U.S. patent application number 15/412741 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-27 for double inlet blower wheel.
The applicant listed for this patent is Beckett Air Incorporated. Invention is credited to Ken Behner, Michael Paul Hashem, Edward R. Schroth.
Application Number | 20170211585 15/412741 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59358948 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170211585 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hashem; Michael Paul ; et
al. |
July 27, 2017 |
DOUBLE INLET BLOWER WHEEL
Abstract
A double inlet blower wheel has a plurality of blades having at
least one notch. A center disk has an outer diameter and a
plurality of slots disposed about a circumference. The slots extend
inwardly from the outer diameter of the center disk. The center
disk has roll-over tabs for each of the slots, wherein each of the
blades engages a respective one of the slots. The plurality of
blades are fully encapsulated about a periphery, where an edge of
the blades defines a blower wheel outer diameter, where the outer
diameter of the center disk is less than the blower wheel outer
diameter. A support disk is coupled to a central region of the
center disk, providing a greater thickness of the center disk and
adds rigidity to the center disk. A pair of inlet rings also
respectively secures opposing ends of each of said plurality of
blades.
Inventors: |
Hashem; Michael Paul;
(Wooster, OH) ; Schroth; Edward R.; (Olmsted
Falls, OH) ; Behner; Ken; (Avon Lake, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Beckett Air Incorporated |
North Ridgeville |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59358948 |
Appl. No.: |
15/412741 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62281893 |
Jan 22, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 29/30 20130101;
F04D 29/283 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04D 29/30 20060101
F04D029/30 |
Claims
1. A double inlet blower wheel comprising: a plurality of blades,
wherein each of the plurality of blades has at least one notch
defined along a length thereof; a center disk having an outer
diameter, wherein a plurality of slots are defined in the center
disk and are disposed about a circumference thereof, wherein the
plurality of slots extend a predetermined distance inwardly from
the outer diameter of the center disk, wherein the at least one
notch of each of the plurality of blades engages a respective one
of said plurality of slots, wherein the center disk fully
encapsulates each of the plurality of blades about a periphery of
each of the plurality of blades, and wherein an edge of the
plurality of blades defines a blower wheel outer diameter, wherein
the outer diameter of the center disk is less than the blower wheel
outer diameter; and a pair of inlet rings respectively securing
opposing ends of each of said plurality of blades thereto.
2. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 1, wherein the plurality
of slots are equally spaced about a circumference of the center
disk.
3. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 1, wherein the plurality
of blades are curved when viewed from an axis of rotation of the
blower wheel.
4. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 1, wherein the center
disk further comprises a support disk operably coupled to a central
region thereof, wherein support disk provides a greater thickness
of the center disk in the central region than at a periphery of the
center disk, and wherein the support disk increases a rigidity of
the center disk.
5. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 1, wherein the center
disk comprises a plurality of roll-over tabs respectively
associated with each of the plurality of slots, wherein the
plurality of roll-over tabs are configured to respectively
encapsulate the plurality of blades about the periphery
thereof.
6. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 5, wherein the at least
one notch in each of the plurality of blades comprises a V-shaped
notch centered along the length thereof.
7. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 6, wherein the plurality
of slots further define an inner diameter of the center disk,
wherein each of the plurality of blades further has a clearance
notch, wherein the clearance notch generally opposes the V-shaped
notch, wherein the clearance notch of each of the plurality of
blades engages the inner diameter of the center disk, and wherein
the plurality of roll-over tabs are configured to respectively
engage the V-shaped notch of each of the plurality of blades.
8. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 7, wherein the clearance
notch is rectangular.
9. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 1, wherein the at least
one notch in each of the plurality of blades comprises one or more
of a V-shaped notch and a clearance notch centered along the length
thereof.
10. A double inlet blower wheel, comprising: a plurality of blades,
wherein each of the plurality of blades has at least one notch
defined along a length thereof; a center disk having an outer
diameter, wherein a plurality of slots are defined in the center
disk and are disposed about a circumference thereof, wherein the
plurality of slots extend a predetermined distance inwardly from
the outer diameter of the center disk, wherein the at least one
notch of each of the plurality of blades engages a respective one
of said plurality of slots, wherein the center disk fully
encapsulates each of the plurality of blades about a periphery of
each of the plurality of blades, and wherein an edge of the
plurality of blades defines a blower wheel diameter, wherein the
outer diameter of the center disk is less than the blower wheel
diameter, wherein the center disk further comprises a support disk
operably coupled to a central region thereof, wherein support disk
provides a greater thickness of the center disk in the central
region than at a periphery of the center disk, and wherein the
support disk increases a rigidity of the center disk; and a pair of
inlet rings respectively securing opposing ends of each of said
plurality of blades thereto.
11. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 10, wherein the center
disk comprises a plurality of roll-over tabs respectively
associated with each of the plurality of slots, wherein the
plurality of roll-over tabs are configured to respectively
encapsulate the plurality of blades about the periphery
thereof.
12. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 11, wherein the at least
one notch in each of the plurality of blades comprises a V-shaped
notch centered along the length thereof.
13. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 12, wherein the
plurality of slots further define an inner diameter of the center
disk, wherein each of the plurality of blades further has a
clearance notch, wherein the clearance notch generally opposes the
V-shaped notch, wherein the clearance notch of each of the
plurality of blades engages the inner diameter of the center disk,
and wherein the plurality of roll-over tabs are configured to
respectively engage the V-shaped notch of each of the plurality of
blade.
14. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 10, wherein the at least
one notch in each of the plurality of blades comprises one or more
of a V-shaped notch and a clearance notch centered along the length
thereof.
15. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 10, wherein the
plurality of slots are equally spaced about a circumference of the
center disk.
16. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 10, wherein the
plurality of blades are curved when viewed from an axis of rotation
of the blower wheel.
17. A double inlet blower wheel, comprising: a plurality of blades,
wherein each of the plurality of blades comprises a V-shaped notch
and a clearance notch centered along a length thereof, wherein the
clearance notch generally opposes the V-shaped notch; a center disk
having an outer diameter, wherein a plurality of slots are defined
in the center disk and are disposed about a circumference thereof,
wherein the plurality of slots extend a predetermined distance
inwardly from the outer diameter of the center disk therein
defining an inner diameter of the center disk, wherein the center
disk comprises a plurality of roll-over tabs respectively
associated with each of the plurality of slots, and wherein each of
the plurality of blades engages a respective one of said plurality
of slots, wherein the clearance notch of each of the plurality of
blades engages the inner diameter of the center disk, and wherein a
plurality of roll-over tabs are configured to respectively engage
the V-shaped notch of each of the plurality of blade, therein fully
encapsulating the plurality of blades about a periphery thereof,
wherein an edge of the plurality of blades defines a blower wheel
outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter of the center disk is
less than the blower wheel outer diameter, and wherein the center
disk further comprises a support disk operably coupled to a central
region thereof, wherein support disk provides a greater thickness
of the center disk in the central region than at a periphery of the
center disk, and wherein the support disk increases a rigidity of
the center disk; and a pair of inlet rings respectively securing
opposing ends of each of said plurality of blades thereto.
18. The double inlet blower wheel of claim 17, wherein the
clearance notch is rectangular.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/281,893 filed Jan. 22, 2016, entitled "DOUBLE
INLET BLOWER WHEEL", the contents of which are herein incorporated
by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a blower wheel,
and more specifically to a double inlet blower wheel and method for
forming a blower wheel.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many types of blower wheels are known in the art, where one
type, called a double inlet blower wheel, is operable to draw a gas
(e.g., air) from opposing ends the blower wheel and to expel the
gas radially. One example blower wheel 10 is illustrated in FIGS.
1A-1B, where the blower wheel comprises a plurality of fan blades
12 that are positioned about a circumference 14 of the blower
wheel, wherein a hub 16 or center disk is provided along an axis 18
of the blower wheel between open ends 20 thereof, thus providing
opposing inlets 22, 24 of the blower wheel when associated with a
rotation of the blower wheel within a housing (not shown).
[0004] The plurality of blades 12 are secured at each inlet ring
26, 28 by a tab 30 extending from the ends 31 of the blades. Each
tab 30 protrudes through a slot 32 in the ring 26, 28 and is then
hammered down to form a rivet cap 33, thus fully securing the end
31 of each blade 12 to the respective ring 26, 28. The center disk
16 is typically a singular embossed metal disk with slots 34
configured to allow the respective blades 12 to pass therethrough.
The blades 12 are further slotted (not shown) where they pass
through the slots 34 in the center disk 16 in order to act as an
interlock with an inner diameter 36 and a region 38 for roll-over
tabs (not shown) of the center disk 16 to flow on an outer diameter
42 of the center disk. Once the roll-over tabs 40 are fully
displaced and rolled over on the center disk 16, the blades 12 are
fully secured to the center disk.
[0005] Conventionally, the outer diameter 42 of the hub or center
disk 16 is generally greater than the circumference 14 of the
blower wheel 10. Mechanical strength of fastening of the blades 12
to the center disk 16 has traditionally been troublesome, whereby
the center disk has been traditionally quite thick in order to
provide strength and rigidity. Further, the outer diameter 42 of
the center disk is traditionally larger than a blade outer diameter
44 of the blower wheel 10 due to the provision of the roll-over
tabs 40, whereby material usage associated with the conventional
blower wheels 10 has been high.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure provides an innovative double-inlet
blower wheel having an increased mechanical strength of fastening
of blades to a center disk over conventional blower wheels, while
also reducing material content associated with the center disk. The
present disclosure thus provides a double inlet blower wheel and
method for forming a blower wheel. Accordingly, the following
presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide
a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This
summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is
intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the
invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its purpose is
to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a
prelude to the more detailed description that is presented
later.
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a double
inlet blower wheel is provided comprising a plurality of blades,
wherein each of the plurality of blades has at least one notch
defined along a length thereof. A center disk of the blower wheel
has an outer diameter, wherein a plurality of slots are defined in
the center disk and are disposed about a circumference thereof. The
plurality of slots extend a predetermined distance inwardly from
the outer diameter of the center disk.
[0008] According to one exemplary aspect, the at least one notch of
each of the plurality of blades engages a respective one of said
plurality of slots, wherein the center disk fully encapsulates each
of the plurality of blades about a periphery of each of the
plurality of blades. Further, an edge of the plurality of blades
defines a blower wheel outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter
of the center disk is less than the blower wheel outer diameter. A
pair of inlet rings further respectively securing opposing ends of
each of said plurality of blades thereto.
[0009] In one example, the plurality of slots are equally spaced
about a circumference of the center disk. In another example, the
plurality of blades are curved when viewed from an axis of rotation
of the blower wheel.
[0010] In accordance with another example, the center disk further
comprises a support disk operably coupled to a central region
thereof. The support disk, for example, provides a greater
thickness of the center disk in the central region than at a
periphery of the center disk, wherein the support disk increases a
rigidity of the center disk.
[0011] The center disk, for example, comprises a plurality of
roll-over tabs respectively associated with each of the plurality
of slots. The plurality of roll-over tabs are configured to
respectively encapsulate the plurality of blades about the
periphery thereof. In one example, the at least one notch in each
of the plurality of blades comprises a V-shaped notch centered
along the length thereof.
[0012] In another example, the plurality of slots further define an
inner diameter of the center disk. Each of the plurality of blades,
for example, further has a clearance notch, wherein the clearance
notch generally opposes the V-shaped notch. The clearance notch of
each of the plurality of blades, for example, engages the inner
diameter of the center disk. Further, in another example, the
plurality of roll-over tabs are configured to respectively engage
the V-shaped notch of each of the plurality of blades. In one
example, the clearance notch is rectangular.
[0013] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
disclosure comprises the features hereinafter fully described and
particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description
and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative
embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative,
however, of a few of the various ways in which the principles of
the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel
features of the invention will become apparent from the following
detailed description of the invention when considered in
conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate front and side perspective views of a
conventional blower wheel.
[0015] FIG. 2A illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary
blower wheel of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 2B is a front plan view of the exemplary blower wheel
of FIG. 2A.
[0017] FIG. 2C is a blown up portion of the exemplary blower wheel
of FIG. 2D.
[0018] FIG. 2D is a perspective cross section of a portion of the
blower wheel of FIG. 2A.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a center disk according to
another exemplary aspect of the disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 4A is a plan view of a center disk according to another
exemplary aspect of the disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary
center disk of FIG. 4A.
[0022] FIG. 4C is a blown up portion of the exemplary center disk
of FIG. 4A.
[0023] FIG. 4D is a plan view of another center disk according to
another exemplary aspect of the disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a blade according to another
exemplary aspect of the disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 6A is a plan view of a blade according to another
exemplary aspect of the disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 6B is a blown up portion of the exemplary blade of FIG.
6A.
[0027] FIG. 6C is another blown up portion of the exemplary blade
of FIG. 6A.
[0028] FIG. 6D is yet another blown up portion of the exemplary
blade of FIG. 6A.
[0029] FIG. 6E is rotated view of the exemplary blade of FIG.
6A.
[0030] FIG. 6F is side cross-sectional view of the exemplary blade
of FIG. 6E.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] The present disclosure is directed generally toward a double
inlet blower wheel and a system, apparatus, and method for forming
a double inlet blower wheel.
[0032] Accordingly, the present invention will now be described
with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals may
be used to refer to like elements throughout. It is to be
understood that the description of these aspects are merely
illustrative and that they should not be interpreted in a limiting
sense. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident
to one skilled in the art, however, that the present invention may
be practiced without these specific details. Further, the scope of
the invention is not intended to be limited by the embodiments or
examples described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
drawings, but is intended to be only limited by the appended claims
and equivalents thereof.
[0033] It is also noted that the drawings are provided to give an
illustration of some aspects of embodiments of the present
disclosure and therefore are to be regarded as schematic only. In
particular, the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily
to scale with each other, and the placement of various elements in
the drawings is chosen to provide a clear understanding of the
respective embodiment and is not to be construed as necessarily
being a representation of the actual relative locations of the
various components in implementations according to an embodiment of
the invention. Furthermore, the features of the various embodiments
and examples described herein may be combined with each other
unless specifically noted otherwise.
[0034] It is also to be understood that in the following
description, any direct connection or coupling between functional
blocks, devices, components, circuit elements or other physical or
functional units shown in the drawings or described herein could
also be implemented by an indirect connection or coupling.
Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that functional blocks or
units shown in the drawings may be implemented as separate features
or circuits in one embodiment, and may also or alternatively be
fully or partially implemented in a common feature or circuit in
another embodiment.
[0035] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate various views of an exemplary blower
wheel 100 in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure,
wherein the blower wheel is configured to provide advantageously
higher rotational speed, lighter weight, and reduced material cost
and usage as compared to the blower wheel 10 of FIGS. 1A-1B. The
blower wheel 100 of FIGS. 2A-2B, for example, comprises a plurality
of blades 102 that are positioned about a circumference 104 of the
blower wheel. A center disk 106 is provided along an axis 108 of
the blower wheel 100 between open ends 110 thereof, wherein the
center disk is generally solid. The center disk 106, for example,
may comprise a hub 115, wherein the hub is configured to
selectively couple the blower wheel 100 to a shaft of a motor (not
shown) for rotationally driving the blower wheel. The center disk
106, for example, further defines opposing inlets 112, 114 of the
blower wheel when associated with a rotation of the blower wheel
within a housing (not shown).
[0036] The plurality of blades 102, for example, are secured at
ends 116 thereof to a pair of inlet rings 118, 120. In one example,
the plurality of blades 102 are secured to the pair of inlet rings
118, 120 by a tab 122 (e.g., illustrated in blown-up view 123 in
FIG. 6D) extending from the ends 116 of each blade 102. The tab
122, for example, protrudes through a slot 124 in the ring 118, 120
and is then hammered down to form a rivet cap thus fully securing
the blade to the respective inlet ring 118, 120.
[0037] In accordance with one example, the center disk 106 is
illustrated in FIG. 3, whereby the center disk is formed (e.g.,
stamped) from a sheet of material (not shown) having a reduced
thickness compared to the center disk 16 of FIGS. 1A-1B. The center
disk 106 of FIGS. 2A, 2D, and 3, for example, comprises an embossed
design 126, wherein the center disk maximizes a strength associated
with the reduced thickness thereof, and whereby the center disk
efficiently transfers a dynamic load from the blades 102 of FIGS.
2A-2D to the hub 115 of the blower wheel 100 upon rotation
thereof.
[0038] The center disk 106 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4D, for
example, comprises a plurality of slots 128, whereby the plurality
of blades 102 of FIGS. 2A-2D are configured to reside within the
respective plurality of slots. The center disk 106, for example,
has an outer diameter 130, wherein the plurality of slots 128 are
defined in the center disk and are disposed about a circumference
132 thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4B illustrates a
cross-section 133 of the center disk 106 of FIG. 4A. The plurality
of slots 128, for example, extend a predetermined distance inwardly
from the outer diameter 130 of the center disk 106.
[0039] The plurality of blades 102 of FIGS. 2A-2D, for example, are
substantially similar to one another, whereby each of the plurality
of blades, for example, may be viewed as the exemplary blade 102
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A-6F. The plurality of blades 102, for
example, an example of which is shown in FIG. 6E, are curved when
viewed from the axis 118 of the blower wheel 100 of FIG. 2A, as
further illustrated in cross-section 131 of FIG. 6F. In one
example, each of the plurality of blades 102 comprises at least one
notch 132, whereby the plurality of blades are configured to reside
in the plurality of slots 128 in the center disk 106 of FIGS. 3 and
4A-4D. Accordingly, the at least one notch 132 of each of the
plurality of blades 102 engages a respective one of the plurality
of slots 128 of the center disk 106 of the blower wheel 100 of
FIGS. 2A-2D.
[0040] In accordance with the present disclosure, the center disk
106 if FIG. 2D fully encapsulates each of the plurality of blades
102 about a periphery 134 of each of the plurality of blades, as
illustrated in blown up portion 135 shown in FIG. 2C. For example,
the center disk 106 comprises a plurality of roll-over tabs 136, as
illustrated in greater detail in blown up view 137 shown in FIG.
4C, whereby the plurality of roll-over tabs are respectively
associated with each of the plurality of slots 128. The plurality
of roll-over tabs 136, for example, are configured to respectively
encapsulate the plurality of blades 102 of FIG. 2C about the
periphery 134 thereof after a rolling operation, whereby the
roll-over tabs are compressed or flowed on the outer diameter 130
of the center disk 106.
[0041] Thus, when rolled over on an outer diameter 130 of the
center disk 106, the roll-over tabs 136 thereby act as an interlock
and secure the plurality of blades 102 to the center disk. In
accordance with one exemplary aspect of the disclosure, upon
rolling of the roll-over tabs 136, the center disk 106 fully
encapsulates each of the plurality of blades 102, thereby
permitting greater rotational speeds of the blower wheel 100 than
previously seen in conventional blower wheels. By fully
encapsulating the periphery 134 of the plurality of blades 102 via
the roll-over tabs 136, structural integrity of the blower wheel
100 is improved while minimizing weight and material costs
associated with the center disk 106.
[0042] Accordingly, in the present example, an outer edge 138 of
the plurality of blades 102 illustrated in FIGS. 2B-2C thus defines
a blower wheel outer diameter 140, whereby the outer diameter 142
of the center disk 106 is advantageously less than the blower wheel
outer diameter. Such a sizing of the center disk 106 advantageously
reduces material costs, as less material is needed for stamping of
the center disk.
[0043] Further, according to another example, an inner edge 144 of
each of the plurality of blades 102 of FIG. 5, for example, is
configured to rest on an inner diameter 146 of the center disk 106
(e.g., the end of the slot 128) of FIGS. 3 and 4A-4D defined by the
plurality of slots 128 in the center disk 106. In one example, the
at least one notch 132 in each of the plurality of blades 102
comprises one or more of a clearance notch 148, as illustrated in
blown up view 149 in FIG. 6C, and a V-shaped notch 150, as
illustrated in blown up view 151 in FIG. 6B. The clearance notch
148, for example, generally opposes a V-shaped notch 150, wherein
the clearance notch of each of the plurality of blades 102 is
configured to engage the inner diameter 146 of the center disk 106,
and wherein the plurality of roll-over tabs 136 of FIG. 4C, for
example, are configured to respectively the V-shaped notch.
[0044] According to another example, the at least one notch 132
(e.g., comprising one or more of the V-shaped notch 150 clearance
notch 148) is configured to accommodate a reduced diameter of the
center disk 106 over conventional blower wheels, whereby the at
least one notch is further configured to mechanically locate the
center disk 106 in parallel position to the rings 118, 120.
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a reduced cost double
inlet blower wheel 100 with reduced mass and equal or better air
flow characteristics to previous designs.
[0045] In accordance with yet another example, a support disk 148
is further provided to strengthen the center disk 106 in central
region 150 thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 2D. The support disk
148, for example, provides a greater thickness of the center disk
106 in the central region 150 than at a periphery 152 of the center
disk associated with the plurality of blades 102, whereby the
support disk substantially increases a rigidity of the center disk.
Thus, the support disk 148 may be provided to achieve a
predetermined maximum speed associated with the size of the blower
wheel 100 of FIGS. 2A-2D.
[0046] As such, the outer diameter 130 of the center disk 106 is
advantageously reduced over the conventional designs in order to
reduce material usage associated with the size of the center disk.
The support disk 148 of FIG. 2D, for example, may be staked,
welded, or otherwise coupled to the center disk 106, whereby the
thinner material associated with the center disk is advantageously
strengthened and supported in the central region 150 within the
inner diameter 146 of the center disk, thus allowing for the
thinner material to be used in the formation of the remainder of
the center disk.
[0047] Furthermore, the outer diameter 130 of the center disk 106
illustrated in FIG. 4A, for example, is less than the outer edge
138 of the plurality of blades 102 defining the blower wheel outer
diameter 140. By providing such a smaller outer diameter 130 of the
center disk 106, material savings may be attained over conventional
blower wheels. For example, the center disk 106 may be stamped from
a square sheet metal blank, where the area of the square sheet
metal blank is advantageously smaller than conventional blanks,
since the outer diameter 130 is smaller in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0048] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it should be noted
that the above-described embodiments serve only as examples for
implementations of some embodiments of the present invention, and
the application of the present invention is not restricted to these
embodiments. In particular regard to the various functions
performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices,
circuits, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means")
used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless
otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified
function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally
equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the
disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein
illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition,
while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed
with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may
be combined with one or more other features of the other
embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or
particular application. Accordingly, the present invention is not
to be limited to the above-described embodiments, but is intended
to be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *