Ground Milling Machine, In Particular Road Milling Machine, For Removing Ground Material, As Well As Method For Operating A Ground Milling Machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ground milling machine, in particular a road milling machine, for removing ground material, comprising a machine frame having a chassis, a milling drum supported on a machine frame, and a transport device having at least one conveyor belt, which is configured for conveying removed ground material in a conveying direction away from the milling drum to a discharge point, as well as to a method for operating a ground milling machine. One aspect of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic precipitator, which reduces the dust pollution.

Claims

1. A ground milling machine for removing ground material, comprising: a machine frame having a chassis, a milling drum supported on the machine frame, and a transport device having at least one conveyor belt which is configured for transporting removed ground material in a conveying direction away from the milling drum to a discharge point, wherein the ground milling machine comprises an electrostatic precipitator via which dust generated during the milling operation and/or during the transport of milled material can be precipitated.

2. The ground milling machine according to claim 1, wherein the electrostatic precipitator is arranged at the transport device, in particular at a suspension conveyor belt.

3. The ground milling machine according to any one of the preceding claim 1, characterized in that wherein the transport device comprises a transfer conveyor belt and, downstream thereof in the conveying direction, a loading conveyor belt, and in that the loading conveyor belt comprises a machine part and a foldable part, the foldable part being foldable to the machine part, and the electrostatic precipitator being arranged at the machine part.

4. The ground milling machine according to claim 1, wherein the ground milling machine comprises a machine body, the electrostatic precipitator being arranged inside the machine body.

5. The ground milling machine according to claim 1, wherein the ground milling machine comprises at least one transfer conveyor belt onto which milled material conveyed out of the milling drum box is directly transferred and via which the milled material is transported out of the interior the machine, a duct being provided for receiving the transfer conveyor belt, and the electrostatic precipitator being at least partially arranged inside this duct.

6. The ground milling machine according to any claim 1, wherein the ground milling machine comprises a pump device via which dust-laden air can be conveyed, the pump device being configured such that it feeds dust-laden air to the electrostatic precipitator.

7. The ground milling machine according to claim 6, wherein the pump device comprises a suction device via which the dust-laden air is suctioned from the milled material and the direct vicinity thereof, the suction device being configured such that the suction direction at least partially runs against the conveying direction of the milled material on the side of the inlet toward the suction device.

8. The ground milling machine according to claim 6, wherein a flow duct is provided through which the dust-laden air is routed using the pump device, comprising at least one of the following features: the electrostatic precipitator is at least partially, with at least one charging stage and at least one precipitation stage, arranged within the flow duct, and/or the flow duct is at least partially spatially separated from a conveyance channel at least partially surrounding the conveyor belt, and/or the flow duct is at least partially integrated in a conveyance channel surrounding the conveyor belt, and/or the outlet side of the flow duct ends into the conveyance channel above the conveyor belt, and/or the flow duct is followed by a connection line, through which the air exiting the flow duct is routed to the conveyance channel and/or to the external surroundings, and/or the flow duct is arranged on the conveyance channel or inside a machine body.

9. The ground milling machine according to claim 8, wherein the charging stage is an anode and the precipitation stage is a cathode.

10. The ground milling machine according to claim 8, wherein the precipitation stage comprises at least one of the following features: the precipitation stage is a housing of the electrostatic precipitator, which is formed as a flow duct; the precipitation stage comprises precipitation elements, which extend longitudinally in the main flow direction; the precipitation stage comprises a precipitation element running at least partially at an angle to the main flow direction; the precipitation stage comprises a precipitation element in the form of a plate or grate; and/or the charging stage comprises at least one of the following features: the charging stage it is a wire, a meshed wire or a plate-like structure; the charging stage extends in the longitudinal direction of the precipitation stage, in particular along the flow duct; the charging stage extends in the flow direction of the dust-laden air; the charging stage comprises at least one sub-region extending essentially transversely to the flow direction of the dust-laden air.

11. The ground milling machine according to claim 1, wherein a cleaning device is provided via which material adhering to the electrostatic precipitator can be removed therefrom, the cleaning device comprising a discharge opening or discharge flap through which material cleaned off by the precipitator stage can be removed from the electrostatic precipitator onto the conveyor belt, the discharge opening or flap being configured such that it creates a vertical and/or direct, passage connection between the electrostatic precipitator and a free space located directly above the conveyor belt.

12. The ground milling machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one maintenance flap is provided in a housing of the electrostatic precipitator, through which access to an internal space of the electrostatic precipitator is provided.

13. The ground milling machine according to claim 1, wherein the electrostatic precipitator comprises at least one of the following features: the electrostatic precipitator is formed as a module, including at least one connection device for connecting an electric energy supply device; the electrostatic precipitator a detachable holding device for fastening to the ground milling machine comprising at least one of the features rail guidance and/or form-fit and/or clamping fixation device.

14. The ground milling machine according to claim 12, wherein the ground milling machine comprises at least one of the following features: the electrostatic precipitator comprises a closing state sensor, via which the closing state of a maintenance flap can be monitored; the electrostatic precipitator is connected to the power grid of the ground milling machine for being supplied with electric energy, in particular using an interconnected converter; a water sprinkling device is provided; a pre-filtering stage for precipitation of coarse particles is provided, which is connected upstream the electrostatic precipitator in the flow direction, wherein the pre-filtering stage particularly is a cyclone separator and/or a grate and/or a labyrinth filter stage; a post-filtering stage for precipitation of particulate matter is provided, which is connected downstream the electrostatic precipitator in the flow direction, the post-filter stage in particular being another electric filter.

15. A method for operating a ground milling machine, according to claim 1, comprising the steps: a) performing a milling process; b) routing of dust-laden air to the electrostatic precipitator; c) charging and precipitating of dust particles in the electrostatic precipitator; and d) blowing out the cleaned air.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method comprises at least one of the following method steps: in step b), sucking the dust-laden air out of the milling drum box and/or a conveyance channel for milled material is effected, and/or in step c), the charging and precipitation is performed in a flow duct of the electrostatic precipitator running separately from the conveyance channel, and/or passage through a water muffler is effected downstream the charging and precipitation of dust particles in the electrostatic precipitator in the air flow direction, and/or a precipitation of coarse particles with a pre-filter stage is effected upstream the charging and precipitation of dust particles in the electrostatic precipitator in the air flow direction.

17. The ground milling machine according to claim 2, wherein the electrostatic precipitator is arranged at a suspension conveyor belt.

18. The ground milling machine according to claim 6, wherein the pump comprises a suction device.

19. The ground milling machine according to claim 14, wherein the water sprinkling device is provided, with respect to the flow direction of the air moved by the pump device, in an area behind the electrostatic precipitator.

20. The ground milling machine according to claim 19, wherein the water sprinkling device is provided, with respect to the flow direction of the air moved by the pump device, in the loading conveyor belt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The present invention will be described in greater detail below by means of the exemplary embodiments indicated in the Figures. In the schematic figures:

[0036] FIG. 1 is a side view of a work train including a ground milling machine and a transport vehicle;

[0037] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the ground milling machine of FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a portion of the transport device as well as of the electrostatic precipitator of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method according to the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 5 is a side view of a ground milling machine in a second embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 6 is a side view of a ground milling machine in a third embodiment;

[0042] and

[0043] FIG. 7 is a side view of a ground milling machine in a fourth embodiment.

[0044] Like or equivalent components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the figures, in which not each component recurring in multiple figures is necessarily designated in each of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] The work train 1 in FIG. 1 comprises a ground milling machine 2, specifically a cold milling machine of the rear rotor type, and a transport vehicle 3. During milling operation, the ground milling machine 2 drives in a self-propelled manner behind the transport vehicle 3 in the working direction A. Elements of the transport vehicle 3 include an operator platform 4 as well as a loading space 5 for receiving milled material. Besides an operator platform 6, the ground milling machine 2 comprises a machine frame 46 (FIG. 2), travel units (crawler tracks or wheels), a drive engine, a milling device 7 and a transport device 8, by means of which the obtained milled material can be transported from the milling device 7 all the way to the discharge point 9 of the transport device 8. To that end, the transport device 8 comprises a transfer conveyor belt 10, which is arranged inside the ground milling machine 2, as well as a loading conveyor belt 11. Furthermore, the ground milling machine 2 comprises an electrostatic precipitator 12, which is arranged on the loading conveyor belt 11 of the transport device 8. The electrostatic precipitator 12 allows precipitating dust that is generated in the milling process and transport of the milled material. To that end, the electrostatic precipitator 12 is connected to a pump device 13, specifically a fan.

[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates further details on the structure of the ground milling machine 2 of FIG. 1. The milling device 7 specifically comprises a milling drum box 14 as well as a milling drum 15. The milling drum is movable about an axis of rotation running horizontally and transversely to the working direction A in a manner known per se inside the milling drum box 14. The ground material milled off by the milling drum 15 is loaded out of the milling drum box 14 onto the transfer conveyor belt 10 and transported inside a conveyance channel 16 inside the ground milling machine 2 to the loading conveyor belt 11. The loading conveyor belt is also surrounded by a housing 17, so that the loading conveyor belt 11 also extends inside a conveyance channel 18. The loading conveyor belt 11 or the conveyance channel 18 ends into the discharge place 9, from which milled material is discharged to a transport vehicle, for example.

[0047] A component of the ground milling machine 2 is a device for suctioning and precipitation of dust, as will described hereinafter in greater detail. Besides the above described elements electrostatic precipitator 12 and pump device 13 in the form of a suction fan, the device for precipitation of dust further comprises a suction channel 19, a connection line 20, a charging stage 21, a precipitation stage 22, a cleaning device 23, a supply source 24 for electric energy as well as an outlet 25 of the electrostatic precipitator 12. Dust-laden air is suctioned via the suction channel from the region of the milling drum box 14 as well as, in particular, from the region of the conveyance channel 16. A negative pressure in this region is generated by the suction fan 13 so that the dust-laden air is suctioned. The suction device 13 is connected to the electrostatic precipitator 12 via the connection line 20. Thus, if the dust-laden air arrives in the electrostatic precipitator 12 via the connection line 20, first the dust particles are charged by the charging state 21, whereupon the charged dust particles are precipitated at the precipitation stage 22. To that end, the charging stage 21 and the precipitation stage 22 are connected via suitable connection lines to the electric energy source 24, which in the present exemplary embodiment is a high voltage power source HVPS, which is connected to the power grid of the ground milling machine 2 via a converter. The now cleaned air is blown out by the electrostatic precipitator 12 via the outlet 25 into the conveyance channel 18 and thus exits the transport device 8 also via the discharge point 9.

[0048] The electrostatic precipitator 12 is arranged on the loading conveyor belt 11 here. Specifically, the loading conveyor belt 11 is a foldable conveyor belt having a machine part 26 and a foldable part 27, which are pivotally connected to one another via a pivot joint 28. In other words, the electrostatic precipitator is disposed on the “non-foldable” portion of the loading conveyor belt 11.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows the flow guidance of the air, using dashed arrows B, and the conveyance direction of the milled material, using arrows C. FIG. 2 indicates that the dust-laden air is first separated from the milled material through the suction channel 19, which is why the dust removal process is effected at a physically separated place with respect to the conveyance of milled material. As a result, the electrostatic precipitator 12 can be protected from damages caused by the milled material, for example. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the electrostatic precipitator 12 in such a way that the entering air flow is decelerated inside the electrostatic precipitator in order to improve the precipitation result, for example, by enlarging the flow cross-section.

[0050] The cleaning device 23 allows cleaning dust precipitated within the electrostatic precipitator 12 off the precipitation stage 22. For example, the cleaning device 23 can be actuatable from outside the electrostatic precipitator 12, be actuated automatically after certain operating intervals and/or be actuated automatically in certain operating situations, for example, when starting the loading conveyor belt 11. Furthermore, a suitable control unit (not shown in FIG. 2) may be provided, via which the operation of the cleaning device 23 can be controlled, in particular automatically. In order to enable an easier carry-off of the cleaned-off dust material, a connection opening between the ground of the electrostatic precipitator 12 and the conveyance channel 18 may be additionally provided, through which cleaned-off dust may fall from the electrostatic precipitator 12 onto the conveyor belt of the loading conveyor belt 11.

[0051] Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows that a further device for dust removal is provided in addition to the electrostatic precipitator 12. Specifically, this is a sprinkling device 29 (which may optionally also be provided in further exemplary embodiments, particularly according to FIGS. 5 to 7), which extends over the width of the conveyor belt or the loading conveyor belt 11 shortly ahead of the discharge place 9. For example, the sprinkling device may be a spray bar having multiple outlets or nozzles, by means of which a kind of water curtain can be created. The supply of the sprinkling device 29 is effected via a supply line 30 from a water tank 31 at the ground milling machine 2. In the present exemplary embodiment, the water discharged from the sprinkling device 29 falls onto the milled material transported on the loading conveyor belt. Dust particles which may have been collected via the sprinkling device 29 are thus unloaded together with the milled material via the discharge point 9. The cleaning of the dust-laden air of the ground milling machine 2 is thus effected in two stages in the present exemplary embodiment, with the electrostatic precipitator 12 being disposed upstream the sprinkling device 29 in the flow direction of the dust-laden air.

[0052] Finally, FIG. 3 illustrates the structure and arrangement of the electrostatic precipitator 12 in a schematic illustration. The electrostatic precipitator 12 per se is illustrated with solid lines. Essential elements of the electrostatic precipitator 12 are a box-like housing 32 as well as charging plates 33 located inside the housing 32, which form the charging stage 21. The housing 32 is oriented with a longitudinal extension parallel to the longitudinal extension of the loading conveyor belt 11, which is shown with a dashed line, and thus forms a flow duct 47 for dust-laden air to be cleaned, which runs parallel to the conveyance channel 18. The charging plates 33 extend in the longitudinal extension of the housing 32 and the flow duct 47, respectively. The charging plates are connected as an anode 34, and the housing 32 is accordingly connected as a cathode 35. Thus, the charging plates form the charging stage 21, and the housing 32 of the electrostatic precipitator forms the precipitation stage 22 of the electrostatic precipitator 12.

[0053] The supply of the dust-laden air, which is suctioned via the pump device 13 (dashed line arrows B) is effected from the upper side of the housing 32 via a corresponding supply opening 36. As an alternative, supply is also possible from the side via an optional opening 36′. The electrostatic charging of the dust particles inside the electrostatic precipitator 12 is this effected via the charging plates 33, which also extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 32 at a sufficiently large distance to the housing 32. The electrostatically charged dust particles are thus attracted by the housing 32 according to the charge conditions and are thus precipitated thereon inside the electrostatic precipitator 12. The cleaned air is blown out of the electrostatic precipitator 12 via the outlet opening 37 into the conveyance channel 18 above the loading conveyor belt 11. Alternatively, the cleaned air can be blown out to the outer surroundings via other passages, for example, an outlet 37′.

[0054] Furthermore, maintenance flaps 38 are mounted on the longitudinal sides in the housing 32 of the precipitator 12. The maintenance flaps 38 can be opened so that external access into the internal space of the electrostatic precipitator 12 is possible. For example, this can be desired for maintenance purposes and/or cleaning purposes. In order to prevent access from outside into the internal space of the electrostatic precipitator 12 during operation of the electrostatic precipitator 12, a closing state sensor 39 is provided, which is connected to a corresponding control unit via a connection line 40. The control unit (not shown in the Figures) is configured such that it interrupts the operation of the electrostatic precipitator 12 or the electric energy supply thereof in a forced manner when the closing state sensor 39 indicates that the maintenance flaps 38 are open. In other words, in the present exemplary embodiment, operation of the electrostatic precipitator 12 is possible only if the maintenance flaps 38 are closed.

[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates the schematic structure of a single electrostatic precipitator 12. The present invention explicitly also comprises variants in which two or more of these electrostatic precipitators 12 are arranged to be particularly connected in parallel, so that the suctioned dust-laden air is supplied to the individual electrostatic precipitators 12 in a separated manner. This also includes embodiments, in which the multiple electrostatic precipitators 12 are enclosed or surrounded by a common housing.

[0056] Furthermore, in FIG. 3, the electrostatic precipitator 12 is configured as one unit or module 55. The module 55 comprises the housing 32, the charging stage 21, the precipitation stage 22 as well as ports for connection lines to the anode 34 and cathode 35 for connection to the machine 1. The electrostatic precipitator 12 is mounted or fixed via detachable or releasable holding devices 56 on both sides, or on two opposite sides, on the housing surrounding the conveyance channel 18 (arrangement inside the machine itself, as will be described later, in particular also on or in the conveyance channel 16, is possible). Specifically, the holding devices 56 may be threaded connections, rail supports, form-fit supports, latch supports, etc., or a combination thereof. As a result, the electrostatic precipitator 12 can also easily be demounted or, vice versa, be retrofitted to existing machines. However, it is also possible to install the electrostatic precipitator 12 for a permanent installation in the machine.

[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates a method according to the present invention for operating a ground milling machine, in particular for the reduction of the dust pollution. This method particularly relates to the operation of a ground milling machine, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Essential steps of the method according to the present invention include performing 42 a milling process. Significant amounts of dust will be generated in this milling process. Thus, according to the present invention, dust-laden air is guided 43 to an electrostatic precipitator 12. This can particularly be effected via a suitable pump device 13, in particular a suction fan, as described above, and corresponding connection lines. Subsequently, the dust particles are charged and precipitated in the electrostatic precipitator 12 in step 44 inside the electrostatic precipitator 12. Charging is effected by passage through a charging stage, and precipitation is effected by precipitation of the electrostatically charged dust particles on the precipitator stage. Finally, the cleaned or purified air is blown out 45 of the electrostatic precipitator 12, for example, to the outer surroundings or, in particular, also into the conveyance channel 18 of the conveyor belt, in particular the loading conveyor belt 11.

[0058] The method according to the present invention delivers good results particularly if charging and precipitation of the dust particles in the air is effected in a compartment separate from the conveyance channel of the milled material. In this case, the method according to the present invention also includes a step, in which the dust-laden air is separated from the milled material, for example, suctioned.

[0059] Furthermore, the cleaning result of the method according to the present invention can be improved if an additional cleaning stage 46 is connected downstream the precipitation of dust particles using the electrostatic precipitator according to steps 42 to 45, in which additional stage the air passes through a water curtain, in particular of a corresponding sprinkling device, as described above. A major part of very small, electrostatically charged dust particles that have undesirably passed the electrostatic precipitator 12 is collected in this way.

[0060] In addition, or as an alternative, it is also possible that a pre-cleaning of the dust-laden air is effected according to step 49 prior to the precipitation steps 42 to 45, for example, by means of a cyclone separator and/or a filter grate and/or a labyrinth filtering stage. As a result, coarse particles can be prevented from being suctioned together with the dust-laden air and from reaching the electrostatic precipitator 12.

[0061] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate advantageous modifications of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, wherein hereinafter essentially the existing differences are emphasized, and reference is made to the related explanations of the first exemplary embodiment for the rest.

[0062] A feature in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 is that the electrostatic precipitator 12 is arranged inside the machine 2. Thus, the electrostatic precipitator 12 is surrounded by the body 50 or the body shell of the machine 2 (the loading conveyor belt 11 is not part of the body 50). As a result, a particularly compact machine can be obtained. Furthermore, the electrostatic precipitator is significantly closer to the milling drum box with respect to the conveying path of the milled material. Specifically, it is located above the transfer conveyor belt 10 inside the machine-side conveyance channel 16 and thus essentially in the empty space inside the body 15, in which also the transfer conveyor belt 10 is arranged. In the flow direction of the dust-laden air (dashed arrows B) directly in front of the electrostatic precipitator 12, a protective grate 51 is provided, which prevents that coarse milled material particles are also suctioned into the electrostatic precipitator 12. The protective grate 51 extends in an essentially horizontal plane. Thus, the protective grate 51 is a physical barrier for coarser milled material particles for the protection of the electrostatic precipitator 12. Instead of the protective grate 51, it is also possible to provide a labyrinth stage. Furthermore, the electrostatic precipitator comprises a protective metal sheet on its bottom side facing the transfer conveyor belt 10. This metal sheet is reinforced and protects the electrostatic precipitator 12 located above from damages caused by the milled material. The protective metal sheet 52 extends over the entire length of the electrostatic precipitator 12 in the conveying direction of the milled material. Another essential feature is that the pump device 13 is positioned downstream the electrostatic precipitator 12 in the conveying direction of the dust-laden air in the present exemplary embodiment. As a result, dust pollution of the pump device 13 per se is significantly reduced compared to the preceding exemplary embodiment, so that this pump device is exposed to the dust to a lesser extent.

[0063] Another alternative exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6. Just as well, the electrostatic precipitator 12 is arranged to be integrated on the machine side in the internal space of the machine 12 surrounded by the body 50. However, the electrostatic precipitator 12 is not located inside the conveyance channel 16, but above the conveyance channel 16 without direct contact to the latter inside the machine. Furthermore, a deflection device 53 is connected upstream the electrostatic precipitator 12, via which the dust-laden air is supplied to the electrostatic precipitator 12. What is essential here is that a deflection of the dust-laden air using the deflection device is effected in the conveying direction of the milled material. Actually, the dust-laden air is suctioned in a direction against the conveying direction of the milled material by the deflection device 53. As a result, the suctioning of larger miller material particles into the deflection device 53 can be counteracted. Here, the deflection angle (angle between the conveying direction of the milled material and the inlet direction of the dust-laden air into the deflection device 53 is ideally larger than 90° and very particularly larger than 120°.

[0064] Optionally, a collection container 54 is further provided underneath the electrostatic precipitator 12. This container can be used for cleaning the electrostatic precipitator 12. Knocked-off dust, which has been precipitated on the electrostatic precipitator 12, can fall through a connection opening, which is not further shown, between the electrostatic precipitator 12 and the container 54 into this container. The precipitated dust can then be discharged separately by removing the container 54 from the inner space of the machine. To that end, the container may be either permanently inserted in the machine 1 or be inserted especially during cleaning works on the electrostatic precipitator 12.

[0065] Finally, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7, no pump device 13 is provided compared to the preceding exemplary embodiments. Instead, the electrostatic precipitator 12 is formed to be open with its bottom side toward the conveyance channel 16, and a protective grate 51 is provided at the bottom side of the electrostatic precipitator, which extends over the entire length thereof. Thus, the dust-laden air is not selectively fed to the electrostatic precipitator 12. Nevertheless, this results in a directed air flow of the milled material inside the conveyance channel 16 due to the conveying movement of the milled material, through which finally also at lease a part of the dust-laden air is fed to the electrostatic precipitator coming from below. The arrangement shown in FIG. 7 already allows obtaining an effective reduction of the dust content in the air. In order to further improve the precipitation rate, a further electrostatic precipitator arranged on the loading conveyor belt 11 is disposed downstream the electrostatic precipitator 1 inside the machine. This one is also formed to be open at its bottom side toward the milled material located on the loading conveyor belt 12, so that dust-laden is routed past the electrostatic precipitator 12 there as well. By means of the series connection of the two electrostatic precipitators 12, a precipitation rate which is sufficient for many applications can be reached on the whole, without requiring an additional pump device. The cleaning result of the dust-laden air can even further be improved by the sprinkling device creating a water curtain, as described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0066] In FIG. 7, both electrostatic precipitator 12 are supplied with electric energy by a common supply device 24. However, a distinct individual supply device 24 may be provided for each of the two electrostatic precipitators 12. Just as well, it is also possible to connect the electrodes of the electrostatic precipitators via a common supply line to the supply device 24 (which is the case for electrodes 22 in FIG. 7) or to provide individual supply lines in each case (which is the case for the electrodes 21 in FIG. 7). The latter provides the advantage that an individual control of the two electrostatic precipitators 12 is simplified, whereas the first variant requires less installation work. Usually, the electrodes of the two electrostatic precipitators 12 in FIG. 7 are all individually connected to the supply device 24, or are commonly connected in pairs to the supply device.

[0067] The present invention has been illustrated by description of various embodiments and while those embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The present invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' invention.