Hybrid superconducting cable

Abstract

A hybrid cable generally comprising a superconducting material and a material consisting at least partially of a conventional conductor. In operation, the hybrid cable is chilled to superconducting temperatures, wherein current primarily passes through the superconducting material. If the superconducting material loses performance, e.g., is quenched, current will flow primarily through the chilled conventional conductor. In the event hybrid cable temperature further increases, the current will travel through the conventional conductor at its normal capacity.

Claims

1. A hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device, comprising: a first layer comprising superconducting material formed as a fully transposed winding; a second layer comprising superconducting material formed as a fully transposed winding about the first layer; a third layer comprising superconducting material formed as a fully transposed winding about the second layer; a fourth layer comprising a conventional conductor formed as a fully transposed winding about the third layer; a fifth layer comprising a conventional conductor formed as a fully transposed winding about the fourth layer; a sixth layer comprising a conventional conductor formed as a fully transposed winding about the fifth layer; and a core winding wall spaced from the sixth layer that defines an annulus between an outer surface of the sixth layer and an inner surface of the core winding wall, the annulus configured to provide a fluid flow conduit.

2. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 1, wherein the superconducting material of at least one the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer comprises a high temperature superconductor and the conventional conductor of at least one the fourth layer, fifth layer, and sixth layer comprises copper or a copper alloy, the high temperature superconductor and conventional conductor being adapted for contact with cryogenic fluid.

3. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 1, wherein the fourth layer is wound directly to the third layer.

4. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 1, wherein the superconducting material of at least one of the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer is not electrically insulated, and wherein the conventional conductor of at least one of the fourth layer, the fifth layer, and the sixth layer is electrically insulated.

5. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 4, wherein electrical insulation on the conventional conductors is non-continuous such that preselected portions of the superconducting material and conducting material touch.

6. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 1, wherein the fully transposed windings include gaps.

7. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 1, wherein the fully transposed windings include a reverse wind direction from layer to layer.

8. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 1, wherein the superconducting material of at least one the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer is a high temperature superconducting tape, and the conventional conductor of the fourth layer, the fifth layer, and the sixth layer comprises copper or a copper alloy in the form of a tape.

9. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 8, wherein the high temperature superconducting tape comprises a plurality of layers.

10. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 8, wherein the conventional conductor is comprised of a plurality of copper tape layers.

11. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 8, wherein superconducting tape is comprised of a plurality layers, and wherein the conventional conductor is further comprised of a plurality of copper tapes.

12. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic shield wound about the sixth layer.

13. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 1, further comprising electrical insulation wound about the core winding wall and/or the inner surface of the core winding wall.

14. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 1, wherein the first layer is wound about a former.

15. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 14, wherein the former is at least partially hollow.

16. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 14, wherein the former is defined by an outer wall that is at least partially porous or has at least one opening.

17. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 14, wherein the former is comprised of a conductor.

18. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 1, further comprising: a seventh layer comprising superconducting material formed as a fully transposed winding about the core winding wall; an eighth layer comprising superconducting material formed as a fully transposed winding about the seventh layer; a ninth layer comprising superconducting material formed as a fully transposed winding about the eighth layer; a tenth layer comprising a conventional conductor formed as a fully transposed winding about the ninth layer; an eleventh layer comprising a conventional conductor formed as a fully transposed winding about the tenth layer; a twelfth layer comprising a conventional conductor formed as a fully transposed winding about the eleventh layer; and a second inner wall spaced from the twelfth layer that defines a second annulus between an outer surface of the twelfth layer and an inner surface of the second inner wall, the second annulus configured to provide a fluid flow conduit.

19. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 18, further comprising a first electromagnetic shield wound about the sixth layer and a second electromagnetic shield wound about the twelfth layer.

20. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 19, wherein the first and second electromagnetic shields are electrically connected.

21. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 18, wherein the first layer is wound about a former, and wherein the former and core winding wall provide protection against a mechanical force such as cryogen state change pressure expansion.

22. A hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device, comprising: a first layer comprising conventional conductor; a second layer comprising conventional conductor formed as a winding adjacent to the first layer; a third layer comprising conventional conductor formed as a winding adjacent to the second layer; a fourth layer comprising a superconducting material formed as a winding adjacent to the third layer; a fifth layer comprising a superconducting material formed as a winding adjacent to the fourth layer; a sixth layer comprising a superconducting material formed as a winding adjacent to the fifth layer; and an inner wall spaced from the sixth layer that defines an annulus between an outer surface of the sixth layer and an inner surface of the inner wall, the annulus configured to provide a fluid flow conduit.

23. A hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device, comprising: a first layer comprising superconducting material formed as a fully transposed winding; an electrical induction altering or canceling second layer associated with the first layer; wherein the second layer comprises a conducting material formed as a fully transposed winding; and wherein the first layer is further comprised of one or more superconducting sub-layers formed of fully transposed windings and/or wherein second layer is further comprised of one or more sub-layers formed of fully transposed windings.

24. A hybrid superconducting device, comprising: a first layer comprising superconducting material formed as a winding; an electrical induction altering or canceling second layer associated with the first layer; wherein the second layer comprises a conducting material formed as a winding; and wherein at least one of the following is true: a) the superconducting material and/or the conducting material are in the form of tapes wound in opposite directions per layer, which creates a mesh pattern with a plurality of gaps, b) the superconducting material and/or the conducting material are in the form of a mesh having a plurality of gaps that allow cooling fluid flow between layers, c) the superconducting material and/or the conducting material are in the form of a mesh having a plurality of gaps that gaps allow inductive electromagnetic canceling, d) the superconducting material and/or the conducting material are in the form of a mesh having a plurality of gaps that gaps of successive layers overlap to form channels, e) the superconducting material is solid, multifilamentary, consists of multiple wires, tape, or fully transposed tapes grouped into subcables, and wherein the conducting material is solid, multifilamentary, consists of multiple wires, tape, or fully transposed tapes grouped into subcables, f) the superconducting material comprises a high temperature superconductor, g) at least one of the superconducting material and conducting material is electrically insulated, wherein the superconducting material and/or conducting material are electrically insulated in a non-continuous fashion such that preselected portions of the superconducting material and conducting material touch, h) the superconducting material and conducting material are electrically insulated, wherein the superconducting material and/or conducting material are electrically insulated in a non-continuous fashion such that preselected portions of the superconducting material and conducting material touch, and i) the superconducting material and the conducting material are not electrically insulated.

25. A method of transmitting electric current, comprising: providing a hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device comprising a first layer of superconducting material, and a second layer positioned adjacent to the first layer; chilling at least a portion of the hybrid cable to a predetermined temperature; wherein in a first mode of operation, electric current flows primarily through the first layer; wherein in a second mode of operation, characterized by partial or full quench of the first layer, electric current flows through the first layer and the second layer; and wherein in a third mode of operation, electric current is transmitted primarily through the second layer.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device carries a first current when operating in the first mode of operation, a second current when operating in the second mode of operation, and a third current when operating in the third mode of operation, wherein: the third current is less than the second current, and the second current is less than the first current.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the second layer is comprised of a conventional conductor; wherein the first layer is comprised of a fully transposed winding; wherein the second layer is comprised of a fully transposed winding; and wherein the superconducting material and the conventional conductor are windings that possess a plurality of gaps and/or channels that allow cooling fluid flow between layers.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein a period of the fully transposed winding of the second layer is equal to or less than a period of the fully transposed winding of the first layer.

29. The hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device of claim 1, wherein at least one termination of the hybrid cable, magnet, or cable magnet device incorporates a movable bus configured to move with an associated hard connection, wherein at least one superconducting flexible strap is provided that connects the movable bus to static buses of the termination.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.

(2) FIG. 1A is an elevation view of a single phase hybrid cable of one embodiment.

(3) FIG. 1B is a partial perspective view of the hybrid cable shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 1C is a partial cross-sectional view of the hybrid cable shown in FIG. 1B.

(5) FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the hybrid cable of FIG. 1 with outer portions removed for clarity.

(6) FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an end of the hybrid cable shown in FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 4 is an end view of the hybrid cable shown in FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 5 is a detailed view of FIG. 2, showing a cable former, layers of superconducting material, and layers of conventional conductors.

(9) FIG. 6 is a detailed view of FIG. 5, focusing primarily on the outer layers of conventional conductors.

(10) FIG. 7 is another detailed view of FIG. 2, wherein internal layers of all but a portion of one wind layer of the conventional conductors are shown in cross-section.

(11) FIG. 8 is a detailed view of FIG. 7.

(12) FIG. 9 is a cross-section of FIG. 5, showing conductor layers radially expanded.

(13) FIG. 10 is a cross-section of a single phase hybrid cable of one embodiment of the present invention.

(14) FIG. 11 is a cross-section of a single phase hybrid cable similar to that shown in FIG. 10, wherein an EM shield is provided.

(15) FIG. 12 is a cross-section of a two-phase hybrid cable of one embodiment of the present invention.

(16) FIG. 13 is a cross-section of a two-phase hybrid cable similar to that shown in FIG. 10, wherein an EM shield is provided.

(17) FIG. 14 is a schematic of the full transposition winding-induced electromagnetics employed by some embodiments of the present invention.

(18) FIG. 15 is a detailed side view of one embodiment of the winding machine single full transposition wheel winding the hybrid cable with winding guides.

(19) FIG. 16 is a schematic of a closed loop cryogen system that includes a buffer dewar.

(20) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cable termination assembly of one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a cable cryostat has been removed for clarity.

(21) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the cable termination assembly, wherein the end cap and cable cryostat have been removed.

(22) FIG. 19 is a cross-section of the stainless steel bayonet assembly connection to an end cap.

(23) FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an end cap.

(24) FIG. 21A is a view of a bayonet fitting.

(25) FIG. 21B is a view of a bayonet fitting.

(26) FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an electrical termination distribution block.

(27) FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an electrical lug.

(28) FIG. 24 is a front view of a cable with the electrical lug of FIG. 23 interconnected thereto.

(29) FIG. 25 is a detailed view of FIG. 6 showing a reverse wind gap bridge.

(30) The following component list and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided to assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention:

(31) TABLE-US-00001 # Component 2 Hybrid cable 6 Conventional conductor 10 Superconducting conductor 14 Dielectric 16 Thermal insulation 18 Cryostat vacuum wall 22 Cryogen flow path 24 Vacuum region 26 Cable jacket 30 Former 32 Core winding wall 34 Inner cryogen flow path 38 SC linear media 42 Conventional conductor linear media 46 Full transposition gap 50 Superconductor lateral edge 54 Conventional conductor lateral edge 58 FT channel 70 EM shield 74 Inner conductor layers 78 Outer conductor layers 84 Winding machine 88 Winding guides 100 Cable termination assembly 104 Cryogen port 108 Bayonet assembly 112 End cap 116 Electric terminal distribution block 200 Termination Electrical Lug 204 SC Tape 208 Conductor Recess

(32) It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(33) FIGS. 1-9 show a hybrid cable 2 of one embodiment of the present invention generally comprised of at least one layer of conventional conductor 6, e.g., copper (Cu), wrapped about at least one layer of superconducting conductors 10, e.g., high-temperature superconductors (HTS). Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the Cu can be in the form of complicated windings comprised of tape or wire (e.g., a conductor capable of induction canceling), Cu mesh, braided Cu, etc. The following description will focus on HTS and Cu, but other superconducting materials, such as low-temperature and medium-temperature superconducting material and other conventional conductors, may be incorporated into the embodiments of the present invention described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. The HTS and Cu layers may alternate and/or intertwine or include more layers of one or both types without departing from the scope of the invention. The HTS and Cu windings may be shrouded by one or more layers of dielectric 14 or thermal insulation 16 that may be encircled by cryostat vacuum walls 18 that are spaced to define elongate annuli that define cryogen flow paths 22 and a cryostat vacuum region 24. Finally, an outer jacket 26 may be included. Electrical insulation may be wrapped about cable walls (18 and/or 22) and/or on inside surfaces thereof. The hybrid cables of some embodiments of the present invention may also include electromagnetic (EM) shielding layers, which will be described in further detail below.

(34) In one embodiment of the present invention, the superconducting layer 10 is comprised of full transposition (FT) HTS, further comprising three reversing direction layers of HTS and three FT groups per layer and for HTS tapes per FT group. The conventional conducting portion 6 is also comprised of a fully transposed winding of three reversing direction layers of Cu, with three fully transposed groups per layer and four Cu tapes per FT group.

(35) In some embodiments, the internal layers of the hybrid cable 2 are wrapped about a former 30, which, if hollow, defines an inner cryogen flow path 34, and in some embodiments, work with one or more cryogen flow paths 22. All cryogen flow paths are used to maintain the HTS and Cu at a predetermined temperature. In one embodiment of the present invention, cryogen is pumped through the inner cryogen flow path 34 and returns to a pump that is in communication with a cryogen reservoir (not shown) by way of one or more cryogen flow paths 22. The cryogen flow directly contacts (or contacts the conducting linear media comprising the SC and/or Cu conductors through a dielectric) the layers of conventional conductor 6 and superconducting conductors 10, such that they are maintained at a predetermined temperature. One or more cryogen flow paths 22 may be supported by a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible cylindrical section. In the embodiment presented in FIGS. 1A and 10, for example, an outer cryogen flow path 220, which may be surrounded by thermal insulation 16, is positioned about an inner cryogen flow path 22i located near the conventional conductors 6 and an optional outermost core winding wall 32. Core winding walls 32 can possess an integrated EM shield, support an EM shield, act as a cryogen barrier, provide a cryogen flow path, and/or accommodate one or more superconducting and/or conventional conductor windings (see, FIG. 13). The core winding wall also reacts internal pressure if the cryogen's state changes to gas. An outermost cryostat vacuum wall 180 supports the vacuum region 24 and provides a location for the external jacket 26. This figure also shows the optional dielectric layers 14 about the former 30.

(36) The former of some embodiments includes a plurality of openings that allow cryogen to flow through gaps in the HTS and Cu windings, wherein the cryogen is ultimately maintained within the hybrid cable by an inner cryostat vacuum wall 18i. In other embodiments of the present invention, the former 30 is not continuous or fully solid, wherein an inner surface of the innermost conductor layer, comprising HTS or Cu, is directly exposed to cryogen. In some embodiments of the present invention, the former is solid or semi-solid, comprised of a conventional conductor. In other embodiments, the inner cryogen flow path 34, cryogen flow path(s) 22, and/or channels provided in the FT windings, which will be described below, accommodate other items, such as fiber-optic cables or wires, sensors, such as quench or temperature sensors, communication lines, etc.

(37) FIGS. 5-9 show the conductor windings found in the hybrid cable of one embodiment of the present invention. Here, the HTS windings 10 comprise a plurality of layers, i.e., a first layer 10.sup.1, a second layer 10.sup.2, . . . 10.sup.n, with each successive layer wrapped about the previous layer. Further, each HTS layer may comprise a combination of SC linear media, i.e., 38.sup.1, 38.sup.2, . . . 38.sup.n. Similarly, the Cu layers comprise a plurality of layers, i.e., a first layer 6.sup.1, a second layer 6.sup.2, . . . 6.sup.n, with each successive layer wrapped about the previous layer. Each Cu layer may comprise a combination of conventional conductor linear media, i.e., 42.sup.1, 42.sup.2, . . . 42.sup.n. The SC or conventional conductor linear media may comprise wire, tape (as shown in FIG. 5), a combination of wire and tape, or any other commonly known conductor configuration.

(38) The hybrid cable shown in FIGS. 5-9 employed is fully transposed, wherein a plurality of gaps 46 are provided in one or more HTS layers and/or one or more Cu layers. The gaps 46 provide air and/or cryogen paths that facilitate hybrid cable cooling to maintain a predetermined temperature. The gaps 46 may be created during the manufacturing process by carefully controlling media wind on locations wherein lateral edges 50 of the HTS are spaced, and lateral edges 54 of the Cu are spaced (see, for example, FIG. 7), wherein the spaces defined by the separated lateral edges 50, 54, create radially extending channels 58 during the winding process.

(39) FIGS. 10 and 11 show a single phase hybrid cable 2 having the above-described HTS layers and Cu layers 6 wrapped about the HTS 10 and a former 30. Here, the inner cryogen flow path 34, one or more internally disposed cryogen paths 22, and the outer cryostat vacuum wall 18 that provides a vacuum region 24 are shown. As mentioned above, in some embodiments of the present invention, electromagnetic (EM) shielding is not required because of the canceling effects provided by some fully transposed wrappings. However, some embodiments of the present invention employ an EM shield 70 next to the Cu layer 6 on the opposite side of the active HTS layer 10. Cryogen flowing through the cryogen paths is in direct contact with the EM shield, which is also the case for a two-phase cable described below.

(40) FIGS. 12 and 13 show a two-phase hybrid cable 2 having the above-described HTS layers and Cu layers 6 wrapped about a former 30. As mentioned above, for a multiphase cable, the core winding wall 32 forms the basis of a new electrical phase winding former. This embodiment of the hybrid cable also employs the inner cryogen flow path 34, one or more internally disposed cryogen flow paths 22, and an outer vacuum region 24. Here, the two phase hybrid cable includes an inner conductor layer 74 and an outer conductor layer 78 comprised of HTS and/or Cu, wherein at least one of the inner conductor layer 74 and outer conductor layer 78 are surrounded by respective inner 70i and outer 70o EM shields positioned next to the phase Cu layers on the opposite side of the active HTS layers.

(41) FIG. 14 illustrates how aligned FT gaps create electromagnetic conductive paths. Here, induced circular currents in the Cu and nearby HTS decrease for smaller B areas and do not superimpose along the cable axis. The SC and Cu of one embodiment are wound as close together as possible to lower capacitive effects and mutual inductances, similar to a conventional coaxial cable, which also enables using tapes.

(42) FIG. 15 is a cable winding machine 84 that may be used by some embodiments of the present invention to create a hybrid cable. The contemplated winding machine 84 is similar to other wind machines developed by the applicant and described one or more of the patents and patent applications referred to above. In operation, the winding machine 84 winds delicate linear media about a the former 30, wherein one or more winding guides 88 are employed to ensure the wound media is being placed in a predetermined fashion. In one embodiment, the winding guides 88 are conical. In another embodiment, the winding guides are set to remove Cu insulation in a predetermined manner.

(43) The cables described herein require a cryogen system to maintain a predetermined temperature. FIG. 16 shows a cryogen system of one embodiment of the present invention that includes a low-pressure buffer volume, such as a vessel, configured to absorb higher system pressures. The compact and light vessel is maintained at a lower pressure than the surrounding cryogen system and is especially useful for a fully enclosed system. The vessel's primary task is to accommodate a pressure increase with associated volume expansion of liquid cryogen to gaseous cryogen that occurs during a superconductor quench, for example. The low-pressure buffer vessel, thus, increases gas reservoir volume and area to lower system pressure from a quench or another high-pressure event, thereby protecting equipment from high pressure events.

(44) The buffer vessel, such as a dewar cryostat, is maintained at a lower pressure than the connected cryogen system. Passive pressure relief valves (PRV), controlled valving, etc., are used for pressure control actions. For the PRV embodiment, the buffer vessel is associated with input and output PRVs only open at desired PRV pressures maintained above the common system pressure. Multiple PRVs associated with the system may be employed via multiple lines or at least one manifold to accommodate fast pressure changes. Such a system can be designed as an open-loop or closed-loop cryogen system to support dynamic and shock environments of mobile platforms, including aircraft flight angles, and not lose any cryogen to the environment. A closed-loop cryogen system is beneficial or critical for most long-term use cases. A cryogen low pressure buffer may alleviate the need for a cryogen source on a longer SC cable run at each cryogen input location. At any time, the buffer dewar may push excess liquid cryogen or gaseous cryogen to the reservoir(s) for reliquefying. The buffer vessel can also perform the cryogen reliquification if a cryogen cold head is added.

(45) FIGS. 17-22 show a cable termination assembly 100 used with some embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 17 shows a cryogen port 104 with attached bayonet assembly 108. Bayonet assembly 108 contains female half welded to an adapter that threads to G10 end cap 112. The male half slides into the female half, seals with an O-ring, and attaches with a circumferential clamp (not shown). An electrical terminal distribution block 116 made from one piece of conventional conductor, e.g., copper, comprises a terminal rod of the distribution block that penetrates the cryogen wall, e.g. G10 end cap, and internally connects electrically internally to electrical elements, e.g., by a two-part circumferential clamp that also attaches to flexible braided electrical conductor, commonly HTS or copper as shown here, straps. Outside of the G10 end cap, the terminal rod becomes a rectangular block with holes sized for wire gages of conventional power cables and threaded inserts at 90 degrees to these cable holes that provide for set screw locking of cables. FIG. 18 shows the cable termination with the end cap removed to expose the gasket that seals the electrical terminal distribution block and the continuing path for cryogen flowing into the bayonet assembly on its way into a SC-wrapped metal hose former shown on the right. The electrical connection to the flexible strap described above is also shown here.

(46) FIGS. 21A and 21B show the three pieces of the bayonet assembly (female bayonet, adapter, and bayonet seal ring). The bayonet seal ring is welded to the adapter and the female bayonet, enclosing a vacuum area in this assembly.

(47) FIG. 22 shows an electrical terminal distribution block machined from one piece of conventional conductor, here copper. Threaded inserts are installed in the top and bottom holes for two places where setscrews secure each cable that is inserted into the front face.

(48) FIGS. 23 and 24 show an electrical lug 200 used by some embodiments of the present invention. In operation, SC tape 204 (or a plurality of tapes) is placed in a recess 208 integrated into the lug and soldered thereto. In some embodiments, a soldering collar (not shown) is placed around the lug to prevent excess solder flow while filling the recess. Alternatively, a compression ring may be used with or without the soldering collar. The lug supports the use of moving busbars as described herein.

(49) Exemplary characteristics of embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring embodiments of the present invention, the preceding description may omit several known apparatus, methods, systems, structures, and/or devices one of ordinary skill in the art would understand are commonly included with the embodiments of the present invention. Such omissions are not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the claimed invention. Specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. It should, however, be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific detail set forth herein.

(50) Modifications and alterations of the various embodiments of the present invention described herein will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. Further, it is to be understood that the invention(s) described herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. That is, the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. The scope of the various embodiments described herein is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. And all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

(51) The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed inventions require more features than expressly recited. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention. Further, the embodiments of the present invention described herein include components, methods, processes, systems, and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various sub-combinations and subsets thereof. Accordingly, one of skill in the art will appreciate that it would be possible to provide for some features of the embodiments of the present invention without providing others. Stated differently, any one or more of the aspects, features, elements, means, or embodiments as disclosed herein may be combined with any one or more other aspects, features, elements, means, or embodiments as disclosed herein.