side adapter (FIG. 9C) of a coupling shaft in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting a method for installing an external switch actuator on a pad-mounted transformer in accordance with one embodiment the present invention.

[0034] FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate an example of an installation method in accordance with one embodiment the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a load break switch within a primary compartment of a pad-mounted transformer in accordance with one embodiment the present invention

[0036] FIGS. 13A-13B are images of a motorized actuator and controller in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Illustrative embodiments of the system of the present application are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0038] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” or other like terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

[0039] The various embodiments of the present invention provide an external switch actuator for pad-mounted transformers that mitigates the exposure of personnel to the electrical hazards inherent when opening the doors of pad-mounted transformers and operating the load break switch where medium and/or high voltage connections are present. The safety risks that a worker is exposed to can be mitigated in a number of ways: (1) It allows the worker to switch the pad-mounted transformer without opening the secondary door where the higher electrical arc flash risk is present; (2) It allows the worker to switch the pad-mounted transformer with minimal exposure to the primary side voltage; and/or (3) When coupled with a externally controlled motorized actuator, the worker may further mitigate the risk of switching by moving a significant distance away from the pad-mounted transformer while switching occurs. Note that the present invention is applicable to any pad-mounted transformer having a load break switch, and is not limited to wind-farm applications.

[0040] Generally speaking, various embodiments of the present invention include a hole cut in the primary door of the pad-mount transformer directly in line with the switch actuator of the load break switch, a tube installed in the hole and firmly attached to the primary door, and a coupling shaft that is made of an insulating material and designed to engage with the switch actuator. A motorized actuator can be attached to the coupling shaft to enable remote operation of the switch.

[0041] Now referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram 200 illustrating a side view of a pad-mounted transformer 202 with an external switch actuator 204 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The external switch actuator 204 includes a guide tube 206, a coupling shaft 208 and a cover or enclosure 210. The coupling shaft 208 is configured to be operably placed within the guide tube 206. The guide tube 206 has a first end 212 and a second end 214. The first end 212 of the guide tube 206 is configured to be attached to a door 216 of a compartment 218 in substantial alignment with both a hole 220 in the door 216 and a switch actuator 222 within the compartment 218. The second end 214 of the guide tube 206 is configured to be disposed within an interior of the compartment 218 and separated from the switch actuator 222 by a gap 224 when the door 216 is closed. The guide tube 206 should be long enough to provide proper alignment and support of the coupling shaft 208 while allowing the door 216 to be fully opened when the guide tube 206 is attached to the door 216. Moreover, the gap 224 should be sufficient to prevent electrical arcing from any of the live components with the compartment 218 to the guide tube 206. In some embodiments, the guide tube 206 may include a moveable flap attached to the second end 214 that prevents foreign materials or animals/insects from getting inside the guide tube 206 when the coupling shaft 208 is not present, but allows the coupling shaft 208 to move freely past the flap in either direction. The guide tube 206 can be made of metal, an electrical insulator or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the guide tube 206 can be about ten inches long and have an outer diameter of about 2.5 to 3.0 inches. Other dimensions can be used as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The guide tube 206 can be attached to the interior or the exterior of the door 216.

[0042] Attaching the guide tube 206 to the exterior of the door 216 such that the guide tube 206 extends through the hole 200 provides additional structural support. FIGS. 3A-3C are images illustrating the guide tube 206 installed in the door 216 of a pad-mounted transformer 202 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 4, an image of an exploded view of a coupling shaft 208 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The coupling shaft 208 has an electrical insulator 402 (e.g., a two inch fiberglass pipe, etc.) disposed between an actuator side adapter 404 and a switch side adapter 406. The coupling shaft 208 has a length equal to or greater than a distance 226 (FIG. 2) between the switch actuator 222 and the hole 220 (FIG. 2) in the door 216 (FIG. 2) such that the switch side adapter 230 operably engages the switch actuator 222 and the actuator side adapter 228 is operably accessible from an exterior of the door 216 (FIG. 2) when the door 216 (FIG. 2) is closed. FIGS. 5A-5E are images illustrating the coupling shaft 208 positioned within the guide tube 206 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Now referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, images of a cover or enclosure 210 in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention are shown. As shown in FIG. 6A, the cover or enclosure 210 can be attached to the first end 212 of the guide tube 206 or the exterior of the door 216 proximate to the hole 220. The cover or enclosure 210 can be a box having a door (FIG. 6A). Alternatively, the cover or enclosure 210 includes a box having an angled or beveled side attached to a flange or plate, which is attached to the first end of the guide tube 206, with a hinge (FIGS. 6B-6C). The angled or beveled side positions the box at an angle of about 70-90 degrees with respect to the door when the box is in the open position (FIG. 6B). The cover or enclosure 210 has an open position (FIG. 6B) and a closed position (FIG. 6C). A lockable fastener is configured to secure the cover or enclosure in the closed position. For example, the lockable fastener can be a pentahead bolt with a hole for a padlock or other suitable device. In some embodiments, the cover or enclosure can be removeably attached to the first end of the guide tube, the flange or plate, or the exterior of the door. Note that the cover or enclosures shown are non-limiting examples, and the shape, size and configuration of the cover or enclosure can be changed to fit the requirements of a particular installation.

[0045] FIGS. 7A-7D depict various views of a guide tube 206 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 8A-8D depict various views of a cover or enclosure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention are shown. FIGS. 9A-9C depicts various views of an electrical insulator 402 (FIG. 9A), an actuator side adapter 404 (FIG. 9B), and a switch side adapter 406 (FIG. 9C) of a coupling shaft 208 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 10, a flowchart depicts a method 1000 for installing an external switch actuator on a pad-mounted transformer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A hole is cut in a door of the pad-mounted transformer in block 1002, wherein the hole is substantially aligned with a switch actuator within a compartment of the pad-mounted transformer. A first end of a guide tube is attached to the door in block 1004, wherein a second end of the guide tube is disposed within an interior of the compartment and separated from the switch actuator by a gap when the door is closed. A cover or enclosure is attached to the first end of the guide tube or the exterior of the door proximate to the hole in block 1006, wherein the cover or enclosure has an open position and a closed position. Optionally, a coupling shaft is positioned within the guide tube in block 1008, wherein the coupling shaft has an electrical insulator disposed between an actuator side adapter and a switch side adapter, and the coupling shaft has a length equal to or greater than a distance between the switch actuator and the hole in the door such that the switch side adapter operably engages the switch actuator and the actuator side adapter is operably accessible from an exterior of the door when the door is closed. In some embodiments, the cover or enclosure is attached to the first end of the guide tube prior to installation on the pad-mounted transformer.

[0047] FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate an example of an installation method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] In another aspect, the guide tube has a length that allows the door to be opened when the guide tube is attached to the door. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure includes a lockable fastener configured to secure the cover or enclosure in the closed position. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure is removeably attached to the first end of the guide tube or the exterior of the door. In another aspect, the first end of the guide tube includes a flange or plate. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure is removably attached to the flange or plate. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure includes a box having an angled or beveled side attached to the flange or plate with a hinge; and the angled or beveled side positions the box at an angle of about 70-90 degrees with respect to the door when the box is in the open position. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure includes a box having a door. In another aspect, the guide tube includes a moveable flap operably connected to the second end of the guide tube.

[0049] Now referring to FIG. 12, a flowchart illustrates a method 1200 for operating a load break switch within a primary compartment of a pad-mounted transformer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A guide tube is provided in block 1202 having a first end and a second end, wherein: (1) the first end of the guide tube is attached to a door of the primary compartment in substantial alignment with both a hole in the door and a switch actuator within the primary compartment, (2) the switch actuator is operably connected to the load break switch, (3) the second end of the guide tube is within an interior of the primary compartment and separated from the switch actuator by a gap when the door is closed. A coupling shaft is provided or positioned within the guide tube in block 1204, wherein: (1) the coupling shaft comprises an electrical insulator disposed between an actuator side adapter and a switch side adapter, (2) the coupling shaft has a length equal to or greater than a distance between the switch actuator and the hole in the door such that the switch side adapter operably engages the switch actuator and the actuator side adapter is operably accessible from an exterior of the door when the door is closed. A motorized actuator, a hot stick or a handle is attached to the actuator side adapter in block 1206, wherein the motorized actuator is communicably coupled to a controller. The load break switch is opened or closed using the controller, the hot stick or the handle to rotate the coupling shaft in block 1408. FIGS. 13A-13B are images of a motorized actuator and controller in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Another step may include opening a cover or enclosure attached to the first end of the guide tube or the exterior of the door proximate to the hole. In another aspect, the guide tube has a length that allows the door to be opened when the guide tube is attached to the door. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure further includes a lockable fastener configured to secure the cover or enclosure in the closed position. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure is removeably attached to the first end of the guide tube or the exterior of the door. In another aspect, the first end of the guide tube comprises flange or plate. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure is removably attached to the flange or plate. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure includes a box having an angled or beveled side attached to the flange or plate with a hinge; and the angled or beveled side positions the box at an angle of about 70-90 degrees with respect to the door when the box is in the open position. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure comprises a box having a door. In another aspect, the guide tube further comprises a moveable flap operably connected to the second end of the guide tube.

[0051] Based on the foregoing figures and description, a pad-mounted transformer one embodiment of the disclosure includes: a tank containing an electrical transformer and a switch electrically connected to the electrical transformer; a compartment attached to the tank, the tank including a primary compartment adjacent to a secondary compartment, wherein the primary compartment has a primary door and the secondary compartment has a secondary door; a set of primary voltage bushings within the primary compartment and electrically connected to the switch; a switch actuator within the primary compartment and operably connected to the switch; a set of secondary voltage bushings within the secondary compartment and electrically connected to the electrical transformer; a guide tube having a first end and a second end; the first end of the guide tube attached to the primary door in substantial alignment with both a hole in the primary door and the switch actuator; and the second end of the guide tube disposed within an interior of the primary compartment and separated from the switch actuator by a gap when the primary door is closed.

[0052] In another aspect, the pad-mounted transformer includes: a coupling shaft operably placed within the guide tube, the coupling shaft including an electrical insulator disposed between an actuator side adapter and a switch side adapter; and the coupling shaft having a length equal to or greater than a distance between the switch actuator and the hole in the primary door such that the switch side adapter operably engages the switch actuator and the actuator side adapter is operably accessible from an exterior of the primary door when the primary door is closed. In another aspect, a cover or enclosure is attached to the first end of the guide tube or configured to be attached to the exterior of the primary door proximate to the hole, wherein the cover or enclosure has an open position and a closed position. In another aspect, the guide tube has a length that allows the primary door to be opened when the guide tube is attached to the door. In another aspect, a lockable fastener is configured to secure the cover or enclosure in the closed position. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure is removeably attached to the first end of the guide tube or the exterior of the primary door. In another aspect, a motorized actuator is operably configured to engage the actuator side adapter; and a controller communicably coupled to the motorized actuator. In another aspect, the first end of the guide tube comprises flange or plate. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure is removably attached to the flange or plate. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure includes a box having an angled or beveled side attached to the flange or plate with a hinge; and the angled or beveled side positions the box at an angle of about 70-90 degrees with respect to the door when the box is in the open position. In another aspect, the cover or enclosure includes a box having a door. In another aspect, a moveable flap is operably connected to the second end of the guide tube.

[0053] It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein.

[0054] Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

[0055] All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0056] The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.

[0057] As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0058] In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” requires the specified integer(s) or steps as well as those that do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited integer (e.g., a feature, an element, a characteristic, a property, a method/process step, or a limitation) or group of integers (e.g., feature(s), element(s), characteristic(s), property(ies), method/process(s) steps, or limitation(s)) only.

[0059] The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

[0060] As used herein, words of approximation such as, without limitation, “about,” “substantial” or “substantially” refers to a condition that when so modified is understood to not necessarily be absolute or perfect but would be considered close enough to those of ordinary skill in the art to warrant designating the condition as being present. The extent to which the description may vary will depend on how great a change can be instituted and still have one of ordinary skill in the art recognize the modified feature as still having the required characteristics and capabilities of the unmodified feature. In general, but subject to the preceding discussion, a numerical value herein that is modified by a word of approximation such as “about” may vary from the stated value by at least ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 or 15%.

[0061] All of the devices and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the devices and/or methods of this invention have been described in terms of particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0062] Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.

[0063] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems and apparatuses described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. The methods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order.

[0064] To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.