A MARINE PROPULSION UNIT COMPRISING A COMPOUND PLANETARY GEAR

Abstract

A marine propeller propulsion unit has a compound planetary gear for driving a propeller, a propulsion motor for driving the compound planetary gear, and a housing for enclosing the propulsion motor and the compound planetary gear. The compound planetary gear comprises a sun gear, a ring gear, a planet carrier, a first planet gear and a second planet gear. The radius of the second planet gear exceeds the radius of the first planet gear and the first and second planet gears are rotationally fixed to one another. The ring gear meshes with the first planet gear and the sun gear meshes with the second planet gear. The sun gear is adapted to be connected to the propulsion motor and the ring gear is adapted to be connected to the propeller.

Claims

1. A marine propeller propulsion unit comprising a compound planetary gear for driving a propeller, a propulsion motor for driving the compound planetary gear, and a housing for enclosing the propulsion motor and the compound planetary gear, the compound planetary gear comprising a sun gear, a ring gear, a planet carrier, and a first planet gear and a second planet gear, wherein the radius of the second planet gear exceeds the radius of the first planet gear and the first and second planet gears are rotationally fixed to one another, wherein the ring gear meshes with the first planet gear and the sun gear meshes with the second planet gear, and wherein the sun gear is adapted to be connected to the propulsion motor and the ring gear is adapted to be connected to the propeller.

2. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the propulsion motor is an electric motor.

3. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the marine propeller propulsion unit comprises one single propulsion motor.

4. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the marine propulsion unit is configured such that the housing at least during operation is completely submerged under water.

5. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the radiuses of the sun gear and the first planet gear are essentially equal or differ by up to 20 percent.

6. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the radius of the second planet gear is 1.5 to 3 times the radius of the first planet gear.

7. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the compound planetary gear is adapted to during operation be arranged with its longitudinal axis arranged essentially in plane with a vessel that comprises, and during operation is propelled by, the marine propeller propulsion unit.

8. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the compound planetary gear comprises helical gears and is configured to cancel out any axial forces generated by the compound planetary gear during operation.

9. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the marine propeller propulsion unit does not comprise any moving part positioned radially outside the ring gear or the first or second planet gear, apart from the propeller.

10. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the sun gear is connected to the propulsion motor such that the sun gear and the propulsion motor are adapted to rotate at the same velocity.

11. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the compound planetary gear is configured for driving a first and a second propeller, wherein the ring gear is adapted to be connected to the first propeller, and the planet carrier is adapted to be connected to the second propeller.

12. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 11, comprising one single input shaft connecting the compound planetary gear and the propulsion motor.

13. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 12, wherein the propulsion motor is directly connected to the input shaft such that the propulsion motor and the input shaft are adapted to rotate at the same velocity.

14. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the marine propeller propulsion unit is configured as a rearward drive propulsion unit, and the first propeller is a front propeller and the second propeller is a rear propeller or, wherein the marine propeller propulsion unit is configured as a forward drive propulsion unit, and the first propeller is a rear propeller and the second propeller is a front propeller.

15. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, comprising a brake configured to directly or indirectly brake the ring gear to increase the rotational speed of the planet carrier and/or to directly or indirectly brake the planet carrier to increase the rotational speed of the ring gear.

16. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the compound planetary gear comprises helical gears and is configured to cancel out any axial forces generated by the compound planetary gear during operation.

17. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 16, wherein helical gears of the sun gear and of the ring gear have opposite helix hands.

18. The marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1, wherein the compound planetary gear comprises three of four pairs of first and second planet gears.

19. Use of a compound planetary gear in a marine propeller propulsion unit for driving a first and a second propeller by means of an input shaft, wherein the compound planetary gear comprises: a sun gear; a ring gear; a planet carrier; and a first planet gear and a second planet gear, wherein the radius of the second planet gear exceeds the radius of the first planet gear and the first and second planet gears are rotationally fixed to one another; wherein the ring gear meshes with the first planet gear and the sun gear meshes with the second planet gear; and the sun gear is adapted to be connected to the input shaft, the ring gear is adapted to be connected to the first propeller, and the planet carrier is adapted to be connected to the second propeller.

20. A marine vessel comprising the marine propeller propulsion unit of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Examples are described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 is an exemplary and schematic view of a podded marine propeller propulsion unit and a portion of a marine vessel according to an example.

[0037] FIG. 2 is an exemplary and schematic view of a rearward drive marine propeller propulsion unit and a stern portion of a marine vessel according to an example.

[0038] FIG. 3 is an exemplary and schematic view of a forward drive marine propeller propulsion unit and a stern portion of a marine vessel according to an example.

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a compound planetary gear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The detailed description set forth below provides information and examples of the disclosed technology with sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure.

[0041] The inventive concept of the present disclosure involves the use of a compound planetary gear, also known as stepped planetary gear or double planet planetary gear, in a marine dual propeller propulsion unit. Technical effects that may be obtained involve high gear ratio and thus high efficiency and compact design.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a marine propeller propulsion unit 1, in the form of an azimuth thruster, and a lowermost potion of a marine vessel 20 to which the thruster is horizontally rotatably connected. FIG. 2 shows rearward drive (pushing) a marine propeller propulsion unit 1 comprising a first and a second propeller 2, 3, aka a duoprop, and a portion of a marine vessel 20. FIG. 3 shows a unit corresponding to FIG. 2, but configured as a forwards (pulling) drive. In FIG. 1, the marine propeller propulsion unit 1 comprises a compound planetary gear 10 for driving a single propeller 3. In both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the marine propeller propulsion unit 1 comprises a compound planetary gear 10 for driving the first and second propellers 2, 3 by means of an input shaft 4. There may, as illustrated, be one single input shaft 4.

[0043] The compound planetary gear 10 is illustrated in plan view in FIG. 4. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the compound planetary gear 10 comprises a sun gear 12, a ring gear 14, a planet carrier 16, a first planet gear 18i and a second planet gear 18e. The radius of the second planet gear 18e exceeds the radius of the first planet gear 18i, as is illustrated. The first and second planet gears 18i, 18e are rotationally fixed to one another. The ring gear 14 meshes with the first, smaller, planet gear 18i and the sun gear 12 meshes with the second, larger, planet gear 18e. The sun gear 12 is adapted to be connected to the input shaft 4, the ring gear 14 is adapted to be connected to the first propeller 2, and the planet carrier 16 is adapted to be connected to the second propeller 3. In the example of FIG. 1, only comprising one propeller 3, the ring gear 14 may be stationary.

[0044] As is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sun gear 12 may be directly connected to the input shaft 4. Thereby, the sun gear 12 and the input shaft 4 are adapted to rotate at the same velocity. In other words, the sun gear 12 and the input shaft 4 may be rotationally fixed to one another.

[0045] Also illustrated (FIGS. 1 to 3) is a propulsion motor 5 for driving the input shaft 4. In the present examples, the propulsion motor 5 is an electric motor, more precisely one single electric propulsion motor 5 that is directly connected to the input shaft 4 such that the propulsion motor 5 and the input shaft 4 are adapted to rotate at the same velocity. Thus, the propulsion motor 5 and the input shaft 4 may be rotationally fixed to one another. Further, the propulsion motor 5 may be coaxial with the first and second propellers 2, 3, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Also, the input shaft 4 and the first and second propeller shafts, illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, may be coaxial. Referring to FIG. 1, the propulsion motor 5 may be coaxial with the single propeller 3. In the examples FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first or outer propeller shaft that drives the first propeller 2 may be welded to the ring gear 14. The second or inner propeller shaft that drives second propeller 3 may be welded to the planet carrier 16. In the example of FIG. 1, the propeller shaft may be welded to the planet carrier 16.

[0046] In the present examples, the propulsion motor 5 and the compound planetary gear 10 are of approximately the same outer dimension, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 and denoted d in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the radiuses of the sun gear 12 and the first planet gear 18i may be essentially equal. The radiuses of the sun gear 12 and the first planet gear 18i may typically differ by up to 20 percent.

[0048] In the illustrated examples, the radius of the second planet gear 18e is approximately 2 times the radius of the first planet gear 18i, a suitable ratio range being approximately 1.5:1 to 3:1. In the illustrated examples, the second planet gear 18e extends radially past the ring gear 14. Thus, the diameter of the second planet gear 18e plus the radius of the sun gear 12 may exceed the diameter of the ring gear 14.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the present compound planetary gears comprise three pairs of first and second planet gears 18i, 18e. In other examples, there may be four pairs.

[0050] As is illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the compound planetary gear 10 may be oriented with its longitudinal axis A (denoted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3) arranged essentially in plane with the vessel 20 and thus essentially horizontally. In other words, during operation, i.e. when the vessel 20 is propelled by the marine propeller propulsion unit 1, the compound planetary gear 10 may be oriented with its longitudinal axis A arranged essentially in plane with the vessel 20.

[0051] In FIG. 3, a brake b14, b16 or brake assembly is very schematically shown. It is to be apprehended that the example of FIG. 2 may comprise a similar brake. The brake may comprise a ring brake b14 that is configured to directly or indirectly brake the ring gear 14 to thereby increase the rotational speed of the planet carrier 16. In addition, or instead, the brake may comprise a carrier brake b16 that is configured to directly or indirectly brake the planet carrier 16 to thereby increase the rotational speed of the ring gear 14. As is known to persons skilled in the art, breaking the ring gear 14 of a compound planetary gear 10 results in a speed increase of the planet carrier 16, and vice versa.

[0052] Even though not illustrated, the compound planetary gear 10 may comprise helical gears and be configured to cancel out any axial forces generated by the compound planetary gear 10 during operation. To obtain such cancellation, the helical gears of the sun gear 12 and of the ring gear 14 may have opposite helix hands.

[0053] Referring again to the examples of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the marine propeller propulsion unit 1 may, apart from the propellers 2, 3, comprise no moving part positioned radially outside the ring gear 14 or the first or second planet gear 18i, 18e. As best shown in FIG. 1, but also illustrated by the dashed line in FIG. 3, there may be one single housing 6 containing the propulsion motor 5 and the compound planetary gear 10. There may be a similar housing (not shown) in the example of FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the housing 6 may have a radial extension, or diameter, that at least in part is adapted to the radial extension, or diameter, of the propulsion motor 5 and the compound planetary gear 10. For example, there may be a clearance of a few millimeters or a couple of centimeters between the housing 6 and the radially outer one of the propulsion motor 5 and the compound planetary gear 10. The compound planetary gear 10 may comprise no moving part positioned radially outside the ring gear 14 or the first or second planet gear 18i, 18e. In other words, the radially outer one of the ring gear 14 and the first or second planet gear 18i, 18e may form the radially outermost moving part of the compound planetary gear 10. The entire housing 6 may, at least during operation, be submerged under water.

[0054] The podded marine propeller propulsion unit 1 of present FIG. 1 comprises a compound planetary gear 10 for driving a single propeller 3, a propulsion motor 5 for driving the compound planetary gear 10 and a completely submersible housing 6 for enclosing the propulsion motor 5 and the compound planetary gear 10. The compound planetary gear 10 comprises a sun gear 12, a ring gear 14, a planet carrier 16, a first planet gear 18i and a second planet gear 18e. The radius of the second planet gear 18e may exceed the radius of the first planet gear 18i. The first and second planet gears 18i, 18e are rotationally fixed to one another. The ring gear 14 meshes with the first planet gear 18i and the sun gear 12 meshes with the second planet gear 18e. The sun gear 12 is connected to the propulsion motor 5 and the planet carrier 16 is connected to the propeller 3. The ring gear 14 is fixed as regards rotation about the longitudinal axis of the marine propeller propulsion unit.

[0055] Again, FIG. 2 shows the marine propeller propulsion unit 1 configured as a rearward drive propulsion unit, such that the first propeller 2 is a front propeller and the second propeller 3 is a rear propeller. FIG. 3 shows the marine propeller propulsion unit 1 configured as a forward drive propulsion unit, such that the first propeller 2 is a rear propeller and the second propeller 3 is a front propeller. The marine propeller propulsion units 1 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 may be embodied as azimuth thrusters, as is the case in FIG. 1.

[0056] Also disclosed are examples according to the following clauses: [0057] 1. A marine propeller propulsion unit (1) comprising a compound planetary gear (10) for driving a propeller (3), a propulsion motor (5) for driving the compound planetary gear (10), and a housing (6) for enclosing the propulsion motor (5) and the compound planetary gear (10), the compound planetary gear (10) comprising [0058] a sun gear (12), [0059] a ring gear (14), [0060] a planet carrier (16), and [0061] a first planet gear (18i) and a second planet gear (18e), wherein the radius of the second planet gear (18e) exceeds the radius of the first planet gear (18i) and the first and second planet gears (18i, 18e) are rotationally fixed to one another, [0062] wherein the ring gear (14) meshes with the first planet gear (18i) and the sun gear (12) meshes with the second planet gear (18e), and [0063] wherein the sun gear (12) is adapted to be connected to the propulsion motor (5) and the planet carrier (16) is adapted to be connected to the propeller (3). [0064] 2. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of clause 1, wherein the propulsion motor (5) is an electric motor. [0065] 3. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of clause 1 or 2, wherein the marine propulsion unit (1) is configured such that the housing (6) at least during operation is completely submerged under water, and wherein, optionally, the propulsion motor (5) and the compound planetary gear (10) are of approximately the same outer dimension (d). [0066] 4. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the radiuses of the sun gear (12) and the first planet gear (18i) are essentially equal or differ by up to 20 percent. [0067] 5. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the radius of the second planet gear (18e) is 1.5 to 3 times the radius of the first planet gear (18i). [0068] 6. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the compound planetary gear (10) is adapted to during operation be arranged with its longitudinal axis (A) arranged essentially in plane with a vessel (20) that comprises, and during operation is propelled by, the marine propeller propulsion unit (1). [0069] 7. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the compound planetary gear (10) comprises helical gears and is configured to cancel out any axial forces generated by the compound planetary gear (10) during operation. [0070] 8. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the marine propeller propulsion unit (1) does not comprise any moving part positioned radially outside the ring gear (14) or the first or second planet gear (18i, 18e), apart from the propeller (2). [0071] 9. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the sun gear (12) is connected to the propulsion motor (5) such that the sun gear (12) and the propulsion motor (5) are adapted to rotate at the same velocity. [0072] 10. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the compound planetary gear (10) is configured for driving a first and a second propeller (2, 3), wherein the ring gear (14) is adapted to be connected to the first propeller (2), and the planet carrier (16) is adapted to be connected to the second propeller (3). [0073] 11. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of clause 10, comprising one single input shaft (4) connecting the compound planetary gear (10) and the propulsion motor (5). [0074] 12. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of clause 11, wherein the propulsion motor (5) is directly connected to the input shaft (4) such that the propulsion motor (5) and the input shaft (4) are adapted to rotate at the same velocity. [0075] 13. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the marine propeller propulsion unit (1) is configured as a rearward drive propulsion unit, and the first propeller (2) is a front propeller and the second propeller (3) is a rear propeller or, wherein the marine propeller propulsion unit (1) is configured as a forward drive propulsion unit, and the first propeller (2) is a rear propeller and the second propeller (3) is a front propeller. [0076] 14. Use of a compound planetary gear (1) in a marine propeller propulsion unit (1) for driving a first and a second propeller (2, 3) by means of an input shaft (4), wherein the compound planetary gear (10) comprises: a sun gear (12); a ring gear (14); a planet carrier (16); and a first planet gear (18i) and a second planet gear (18e), wherein the radius of the second planet gear (18e) exceeds the radius of the first planet gear (18i) and the first and second planet gears (18i, 18e) are rotationally fixed to one another; wherein the ring gear (14) meshes with the first planet gear (18i) and the sun gear (12) meshes with the second planet gear (18e); and the sun gear (12) is adapted to be connected to the input shaft (4), the ring gear (14) is adapted to be connected to the first propeller (2), and the planet carrier (16) is adapted to be connected to the second propeller (3). [0077] 15. A marine vessel (20) comprising the marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any one of clauses 1 to 13. [0078] 16. A marine propeller propulsion unit (1) comprising a compound planetary gear (10) for driving a first and a second propeller (2, 3) by means of an input shaft (4), optionally one single input shaft (4), wherein the compound planetary gear (10) comprises a sun gear (12), a ring gear (14), a planet carrier (16), and a first planet gear (18i) and a second planet gear (18e), wherein the radius of the second planet gear (18e) exceeds the radius of the first planet gear (18i) and the first and second planet gears (18i, 18e) are rotationally fixed to one another; wherein the ring gear (14) meshes with the first planet gear (18i) and the sun gear (12) meshes with the second planet gear (18e), and the sun gear (12) is adapted to be connected to the input shaft (4), the ring gear (14) is adapted to be connected to the first propeller (2), and the planet carrier (16) is adapted to be connected to the second propeller (3). [0079] 17. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of clause 16, wherein the sun gear (12) is directly connected to the input shaft (4) such that the sun gear (12) and the input shaft (4) are adapted to rotate at the same velocity. [0080] 18. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of clause 16 or 17, comprising a propulsion motor (5) for driving the input shaft (4). [0081] 19. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of clause 18, wherein the propulsion motor (5) is an electric motor. [0082] 20. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the marine propeller propulsion unit (1) comprises one single propulsion motor (5). [0083] 21. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any of clauses 18 to 20, wherein the propulsion motor (5) is directly connected to the input shaft (4) such that the propulsion motor (5) and the input shaft (4) are adapted to rotate at the same velocity. [0084] 22. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any of clauses 18 to 21, wherein the propulsion motor (5) is coaxial with the first and second propellers (2, 3). [0085] 23. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according clauses 22, wherein the propulsion motor (5) and the compound planetary gear (10) are of approximately the same outer dimension (d). [0086] 24. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any of clauses 16 to 23, wherein the input shaft (4) and a first and a second propeller shaft, which connect the respective propeller (2, 3) to the compound planetary gear (10), are coaxial. [0087] 25. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any of clauses 22 to 24, comprising a housing (6) that is adapted to contain the compound planetary gear (10) and the propulsion motor (5). [0088] 26. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of clause 25, configured such that the housing (6) is completely submerged under water during operation. [0089] 27. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any of clauses 16 to 26, wherein the radiuses of the sun gear (12) and the first planet gear (18i) are essentially equal or differ by up to 20 percent. [0090] 28. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any of clauses 16 to 27, wherein the radius of the second planet gear (18e) is 1.5 to 3 times the radius of the first planet gear (18i). [0091] 29. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to clause 27 or 28, wherein the second planet gear (18e) extends radially past the ring gear (14). [0092] 30. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the compound planetary gear (10) comprises three of four pairs of first and second planet gears (18i, 18e). [0093] 31. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any of clauses 16 to 30, wherein the compound planetary gear (10) is adapted to during operation be arranged with its longitudinal axis (A) arranged essentially in plane with a vessel (20) that comprises, and during operation is propelled by, the marine propeller propulsion unit (1). [0094] 32. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, comprising a brake (b14, b16) configured to directly or indirectly brake the ring gear (14) to increase the rotational speed of the planet carrier (16) and/or to directly or indirectly brake the planet carrier (16) to increase the rotational speed of the ring gear (14). [0095] 33. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of any preceding clause, wherein the compound planetary gear (10) comprises helical gears and is configured to cancel out any axial forces generated by the compound planetary gear during operation. [0096] 34. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) of clause 33, wherein helical gears of the sun gear (12) and of the ring gear (14) have opposite helix hands. [0097] 35. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any of clauses 16 to 34, wherein the marine propeller propulsion unit (1) does not comprise any moving part positioned radially outside the ring gear (14) or the first or second planet gear (18i, 18e), apart from the propellers (2, 3). [0098] 36. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any of clauses 16 to 35, wherein the marine propeller propulsion unit (1) is configured as a rearward drive propulsion unit, and the first propeller (2) is a front propeller and the second propeller (3) is a rear propeller. [0099] 37. The marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any of clauses 16 to 35, wherein the marine propeller propulsion unit (1) is configured as a forward drive propulsion unit, and the first propeller (2) is a rear propeller and the second propeller (3) is a front propeller. [0100] 38. Use of a compound planetary gear (1) in a marine propeller propulsion unit (1) for driving a first and a second propeller (2, 3) by means of an input shaft (4), wherein the compound planetary gear (10) comprises: a sun gear (12); a ring gear (14); a planet carrier (16); and a first planet gear (18i) and a second planet gear (18e), wherein the radius of the second planet gear (18e) exceeds the radius of the first planet gear (18i) and the first and second planet gears (18i, 18e) are rotationally fixed to one another; wherein the ring gear (14) meshes with the first planet gear (18i) and the sun gear (12) meshes with the second planet gear (18e); and the sun gear (12) is adapted to be connected to the input shaft (4), the ring gear (14) is adapted to be connected to the first propeller (2), and the planet carrier (16) is adapted to be connected to the second propeller (3). [0101] 39. A marine vessel (20) comprising the marine propeller propulsion unit (1) according to any one of clauses 16 to 37. [0102] 40. The marine vessel (20) of clause 39, wherein the marine vessel (20) is a planing motorboat.

[0103] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms comprises, comprising, includes, and/or including when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0104] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0105] Relative terms such as below or above or upper or lower or horizontal or vertical may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being connected or coupled to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly connected or directly coupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0106] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0107] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure and appended claims. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed aspects for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims.