SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING IDLE THRUST IN A TRANSLATING COWL THRUST REVERSER

Abstract

A system and method for reducing idle thrust in a translating cowl reverser system is provided. The provided system and method provide a partial deployment, or thrust reverser system intermediate position for a translating cowl thrust reverser system.

Claims

1. A thrust reverser system for a turbofan engine, comprising: a stationary structure configured to be mounted to the turbofan engine; a transcowl mounted on the stationary structure and comprising a front edge, the transcowl configured for movement between a first position, in which the front edge abuts the stationary structure, and a second position, in which the transcowl is translated aft, thereby creating an aperture between the front edge and the stationary structure; a first displaceable blocker door pivotally mounted to the stationary structure and at least partially surrounded by the transcowl, the first displaceable blocker door rotatable about a pivot axis and configured for pivoting between a stowed position and a deployed position, the first displaceable blocker door configured, when it is in the deployed position, to direct engine airflow to discharge through the aperture to thereby generate reverse thrust; an actuation system coupled to the transcowl and the first displaceable blocker door, the actuation system configured to coordinate transcowl movement with pivoting of the first displaceable blocker door, thereby creating (i) a forward position, in which the transcowl is in the first position and the first displaceable blocker door is in the stowed position, (ii) a reverse position, in which (a) the transcowl is in the second position and (b) the first displaceable blocker door is in the deployed position, and (iii) an intermediate position, in which (a) the transcowl is positioned at a predetermined distance between the first and second positions, thereby creating a reduced aperture through which a portion of engine airflow discharges, and (b) the first displaceable blocker door is in the stowed position.

2. The thrust reverser system of claim 1, wherein the actuation system is configured to (i) prevent pivoting of the first displaceable blocker door when the transcowl movement is between the first position and the intermediate position, and (ii) synchronize pivoting of the first displaceable blocker door with transcowl movement such that the first displaceable blocker door pivots between the stowed position and the deployed position as the transcowl movement is between the intermediate position and the second position, respectively.

3. The thrust reverser system of claim 2, wherein the actuation system comprises: a linkage rod comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end or the second end has a slot therethrough; a first fastener; and a second fastener; and wherein the linkage rod is coupled on the first end to the first displaceable blocker door by the first fastener and coupled on the second end to the transcowl by the second fastener, and wherein one of the first fastener or second fastener is configured to travel within the slot.

4. The thrust reverser system of claim 3, wherein the slot is configured to permit transcowl movement between the first position and the intermediate position without pivoting the first displaceable blocker door between the stowed position and the deployed position.

5. The thrust reverser of claim 4, wherein: the first displaceable blocker door is one of a plurality of displaceable blocker doors, and each of the plurality of displaceable blocker doors is pivotally mounted to the stationary structure and at least partially surrounded by the transcowl; each of the plurality of displaceable blocker doors is rotatable about the pivot axis and configured to be pivoted between a stowed position and a deployed position when the transcowl moves between the first position and the second position, respectively; and each of the plurality of displaceable blocker doors is configured, when it is in the deployed position, to redirect engine airflow through the aperture to thereby generate reverse thrust.

6. The thrust reverser system of claim 2, wherein the actuation system comprises: a flexible member coupled on a first end to the first displaceable blocker door and coupled on a second end to the transcowl.

7. The thrust reverser system of claim 2, wherein the actuation system comprises: a rod comprising a first end and a second end, the rod coupled on the first end to the transcowl; and a lever arm having a first end and a second end, the lever arm coupled on the first end to the second end of the rod and coupled on the second end to the first displaceable blocker door.

8. The thrust reverser system of claim 1, wherein the transcowl further comprises an inner surface having a contour formed therein to provide clearance for the first displaceable blocker door as it pivots between the stowed position and the deployed position.

9. The thrust reverser system of claim 2, and wherein the stationary structure comprises a first support beam extending aft and configured to slidably engage with the transcowl.

10. The thrust reverser system of claim 8, wherein the first displaceable blocker door is pivotally mounted to the first support beam.

11. The thrust reverser system of claim 2, wherein the stationary structure further comprises a circumferentially located opening, and wherein the first displaceable blocker door is further shaped and pivotally mounted to the stationary structure such that, when in the stowed position, the first displaceable blocker door does not obstruct the opening.

12. A thrust reverser system for a turbofan engine, comprising: a stationary structure configured to be mounted to the turbofan engine; a transcowl mounted on the stationary structure and comprising a front edge, the transcowl configured for movement between a first position, in which the front edge abuts the stationary structure, and a second position, in which the transcowl is translated aft, thereby creating an aperture between the front edge and the stationary structure; a first displaceable blocker door pivotally mounted to the stationary structure and at least partially surrounded by the transcowl, the first displaceable blocker door rotatable about a pivot axis and configured for pivoting between a stowed position and a deployed position, the first displaceable blocker door configured, when it is in the deployed position, to direct engine airflow to discharge through the aperture to thereby generate reverse thrust, wherein the first displaceable blocker door is one of a plurality of displaceable blocker doors, and each of the plurality of displaceable blocker doors is pivotally mounted to the stationary structure and at least partially surrounded by the transcowl; each of the plurality of displaceable blocker doors is rotatable about the pivot axis and configured to be pivoted between a stowed position and a deployed position when the transcowl moves between the first position and the second position, respectively; and each of the plurality of displaceable blocker doors is configured, when it is in the deployed position, to redirect engine airflow through the aperture to thereby generate reverse thrust; and an actuation system coupled to the transcowl and the plurality of displaceable blocker doors, the actuation system configured to coordinate transcowl movement with pivoting of the plurality of displaceable blocker doors, thereby creating (i) a forward position, in which the transcowl is in the first position and the plurality of displaceable blocker doors is in the stowed position, (ii) a reverse position, in which (a) the transcowl is in the second position and (b) the plurality of displaceable blocker doors is in the deployed position, (iii) an intermediate position, in which (a) the transcowl is positioned at a predetermined distance between the first and second position, thereby creating a reduced aperture through which a portion of engine airflow discharges, and (b) the plurality of displaceable blocker doors is in the stowed position.

13. The thrust reverser system of claim 12, wherein the stationary structure further comprises a plurality of vanes disposed within the aperture and configured to discharge engine airflow through the aperture when the transcowl is in the intermediate position and when the transcowl is in the second position.

14. The thrust reverser system of claim 12, wherein the transcowl further comprises an internal surface having a contour formed therein, the contour shaped to provide clearance for the plurality of displaceable blocker doors as the plurality of displaceable blocker doors pivot between the stowed position and the deployed position.

15. The thrust reverser system of claim 14, wherein the actuation system comprises: a linkage rod comprising a first end and a second end, the first or second end having a slot therethrough; a first fastener; and a second fastener; and wherein the linkage rod is coupled on the first end to the first displaceable blocker door by the first fastener and coupled on the second end to the transcowl by the second fastener, and wherein the first or second fastener is configured to travel within the slot.

16. The thrust reverser system of claim 15, wherein the slot is configured to permit transcowl movement between the first position and the intermediate position without pivoting the first displaceable blocker door between the stowed position and the deployed position.

17. The thrust reverser system of claim 12, wherein the actuation system comprises: a flexible member coupled on a first end to the first displaceable blocker door and coupled on a second end to the transcowl.

18. The thrust reverser system of claim 12, wherein the actuation system comprises: a linkage rod comprising a first end and a second end, the linkage rod coupled on the first end to the transcowl; and a lever arm having a first end and a second end, the lever arm coupled on the first end to the second end of the linkage rod and coupled on the second end to the first displaceable blocker door.

19. A method for producing a thrust reverser system for a turbofan engine, comprising: mounting a stationary structure to the turbofan engine; mounting a transcowl on the stationary structure; pivotally mounting a first displaceable blocker door to the stationary structure, wherein the first displaceable blocker door is rotatable about a pivot axis and configured for pivoting between a stowed position and a deployed position; coupling an actuation system to the transcowl and the first displaceable blocker door; coordinating, by the actuation system, transcowl movement with pivoting of the first displaceable blocker door, thereby creating (i) a forward position, in which the transcowl is abutted with the stationary structure and the first displaceable blocker door is in the stowed position, (ii) a reverse position, in which (a) the transcowl is translated aft from the stationary structure, creating an aperture, and (b) the first displaceable blocker door is in the deployed position, (iii) an intermediate position, in which (a) the transcowl is translated aft from the stationary structure by a predetermined distance, thereby creating a reduced aperture through which a portion of engine airflow discharges, and (b) the first displaceable blocker door is in the stowed position.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: preventing pivoting of the first displaceable blocker door when the transcowl movement is between the forward position and the intermediate position, and synchronizing pivoting of the first displaceable blocker door with transcowl movement such that the first displaceable blocker door pivots between the stowed position and the deployed position as the transcowl movement is between the intermediate position and the reverse position, respectively.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] A more complete understanding of the subject matter may be derived by referring to the following Detailed Description and Claims when considered in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar elements throughout the figures, and wherein:

[0037] FIG. 1-FIG. 2 are perspective views of a typical aircraft turbofan engine with (i) a thrust reverser in a stowed position (FIG. 1), (ii) a thrust reverser in a deployed position (FIG. 2);

[0038] FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view, above a thrust reverser centerline, of a thrust reverser system in a forward (stowed) position, according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the thrust reverser system in FIG. 3 in an intermediate position, according to the exemplary embodiment;

[0040] FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of the thrust reverser system in FIG. 3 in a reverse (deployed) position, according to the exemplary embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view, above a thrust reverser centerline, of a thrust reverser system in a forward (stowed) position, according to another exemplary embodiment;

[0042] FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view, above a thrust reverser centerline, of a thrust reverser system in a forward (stowed) position, according to yet another exemplary embodiment; and

[0043] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are perspective views of a second variation of a typical aircraft turbofan engine with (i) a thrust reverser in a stowed position (FIG. 8), (ii) a thrust reverser in a deployed position (FIG. 8).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. As used herein, the word exemplary means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Thus, any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0045] The turbofan engine is a component of an aircraft's propulsion system that, in cooperation with the thrust reverser, generates thrust by means of an accelerating mass of gas. As an overview, when the thrust reverser is in the forward thrust state with one or more displaceable blocker doors stowed, engine airflow moves from the forward end of the turbofan engine to the aft end and is discharged as forward thrust. Alternatively, when the thrust reverser is in the reverse thrust state the displaceable blocker doors are deployed, the engine airflow is prevented from being discharged as forward thrust, and is instead discharged through an aperture, generating reverse thrust.

[0046] Various embodiments are directed to a thrust reverser system that is suitable for an aircraft turbofan engine and provides reduced idle thrust. As will be apparent from the detail below, the exemplary embodiments advantageously provide a reduction in idle thrust as compared to traditional thrust reverser designs. The embodiments described below are merely examples and serve as a guide for implementing the novel systems and methods herein on any industrial, commercial, military, or consumer turbofan application. As such, the examples presented herein are intended as non-limiting.

[0047] Turning now to FIG. 1, a turbofan engine is substantially encased within an aerodynamically smooth outer covering, the nacelle 100. Nacelle 100 wraps around the turbofan engine and forms an aerodynamically shaped cavity around an engine centerline 105, thereby providing an engine exhaust flow 106 when the aircraft is generating forward thrust. Ambient air 102 enters the turbofan engine and passes through a fan 101. A portion of this air will be pressurized, mixed with fuel and ignited, generating hot gasses known as core flow 103. The remainder of this air bypasses the engine core and is known as fan flow 104. Together, fan flow and core flow become the engine exhaust flow 106 that is discharged, generating forward thrust.

[0048] Nacelle 100 comprises a thrust reverser with stationary structure 108 and an annular translatable cowl, or transcowl 114. Transcowl 114 is mounted adjacent to the stationary structure 108 and extends aft therefrom. In a forward thrust position of a typical thrust reverser system, a front edge 112 of the transcowl 114 abuts with the stationary structure 108, creating a substantially smooth and continuous cavity for the fan flow 104 and exhaust flow 106, thereby generating forward thrust.

[0049] One or more support beams (not shown) may extend aft from the stationary structure 108 and slidably engage with transcowl 114. The stationary structure has an annular shape and typically includes associated support beams to provide a rigid annular structure to which moveable thrust reverser components (described in detail below) may be mounted. The stationary structure 108 also serves to mount the entire thrust reverser system to the turbofan engine.

[0050] Turning next to FIG. 2, a typical thrust reverser transitions to the reverser thrust position by translating transcowl 114 aft from the stationary structure 108 by a predetermined distance 208, creating a reverse flow aperture 203. Concurrently with the transcowl movement, displaceable blocker doors 204 pivot to obstruct the fan flow 104 or exhaust flow 106. This coordinated motion of the transcowl 114 and displaceable blocker doors 204 creates a reverse flow path 202, thereby generating reverse thrust. In a typical thrust reverser system, the transition from the forward thrust position to the reverser thrust position occurs as a single, continuous motion, wherein no intermediate or partially deploy position is sustained. As will be seen in the following sections, the present invention introduces a thrust reverser design that enables an intermediate operating state, wherein forward thrust produced by the engine can be reduced to a level lower than is possible on a typical thrust reverser system.

[0051] Each of FIGS. 3-5 provide a partial cross sectional view of a top half of a thrust reverser system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, depicting three provided thrust reverser system positions. FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view 300 of a thrust reverser system in a forward position; FIG. 4 provides the thrust reverser system of FIG. 3 in an intermediate position; and, FIG. 5 provides the thrust reverser system of FIG. 3 in a reverse position. An engine centerline 105 is depicted for reference. Each thrust reverser system position is described further hereinbelow.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view 300, above an engine centerline 105, of a thrust reverser system in a forward (stowed) position, according to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 3, the front edge 112 of transcowl 114 abuts circumferentially with the annular stationary structure 108. A displaceable blocker door 302 is shown pivotally attached at pivot joint 304.

[0053] Displaceable blocker door 302 is pivotally mounted to side beam 210 at pivot joint 304; pivot joint 304 provides a pivot axis for displaceable blocker door 302 to pivot about. In FIG. 3, displaceable blocker door 302 is shown stowed thereby being substantially continuous with an inner surface 305 of transcowl 114. As the displaceable blocker door 302 pivots about the pivot axis, it traces out a path on an inner surface 305 of the transcowl 114 that the inner surface 305 is modified to accommodate. In the embodiment, inner surface 305 is shaped with a contoured area 306 to provide clearance of displaceable blocker door 302 as it pivots on its pivot axis. Pivot joint 304 may be any fastener or fastening assembly capable of enabling the displaceable blocker door 302 to pivot as described while meeting all attending design requirements.

[0054] As one with skill in the art will appreciate, various embodiments of pivotally mounted displaceable blocker doors 302 are supported. Although the cross sectional view of FIG. 3 may make displaceable blocker door 302 appear to be two-dimensional; in practice it may be three-dimensional, for example, having a clamshell shape. Displaceable blocker door 302 is machined or manufactured to have a shape that permits it to be substantially continuous with the inner surface 305 while stowed, minimizing interference with turbofan engine airflow (fan flow 104 and/or exhaust flow 106).

[0055] An actuation system is coupled to the transcowl 114 so as to achieve coordinated motion of the transcowl 114 and the displaceable blocker door 302. In the embodiment, the actuation system includes a linkage rod 308 comprising a first end and a second end, the second end having a slot 314 therethrough. A first fastener 310 couples the linkage rod 308 on the first end to the first displaceable blocker door 302. The linkage rod 308 is coupled on the second end to the transcowl 114 by a second fastener 312. Cascade-type thrust reverser features, such as a plurality of cascade vanes 318, may be present (cascade vanes 318 are described in more detail in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0056] One with skill in the art will readily appreciate that the actuation system may comprise additional components that are not the subject of the present invention. Additional components within the actuation system may be utilized to cause the transcowl 114 to translate back and forth between the stowed (forward) position, the intermediate position, and the deployed (reverse) position. The actuation system may comprise mechanical and/or electrical components, and may be responsive to aircraft system commands.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view 400 of the thrust reverser system in FIG. 3 in an intermediate position, according to the exemplary embodiment. When transcowl 114 is moved aft of the stationary structure 108, the front edge 112 of transcowl 114 creates an aperture 402 that is bounded on one side by front edge 112. In the embodiment, the front edge 112 of transcowl 114 is positioned a predetermined distance 403 from the stationary structure 108. FIG. 4 is not to scale, however, a person with skill in the art will readily appreciate that predetermined distance 403 is less than a total deployment position, (total distance 503 aft of stationary structure 108 in FIG. 5) achieved when the thrust reverser system is in the reverse position. The reverse position of the thrust reverser system is described in more detail in connection with FIG. 5.

[0058] Moving transcowl 114 aft, as illustrated, results in discharging a portion of fan flow 104 through aperture 402, creating an reverse flow path 202, reducing the amount of flow passing through exhaust flow 106; thereby reducing the amount of forward thrust generated. Notably, displaceable blocker door 302 remains in its stowed or forward thrust position, and does not obstruct fan flow 104 or exhaust flow 106. The provided intermediate position is achieved as second fastener 312 travels a distance 406 within the slot 314, from a starting point 315 to a point 317, without causing or permitting the displaceable blocker door 302 to pivot away from the stowed position. This relative motion between the transcowl 114 and the displaceable blocker door 302, achieved by the motion of second fastener 312 within slot 314, is sometimes referred to as asynchronous or lost motion.

[0059] The provided lost motion advantageously yields a thrust reverser system having an intermediate position that may be referred to as partially deployed. In practice, the exemplary thrust reverser system could be placed in this intermediate position during descent and approach, so as to increase the aircrafts rate of descent. Increasing the aircraft rate of descent permits the aircraft to make altitude changes more quickly, thereby reducing the amount of time necessary to complete the decent and approach phase of flight. During landing, the thrust reverser system could be moved to the fully deployed position, thereby creating reverse thrust to decelerate the aircraft. Finally, after the completion of the landing phase, the exemplary thrust reverser system could be put back into the intermediate position, with displaceable blocker doors 302 pivoted back to their stowed position during ground taxi. Applied this way, the partial deployment permits engine airflow to essentially leak out of the aperture 402, thereby reducing the forward thrust generated by exhaust flow 106. An objective of this partial deployment is to achieve an at least 10% reduction in net forward thrust, without producing any net reverse thrust. The corresponding desired partial deployment may be defined as a translation (aft) of the transcowl 114 a predetermined distance that ranges from about 25% to about 75% of its total deployment position.

[0060] A plurality of cascade vanes 318, used to redirect thrust, may be disposed within aperture 402 in some embodiments. The cascade vanes 318 are shaped and oriented to direct turbofan engine fan flow 104 through the aperture 402. The number, position, size, material, etc., of the cascade vanes 318 are dependent upon the individual thrust reverser system design.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of the thrust reverser system in FIG. 3 in a reverse or fully deployed position, according to the exemplary embodiment. The provided reverse position achieves full deployment of the exemplary thrust reverser system. The reverse position is achieved as the continued motion of the transcowl 114 causes the second fastener 312 to travel from point 317 to ending point 319, reaching the end of slot 314 and causing the linkage rod 308 and its fastener 310 to move aft. The motion of the linkage rod 308 and fastener 310 causes the displaceable blocker door 302 to pivot from the stowed position into the deployed position. The movement of the transcowl 114 and the deployment of the displaceable blocker door 302 are synchronous between the intermediate position and the reverse position. As described above, moving transcowl 114 aft of the stationary structure 108 creates or exposes an aperture 502 that is bounded on one side by front edge 112. In FIG. 5, transcowl 114 has been moved to its total deployment position, total distance 503 aft of stationary structure 108, creating aperture 502.

[0062] Displaceable blocker door 302 is machined or manufactured to have a shape that permits it to obstruct exhaust flow 106 and redirect it forward when displaceable blocker door 302 is in its deployed position; thereby generating reverse thrust. In FIG. 5, displaceable blocker door 302 can be seen to have deployed; it has moved to obstruct exhaust flow 106, redirecting it through aperture 502. In the reverse position, the exemplary embodiment generates a net thrust in the reverse thrust direction.

[0063] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are partial cross sectional views, above an engine centerline 105, of a thrust reverser system in a forward (stowed) position, providing additional embodiments. In FIG. 6, the partial cross sectional view 600 depicts the actuation system comprising a flexible member 602 instead of the above described linkage rod 308. In FIG. 7, the partial cross sectional view 700 depicts the actuation system comprising a rod 708 and lever arm 710 instead of the above described linkage rod 308. Each embodiment is addressed further below.

[0064] In FIG. 6, flexible member 602 is coupled on a first end to the first displaceable blocker door 302 with first fastener 606 and coupled on a second end to the transcowl 114 with second fastener 604. As transcowl 114 translates aft from its stowed or forward position to its intermediate or partially deployed position, the flexible member 602 exerts an elastic force on displaceable blocker door 302, this force having a magnitude below a predefined threshold. Consequently, displaceable blocker door 302 does not rotate, being held in the stowed position by a bias force equal to the predefined threshold. As transcowl 114 translates further aft from its intermediate position to its reverse or fully deployed position, the flexible member 602 exerts an elastic force on displaceable blocker door 302 that exceeds the predefined threshold. Consequently, displaceable blocker door 302 rotates to the fully deployed position. In the embodiment, the flexible member 602 could take the form of a compression spring or any other elastic element that is manufactured or designed to exert an elastic force on the displaceable blocker door 302 that increases with increasing translation of transcowl 114. This elastic force, in combination with the afore mentioned bias force, provides motion of the transcowl 114 and displaceable blocker door 302 that is initially asynchronous, but is later synchronous, providing a lost motion behavior that is analogous to the behavior that the above described linkage rod embodiment (FIGS. 3-5) provides, thereby providing the thrust reverser system intermediate position.

[0065] In FIG. 7, the actuation system comprises a rod 708 and a lever arm 710. The rod 708 comprises a first end and a second end, and is coupled on the first end, via fastener 706, to the transcowl 114. The lever arm 710 is coupled on the first end to the second end of the rod 708, via fastener 704, and coupled on the second end to the first displaceable blocker door 302, via fastener 702. The attachment between the lever arm 710 and the displaceable blocker door 302 includes a lost motion feature, such as a slot or an elongated keyway. As transcowl 114 translates aft from its stowed or forward position to its intermediate or partially deployed position it causes rod 708 to move, thereby causing lever arm 710 to rotate. However, during this first phase of motion the displaceable blocker door 302 does not rotate, such relative motion being permitted by the lost motion feature in the lever arm. However, as transcowl 114 translates further aft from its intermediate position to its reverse or fully deployed position, lever arm 710 exceeds the limits of its lost motion feature and causes displaceable blocker door 302 to rotate to the fully deployed position. In the embodiment, the rod 708 and lever arm are manufactured and/or designed to provide the initially asynchronous and later synchronous behavior that the above described linkage rod embodiment provides, thereby providing the thrust reverser system intermediate position.

[0066] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are perspective views of a second variation of a typical aircraft turbofan engine with (i) a thrust reverser in a stowed position (FIG. 8), (ii) a thrust reverser in a deployed position (FIG. 9). The notable difference is that the displaceable blocker doors 204 deploy by closing to the core of the turbofan engine, rather than to an engine centerline. It may be readily appreciated that the above introduced novel concepts easily adapt to the variation of a typical aircraft turbofan engine depicted in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, as well as other variations.

[0067] Thus there has been provided a system and method for reducing idle thrust in a translating cowl reverser system. The provided system and method provide a partial deployment, or thrust reverser system intermediate position for a translating cowl thrust reverser system. A person with skill in the art will readily appreciate that a variety of other embodiments may be utilized to provide the intended functionality without straying from the scope of the invention.

[0068] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0069] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Numerical ordinals such as first, second, third, etc. simply denote different singles of a plurality and do not imply any order or sequence unless specifically defined by the claim language. The sequence of the text in any of the claims does not imply that process steps must be performed in a temporal or logical order according to such sequence unless it is specifically defined by the language of the claim. The process steps may be interchanged in any order without departing from the scope of the invention as long as such an interchange does not contradict the claim language and is not logically nonsensical. Furthermore, depending on the context, words such as connect or coupled to used in describing a relationship between different elements do not imply that a direct physical connection must be made between these elements. For example, two elements may be connected to each other physically, electronically, logically, or in any other manner, through one or more additional elements.

[0070] Furthermore, depending on the context, words such as connect or coupled to used in describing a relationship between different elements do not imply that a direct physical connection must be made between these elements. For example, two elements may be connected to each other physically, electronically, logically, or in any other manner, through one or more additional elements.

[0071] Some of the embodiments and implementations are described above in terms of functional and/or logical block components or modules. However, it should be appreciated that such block components (or modules) may be realized by any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, these illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention. For example, an embodiment of a system or a component may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments described herein are merely exemplary implementations.