U.S. patent application number 13/925982 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-31 for laser indicator for remote measuring devices and method therefor.
The applicant listed for this patent is Radiaulics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nikolaos I. Komninos.
Application Number | 20130283890 13/925982 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40930340 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130283890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Komninos; Nikolaos I. |
October 31, 2013 |
LASER INDICATOR FOR REMOTE MEASURING DEVICES AND METHOD
THEREFOR
Abstract
Provided is a device for use in locating the origin of a
phenomenon of interest, including a sensor capable of detecting the
presence of the phenomenon of interest and generating a detection
signal in response thereto. The device also includes a phenomenon
origin locator to monitor the detection signal and project light
toward the origin when the detection signal satisfies a selected
criteria level, thereby indicating the origin of the phenomenon of
interest.
Inventors: |
Komninos; Nikolaos I.;
(Littleton, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Radiaulics, Inc. |
Littleton |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
40930340 |
Appl. No.: |
13/925982 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12027191 |
Feb 6, 2008 |
8468874 |
|
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13925982 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
73/40 ;
73/865.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01M 3/04 20130101; G01J
5/08 20130101; G01M 3/205 20130101; G01J 5/0896 20130101; G01J
5/0265 20130101; G01J 5/026 20130101; G01J 5/02 20130101; G01J
5/025 20130101; G01J 5/0859 20130101; G01J 5/089 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
73/40 ;
73/865.8 |
International
Class: |
G01M 3/04 20060101
G01M003/04 |
Claims
1. An instrument for use in locating a gas leak, comprising: a) a
sensor capable of detecting the presence of the gas and generating
a detection signal in response thereto; and b) a gas leak locator
to monitor the detection signal and project light toward the leak
when the detection signal satisfies a selected criteria level,
thereby indicating location of the leak.
2. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said sensor is an acoustic
emission sensor operative upon exposure to sound attendant with
leakage of the gas to generate the detection signal.
3. The instrument of claim 2 wherein said acoustic emissions sensor
is a microphonic sensor.
4. The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a level selector
for selectively varying said criteria level.
5. The instrument of claim 1 further comprising an output device
for producing perceptible output in response to said detection
signal.
6. The instrument of claim 5 wherein said perceptible output is one
of an alphanumeric display, a graphic display, and a bar graph.
7. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said sensor has a field of
detection extending along a sensor axis and said light is projected
along a projection axis that is generally parallel to the sensor
axis.
8. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said sensor has a field of
detection extending along a sensor axis and said light is projected
along a projection axis that is generally coaxial to the sensor
axis.
9. The instrument of claim 1 further comprising an override switch
for manually activating said gas leak locator for aiming the device
in a desired direction.
10. A device according to claim 9 wherein said gas leak locator
includes at least one laser.
11. In a leak detection instrument having an instrument housing, a
gas sensor supported relative to said instrument housing and
operative upon exposure to a selected gas to generate a
corresponding gas detection input signal, a gas pump disposed
within said instrument housing and operative upon actuation to draw
the selected gas toward said gas sensor, an acoustic emissions
sensor supported relative to said instrument housing and operative
upon exposure to sound attendant with leakage of the selected gas
to generate a corresponding sound detection input signal,
processing circuitry for receiving said gas detection input signal
and said sound detection input signal and for producing at least
one output signal in response thereto, and an output device for
producing perceptible output in response to said output signal, the
improvement comprising: a gas leak locator operative to monitor the
output signal and project light toward the leak when the output
signal satisfies selected threshold criteria, thereby indicating
the origin of the leak.
12. In a leak detection instrument having an instrument housing, an
acoustic emissions sensor supported relative to said instrument
housing that is operative upon exposure to sound attendant with
leakage from a device to produce a corresponding sound detection
signal, the improvement comprising: a leak locator operative to
monitor the sound detection signal and project light toward the
origin of the leak when the sound detection signal satisfies
selected threshold criteria, thereby indicating the leak location.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of the applicant's
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/027,191, entitled
"Laser Indicator System For Remote Measuring Devices And Methods
Therefor," filed on Feb. 6, 2008.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are many applications in which the remote detection of
an event or the measurement of a quantity from a distance requires
ascertaining the origin location of the event. An example of this
application is the now common infrared thermometer with a laser
pointer incorporated within. With an infrared thermometer, the user
activates the thermometer to take a reading. The laser pointer
indicates the spot where the measurement is taking place. Some
infrared thermometers allow the user to select if the laser pointer
is active during the measurement or not but the activation still
takes place with the on/off switch. Another instrument that reads
from a distance is the ultrasonic leak detector such as in my
previous U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,577, where the location of a distant
target is pointed to by a laser pointer incorporated in the leak
detector. In this case, the laser pointer is usually in a parabolic
dish, sometimes called a long-range module. Similar to an infrared
thermometer, the leak detector offers the user the option to
activate the laser pointer. Yet another example of an instrument
that takes measurements at a distance is a thermographic camera.
Some of these thermographic cameras also incorporate a laser
pointer. It should be appreciated that these applications are just
some of the examples of instruments incorporating laser pointers.
All of these instruments, however, use the laser pointer passively
much like laser pointers used in presentations. The user activates
the laser pointer to identify the target or the point of interest
either using a dedicated control or the on/off button for control
of the instrument.
[0003] Improvements have been made to the basic laser pointing
systems incorporated on remote sensing devices. Such improvements
include visibly outlining the energy zone to be measured by a
radiometer. This type of infrared thermometer is available from
Omega Engineering, Inc. of Stamford, Conn. See also U.S. Pat. No.
6,659,639. In this particular device, the laser is directed in a
circular pattern about the energy zone to be measured. There are,
however, opportunities to advance the utility of remote sensing
devices further. For instance, in situations where the leak or
sound point cannot be reached, such as in electrically energized
systems, there is a need for a viable approach to search for a
leak, arcing, or hotspot. This need is in contrast to the
capabilities provided by the prior art in which the laser pointers
contemplate a known area of interest.
SUMMARY
[0004] Provided is a device for use in locating the origin of a
phenomenon of interest, such as a leak, sound, radiation, or the
like. The device includes a sensor capable of detecting the
presence of the phenomenon of interest and generating a detection
signal in response thereto. A phenomenon origin locator, which may
include a laser, monitors the detection signal and projects light
toward the origin when the detection signal satisfies a selected
criteria level, thereby indicating the origin of the phenomenon of
interest.
[0005] The criteria level may be selectively varied with a level
selector and may include physical properties such as amplitude,
frequency, temperature, time, light, sound pressure, and/or
radiation. A microcontroller may be employed for receiving the
detection signal and activating the phenomenon origin locator
according to the selected criteria level. The device may also
include an output display for producing perceptible output in
response to the detection signal in the form of an alphanumeric
display, a graphic display, and/or a bar graph.
[0006] The sensor may have a field of detection extending along a
sensor axis, with the light being projected along a projection axis
that is generally parallel to the sensor axis. The device may also
include an override switch for manually activating the phenomenon
origin locator to assist in aiming the device in a desired
direction.
[0007] The device may also include a first limit indicator to
monitor the detection signal and project light along a first
indicator axis when the detection signal satisfies a selected first
threshold level of said selected criteria. In addition, the device
may include a second limit indicator which monitors the detection
signal and projects light along a second indicator axis when the
detection signal satisfies a selected second threshold level for
said selected criteria. The first and second indicator axis may be
collinear with each other as well as collinear with the projection
axis.
[0008] The sensor may be an acoustic emissions sensor such as a
microphonic sensor, or a gas sensor, radiation sensor, infrared
sensor, or radio frequency sensor. The sensor may generate an
analog detection signal which may be converted to a digital
detection signal.
[0009] Also provided is a method for locating the origin of a
phenomenon of interest broadly comprising sensing the phenomenon of
interest, determining whether the sensed phenomenon of interest
satisfies selected criteria, and projecting light along a
projection axis while the selected criteria is satisfied.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a device for use in
locating the origin of a phenomenon of interest according to a
first exemplary embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the device introduced in
FIG. 1A, representatively shown here indicating the location of a
leak;
[0012] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a device for use in
locating the origin of a phenomenon of interest according to a
second exemplary embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the device introduced in
FIG. 1A, representatively shown here indicating the location of a
leak;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a representative block diagram illustrating a
first embodiment of circuitry for implementing the device;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram representing a second embodiment
of circuitry for implementing the detection device;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a block diagram representing a third embodiment of
circuitry for implementing the detection device;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a block diagram representing a fourth embodiment
of circuitry for implementing the detection device;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a block diagram representing a fifth embodiment of
circuitry for implementing the detection device;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a block diagram representing a sixth embodiment of
circuitry for implementing the detection device;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a first exemplary criteria
schema shown here as a trigger window;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a second exemplary criteria
schema shown here as upper and lower trigger levels;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a representative block diagram for implementing
another embodiment of the detection device, which is mounted on a
motorized system; and
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating representative
hardware for implementing the detection device of FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Provided herein is a device for use in locating the origin
of a phenomenon of interest. The device includes a locater such as
a laser pointer for identifying the source of the phenomena of
interest, such as a leaking fluid. As described herein the locator,
or in this case laser pointer, is activated automatically when the
detection device detects a phenomena of interest which satisfies
selected criteria. For example, in the case of an ultrasonic leak
detector, it would be very advantageous to a person searching for
leaks in overhead compressed air or refrigerant gas lines to have
the laser pointer turn on to indicate the location where the leak
signal is the strongest, thus indicating the location of the leak.
As the user scans the lines the laser pointer turns on to indicate
the location or origin where a possible leak might exist. This
feature enhances the utility of the detector by making it easier to
use by less skilled personnel or in situations where the leak or
sound point cannot be reached, such as in electrically energized
systems.
[0025] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of
the detection device incorporating a laser pointer locater.
Detection device 20 includes a housing 21, a display 22, a sensor
30 and user inputs 23. In this embodiment sensor 30 is a
multi-function leak detector, which uses ultrasonic detection as
well as ultra-violet light detection to determine leakage from a
pipe. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, pipe 5 has a leak which is
illustrated here as crack 10. Leak detection sensor 30 is described
in my previous U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,577, the entire disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood
that while in this example a fluid leak is being detected with
ultrasonic and ultraviolet detectors, any type of phenomena of
interest such as temperature, sound, light, electromagnetic
radiation, etc. would be appropriate for this device. Accordingly,
various different sensors could be incorporated as well.
[0026] In FIG. 1A device 20 is being scanned along pipe 5 in search
of a leak shown here as crack 10. However, in FIG. 1A, the sensor
has yet to detect crack 10 as exemplified here by emissions 32.
FIG. 1B shows that the sensor has detected the leak and activated
laser pointer 25 to indicate the origin of the leak. Also shown in
FIG. 1B is perceptible output device 22 shown here as a bar graph
24.
[0027] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of
the detection device. In this embodiment, leak detector 120 is
similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B in that it includes a
housing 121, a display 122 and a detector 130. However, in this
case, laser pointer 125 is activated prior to leak detection to act
as a targeting or aiming device. Laser pointer 125 can be activated
in this embodiment either manually as desired or as long as leak
detector 120 is turned on. FIG. 2B illustrates detection device 120
with the targeting laser 125 activated. This figure also represents
that sensor 130 detects the phenomena and accordingly a second
laser pointer 127, in this case one which generates a conical beam
of light, is also activated indicating the presence of the
phenomenon of interest. FIG. 2 also shows the perceptible output
122 displaying a bar graph 124 having a level which is indicative
of the strength of the detected leak.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a representative
example of circuitry for implementing the detection device with
automatic laser pointer. Circuit 70 includes bar graph driver 81
which is connected to perceptible output, namely bar graph 22. Both
the bar graph driver 81 and bar graph 22 receive power from power
supply 86. Bar graph driver 81 receives a signal input 80 from a
detector that is indicative of the detection level. Bar graph
driver 81 drives the bar graph 22 to activate LED's indicative of
the level of detection. Circuit 70 also includes a laser pointer
enable switch 85. In this embodiment, the laser pointer is
activated automatically when the detection level reaches one of the
last 4 LED's in bar graph 22, which can be calibrated based on user
preferences. Depending on which level is selected on level selector
89, the laser pointer will activate. For instance, as shown in FIG.
3, when the last LED bar is activated in bar graph 22 a signal is
transferred to OR gate 82 and then onto AND gate 83, which
activates switch 87, which in turn activates voltage regulator 88
to power laser pointer 90. Thus, in order for the laser pointer 90
to be activated, the laser pointer enable switch 85 must be closed
and the selected level must be activated by the bar graph 22. The
bar graph is for example only and could also be an alphanumeric
display, a graphical display, or other suitable device known in the
art. Accordingly, the laser pointer could be triggered off of other
types of perceptible output devices. Circuit 70 also includes a
manual on-switch 84. When manual on-switch 84 is closed, it sends a
signal from power supply 86 through OR gate 82 to AND gate 83,
which again activates switch 87 thereby ultimately activating laser
pointer 90. The particular function of the LED bar graph driver 81
and associated LED bar graph 22 are described more fully in my
previous U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,755 the entire disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram representing a second embodiment
of circuitry for implementing the detection device. Circuit 170 is
similar to circuit 70 shown in FIG. 3 with the addition of signal
input 180, which is adapted to read the voltage or current from an
analog style meter such as the ballistic galvanometers found in
some instruments. In this case, the current flowing from 72 to 74
determines what level is displayed on the LED bar graph 122 based
on bar graph driver 181 output. In this case, the current level
from 72 to 74 flowing through the analog meter determines what
level is displayed on the LED bar graph 122 based on bar graph
driver 181 output.
[0030] Whereas FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate analog circuitry for
implementing the detection device, FIG. 5 illustrates a circuit 270
that contemplates a digital control system. In this third exemplary
embodiment, circuit 270 includes micro-controller 275 which
receives signal input 280 and user input 223. The user input could
be from a keyboard, buttons, or a touch screen to name a few. As
those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate signal 280
could be any input from a sensor or combination of sensors. User
input 223 can be used to input the selected criteria to which the
signal input is compared in order to decide whether the laser
pointer is to be activated. Micro-controller 275 communicates with
alphanumeric digital display 228 to indicate the level of
detection. Micro-controller 275 is also connected to latch buffers
277', 277'', and 277''', which are in turn connected to LED bar
graph modules 222. These latches, however, may be eliminated if the
microcontroller has the ability to drive the LEDs directly.
Micro-controller 275 is connected to voltage regulator/switch 288,
which controls laser pointer 290. Thus, if signal input 280
satisfies the selected criteria, which is input via user input 223,
then micro-controller 275 would activate the alphanumeric digital
display displaying the level of detection on display 228. Also,
microcontroller 275 would activate the appropriate latches or
buffers 277', 277'', and 277''', which in turn activate LED bar
graph modules 222. The micro-controller circuitry is explained
further in my previous U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,504 the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of circuitry for
implementing the detection device with locator. This locator
incorporates multiple laser pointers of the same or different color
to indicate different leaks, temperatures, radiations, or other
conditions. For example, a detector can have a targeting laser
pointer, which is on when the device is ON, which indicates the
direction and point of interest. However, when the trigger
conditions are met, other laser pointers having different
characteristics (e.g., different colors and/or spot and/or shapes)
will turn on to indicate the spot where the detector has detected a
leak or sound of interest. In an IR thermometer, for example, the
second laser pointer can be blue and turn on for example when a
lower limit in temperature is met, with the upper limit being
indicated with a red laser pointer. These colors naturally can be
any available colors. The locators can be made to pulsate based on
certain criteria as well. In a thermography instrument, as another
example, additional laser pointers can be activated to indicate the
location where a temperature condition exists such as HI, LOW,
Average, Specific Value, Difference, or Rate of Change.
[0032] Circuit 370 (FIG. 6) is similar to circuit 270 shown in FIG.
5 with the addition of an upper-limit laser pointer and a
lower-limit laser pointer in addition to the general targeting
laser pointer 390. In this embodiment, the detection device has a
targeting laser pointer 390 which can be activated manually or with
the activation of the device. In addition, the targeting laser
pointer may be activated only when the selected criteria have been
met. The user may input three criteria via user input 323 in order
to activate the targeting and upper and lower limit laser pointers
390, 392 and 394 respectively. The target criteria as well as the
upper-limit and lower-limit criteria are described more fully below
with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of circuitry for
implementing the device. Circuit 470 is similar to circuit 370
shown in FIG. 6, however, in this case the laser pointers are
connected to microcontroller 475 via an i.sup.2c bus 495 as is
known in the art. Also, circuit 470 includes alternate or other
output control 497, which may be used for connecting to an
oscilloscope, for example.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram representing a sixth embodiment
of a circuit for implementing the detection device. In this
embodiment, digital signal processing (DSP) system 585 receives the
signal from the detector, such as 280 in FIG. 5, and processes the
signal to detect the presence of a single frequency or band.
Micro-controller 575 receives a trigger signal from the DSP system
585. Micro-controller 575 in turn displays output on output device
528 and activates the laser pointer system 590, which includes
laser pointers and voltage regulators/switches as described with
respect to FIG. 7. The digital signal processing system is
described more fully in my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,577.
[0035] With respect to the selected criteria referred to in the
above embodiments, there are several criteria schemas contemplated.
These criteria schemas are discussed in some detail with reference
to FIGS. 9 and 10, which are graphs of amplitude versus frequency,
temperature, time, and radiation, as representative examples only.
FIG. 9 illustrates a trigger window 560, which as shown here will
only trigger the laser pointer if the detected phenomena, shown in
the X-axis, are within a certain frequency band and a certain
amplitude range. This is a condition-based trigger, which can
become very sophisticated depending on the type of detector and the
phenomenon of interest. When spectral analysis is performed within
the instrument and a specific frequency, or frequency band is
detected that the user is interested in or is associated with a
specific leak, the DSP system (as described above) will turn the
locator on only when this condition exists, ignoring competing
sounds and sound intensities. FIG. 9 is a graph, which plots the
phenomena of interest (i.e. frequency, temperature, time, or
radiation) along the X-axis versus the amplitude of the signal on
the Y-axis. For purposes of discussion assume input signal 580 is a
frequency signal. In this case, then, input signal 580 has a
particular frequency and amplitude. Illustrated here, input signal
580 satisfies the criteria, or in this case, trigger window 560.
Trigger window 560 is represented in this case as a box with
boundaries corresponding to amplitude and frequency. For instance,
the trigger window is bounded on its upper and lower sides by
amplitude levels 561 and 562 respectively. The trigger window is
bounded on its front and backsides by frequency levels 564 and 563.
In this illustration, frequency signal 580 falls within the upper
and lower amplitude bounds 561 and 562 respectively, as well as
upper and lower frequency boundaries 563 and 564; thus the
phenomenon of interest locater (laser pointer) would be
activated.
[0036] Focusing parabolic horns, parabolic reflector dishes or
Fresnel lenses can be used to make a detector, particularly an
ultrasonic leak detector, very directional and able to focus on a
small target area. In industrial leak detection again, in overhead
lines of either compressed air or refrigerants and in situations
where multiple leaks are present in a relatively small area, one
might be interested in locating a leak that is smaller than the
surrounding ones but because of the type of gas that might be
leaking it might be more important to know (flammable gas for
instance). In such cases the user can program the device to turn on
at a threshold point, for example 5, and turn off at 15.
[0037] FIG. 10 represents a second schema for selected criteria
upon which the laser pointer is activated. FIG. 10 is a graph which
plots frequency on the X-axis versus amplitude on the Y-axis. The
criteria in this case are upper trigger level 597 and lower trigger
level 595 represented here as horizontal lines at a particular
amplitude level. Accordingly, regardless of the frequency level of
the input signal (591, 592, 593, and 594) the laser pointer will be
activated as long as the signal reaches the lower and/or upper
trigger levels. So for instance, signal 591 would not activate
either the lower trigger level or the upper trigger level. However,
signal 592 reaches the lower trigger level 595 and would thus
trigger lower level laser pointer as is described above with
reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, for example. Signals 593 and 594 would
activate both lower and upper trigger levels 595 and 597
respectively. It should be understood that the criteria schemas
illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 are for exemplary purposes only and
other trigger windows and levels could be defined in keeping with
the spirit of the described schemas. Furthermore, the upper and
lower limits and frequencies could be selected by a user via an
input device such as a keyboard or touch screen, for instance.
Additionally, a display schema such as a combination of current
level indication and peak hold can be implemented. The laser
pointer can be activated at a set point and follow the peaks of the
signal of interest. For example, activation may be set at LED 7 and
made to follow the peak hold until the peak hold resets. If the new
peak is above the set point, the laser pointer will remain ON. If
it drops below the set point, the laser pointer will go OFF.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a representative block diagram of a circuit for
implementing another embodiment of the detection device, which is
mounted on a motorized system which can move to point to any
location in three-dimensional space (see FIG. 12). In this
embodiment, circuitry 670 is similar to that shown in FIG. 8 with
the addition of an XYZ motion control and laser pointer firing
system 650 as well as sensor array 660. Shown in FIG. 12 is such a
system where the sensor array 660 is mounted underneath the XYZ
motion control 650. Both sensor arrays 660 and motion controller
650 are mounted on pole 652. It is contemplated that the system
could be mounted on pole 652 in an industrial environment, such as
for example, a petroleum pumping station or a refinery. Sensor
array 660 would detect any leaks and communicate via circuitry 670
to the laser pointing system 650 in order to target the leak
origin. Assuming the detected leak meets the selected criteria,
laser pointer 690 would fire beam 625 toward the origin of the
leak, thereby indicating its location. It should be understood that
the location and configuration of the sensor array may vary and the
configuration shown is for example only. For instance, the sensor
arrays could also be arranged in phased array lattices.
[0039] With the above embodiments in mind, also contemplated are
methods of locating a phenomenon of interest. One such method may
include any steps inherent in any of the disclosed embodiments. The
method broadly includes sensing the phenomenon of interest,
determining whether the sensed phenomenon satisfies selected
criteria, and projecting light along a sensor axis while the
criteria is satisfied. Methods can also include multiple locators
and criteria for indicating conditions that meet various selected
criteria.
[0040] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention
have been described in some detail above, it should be appreciated
that the present invention is defined by the following claims
construed in light of the prior art such that modifications or
changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing
from the inventive concepts contained herein.
* * * * *