VEHICLE MUFFLER WITH INTEGRATED AIR DEFLECTOR

Abstract

A muffler having an integrated air deflector comprised of sheet metal includes a tubular shell portion and an integrated air deflector comprised of the sheet metal is described. The integrated air deflector is formed by bending a portion of the sheet metal to project outwardly from a surface of the tubular shell portion. A muffler assembly includes a muffler having an integrated air deflector comprised of sheet metal and end caps configured to attach to tubular ends of the tubular shell portion. The muffler assembly is configured to be installed on an underbody of a motor vehicle. The muffler assembly results in improved aerodynamic efficiency of the motor vehicle and thereby increases a fuel efficiency of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A muffler having an integrated air deflector comprising: a tubular shell portion formed from a piece of sheet metal, the sheet metal having a front portion and an end portion; and an air deflector formed integrally with the tubular shell portion , wherein the air deflector portion is bent to project outwardly from a surface of the tubular shell portion.

2. The muffler of claim 1, wherein the air deflector is positioned between a center portion and a rearmost portion of a lower surface of the tubular shell portion when installed on a vehicle.

3. The muffler of claim 1, wherein the tubular shell portion comprises more than one layer of sheet metal.

4. The muffler of claim 1, wherein the air deflector is formed from an end portion of the sheet metal.

5. The muffler of claim 4, wherein the end portion of the sheet metal has a narrower width than a front portion of the sheet metal.

6. The muffler of claim 4, wherein the air deflector further comprises a second bend in the end portion, the second bend causing the end portion to fold back on itself and travel back to the surface of the tubular shell portion.

7. The muffler of claim 1, wherein the air deflector is formed from a middle portion of the sheet metal.

8. The muffler of claim 7, wherein the middle portion of the sheet metal is bent such that the air deflector has a generally triangular cross-sectional shape.

9. A muffler assembly for a motor vehicle comprising: a body formed having an air deflector extending therefrom, wherein the body and the air deflector are formed from a single piece of sheet metal; and a first end cap attached to a first end of the muffler and a second end cap attached to a second end of the muffler.

10. The muffler assembly of claim 9, wherein the air deflector portion of the muffler is configured to project lower than a rear bumper fascia of a motor vehicle in which the muffler is installed.

11. The muffler assembly of claim 9, wherein the body is formed of multiple windings of the single piece of sheet metal.

12. The muffler assembly of claim 9, wherein the air deflector is formed from an end portion of the piece sheet metal.

13. The muffler assembly of claim 12, wherein the end portion has a narrower width than a front portion of the sheet metal.

14. The muffler assembly of claim 9, wherein the air deflector has a generally triangular cross-section that includes a first portion that is bent away from the body and a second portion that is bent back toward the body.

15. The muffler assembly of claim 9, wherein the air deflector includes a first portion that extends away from the body in a direction generally normal to a surface of the body and a second portion that is folded back adjacent to the first portion and is also in a direction that is generally normal to the surface of the body.

16. A method of manufacturing a muffler assembly having an integrated air deflector, comprising the steps of: providing a piece of sheet metal having a first end and a second end; shaping the piece of sheet metal into a tubular shape; welding a first portion of the sheet metal at a set of welding points to form a tubular shell portion; forming an integrated air deflector from the piece of sheet metal by bending a second portion of the sheet metal to project outwardly from a surface of the tubular shell portion; and attaching a first end cap to a first end of the tubular shell portion and a second end cap to a second end of the tubular shell portion.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the shaping comprises rolling the sheet metal into a tubular shape.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the shaping comprises stamping the sheet metal into a tubular shape.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising welding a second portion of the piece of sheet metal at a second set of welding points on the surface of the tubular shell portion.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of attaching the first end cap and the second end cap comprises welding the first end cap to the first end and the second end cap to the second end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a portion of an underside of a vehicle showing a muffler assembly positioned relative to an underbody cover and rear bumper trim line of the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a muffler assembly having a separately-formed air deflector.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a muffler having an integrated air deflector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of a muffler having an integrated air deflector of FIG. 3.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a close-up detailed view of FIG. 4.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a muffler having an integrated air deflector according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of a muffler having an integrated air deflector of FIG. 6.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a close-up detailed view of FIG. 7.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a muffler having an integrated air deflector according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of a muffler having an integrated air deflector of FIG. 9.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a close-up detailed view of FIG. 10.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a possible configuration of a sheet metal with a deflector portion formed in the sheet metal.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a plan view of another possible configuration of a sheet metal with a deflector portion formed in the sheet metal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0025] Referring generally to the FIGURES, a muffler having an integrated air deflector is shown according to several embodiments. The muffler having an integrated air deflector is configured to reduce air resistance under a vehicle.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a prior art muffler assembly having a separately-formed air deflector is shown. The muffler assembly 10 is positioned as shown underneath the underbody cover 11 of a vehicle. Specifically, the muffler assembly 10 is positioned at a predetermined distance from a rear bumper trim line 12 of the vehicle. The muffler assembly 10 includes a tubular shell portion 13, end caps 14 having brackets 16 to attach and hold the end caps to the tubular shell portion 13, and a separately-formed air deflector 15 connected to the brackets 16 by bolts. According to the teachings of the prior art, the separately-formed air deflector 15 may be further connected to the tubular shell portion 13 of the muffler by one or more clamps. When the muffler assembly is positioned relative to the underbody cover 11 of a vehicle, the direction of airflow underneath the underbody of the vehicle is transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to a longitudinal direction 17, along which the muffler assembly extends. End caps 14 may be formed as male plug elements or female plug elements, in accordance with the teachings of the prior art.

[0027] FIG. 2 further shows an example of a muffler assembly 10 similar to that shown in FIG. 1. The muffler assembly 10 has a separately-formed air deflector 15 connected to the bracket 16 of the end cap 14 by two bolts 18. The bracket 16 determines the location of the separately-formed air deflector 15 on the outer surface of the tubular shell portion 13 because the separately-formed air deflector 15 is attached to the tubular shell portion 13 only at points located on the bracket 16. Thus, for different vehicle configurations, the prior art approach of a separately-formed air deflector connected to a muffler requires separate muffler assembly designs to accommodate different placements of the separately-formed air deflector on the tubular shell portion of the muffler.

[0028] Because the air deflector 15 is a separately formed and manufactured component, additional material and manufacturing processes are required to install the separate air deflector 15 on the tubular shell portion 13 of the muffler. Due to the increased material and processes (e.g., additional welding of the air deflector to the tubular shell portion), a muffler having a separately-formed air deflector has increased weight and size and increased materials and processing costs to manufacture.

[0029] Turning now to the muffler configurations that are the subject of the present application, according to various exemplary embodiments disclosed hereinbelow, a muffler includes an integrated air deflector that is formed concurrently with and from the same sheet of material used to form a portion of the body of the muffler. For example, the muffler includes a body in the form of a tubular shell portion having two ends, with an air deflector incorporated into the shell between the two ends. The muffler is formed, according to one exemplary embodiment, from sheet metal, and the air deflector is formed from a portion of the same sheet metal. The sheet metal is, for example, stainless steel. The sheet metal, according to various examples, is of several sheets, a single sheet, or a portion of a sheet. Specifically, the sheet metal is, for example, 409 stainless steel or, for an additional example, 439 stainless steel. In some aspects, the muffler also includes structural ribs to maintain the shape of the tubular shell portion and the integrated air deflector.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment, a single piece or sheet of sheet metal is used to form a muffler having an integrated air deflector. The single piece or sheet of sheet metal is rolled into a tubular shape. According to other exemplary embodiments, the sheet metal is stamped into a tubular shape. If the sheet metal is stamped into a tubular shape, layers of sheet metal with the air deflector already stamped at an end of each layer must be stacked together to provide adequate structural support to the muffler having an integrated air deflector. The integrated air deflector may be formed at an end portion of the sheet metal. The integrated air deflector formed at the end portion of the sheet metal have a narrower width than the rest of the sheet metal. The integrated air deflector may also be formed in a middle portion of the sheet metal as a bend and the sheet metal may continue and be welded to close the muffler at another location. In either case, the integrated air deflector can be projected outwardly from a surface of the tubular shell portion at different angles relative to the surface.

[0031] The integrated air deflector is formed by bending a portion of the sheet metal to project outwardly from the surface of the tubular shell portion. The portion of the sheet metal is welded at a first set of welding points on the surface of the tubular shell portion and is bent at the first set of welding points such that the integrated air deflector projects outwardly from the surface of the tubular shell portion. The portion of the sheet metal may be welded at a second set of welding points after bending the integrated air deflector back to the surface of the tubular shell portion. The integrated air deflector may be positioned between a center portion and rearmost portion of a lower surface of the tubular shell portion.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tubular shell portion 30 of a muffler 20 having an integrated air deflector 40. The muffler 20 is made of sheet metal 31 according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. The muffler 20 includes a tubular shell portion 30, formed by one or more windings of sheet metal 31 and by welding (e.g., by spot welding or another suitable welding technique) a first end 32 (shown in FIG. 4) of the sheet metal 31 at a first welding point or points 35 (shown in FIG. 5) along a width of the sheet metal 31 to enclose the tubular shell portion 30 along an inner layer 36 of the tubular shell portion 30. Middle portion 34 is welded (e.g., by spot welding) to the tubular shell portion 30 at point or points 38 to form integrated air deflector 40 on an outer layer or surface 37 of the tubular shell portion 30 of muffler 20. The middle portion 34 of sheet metal 31 is bent at bending point or points 44 at a predetermined angle 46 (shown in FIG. 5) of the sheet metal 31 to form portion 42; middle portion 34 is further bent at point or points 45 at predetermined angle 47 and further bent at points 48a at predetermined angle 48 at outer surface 37 of tubular shell portion 30, thereby forming portion 43. Portions 41 and 43 of sheet metal 31 form the hollow projection 41 of integrated air deflector 40. Hollow projection 41 projects outwardly from the outer surface 37 of the tubular shell portion 30.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the muffler 20 having an integrated air deflector 40 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The integrated air deflector 40 is shown in the form of a hollow projection 41 that is formed from a middle portion 34 of piece of sheet metal 31 that has been bent outwardly from the outer surface 37 of the tubular shell portion 30 and further bent back towards the outer surface 37 to create the hollow projection 41.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up detailed view of an example of FIG. 4. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows details of the integrated air deflector 40 which includes a hollow projection 41. The hollow projection 41 is formed from a middle portion 34 of sheet of metal 31, and is created by welding the middle portion 34 to the outer surface 37 of the tubular shell portion 30 at welding point or points 38 and then bending outwardly the middle portion 34 of the sheet metal 31 at a first line of bend points 44 at a first predetermined angle 46 relative to the outer surface 37 of the tubular shell portion 30. The middle portion 34 of the sheet metal 31 is further bent at a second line of bend points 45 at a second predetermined angle 47 relative to the outwardly projecting hollow projection 41 such that the middle portion 34 of the sheet metal 31 is bent back towards the outer surface 37 of the tubular shell portion 30. The middle portion 34 of the sheet metal 31 is bent further at bend points 48a and at a predetermined angle 48 and is further is welded to the outer surface 37 of the tubular shell portion 30 at welding point or points 49. An end portion 33 of the sheet metal 31 continues from the middle portion 34 of the sheet metal 31 and is rolled on the outer surface 37 of the tubular shell portion 30 to a point or points where the end portion is welded (e.g., spot welded) to the outer surface of the tubular shell portion to complete the tubular shell portion 30.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the integrated air deflector 40 has a generally triangular cross-sectional shape, with the apex of the triangle having an acute angle of approximately 40 degrees. According to other aspects, the precise shape of the air deflector 40 may vary (e.g., the apex of the triangle may have a different angle, etc.). To form the air deflector 40 as shown in FIG. 5, after a first spot-weld at point or points 38, the middle portion 34 of the sheet metal 31 is bent once at an angle of approximately 60 degrees relative to the surface. The middle portion 34 thus projects outwardly from the surface 37 and then continues for a distance and is then bent a second time at point or points 45 at an angle of approximately 40 degrees relative to an outwardly projecting portion 42 of the sheet metal 31. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the integrated air deflector 40 is formed by bending a middle portion 34 of the sheet metal 31 in a triangular shape such that the integrated air deflector has an approximately triangular cross section. The middle portion 34 is thus bent to go back to the surface 37 and is spot-welded at a second location 49 on the surface 37. An end portion 33 of the sheet metal 31 then is rolled along the surface 37 of the tubular shell portion 30 and spot-welded to the surface 37 at a different location on the surface 37 to complete the tubular shell portion 30. Although the precise dimensions may vary according to various other exemplary embodiments, according to one specific embodiment, the integrated air deflector may be formed from an approximately 25 mm long middle portion 34 of a piece of sheet metal 31, and the sides of the triangle extending from the surface have lengths of approximately 9 mm.

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a tubular shell portion 60 of a muffler 21 having an integrated air deflector 70 according to another exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate cross-sectional views of the tubular shell portion 60 of the muffler 21 having an integrated air deflector 70 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The integrated air deflector includes a first end portion 72 of sheet metal 61 bent outwardly from a surface 67 of the tubular shell portion 60 and a second end portion 71 of sheet metal 61 further bent back towards the surface 67 of the tubular shell portion 60. In FIG. 8, a first end 62 of sheet metal 61 is spot-welded at point or points 65 to form inner surface 66 of tubular shell portion 60. A middle portion 64 of sheet metal 61 is spot-welded at points 68 to an outer surface 67 of the tubular shell portion 60 and then bent outwardly at a first point 73 at a predetermined angle 75 relative to the surface 67 (e.g., generally perpendicular to the surface 67) to form portion 72 and then the end portion 63 of the sheet metal 61 is bent back at a second point 74 towards the surface (i.e., folded back on itself to travel back to the surface) at a predetermined angle 76 to form portion 71, forming the integrated air deflector 70. End portion 63 and portion 71 of sheet metal 61 is spot-welded to portion 72 at point or points 69. According to one specific exemplary embodiment, for example, the integrated air deflector is formed from a 28 mm-long middle portion 64 of the sheet metal 61 (19 mm extra of shell after the spot weld). The end portion 63 of the sheet metal 61 is bent once at 9 mm (e.g., bent perpendicularly to the surface 67 of the tubular shell portion 60) and continuing for 10 mm and then bent back towards the surface 67 (i.e., folded back on itself to travel back to the surface) and continuing for 9 mm. According to other aspects, the dimensions vary.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tubular shell portion 90 of a muffler 22 having an integrated air deflector 100 comprised of sheet metal 91 according to another exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate cross-section views of the tubular shell portion 90 of the muffler 22 having an integrated air deflector 100 illustrated in FIG. 9. The integrated air deflector 100 includes an end portion 93 of sheet metal 91 bent outwardly from a surface 97 of the tubular shell portion 90. In FIG. 11, an end portion 92 of sheet metal is spot-welded at point or points 95 to form surface 96 of the tubular shell portion 90. A middle portion 94 of the sheet metal 91 is welded at point or points 98 to outer surface 97 of tubular shell portion 90 and then bent outwardly at point or point 103 at a predetermined angle 105 relative to the surface 97 (e.g., perpendicularly to the surface) to form portion 101 at end portion 93 of the sheet metal 91. According to a specific exemplary embodiment, the integrated air deflector 100 is formed from a 19 mm-long end portion of the sheet metal (10 mm extra of shell after the spot weld). The end portion 93 of the sheet metal is bent once at 9 mm (e.g., bent perpendicularly to the surface 97 of the tubular shell portion 90) and continuing for 10 mm. According to other aspects, the dimensions vary.

[0038] Depending on the configuration desired for the integrated air deflector, the geometry of the starting sheet of sheet material varies. For example, FIG. 12 shows a plan view of a piece of sheet metal 1200 used to form a muffler having an integrated muffler in which an end portion 1201 of the sheet metal has a narrower width at portion 1203 of sheet metal 1200 than another portion 1202 of the sheet metal. The end portion 1201 having a narrower width is used to form the integrated air deflector such that the integrated air deflector has a narrower width than the tubular shell portion of the muffler. Such a configuration may be desirable to aid in attaching end caps to a first tubular end and a second tubular end of the tubular shell portion of the muffler to form a muffler assembly. FIG. 13, in contrast, illustrates another aspect in which a middle portion 1303 of the sheet metal 1300 has a narrower width than another two portions 1301 and 1302 of the sheet metal (e.g., end portions 1301 and 1302). The middle portion 1303 having a narrower width is used to form the integrated air deflector such that the integrated air deflector has a narrower width than the tubular shell portion of the muffler. In either case, however, the sheet metal may be folded in the desired manner to create an air deflector that extends from the body of the muffler to provide enhanced airflow management for a vehicle in which the muffler is installed.

[0039] It should also be noted that the body of the muffler includes a single winding of sheet metal or includes multiple windings. As those of skill in the art reviewing the present disclosure will appreciate, the use of multiple windings of sheet metal provides certain advantages in some circumstances, including enhancing the weldability of the components of the muffler, providing improved performance, and the like. It should be understood, however, that the concepts disclosed in the present application with respect to the formation of an integrated air deflector may be used in both single-winding and multiple-winding configurations.

[0040] According to the present disclosure, a muffler assembly includes a tubular shell portion having two ends and formed from sheet metal, an air deflector formed from a portion of the sheet metal, and end caps attached at the two ends of the tubular shell portion. The tubular shell portion is configured to receive the end caps. The muffler assembly includes the muffler having an integrated air deflector as described herein and two end caps, disposed at the two tubular ends of the muffler. When the muffler assembly is installed in an underbody of a motor vehicle, the integrated air deflector of the muffler must be positioned below the underside of a rear bumper fascia of the motor vehicle. In such a configuration, the muffler assembly having an integrated air deflector reduces the downforce of the motor vehicle by reducing the drag coefficient of the motor vehicle and thereby reducing drag and increasing aerodynamic efficiency, resulting in improved vehicle performance (e.g., increased fuel efficiency). Additionally, such a muffler assembly can be installed at different locations and in different orientations on the underbody of the motor vehicle to accommodate different underbody configurations (e.g., a tow package on the motor vehicle). For example, the muffler assembly may be installed on the underbody such that the muffler assembly is arranged perpendicular to a fore and aft direction of the motor vehicle. The muffler assembly having an integrated air deflector is compact and lightweight, reducing the overall weight of the motor vehicle and eliminating additional parts and additional manufacturing processes to manufacture the muffler assembly, resulting in lower material and manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the integrated air deflector may serve as a heat shield on the muffler assembly and prevent discoloration of the muffler assembly.

[0041] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a muffler assembly having an integrated air deflector is provided. The steps of the method include shaping sheet metal by welding a first portion of the sheet metal at a welding line to form a tubular shell portion having a first tubular end and a second tubular end. Then a second portion of the sheet metal extending beyond the welding line is bent to form an integrated air deflector such that the integrated air deflector projects outwardly from a surface of the tubular shell portion. The method also includes a step of attaching end caps at the first tubular end and the second tubular end of the tubular shell.

[0042] According to one aspect, the sheet metal used to manufacture the muffler assembly having an integrated air deflector is of a high strength stainless steel, for example, the sheet metal is made of 409 stainless steel or, for a further example, the sheet metal is made of 439 stainless steel.

[0043] Multiple shaping steps in sequence may be included in the method to produce a multi-layered tubular shell portion. For example, a first shaping step and a second shaping step is included in the method to manufacture a double-layered tubular shell portion. As an additional example, a third shaping step is included in the method to manufacture a triple-layered tubular shell portion. Any number of shaping steps may be performed and included in the method to manufacture a tubular shell portion having a desired layered configuration. Multi-layered tubular shell portions need not have complete additional layers but rather partial additional layers (e.g., the end portion of the sheet metal is welded to the surface of the tubular shell portion at a middle portion of the surface).

[0044] According to some aspects, the welding step is performed before the sheet metal is bent to form the integrated air deflector. According to other aspects, the welding step is performed after the sheet metal is bent to form the integrated air deflector. Additionally, according to some aspects, the welding step is performed both before and after the bending and forming step. The welding step includes spot welding the portion of the sheet metal to the surface of the tubular shell portion.

[0045] Different processes may be performed to accomplish the shaping step. For example, the shaping step includes rolling the sheet metal into a configuration which will cause it to achieve a tubular shape. As an additional example, the shaping step includes stamping the sheet metal into a tubular shape. In either example, additional shaping steps may be included in the method to achieve a multi-layered configuration of the tubular shell portion of the muffler assembly.

[0046] The forming of the integrated air deflector may be formed at various points between the first end of the sheet metal and the second end of the sheet metal. For example, after welding a first portion of the sheet metal at a welding line, the integrated air deflector is formed by bending a portion of the sheet metal adjacent to the second end of the sheet metal such that the second end of the sheet metal projects outwardly from the tubular shell portion. The outward projection of the second end of the sheet metal may be at various angles relative to a plane tangent to a surface of the tubular shell portion, for example, at approximately a 90 degree angle. The second end of the sheet metal is further bent at approximately a 180 degree angle, back towards the surface of the tubular shell portion.

[0047] As an additional example, the integrated air deflector is formed as a bend in a middle portion of the sheet metal by bending the middle portion at a first predetermined angle from a surface of the tubular shell portion, then further bending an additional middle portion of the sheet metal back towards the surface of the tubular shell portion at a second predetermined angle and then spot-welding the additional middle portion of the sheet metal to the surface of the tubular shell portion and continuing an end portion of the sheet metal to form an additional layer on the tubular shell portion and end-welding the end portion of the sheet metal at another point on the surface of the tubular shell portion. The first predetermined angle and the second predetermined angle may be of an equal size or of different sizes. For example, the first predetermined angle may be of a size approximately equal to 60 degrees and the second predetermined angle may be of a size approximately equal to 40 degrees.

[0048] The step of attaching end caps to the tubular shell portion may be achieved by various processes. For example, the end caps may be welded to the first and second tubular ends of the tubular shell portion. Additionally, the end caps may be rolled. Based on the present disclosure, various other processes to attach the end caps to the first and second tubular ends of the tubular shell portion may be used.

[0049] As utilized herein, the terms approximately, about, substantially, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

[0050] The terms coupled, connected, and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.

[0051] References herein to the position of elements (e.g., top, bottom, above, below, etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0052] It is to be understood that although the present invention has been described with regard to embodiments thereof, various other embodiments and variants may occur to those skilled in the art, which are within the scope and spirit of the invention, and such other embodiments and variants are intended to be covered by corresponding claims. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, the order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0053] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for the sake of clarity.