U.S. patent application number 13/613435 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-13 for drive train component with structural cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Michal Drwiega, Paul Noble, Tony Pistagnesi, Neil John Whyte. Invention is credited to Michal Drwiega, Paul Noble, Tony Pistagnesi, Neil John Whyte.
Application Number | 20140073471 13/613435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49212583 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140073471 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whyte; Neil John ; et
al. |
March 13, 2014 |
DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENT WITH STRUCTURAL COVER
Abstract
A drivetrain component is provided that may include a housing, a
component, a cover and a pair of bearings. The housing may define
an internal cavity and a pair of bearing bulkheads. The component
may be received in the internal cavity. The cover may be coupled to
the housing and may close a side of the internal cavity. The cover
may include a pair of bearing caps. Each of the bearing caps may be
mounted to a corresponding one of the bearing bulkheads. The pair
of bearings may be received on the component. Each bearing may be
engaged to an associated one of the bearing bulkheads and an
associated one of the bearing caps.
Inventors: |
Whyte; Neil John; (Swidnica,
PL) ; Noble; Paul; (Swidnica, PL) ;
Pistagnesi; Tony; (Hessen, DE) ; Drwiega; Michal;
(Swidnica, PL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Whyte; Neil John
Noble; Paul
Pistagnesi; Tony
Drwiega; Michal |
Swidnica
Swidnica
Hessen
Swidnica |
|
PL
PL
DE
PL |
|
|
Assignee: |
AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING,
INC.
Detroit
MI
|
Family ID: |
49212583 |
Appl. No.: |
13/613435 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
475/220 ;
74/606R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16H 57/031 20130101;
F16H 57/032 20130101; B60K 17/165 20130101; F16H 57/037 20130101;
Y10T 74/2186 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
475/220 ;
74/606.R |
International
Class: |
F16H 48/38 20120101
F16H048/38 |
Claims
1. A drivetrain component comprising: a housing defining an
internal cavity and a pair of bearing bulkheads; a component
received in the internal cavity; a cover coupled to the housing and
closing a side of the internal cavity, the cover including a pair
of bearing caps, each of the bearing caps being mounted to a
corresponding one of the bearing bulkheads; and a pair of bearings
received on the component, each bearing being engaged to an
associated one of the bearing bulkheads and an associated one of
the bearing caps, wherein the cover comprises a shell portion and a
bridge portion that are formed of different materials.
2. The drivetrain component of claim 1, wherein the bearing caps
are integrally formed with the bridge portion.
3. The drivetrain component of claim 1, wherein the shell portion
is formed of plastic and wherein the bridge portion is formed of
metal.
4. The drivetrain component of claim 1, wherein the shell portion
is cohesively bonded to the bridge portion.
5. The drivetrain component of claim 1, wherein the bridge portion
is at least partly encased in the shell portion.
6. The drivetrain component of claim 1, wherein the component is a
differential case.
7. The drivetrain component of claim 6, wherein a differential
gearset is received in the differential case and wherein a pair of
shafts are coupled to output members of the differential gearset
for rotation therewith.
8. The drivetrain component of claim 1, wherein a shoulder is
formed into each pair of the bearing bulkheads and the bearing
caps, and wherein a gasket is received against each shoulder.
9. The drivetrain component of claim 1, wherein the cover includes
a mount that is adapted to mount the drivetrain component to a
frame.
10. The drivetrain component of claim 9, wherein the mount
comprises at least one boss that is configured to receive a
fastener.
11. The drivetrain component of claim 10, wherein the mount
comprises two bosses, each boss being fixedly coupled to a
corresponding one of the bearing caps.
12. A drivetrain component comprising: a carrier housing having a
pair of bearing bulkheads and a pair of mounting flanges, the
bearing bulkheads defining a rotational axis, the mounting flanges
being disposed on opposite sides of the rotational axis such that a
first one of the mounting flanges spans the bearing bulkheads on a
first side of the rotational axis and a second one of the mounting
flanges spans the bearing bulkheads on a second side of the
rotational axis; a differential assembly mounted to the bearing
bulkheads, the differential assembly comprising a differential case
and a pair of differential bearings mounted to the differential
case, the differential bearings being received on the bearing
bulkheads; and a cover having a shell portion and a bridge portion,
the shell portion being mounted to the mounting flanges, the bridge
portion being coupled to the bearing bulkheads and securing the
differential bearings to the carrier housing.
13. The drivetrain component of claim 12, wherein the bridge
portion is a discrete component that is coupled to the shell
portion.
14. The drivetrain component of claim 13, wherein the shell portion
is over-molded onto the shell portion such that at least a portion
of the bridge portion is encased in the shell portion.
15. The drivetrain component of claim 13, wherein the shell portion
is cohesively bonded to the bridge portion.
16. The drivetrain component of claim 13, wherein the shell portion
is formed of a first material and the bridge portion is formed of a
second, different material.
17. The drivetrain component of claim 16, wherein the first
material comprises plastic.
18. The drivetrain component of claim 16, wherein the second
material comprises metal.
19. The drivetrain component of claim 12, wherein the bridge
portion comprises a mount having a pair of bosses, each of the
bosses being adapted to receive a fastener therein to mount the
cover to a vehicle sub-frame.
20. A drivetrain component comprising: a carrier housing having a
pair of bearing bulkheads and a pair of mounting flanges, the
bearing bulkheads defining a rotational axis, the mounting flanges
being disposed on opposite sides of the rotational axis such that a
first one of the mounting flanges spans the bearing bulkheads on a
first side of the rotational axis and a second one of the mounting
flanges spans the bearing bulkheads on a second side of the
rotational axis; a differential assembly mounted to the bearing
bulkheads, the differential assembly comprising a differential case
and a pair of differential bearings mounted to the differential
case, the differential bearings being received on the bearing
bulkheads; and a cover having a shell portion and a bridge portion,
the shell portion being formed of a first material comprising
plastic that is over-molded onto the bridge portion such that at
least a portion of the bridge portion is encased in and cohesively
bonded to the shell portion, the shell portion being mounted to the
mounting flanges, the bridge portion being formed of a second
material comprising metal, the bridge portion being coupled to the
bearing bulkheads and securing the differential bearings to the
carrier housing, the bridge portion having a mount that comprises a
pair of bosses, each of the bosses being adapted to receive a
fastener therein to mount the cover to a vehicle sub-frame.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drivetrain component
having a structural cover.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.
[0003] An axle assembly for a vehicle may include a housing having
a cover. A differential may be disposed within the housing for
rotation relative thereto. Design criteria for axle housings and
covers may include considerations for strength, weight and seal
integrity. This may be particularly true for housings and covers
designed for use in cars, trucks, vans, sport-utility vehicles
and/or other consumer and commercial vehicles, as owners and
operators of these vehicles are increasingly demanding improved
fuel economy without sacrificing performance and durability.
Conventional housing covers are typically formed entirely from a
metallic material to provide strength and durability.
SUMMARY
[0004] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0005] In one form, the present disclosure provides a drivetrain
component that may include a housing, a component, a cover and a
pair of bearings. The housing may define an internal cavity and a
pair of bearing bulkheads. The component may be received in the
internal cavity. The cover may be coupled to the housing and may
close a side of the internal cavity. The cover may include a pair
of bearing caps. Each of the bearing caps may be mounted to a
corresponding one of the bearing bulkheads. The pair of bearings
may be received on the component. Each bearing may be engaged to an
associated one of the bearing bulkheads and an associated one of
the bearing caps.
[0006] In another form, the present disclosure provides a
drivetrain component that may include a carrier housing, a
differential assembly and a cover. The carrier housing may include
a pair of bearing bulkheads and a pair of mounting flanges. The
bearing bulkheads may define a rotational axis. The mounting
flanges may be disposed on opposite sides of the rotational axis
such that a first one of the mounting flanges spans the bearing
bulkheads on a first side of the rotational axis and a second one
of the mounting flanges spans the bearing bulkheads on a second
side of the rotational axis. The differential assembly may be
mounted to the bearing bulkheads and may include a differential
case and a pair of differential bearings mounted to the
differential case. The differential bearings may be received on the
bearing bulkheads. The cover may include a shell portion and a
bridge portion. The shell portion may be mounted to the mounting
flanges. The bridge portion may be coupled to the bearing bulkheads
and may secure the differential bearings to the carrier
housing.
[0007] In yet another form, the present disclosure provides a
drivetrain component that may include a carrier housing, a
differential assembly and a cover. The carrier housing may include
a pair of bearing bulkheads and a pair of mounting flanges. The
bearing bulkheads may define a rotational axis. The mounting
flanges may be disposed on opposite sides of the rotational axis
such that a first one of the mounting flanges spans the bearing
bulkheads on a first side of the rotational axis and a second one
of the mounting flanges spans the bearing bulkheads on a second
side of the rotational axis. The differential assembly may be
mounted to the bearing bulkheads and may include a differential
case and a pair of differential bearings mounted to the
differential case. The differential bearings may be received on the
bearing bulkheads. The cover may include a shell portion and a
bridge portion. The shell portion may be formed of a first material
including plastic that is over-molded onto the bridge portion such
that at least a portion of the bridge portion is encased in and
cohesively bonded to the shell portion. The shell portion may be
mounted to the mounting flanges. The bridge portion may be formed
of a second material including metal. The bridge portion may be
coupled to the bearing bulkheads and may secure the differential
bearings to the carrier housing. The bridge portion may have a
mount that includes a pair of bosses. Each of the bosses may be
adapted to receive a fastener therein to mount the cover to a
vehicle sub-frame.
[0008] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0009] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle having a
rear axle assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of
the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away perspective view of a
portion of the vehicle of FIG. 1 illustrating the rear axle
assembly in more detail;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion
of the rear axle assembly of FIG. 2 illustrating an axle housing
assembly of the rear axle assembly;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the axle
housing assembly;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the rear axle
assembly of FIG. 2 illustrating a cover of the axle housing
assembly; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cover taken along
line 6-6 of FIG. 4.
[0016] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully
convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous
specific details are set forth such as examples of specific
components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough
understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not
be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many
different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the
scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known
processes, well-known device structures, and well-known
technologies are not described in detail.
[0018] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or
components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or
more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged
to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it
may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other
element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present.
[0019] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0020] With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a vehicle 10 is
illustrated as having a drivetrain component that is constructed in
accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. In the
particular example provided, the drivetrain component is a rear
axle assembly 22, but those skilled in the art will recognize from
this disclosure that the teachings of the present disclosure have
application to other types of axle assemblies (e.g., front axle
assemblies), as well as to other driveline components. The vehicle
10 can include a driveline 12 that is drivable via a connection to
a power train 14. The power train 14 can include an engine 16 and a
transmission 18. The driveline 12 can include a propshaft 20, the
rear axle assembly 22 and a plurality of wheels 24. The engine 16
can be mounted in an in-line or longitudinal orientation along the
axis of the vehicle 10 and its output can be selectively coupled
via a conventional clutch to the input of the transmission 18 to
transmit rotary power (i.e., drive torque) therebetween. The input
of the transmission 18 can be commonly aligned with the output of
the engine 16 for rotation about a rotary axis. The transmission 18
can also include an output and a gear reduction unit. The gear
reduction unit can be operable for coupling the transmission input
to the transmission output at a predetermined gear speed ratio. The
propshaft 20 can be coupled for rotation with the output of the
transmission 18. Drive torque can be transmitted through the
propshaft 20 to the rear axle assembly 22 where it can be
selectively apportioned in a predetermined manner to the left and
right rear wheels 24a and 24b, respectively.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 2, the rear axle assembly 22 can
include an axle housing assembly 40, a differential assembly 42, an
input pinion assembly 44, and a pair of axle shafts 46. Except as
described in detail herein, the differential assembly 42, the input
pinion 44 and the axle shafts 46 can be generally conventional in
their construction and operation, and as such, these components
need not be discussed in significant detail herein. Briefly, the
input pinion 44 can be housed in the axle housing assembly 40 and
can include an input shaft 120 and an input pinion 122 that can be
coupled to the input shaft 120 for rotation therewith about a first
axis. An end of the input shaft 120 opposite the input pinion 122
can be adapted to be coupled to a driveline component, such as the
propshaft 20 (FIG. 1), to receive rotary power therefrom.
[0022] The differential assembly 42 can be any type of differential
assembly, such as an open differential assembly, a limited slip
differential assembly and/or a locking differential assembly, for
example. The differential assembly 42 can include a differential
case 110, a ring gear 112, a differential gearset 114, and a pair
of differential bearings 116. The ring gear 112 can be fixedly
coupled to the differential case 110 and can be meshingly engaged
with the input pinion 122 to receive rotary power therefrom. The
differential gearset 114 can be housed in the differential case 110
and can be configured to transmit rotary power received by the
differential case 110 from the ring gear 112 to the axle shafts 46.
The differential bearings 116 can be mounted to the differential
case 110 and can be configured to support the differential case 110
relative to the axle housing assembly 40 for rotation about a
second axis 118 that can be perpendicular to the first axis. The
axle shafts 46 can be employed to transmit rotary power from the
outputs (e.g., side gears) of the differential gearset 114 to
associated ones of the rear wheels 24a and 24b. As will be
appreciated, the axle shafts 46 may include one or more universal
joints (e.g., Cardan joints, constant velocity joints).
[0023] The axle housing assembly 40 can include a carrier housing
54, a cover 60 and a pair of annular gaskets 115. In the particular
example provided, the rear axle assembly 22 is configured for a
rear independent suspension and as such, the axle housing assembly
40 is configured to be fixedly coupled to a vehicle chassis or
sub-frame. It will be appreciated, however, that the teachings of
the present disclosure have application to other types of axle
assemblies, including Salisbury axle assemblies.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the carrier housing 54 can
define an internal cavity 62 that forms a fluid sump 64 in which a
liquid lubricant (for lubricating the differential assembly 42 and
input pinion assembly 44) is located. The carrier housing 54 can
include a pair of bearing bulkheads 66, a pair of mounting surfaces
67, a differential aperture 68, which can be disposed on a first
side of the carrier housing 54 (FIG. 3), and a pinion aperture 70,
which can be disposed on a second side of the carrier housing 54
(FIG. 2) opposite the differential aperture 68. Each of the bearing
bulkheads 66 may include an annular shoulder 71 (FIG. 3) and can be
configured to partly receive the differential bearings 116. The
mounting surfaces 67 can include a plurality of first apertures 72
and a plurality of second apertures 74. The second apertures 74 can
be located on the bearing bulkheads 66. The differential aperture
68 can be configured to permit the differential assembly 42 to be
received into the internal cavity 62. The pinion aperture 70 can be
sized to receive the input shaft 120.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the cover 60 can include a shell
portion 76 and a bridge portion 78. The shell portion 76 can be
molded or otherwise formed from one or more suitable materials,
such as a polymer, a reinforced polymeric material, a metal, a
ceramic and/or a composite material. In the particular example
provided, the shell portion 76 is over-molded onto the bridge
portion 78 such that the bridge portion 78 is cohesively bonded to
and partly encased in the shell portion 76. It will be appreciated,
however, that the shell portion 76 could be formed as one or more
discrete components that are subsequently assembled to the bridge
portion 78.
[0026] The shell portion 76 may include a body 80 and a pair of
flanges 82 that extend outward from opposite ends of the body 80.
The body 80 may include a concave internal surface 84 (FIGS. 5 and
6), which can face the internal cavity 62 of the carrier housing
54, and a convex external surface 86 (FIGS. 4 and 6), which can
face generally away from the carrier housing 54. The body 80 may
span the differential aperture 68 in a first direction, such as
laterally (i.e., in a direction Y as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) such
that the flanges 82 sealingly engage the mounting surfaces 67.
Apertures 88 (FIGS. 3 and 5) in the flanges 82 may be aligned with
corresponding ones of the first apertures 72 in the mounting
surfaces 67 such that fasteners 90 may be received through
apertures 88 and threadably engage the first apertures 72 to secure
the shell portion 76 to the carrier housing 54. In some
embodiments, metallic bushings 89 (FIG. 3) may be received in the
apertures 88 and abut heads of the fasteners 90 and outward facing
surfaces 91 of the flanges 82 to spread the clamp-load produced by
the fasteners 90 and/or limit the clamp-load exerted by the
fasteners 90 onto the flanges 82. The fasteners 90 may be tightened
against the bushings 89 and/or flanges 82 to exert a clamping force
that urges the flanges 82 into sealed engagement with the mounting
surfaces 67. In some embodiments, a gasket or other sealing member
(neither shown) may be disposed between the flanges 82 and the
mounting surfaces 67 to facilitate sealing between the flanges 82
and the mounting surfaces 67. In other embodiments, the flanges 82
may directly sealingly engage the mounting surfaces 67 without a
gasket or other sealing member therebetween.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the bridge portion 78 may
include a body 92 connecting a pair of bearing caps 94 that are
integrally formed with the body 92. The bridge portion 78 may be a
relatively rigid body formed from a suitable structural material,
such as a reinforced plastic material, a metallic material, or a
composite, for example. In the particular example provided, the
bridge portion 78 is unitarily formed of aluminum by die casting,
but those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this
disclosure that other metals, such as steel, iron and/or magnesium,
and/or that the bridge portion 78 could be formed of several
components that are fastened, welded or otherwise fixedly coupled
together.
[0028] As shown in the FIGS. 4-6, the body 92 may be at least
partially embedded in the shell portion 76, and the bearing caps 94
may extend laterally outward from the body 92 in opposite
directions. The body 92 may be configured to maintain the bearing
caps 94 in a predetermined position relative to one another and can
be contoured in any manner desired. In the particular example
provided, the body 92 is contoured to fit about the ring gear 112,
and as such, includes a concave surface 93 (FIG. 6) that faces the
internal cavity 62, and a convex surface 95 (FIGS. 3 and 6) that
faces away from the carrier housing 54. Reinforcing features, such
as a rib 101 that extends laterally between the bearing caps 94,
can be integrated into the body 92 as desired.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, each of the bearing caps 94 may
include a cap portion 96, a pair of mounting bosses 98, and a
sub-frame boss 99 that can engage a vehicle sub-frame (not shown).
The cap portions 96, mounting bosses 98 and sub-frame bosses 99 may
be integrally formed on the bearing caps 94. The cap portions 96
may include annular shoulders 97 (FIGS. 5 and 6) facing inward
toward each other. Mounting surfaces 100 (FIG. 5) may define ends
of the cap portions 96 and ends of the mounting bosses 98.
Apertures 102 may extend through the mounting bosses 98 and the
mounting surfaces 100. The mounting bosses 98 are configured to
receive fasteners 104 that are threaded into the second apertures
74 in the bearing bulkheads 66 to thereby fixedly couple the
bearing caps 94 to the carrier housing 54. The fasteners 104 can be
tightened to produce a clamp-load that is exerted onto the
differential bearings 116 to secure the differential bearings 116
between the bearing bulkheads 66 and the cap portions 96. The
clamp-load exerted by the fasteners 104 may also help to facilitate
sealing between the mating mounting surfaces 67, 100. A gasket or
other sealing member (neither shown) may be disposed between the
mating mounting surfaces 67, 100 to help facilitate sealing
therebetween.
[0030] In some embodiments, the bridge portion 78 and/or the shell
portion 76 can include one or more locating features (not shown)
configured to cooperate with mating locating features (not shown)
of the carrier housing 54 to control alignment of the bearing caps
94 relative to the bearing bulkheads 66. For example, the locating
features of the bridge portion 78 and/or the shell portion 76 can
include one or more dowel holes and the mating locating features of
the carrier housing 54 can include one or more corresponding
dowels. The dowel holes may be configured to receive the dowels to
thereby align the bearing caps 94 to the bearing bulkheads 66.
[0031] The annular shoulders 71, 97 of the bearing bulkheads 66 and
cap portions 96, respectively, can cooperate to form counterbores.
The annular gaskets 115 can be received into the counterbores and
may abut against the annular shoulders 71, 97. Each set of bearing
bulkheads 66 and bearing caps 94 can cooperate to define a seal
mount 105 that is configured to receive a boot seal 107 (FIG. 2)
that can create a seal between the carrier housing 54, the bearing
cap 94 and an associated one of the axle shafts 46.
[0032] When the cover 60 is installed onto the carrier housing 54,
the cap portions 96 of the bridge portion 78 are aligned with the
bearing bulkheads 66 of the carrier housing 54. In this manner, the
bridge portion 78 may span the differential aperture 68 (FIG. 3) in
a direction X (FIGS. 3 and 4) that is perpendicular to the
direction Y.
[0033] Because the body 92 of the bridge portion 78 extends between
the mounting bosses 98, loads on the mounting bosses 98 due to the
clamping force of the fasteners 104 and rotation of the
differential assembly 42 may be transferred across the cover 60
through the body 92. This may substantially isolate the shell
portion 76 from these loads, which may permit the shell portion 76
to be formed from a lighter, less rigid material that may reduce
the overall weight of the cover 60 and be more conducive to forming
a seal with the mounting surfaces 67 of the carrier housing 54.
[0034] While the cover 60 is described above as being a part of an
axle housing assembly for a rear axle assembly for a
rear-wheel-drive vehicle, it will be appreciated that the
principles of the present disclosure are applicable to housings and
covers of other drivetrain components. For example, the cover 60
could be configured for use in a front axle assembly, a transfer
case assembly, a transmission housing or any other power transfer
unit in rear-wheel-drive, front-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive or
all-wheel-drive vehicles.
[0035] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *