Electrical connection and termination assemblies

Abstract

An electrical cable termination assembly includes a crimp body configured for electrically connecting a conductive core of an electrical cable to a conductive pin. The crimp body is further configured to receive the conductive core at a first end thereof and the conductive pin at a second end thereof. The assembly further includes a locking sleeve that is located radially outwardly of the crimp body and is movable relative to the crimp body between a locking position and an unlocking position.

Claims

1. An electrical cable termination assembly, comprising: a crimp body configured for electrically connecting a conductive core of an electrical cable to a conductive pin, wherein the crimp body is further configured to receive the conductive core at a first end of the crimp body and the conductive pin at a second end of the crimp body; a locking sleeve that is located radially outwardly of the crimp body, wherein the locking sleeve is movable relative to the crimp body between a locking position and an unlocking position, and wherein the locking sleeve is configured such that rotation of the locking sleeve moves the locking sleeve between the locking position and the unlocking position; a locking member, wherein the locking member is movable relative to the crimp body so as to be able to lock the pin in the crimp body when the locking sleeve is moved from the unlocking position to the locking position, and wherein the locking member is at least partially disposed in an aperture in the crimp body when the locking sleeve is in the locking position; a protrusion on the crimp body spaced axially from the second end; and a compensation insert at the second end of the crimp body, the compensation insert having a conical internal shape and a cylindrical outer shape such that the compensation insert at least partially extends over the locking sleeve when the locking sleeve is in the unlocking position, wherein the locking sleeve is threadedly engaged with the crimp body such that rotation of the locking sleeve causes the locking sleeve to move axially between the unlocking position and the locking position away from the second end until the locking sleeve abuts the protrusion, and wherein a distance between the locking sleeve and the second end is greater when the locking sleeve is in the locking position than when the locking sleeve is in the unlocking position.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking sleeve comprises a recess, and wherein the locking member is at least partially located in the recess when the locking sleeve is in the unlocking position.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the locking sleeve and the locking member are configured such that the locking member is moved out of the recess when the locking sleeve is moved from the unlocking position to the locking position.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking member is moved in a radially inward direction when the locking sleeve is moved from the unlocking position to the locking position.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises at least one ball.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the assembly is configured to terminate an electrical cable with a conductive core and an axially extending annular insulation portion around the conductive core; the crimp body is configured to be crimped to the conductive core of the electrical cable; and the crimp body comprises an axially extending part configured to extend axially forwardly along a length of the conductive core and to be located radially outwardly of the conductive core and radially inwardly of the annular insulation portion.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking sleeve comprises a conductive sleeve; wherein the conductive sleeve is electrically connected to the crimp body; wherein the conductive sleeve is located radially outwardly of the crimp body; wherein the conductive sleeve extends over at least part of the crimp body that receives the conductive core; and wherein the conductive sleeve extends over at least part of the crimp body that receives the conductive pin.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the conductive sleeve extends over substantially an entire axial distance between an insulator of the electrical cable and an insulator around the conductive pin.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking sleeve and the protrusion form a continuous external profile.

10. An electrical cable termination comprising: a cable termination assembly; an electrical cable with a conductive core; and a conductive pin, wherein the cable termination assembly comprises: a crimp body configured for electrically connecting a conductive core of an electrical cable to the conductive pin, wherein the crimp body is further configured to receive the conductive core at a first end of the crimp body and the conductive pin at a second end of the crimp body; a locking sleeve that is located radially outwardly of the crimp body, wherein the locking sleeve is movable relative to the crimp body between a locking position and an unlocking position, and wherein the locking sleeve is configured such that rotation of the locking sleeve moves the locking sleeve between the locking position and the unlocking position; a locking member, wherein the locking member is movable relative to the crimp body so as to be able to lock the pin in the crimp body when the locking sleeve is moved from the unlocking position to the locking position, and wherein the locking member is at least partially disposed in an aperture in the crimp body when the locking sleeve is in the locking position; a protrusion on the crimp body spaced axially from the second end; and a compensation insert at the second end of the crimp body, the compensation insert having a conical internal shape and a cylindrical outer shape such that the compensation insert at least partially extends over the locking sleeve when the locking sleeve is in the unlocking position, wherein the conductive core of the electrical cable is crimped in the crimp body at the first end thereof and the conductive pin is received in the crimp body at the second end thereof, wherein the pin is configured to be locked in the crimp body when the locking sleeve is in the locking position, and wherein the locking sleeve is threadedly engaged with the crimp body such that rotation of the locking sleeve causes the locking sleeve to move axially between the unlocking position and the locking position away from the second end until the locking sleeve abuts the protrusion, and wherein a distance between the locking sleeve and the second end is greater when the locking sleeve is in the locking position than when the locking sleeve is in the unlocking position.

11. The electrical cable termination of claim 10, wherein the pin comprises a circumferential groove, and wherein the locking member is configured to engage with the circumferential groove on the pin when the locking sleeve is in the locking position.

12. The electrical cable termination of claim 10, wherein the locking sleeve and the protrusion form a continuous external profile.

13. An electrical cable termination assembly for terminating an electrical cable with a conductive core and an axially extending annular insulation portion around the conductive core, the electrical cable termination assembly comprising: a crimp body configured to be crimped to the conductive core of the electrical cable, wherein the crimp body comprises an axially extending part that is configured to extend axially forwardly along a length of the conductive core, and wherein the axially extending part is further configured to be located radially outwardly of the conductive core and radially inwardly of the annular insulation portion; a locking sleeve that is located radially outwardly of the crimp body, wherein the locking sleeve is movable relative to the crimp body between a locking position and an unlocking position, and wherein the locking sleeve is configured such that rotation of the locking sleeve moves the locking sleeve between the locking position and the unlocking position; a locking member; a protrusion on the crimp body; and a compensation insert having a conical internal shape and a cylindrical outer share such that the compensation insert at least partially extends over the locking sleeve when the locking sleeve is in the unlocking position, wherein the locking member is movable relative to the crimp body when the locking sleeve is moved from the unlocking position to the locking position, wherein the locking member is at least partially disposed in an aperture in the crimp body when the locking sleeve is in the locking position, and wherein the locking sleeve is threadedly engaged with the crimp body such that rotation of the locking sleeve causes the locking sleeve to move axially between the unlocking position and the locking position until the locking sleeve abuts the protrusion, and wherein a distance between an end of the locking sleeve and the conductive core is greater when the locking sleeve is in the unlocking position than when the locking sleeve is in the locking position.

14. The electrical cable termination assembly of claim 13, wherein: the crimp body comprises a crimp wall; the axially extending part is formed by a front wall portion of the crimp wall; the crimp wall comprises a wall portion axially rearwardly of the front wall; and the wall portion comprises a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the front wall portion.

15. The electrical cable termination assembly of claim 13, wherein the axially extending part comprises radial projections configured to contact a radially inner surface of the annular insulation portion.

16. The electrical cable termination assembly of claim 13, wherein the locking sleeve and the protrusion form a continuous external profile.

17. An electrical cable termination assembly comprising: a crimp body configured for electrically connecting a conductive core of an electrical cable to a conductive pin, wherein the crimp body is further configured to receive the conductive core at a first end of the crimp body and the conductive pin at a second end of the crimp body; a conductive sleeve that is electrically connected to the crimp body, wherein the conductive sleeve is located radially outwardly of the crimp body, wherein the conductive sleeve extends over at least part of the crimp body that receives the conductive core, wherein the conductive sleeve extends over at least part of the crimp body that receives the conductive pin, and wherein the conductive sleeve is movable relative to the crimp body between a locking position and an unlocking position and is configured such that rotation of the conductive sleeve moves the conductive sleeve between the locking position and the unlocking position; a locking member; a protrusion on the crimp body spaced axially from the second end; and a compensation insert at the second end of the crimp body, the compensation insert having a conical internal shape and a cylindrical outer shape such that the compensation insert at least partially extends over the conductive sleeve when the conductive sleeve is in the unlocking position, wherein the locking member is movable relative to the crimp body so as to be able to lock the pin in the crimp body when the conductive sleeve is moved from the unlocking position to the locking position, wherein the locking member is at least partially disposed in an aperture in the crimp body when the conductive sleeve is in the locking position, and wherein the conductive sleeve is threadedly engaged with the crimp body such that rotation of the conductive sleeve causes the conductive sleeve to move axially between the unlocking position and the locking position away from the second end until the conductive sleeve abuts the protrusion, and wherein a distance between the conductive sleeve and the second end is greater when the conductive sleeve is in the locking position than when the conductive sleeve is in the unlocking position.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the conductive sleeve is configured to extend over substantially an entire axial distance between an insulator of the electrical cable and an insulator around the conductive pin.

19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the conductive sleeve comprises a smooth outer profile.

20. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the locking sleeve and the protrusion form a continuous external profile.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Certain embodiments in accordance with the present teachings will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a first exemplary electrical cable termination.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first exemplary electrical cable termination in an unlocked position.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first exemplary electrical cable termination in a locked position.

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a second exemplary electrical cable termination.

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second exemplary electrical cable termination in an unlocked position.

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second exemplary electrical cable termination in a locked and retracted position.

(8) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the second exemplary electrical cable termination in a locked and extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a fixed crimp arrangement. As shown in FIG. 1, an electrical cable termination 1 electrically connects a cable 2 to a pin assembly 4. The cable 2 includes a stranded copper core 6 and a silicone annular insulating portion 8.

(10) The pin assembly 4 includes a conductive pin 10 and an insulating portion 12 formed of PEEK.

(11) The electrical cable 2 is electrically connected to the pin assembly 4 via a crimp body 14. The conductive core 6 of the cable 2 is received in a bore at one end of the crimp body 14 and is crimped therein at two crimp portions 16.

(12) The crimp body 14 includes an axially extending part 18 that extends axially along the cable core 6. The axially extending part 18 is positioned radially outwardly of the conductive cable core 6 and radially inwardly of the insulating portion 8. The axially extending part 18 includes radial protrusions 20 that engage with the radially inner surface of the cable insulation 8 to prevent or minimize relative movement between the insulating portion 8 and the crimp body 14.

(13) The insulating portion 8 is fixed relative to the crimp body 14 by an annular fixing member 22. The fixing member 22 extends circumferentially around the radial outer surface of the insulating portion 8. The axially extending portion 20 and the annular fixing member 22 grip the insulating portion 8 therebetween, thereby fixing the insulating portion 8 relative to the crimp body 14.

(14) The fixing member 22 includes a barb 24 that engages with a groove in the crimp body 14, thereby locking the fixing member 22 relative to the crimp body 14.

(15) A blocking ring 25 in the form of a PEEK split ring is located at the end of the axially extending part. The blocking ring 25 is located radially outwardly of the conductive core 6 and radially inwardly of the insulation portion 8. An HNBR O-ring 27 is provided at the opposite side of the blocking ring 25 relative to the end of the axially extending part 18.

(16) The pin 10 is received in a bore at the end of the crimp body 14 that is opposite to the bore that receives the conductive cable core 6. The bore for receiving the pin 10 is sized so as to receive the pin 10 without deformation.

(17) A conductive contact cage 26 is provided in the bore of the crimp body 14 that receives the pin 10. The contact cage provides a tight fit and a reliable electrical current flow path between the pin 10 and the crimp body 14. The cage is formed of a plurality of leaf springs and may have a cylindrical form with axially extending slots between the leaf springs. For example, in some embodiments, the contact cage is a MULTILAM.

(18) The pin 10 is locked in the crimp body 14 by a plurality of locking members 28. Each of the plurality of locking members is in the form of a ball (only one ball is visible in the FIGS.). The locking members are circumferentially spaced around the pin 10. The pin has a circumferential groove 30. The locking members 28 engage with the circumferential groove 30 when the pin 10 is in a locked position. In the locked position (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3), the locking members 28 are held in engagement with the groove 30 of the pin 10 by a locking sleeve 32. Each of the plurality of locking members 28 extends through a corresponding aperture 33 in the crimp body 14. The process of locking the pin 10 in the crimp body is described below in reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

(19) The locking sleeve 32 is an annular component provided directly radially outwardly of the crimp body 14. The locking sleeve 32 extends over substantially the entire axial distance between the insulating portion 8 of the cable and the insulating portion 12 of the pin assembly. The locking sleeve 32 is threadedly engaged with the crimp body 14. Rotation of the locking sleeve 32 moves the locking sleeve 32 in an axial direction relative to the crimp body 14. The locking sleeve 32 is made of copper. The locking sleeve includes a circumferential recess 34 configured for receiving the locking members 28 when the termination is in an unlocking or an unlocked position.

(20) The unlocked state is shown in FIG. 2. In the unlocked state, the locking sleeve 32 is in an unlocking position. In the unlocking position, the recess 34 is aligned with the apertures 33 in the crimp body 14. Each locking member 28 is located in the recess 34 and in the aperture 33. The locking member 28 does not extend into the bore in the crimp body 14. With such a configuration, the pin 10 may be freely inserted into and removed from the crimp body 14.

(21) To move the locking sleeve 32 into the locking position, as shown in FIG. 3, the locking sleeve is rotated relative to the crimp body 14. Rotating the locking sleeve relative to the crimp body causes the locking sleeve 32 to translate in an axial direction relative to the crimp body 14. The locking sleeve 32 is translated axially until an end of the locking sleeve abuts against a protrusion 36 on the crimp body. As a result of the axial translation, the recess 34 is moved out of alignment with the apertures 33 in the crimp body. The locking members 28 in turn move through the aperture 33 in the crimp body 14 and partially extend into the bore in the crimp body 14. When the pin is inserted, the groove 30 in the pin aligns with the aperture 33 in the crimp body 14. As the locking member 28 enters into the bore in the crimp body 14, the locking member 28 extends into the groove 30 in the pin 10, thereby locking the pin 10 in the crimp body 14. The recesses 34 in the locking sleeve 32 have a sloped edge. The locking members 28 are guided along the sloped edge as the locking members 28 are moved into the locking position. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the axial dimension of the aperture 33 is substantially the same as the width of the locking member 28. As a result, once the locking members 28 engage with the groove 30 on the pin 10, the pin 10 and the locking members 28 are fixed (e.g., may not move) relative to the crimp body and the locking sleeve in the axial direction. In other words, the electrical cable termination 1 provides a fixed crimp arrangement.

(22) To go from the locking position to the unlocking position, the locking sleeve 32 is rotated in the opposite direction to the direction used for locking the device. The locking sleeve 32 is translated in the opposite axial direction and the recesses 34 are realigned with the apertures 33 in the crimp body 14. The locking members 28 may therefore move out of the bore and the groove 30, such that the pin 10 may be removed from the crimp body 14.

(23) FIGS. 4 to 7 show a second embodiment of an electrical cable termination 100 in a sliding crimp arrangement.

(24) Common elements in the first and second embodiments are indicated using common reference numerals. In the following description of the second embodiment, a detailed description of elements common to the first embodiment already described above has been omitted in order to avoid unnecessary repetition.

(25) The electrical cable termination 100 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the aperture 133 in the crimp body 14 has a dimension in the axial direction that is greater than the dimension in the axial direction of the portion of the locking member 28 that is located in the aperture. After the electrical cable termination 100 is put in the locking position by rotation of the locking sleeve 32, as described above, the pin 10 and the locking members 28 may be moved in the axial direction relative to the crimp body 14 and the locking sleeve 32. The pin may be moved between a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 6, and an extended position, as shown in FIG. 7. In the retracted position, the end of the pin 10 is closer to the end of the conductive core 6 than in the extended position. In the retracted position, the insulation 12 of the pin 10 abuts against the end of the crimp body 14 and the locking sleeve 32. By contrast, in the extended position, there is a gap between the insulation 12 and the end of the crimp body 14 and the locking sleeve 32 that the pin 10 extends between.

(26) The electrical cable termination 100 further includes a compensation insert 138. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the compensation insert 138 is an annular member that abuts against the end of the insulation 12 on the pin 10. The compensation insert 138 is tapered to have a substantially constant outer diameter and a gradually increasing inner diameter in an axial direction away from the insulation 12 on the pin. In other words, the compensation insert 138 has a conical internal shape and a cylindrical outer shape.

(27) In the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 6, the compensation insert 138 abuts against the end of the insulation 12 on the pin 10 at one end and extends over a portion of the crimp body 14 and a portion of the locking sleeve 32. In the extended position, as shown in FIG. 7, the compensation insert 138 abuts against the end of the insulation 12 on the pin 10 at one end. In addition, the compensation insert 138 extends over an exposed portion of the pin 10 between the insulation and the crimp body, and over a portion of the crimp body 14 and a portion of the locking sleeve 32.

(28) Additional embodiments in accordance with the present teachings are described below. It is to be understood that elements and features of the various representative embodiments described below may be combined in different ways to produce new embodiments that likewise fall within the scope of the present teachings.

(29) An electrical cable termination assembly includes a crimp body configured for electrically connecting a conductive core of an electrical cable to a conductive pin; a locking sleeve that is located radially outwardly of the crimp body and is movable relative to the crimp body between a locking position and an unlocking position; and a locking member. The crimp body is configured to receive the conductive cable core at a first end thereof and the conductive pin at a second end thereof. The locking member is movable relative to the crimp body so as to be able to lock the pin in the crimp body when the locking sleeve is moved from the unlocking position to the locking position.

(30) In some embodiments, the locking sleeve is configured such that rotation of the locking sleeve moves the locking sleeve between the locking position and the unlocking position.

(31) In some embodiments, the locking sleeve is threadedly engaged with the crimp body, such that rotation of the locking sleeve causes the locking sleeve to move axially between the locking position and the unlocking position.

(32) In some embodiments, the locking sleeve includes a recess and the locking member is at least partially located in the recess when the locking sleeve is in the unlocking position.

(33) In some embodiments, the locking sleeve and the locking member are configured such that the locking member is moved out of the recess when the locking sleeve is moved from the unlocking position to the locking position.

(34) In some embodiments, the locking member is disposed in an aperture in the crimp body.

(35) In some embodiments, the aperture in the crimp body has a dimension in the axial direction of the assembly that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the portion of the locking member disposed in the aperture, such that when the locking sleeve is in the locking position the locking member may move in an axial direction relative to the crimp body.

(36) In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a compensation insert configured to accommodate volume changes due to relative axial movement in the assembly.

(37) In some embodiments, the locking member is moved in a radially inward direction when the locking sleeve is moved from the unlocking position to the locking position.

(38) In some embodiments, the locking member includes at least one ball.

(39) In some embodiments, the assembly is an underwater electrical cable termination assembly.

(40) An electrical cable termination includes a cable termination assembly of a type described above; an electrical cable with a conductive core; and a conductive pin. The conductive core of the electrical cable is crimped in the crimp body at the first end thereof. The conductive pin is received in the crimp body at the second end thereof. The pin is configured to be locked in the crimp body when the locking sleeve is in the locking position.

(41) In some embodiments, the pin includes a circumferential groove and the locking member engages with the groove on the pin when the locking sleeve is in the locking position.

(42) In some embodiments, the pin extends forwardly into the second end of the crimp body. When the pin is received in the crimp body an electrical contact is provided between the pin and the crimp body. The electrical contact is axially behind the groove with respect to the pin.

(43) In some embodiments, the termination is an underwater electrical cable termination.

(44) A method of terminating a cable includes terminating an electrical cable with an assembly of a type described above.

(45) In some embodiments, the method includes crimping the crimp body onto the conductive core of the electrical cable.

(46) In some embodiments, the method includes inserting a conductive pin into the crimp body and moving the locking sleeve from the unlocking position to the locking position, thereby locking the pin in the crimp body.

(47) An electrical cable termination assembly for terminating an electrical cable with a conductive core and an axially extending annular insulation portion around the conductive core includes a crimp body configured to be crimped to the conductive core of the electrical cable. The crimp body has an axially extending part that is configured to extend axially forwardly along a length of the conductive core. The axially extending part is further configured to be located radially outwardly of the conductive core and radially inwardly of the annular insulation portion.

(48) In some embodiments, the crimp body includes a crimp wall. The axially extending part is formed by a front wall portion of the crimp wall. The crimp wall has a wall portion axially rearwardly of the front wall with a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the front wall portion.

(49) In some embodiments, the axially extending part includes radial projections that are configured to contact the radially inner surface of the annular insulation portion.

(50) In some embodiments, the assembly includes an insulation fixing member configured to be located radially outwardly of the insulation portion. The insulation fixing member is further configured to provide a gripping space for gripping the insulation portion between the crimp body and the insulation fixing member.

(51) In some embodiments, the insulation fixing member includes a catch that is configured to engage the crimp body.

(52) In some embodiments, the insulation fixing member is made of an insulator.

(53) In some embodiments, the assembly includes a blocking ring configured to be located axially forwardly of the axially extending part, radially outwardly of the conductive core, and radially inwardly of the insulation portion.

(54) In some embodiments, the assembly includes an O-ring configured to be located at the opposite side of the blocking ring relative to the end of the axially extending part. The O-ring is further configured to be located radially outwardly of the conductive core and radially inwardly of the insulation portion.

(55) In some embodiments, the crimp body is harder than the blocking ring and the blocking ring is harder than the O-ring.

(56) In some embodiments, the blocking ring is a split ring.

(57) In some embodiments, the assembly is an underwater electrical cable termination assembly.

(58) An electrical cable termination includes a cable termination assembly of a type described above; and an electrical cable with a conductive core and an axially extending annular insulation portion around the conductive core. The axially extending part of the crimp body is located between the radial outward surface of the conductive core and engages the radial inward surface of the insulation portion.

(59) In some embodiments, the electrical cable termination includes the insulation fixing member. The axially extending part and the insulation fixing member grip the annular insulation portion therebetween.

(60) In some embodiments, the termination is an underwater electrical cable termination.

(61) In some embodiments, a method of terminating a cable includes terminating an electrical cable with a conductive core and an axially extending annular insulation portion around the conductive core to an assembly of a type described above.

(62) An electrical cable termination assembly includes a crimp body configured for electrically connecting a conductive core of an electrical cable to a conductive pin; and a conductive sleeve that is electrically connected to the crimp body. The crimp body is configured to receive the conductive cable core at one end thereof and the conductive pin at a second end thereof. The conductive sleeve is located radially outwardly of the crimp body and extends over at least part of the crimp body that receives the conductive core and at least part of the crimp body that receives the conductive pin.

(63) In some embodiments, the sleeve is located directly radially outwardly of the crimp body.

(64) In some embodiments, the sleeve is configured to extend over substantially the entire axial distance between an insulator of the electrical cable and an insulator around the conductive pin.

(65) In some embodiments, the sleeve has a smooth outer profile.

(66) In some embodiments, the sleeve has a radially outer surface and the crimp body has a radially outer surface. The diameter of the radially outer surface at the end of the sleeve corresponds to the diameter of the radially outer surface of the crimp body adjacent thereto.

(67) In some embodiments, the crimp body includes a protrusion that an end of the conductive sleeve abuts against when the assembly is assembled.

(68) In some embodiments, the assembly is an underwater electrical cable termination assembly.

(69) An electrical cable termination includes an electrical cable termination assembly of a type described above; an electrical cable with a conductive core; and a conductive pin. The crimp body electrically connects the conductive core of the electrical cable to the conductive pin.

(70) A method of terminating a cable includes terminating the cable with an assembly of a type described above.

(71) The elements and features described above may be combined with each other in different combinations. For example, the features of the electrical cable termination assembly described above may be combined to form an assembly that includes a locking sleeve and/or a crimp body that extends axially, and/or a conductive sleeve. Such an assembly may include additional features as described above.

(72) While the present invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications may be made to the described embodiments. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in this description.

(73) It is to be understood that the elements and features recited in the appended claims may be combined in different ways to produce new claims that likewise fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, whereas the dependent claims appended below depend from only a single independent or dependent claim, it is to be understood that these dependent claims may, alternatively, be made to depend in the alternative from any preceding claimwhether independent or dependentand that such new combinations are to be understood as forming a part of the present specification.