U.S. patent application number 15/946477 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-09 for energy absorbing assembly for aircraft seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to AMI Industries, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is AMI Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kyler Marutzky, Chad R. Pacheco.
Application Number | 20180222591 15/946477 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59325203 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180222591 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pacheco; Chad R. ; et
al. |
August 9, 2018 |
ENERGY ABSORBING ASSEMBLY FOR AIRCRAFT SEAT
Abstract
An energy absorbing assembly includes an attachment component
configured to be coupled to a mounting structure. The energy
absorbing assembly also includes an anchor that has a tip portion,
a shaft, and a head. The anchor is configured to extend through the
attachment component such that the head is disposed on a first side
of the attachment component and the tip portion is disposed on a
second side of the attachment component and is configured to be
coupled to the mounting structure. The energy absorbing assembly
also includes a deformable member configured to be positioned
concentrically around the shaft of the anchor. The deformable
member is configured to be retained between the first side of the
attachment component and the head of the anchor.
Inventors: |
Pacheco; Chad R.; (Colorado
Springs, CO) ; Marutzky; Kyler; (Colorado Springs,
CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AMI Industries, Inc. |
Colorado Springs |
CO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AMI Industries, Inc.
Colorado Springs
CO
|
Family ID: |
59325203 |
Appl. No.: |
15/946477 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15210393 |
Jul 14, 2016 |
9963234 |
|
|
15946477 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/0691 20141201;
B64D 11/0619 20141201; B64D 25/04 20130101; B60N 2/42709 20130101;
F16B 5/0241 20130101; B64D 11/0696 20130101; B60N 2/01558 20130101;
F16B 5/0258 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B64D 11/06 20060101
B64D011/06 |
Claims
1. An energy absorbing assembly comprising: an attachment component
configured to be coupled to a mounting structure; an anchor
comprising a tip portion, a shaft, and a head, wherein the anchor
is configured to extend through the attachment component such that
the head is disposed on a first side of the attachment component
and the tip portion is disposed on a second side of the attachment
component, wherein the tip portion is configured to be coupled to
the mounting structure; and a deformable member configured to be
positioned concentrically around the shaft of the anchor, wherein
the deformable member is configured to be retained between the
first side of the attachment component and the head of the
anchor.
2. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the deformable
member undergoes plastic deformation in response to a first load
placed on the attachment component.
3. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 2, wherein the first load
is less than a yield point of the mounting structure.
4. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 2, wherein the first load
is less than a yield point of the mounting structure and less than
a yield point of at least a portion of the attachment component
adjacent the anchor.
5. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 2, wherein the first load
is between about 4,000 pound-force and about 8,500 pound-force.
6. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the deformable
member is configured to absorb between about 90 Joules and about
350 Joules of energy.
7. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the deformable
member comprises at least one of steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy,
titanium, or titanium alloy.
8. The energy absorbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the deformable
member comprises a martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless
steel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of, claims priority to and
the benefit of, U.S. Ser. No. 15/210,393 filed Jul. 14, 2016 and
entitled ENERGY ABSORBING ASSEMBLY FOR AIRCRAFT SEAT," which is
hereby incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various fixtures in an aircraft cabin, such as seats for
pilots, attendants, and passengers, are generally mounted to the
airframe. For example, attendant seats may be installed on tracks
that allow the attendant seats to be moved or otherwise
repositioned. However, load forces applied to the attendant seat,
due to repositioning the seats, in-flight turbulence, take-off,
landing, or other occurrences, are often transferred to the
mounting structure (e.g., tracks). Such a transferred load may
damage or deform the mounting structure and/or the airframe.
SUMMARY
[0003] In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an
energy absorbing assembly. The energy absorbing assembly includes
an attachment component configured to be coupled to a mounting
structure. The energy absorbing assembly also includes an anchor
that has a tip portion, a shaft, and a head. The anchor is
configured to extend through the attachment component such that the
head is disposed on a first side of the attachment component and
the tip portion is disposed on a second side of the attachment
component and is configured to be coupled to the mounting
structure. The energy absorbing assembly also includes a deformable
member configured to be positioned concentrically around the shaft
of the anchor. The deformable member is configured to be retained
between the first side of the attachment component and the head of
the anchor.
[0004] In various embodiments, the deformable member undergoes
plastic deformation in response to a first load placed on the
attachment component. In various embodiments, the first load is
less than a yield point of the mounting structure. In various
embodiments, the first load is less than both a yield point of the
mounting structure and less than a yield point of at least a
portion of the attachment component adjacent the anchor. The first
load may be between about 4,000 pound-force and about 8,500
pound-force. In various embodiments, the deformable member is
configured to absorb between about 90 Joules and about 350 Joules
of energy.
[0005] According to various embodiments, the deformable member may
be made from at least one of steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy,
titanium, or titanium alloy. In various embodiments, the deformable
member may be made from a martensitic precipitation-hardening
stainless steel. In various embodiments, the attachment component
is a flight attendant seat of an aircraft. The mounting structure
may be a track affixed to an airframe of an aircraft. In various
embodiments, the anchor is non-directly fastened to the attachment
component.
[0006] Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is
an energy absorbing arrangement for a seat. The energy absorbing
arrangement may include a seat foot attached to the seat and a
deformable member. The deformable member, according to various
embodiments, may be in operable communication with the seat foot
and a mounting structure of a vehicle supporting the seat. In
various embodiments, the deformable member is configured to deform
in response to a load between the seat foot and the mounting
structure exceeding a threshold value, wherein deformation of the
deformable member is contained so that the seat continues to be
supported by the mounting structure after the deformable member has
been deformed.
[0007] In various embodiments, the energy absorbing arrangement may
further include an anchor having a tip portion, a shaft, and a
head. The anchor may extend through the seat foot such that the
head is disposed on a first side and the tip portion is disposed on
a second side, wherein the tip portion of the anchor is coupled to
the mounting structure. In various embodiments, the seat foot
includes a rear portion and a front portion. The rear portion may
have the anchor and the deformable member. In various embodiments,
the anchor is a first anchor and the deformable member is a first
deformable member, wherein the rear portion has a second anchor and
a second deformable member. According to various embodiments, the
first side of the seat foot may face upward towards the seat and
the second side of the seat foot may face downward towards a floor
of the aircraft. In various embodiments, the anchor may be
non-directly fastened to the seat foot.
[0008] In various embodiments, the energy absorbing arrangement may
further include the mounting structure, wherein the mounting
structure comprises a seat trunnion affixed to the airframe of the
aircraft. In various embodiments, the mounting structure may be a
track affixed to the airframe of the aircraft.
[0009] Also disclosed herein, in accordance with various
embodiments, is a method of manufacturing an energy absorbing
assembly. The method may include positioning a deformable member
concentrically around a shaft of an anchor and extending the anchor
completely through an attachment component such that a head of the
anchor is disposed on a first side of the attachment component and
a tip portion of the anchor is disposed on a second side of the
attachment component. In such a configuration, the deformable
member is retained between the first side of the attachment
component and the head of the anchor. The method may further
include, after extending the anchor completely through the
attachment component, coupling the tip portion of the anchor to a
mounting structure. In various embodiments, extending the anchor
completely through the attachment component includes non-directly
fastening the anchor to the mounting attachment component.
[0010] The forgoing features and elements may be combined in
various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly
indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as
the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more
apparent in light of the following description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a seat assembly, in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of an
energy absorbing assembly, in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of an energy
absorbing assembly, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0014] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a deformable
member, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0015] FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of a deformable member, in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0016] FIG. 4C illustrates a perspective view of an anchor and a
deformable member, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a load-deflection graph of a deformable
member, in accordance with various embodiments; and
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a method of manufacturing an energy
absorbing assembly foot, in accordance with various
embodiments.
[0019] The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. A more complete understanding of the present
disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the
detailed description and claims when considered in connection with
the drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein
makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary
embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary
embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be
understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical
changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in
accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the
detailed description herein is presented for purposes of
illustration only and not of limitation.
[0021] In various embodiments, an energy absorbing assembly is
disclosed for preventing structural damage to certain components.
Generally, the energy absorbing assembly may include a deformable
member positioned between two components that is configured to
undergo at least a degree of deformation, whether reversible (e.g.,
elastic deformation) or irreversible (e.g., plastic deformation),
in response to an applied load. In various embodiments, the
deformable member may be a crushable tube. The deformation of the
deformable member, according to various embodiments, absorbs the
applied load and thereby prevents structural damage to the other
two components, among others, in the assembly while also improving
the likelihood that the assembly will remain intact.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 3, and in accordance with various
embodiments, the energy absorbing assembly 300 generally includes
an attachment component 310, an anchor 320, and a deformable member
330. The attachment component 310 is configured to be coupled to a
mounting structure 305 via the anchor 320. As shown in FIG. 3, and
according to various embodiments, the anchor 320 includes a head
322, a shaft 324, and a tip portion 326. The shaft 324 and the tip
portion 326 of the anchor 320 are shown in dashed-lines because
such portions of the anchor 320 extend at least partially through
the attachment component 310 and the mounting structure 305 and
thus would not otherwise be visible in the perspective view of FIG.
3.
[0023] The anchor 320 extends through the attachment component 310
and is fastened/secured to the mounting structure 305. That is, in
the installed state, the head 322 of the anchor 320 protrudes from
a first side 315 of the attachment component 310, the shaft 324 of
the anchor 320 extends through and is disposed within a
pass-through bore in the attachment component 310, and the tip
portion 326 of the anchor 320 protrudes from a second side 316 of
the attachment component 310 and is fastened/secured to the
mounting structure 305.
[0024] In various embodiments, the deformable member 330 is
positioned concentrically around at least a portion of the shaft
324 of the anchor 320 and is retained between the first side 315 of
the attachment component 310 and the head 322 of the anchor 320. As
described above, the deformable member 330, according to various
embodiments, may undergo elastic and/or plastic deformation in
response to a load differential between the attachment component
310 and the mounting structure 305. Stated another way, for
example, if the attachment component 310 experiences a tensile load
or a shear load, among others, the deformable member 330 may at
least partially deform under the resultant compression force,
thereby absorbing/attenuating the load in order to prevent
structural damage to the attachment component 310 and the mounting
structure 305, among other components. The deformation of the
deformable member 330 may also allow the attachment component 310
to remain coupled to the mounting structure 305 (via the anchor
322).
[0025] In various embodiments, the energy absorbing assembly 300
may further include auxiliary fastening elements 328, such as nuts,
washers, and the like to facilitate the coupling and secure
engagement between the anchor 320, the deformable member 330, and
the first side 315 of the attachment component 310. Additional
details pertaining to the energy absorbing assembly 300 are
included below.
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and in accordance with
various embodiments, the energy absorbing assembly 300 may be
implemented in a seat assembly 100 of an aircraft. In various
embodiments, the seat assembly 100 includes a seat 110, an anchor
120, and a deformable member 130. Throughout the present
disclosure, similar reference numbers refer to similar components.
Accordingly, the seat 110 is similar to the attachment component
310, the anchor 120 is similar to the anchor 320, and the
deformable member 130 is similar to the deformable member 330. In
various embodiments, a mounting structure 105 is affixed to an
airframe of the aircraft. The mounting structure is similar to
mounting structure 305. In various embodiments, the mounting
structure 105 may be a bracket, trunnion 106, track, flange, or
other connection element, among others, to which the seat 110 is
mounted.
[0027] The seat 110 may be a passenger seat, an attendant seat, or
a pilot seat, among other types of seats. The seat foot 112 is a
base portion of the seat 110 that is configured to be coupled to
the mounting structure 105 via the anchor 120. As described in
further detail below and according to various embodiments, the seat
foot 112 of the seat 110 may not be directly fastened to the
mounting structure 105 but instead may be held adjacent to the
mounting structure by the anchor 120. Stated another way, while the
seat foot 112 may be in direct contact with the mounting structure
105, such contact may be non-fastening or at least may not include
a primary fastening means between the seat foot 112 and the
mounting structure 105. Accordingly, the anchor 120 may extend
through the seat foot 112 and may be coupled to the mounting
structure 105. In such a configuration, a head 122 of the anchor
120 protrudes from a first side 115 of a portion of the seat foot
112 (e.g., the top side) and a tip portion of the anchor 120
protrudes from a second side of a portion of the seat foot 112
(e.g., the bottom side).
[0028] XYZ axes are shown in several figures for convenience, with
z extending perpendicular to the xy plane. In that regard, a
measurement point displaced in the positive z axis direction from a
given reference point may be considered "above" or on "top" of the
given reference point. In contrast, a measurement point displaced
in the negative z axis direction from the given reference point may
be considered "below" or on "bottom" of the given reference point.
In that regard, the terms "top" and "bottom" may refer to relative
positions along the z axis. For example, seat assembly 100 may be
positioned above or "on top of"the seat foot 112.
[0029] As mentioned above and in various embodiments, the
deformable member 130 may be disposed concentrically around at
least a portion of the anchor 120 and retained between the first
side 115 of the seat foot 112 and the head 122 of the anchor 120.
In various embodiments, the deformable member 130 may be oriented
in a vertical direction. In various embodiments, the deformable
member may be oriented in other directions. In various embodiments,
the head 122 of the anchor 120 may be a nut or other separable
component that may, for example, be threadably engaged with the
anchor 120. In such an example, the anchor 120 may be a threaded
stud and the head 122 may be a nut that is rotated relative to the
anchor 120 to secure and retain the crush but 130 between the head
122 of the anchor 120 and the first side 115 of the seat foot 112.
In various embodiments, the anchor 120 may be a bolt or other
similar component and the head 122 may be integrated and unitary
with the shaft 124 and tip portion 126 of the anchor 120. In
various embodiments, the tip portion 126 of the anchor 120 may
include connection features, such as threads or the like, that
enable the anchor 120 to securely connect with the mounting
structure 105.
[0030] As briefly described above, the deformable member 130,
according to various embodiments, may be configured to absorb, via
deformation, an applied load and thereby prevent structural damage
to the seat 110, seat foot 112, and mounting structure 105, among
others. Such absorption by the deformable member 130 may also
improve the likelihood that the seat assembly 100 will remain
intact in response to the seat assembly 100 experiencing the load.
Further details relating to the deformable member 130 and energy
absorption are included below with reference to FIG. 4A-5.
[0031] The seat foot 112, according to various embodiments, may
have one or more front portions 113 and one or more rear portions
114, relative to the facing direction of the seat 110. In various
embodiments, the seat assembly 100 may include a single deformable
member 130. In various embodiments, however, the seat assembly 100
may include multiple deformable members 130. For example, in
various embodiments one or more of the rear portions 114 of the
seat foot 112 may have a respective deformable member 130 while the
front portions 113 of the seat foot 112 may not. In various
embodiments, the seat assembly 100 may include multiple deformable
members 130 and multiple corresponding anchors 120 extending
through the one or more rear portions 114 of the seat foot 112. In
various embodiments, both front 113 and rear portions 114 of the
seat foot 112 may have one or more anchors 120 and respective
deformable members 130 extending there-through.
[0032] The configuration, number, position, and orientation of the
deformable members 130 may be dependent on various factors,
including the magnitude of the expected load and/or the direction
of the expected load. For example, the mounting structure 105 may
be a track that allows the position of the seat across the floor of
the aircraft to be adjusted. Without the deformable member 130, the
forces involved with moving the seat 110 along the track mounting
structure 105 may deform, bend, crack, or otherwise damage portions
of the seat 110, seat foot 110, and/or mounting structure 105. The
deformable member 130, however, absorbs such forces/loads to
prevent the seat 110, seat foot 110, and/or mounting structure 105
from reaching the respective mechanical yield points.
[0033] In various embodiments, the deformable member 130 may be
made of metal, an alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, a
titanium alloy, steel, and a stainless steel, among others. In
various embodiments, the deformable member 130 is made from a
martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel such as that
sold commercially as both 17-4.RTM. stainless steel and/or
15-5.RTM. stainless steel. In various embodiments, the deformable
member 130 may be surface treated or heat treated. In various
embodiments, the deformable member 130 may be heat treated to H1025
and passivated per AMS-2700, Type 2, Class III protocol as set
forth by SAE International.
[0034] In various embodiments, the material of the deformable
member 130 may be selected based on how the yield strength of the
deformable member 130 compares to the yield strength of the seat
110, seat foot 112, anchor 120, and mounting structure 105. For
example, the deformable member 130 may be configured to have a
mechanical yield strength that is less than the lowest mechanical
yield strength of the seat 110, seat foot 112, anchor 120, and
mounting structure 105, thereby allowing the deformable member 130
to absorb the load and thus preventing structural
damage/deformation of the seat 110, seat foot 112, anchor 120, and
mounting structure 105. Accordingly, in various embodiments the
anchor 120 may be non-directly fastened to the seat foot 112 and/or
the seat foot 112 may be non-directly fastened to the mounting
structure 105 in order to allow and load differential between the
seat 110 and the mounting structure 105 to be absorbed/attenuated
in the deformable member 130. That is, the term non-directly
fastened may mean that while the anchor 120 may be in direct
contact with the seat foot 112 and/or the seat foot 112 may be in
direct contact with the mounting structure 105, such components are
not directly, rigidly, or mechanically affixed together.
[0035] With reference to FIG. 4A-4C, and in accordance with various
embodiments, various dimensions of the deformable member 330 are
shown. FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of the deformable member
330 removed from the energy absorbing assembly 300 and FIG. 4B,
shows a top view of the deformable member 330. The deformable
member 330 has a height 332, an inner diameter 334, and an outer
diameter 336. In various embodiments, the dimensions 332, 334, 336
of the deformable member 330 may be dependent on the magnitude of
the expected or anticipated load, the material of the deformable
member 330, and/or the material of the other components (attachment
component 310, mounting structure 305, anchor 320, etc.). For
example, a comparatively thicker deformable member will have a
comparatively higher maximum load rating than a comparatively
thinner deformable member.
[0036] FIG. 4C shows a perspective view of a crushed tube 331. In
various embodiments, the deformable member 330 may have a maximum
deflection value that represents the maximum height change that the
deformable member 330 undergoes during plastic deformation as it
transitions from deformable member 330 to crushed tube 331. In
various embodiments, the material and dimensions of the deformable
member 330 may be selected based on the time it takes for the
deformable member 330 to be undergo complete plastic deformation
and attain the maximum deflection value. For example, upon
application of a specific load, the deformable member 330 may
experience irreversible plastic deformation for a period of time
before ultimately reaching the crushed tube 331 (e.g., before
attaining the maximum deflection value). Such a time period may be
sufficiently long that, once time has passed, the load/force has
dissipated. For example, in the event of turbulence, seat movement,
landing, or emergency landings, among others, the resultant
force/load on the seats 110 may only last for a certain period of
time. If such a period of time is less than the deformation time it
takes for the deformable member 330 to reach the crushed tube 331,
the deformable member may be able to absorb the majority of the
force/load during the duration of the force/load. The deformable
member 330 may also facilitate a relatively even distribution of a
load, thus reducing the concentration of load in one or more
localized areas.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a load-deflection graph 580 of the deformable
member 330, according to various embodiments. The load-deflection
graph 580 shows a maximum load absorption 582 and a maximum
deflection value 584. The area under load-deflection curve 585
represents the work absorbed by the deformable member 330. In
various embodiments, the deformable member 330 is configured to
plastically deform in response to a load of between about 4,000
pound-force (17,800 newtons) and about 8,500 pound-force (37,800
newtons). In various embodiments, the deformable member 330 is
configured to plastically deform in response to a load of about
6,000 pound-force (26,700 newtons). In various embodiments, the
deformable member 330 is configured to absorb between about 90
Joules and about 350 Joules of energy. In various embodiments, the
deformable member 330 is configured to absorb between about 100
Joules and about 250 Joules of energy. In various embodiments, the
deformable member is configured to absorb about 150 Joules of
energy.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a method 690 for manufacturing the energy
absorbing assembly 300, in accordance with various embodiments. The
method 690 may include positioning the deformable member 330
concentrically around the shaft 324 of the anchor 320 (step 692).
The method 690 further may include extending the anchor 320
completely through the attachment component 310 such that the head
322 of the anchor 320 is disposed on the first side 315 of the
attachment component 310 and the tip portion 326 of the anchor 320
is disposed on the second side 316 of the attachment component 310
(step 694). In such a step, the deformable member 330 may be
retained between the first side 315 of the attachment component 310
and the head 322 of the anchor 320. Still further, the method 690
may include, after extending the anchor 320 completely through the
attachment component 310, coupling the tip portion 326 of the
anchor to the mounting structure 305 (step 696). In various
embodiments, step 694 may include non-directly fastening the anchor
to the seat foot.
[0039] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described herein with regard to specific embodiments.
Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures
contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional
relationships and/or physical couplings between the various
elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional
functional relationships or physical connections may be present in
a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to
problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage,
or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be
construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements
of the disclosure.
[0040] The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by
nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an
element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one"
unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." It is to be
understood that unless specifically stated otherwise, references to
"a," "an," and/or "the" may include one or more than one and that
reference to an item in the singular may also include the item in
the plural. All ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be
combined.
[0041] Moreover, where a phrase similar to "at least one of A, B,
or C" is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be
interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B
alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an
embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may
be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B
and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used
throughout the figures to denote different parts but not
necessarily to denote the same or different materials.
[0042] The steps recited in any of the method or process
descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily
limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to
singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more
than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or
step. Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for
simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered
according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may
be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in
the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0043] Any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may
include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any
other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to
without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced
contact or minimal contact. Surface shading lines may be used
throughout the figures to denote different parts or areas but not
necessarily to denote the same or different materials. In some
cases, reference coordinates may be specific to each figure.
[0044] Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the
detailed description herein, references to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", "various embodiments", etc., indicate that the
embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include
the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,
such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it
is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the
description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant
art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative
embodiments.
[0045] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the
present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public
regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is
explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is intended to
invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited
using the phrase "means for." As used herein, the terms
"comprises", "comprising", or any other variation thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements
does not include only those elements but may include other elements
not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article,
or apparatus.
* * * * *