U.S. patent application number 16/144014 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-24 for thermal insulation.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to William Bogue, Stuart C. Kozan.
Application Number | 20190022969 16/144014 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57881980 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-24 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190022969 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kozan; Stuart C. ; et
al. |
January 24, 2019 |
THERMAL INSULATION
Abstract
A thermal protection apparatus is disclosed. The thermal
protection apparatus may comprise a thermally insulative layer
positioned proximate to a portion of a structure having a
dimensional transition, wherein the dimensional transition is
thermally protected.
Inventors: |
Kozan; Stuart C.; (Bethany,
CT) ; Bogue; William; (Hebron, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION |
Farmington |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
UNITED TECHNOLOGIES
CORPORATION
Farmington
CT
|
Family ID: |
57881980 |
Appl. No.: |
16/144014 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15004261 |
Jan 22, 2016 |
10118361 |
|
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16144014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 3/08 20130101; F16L
59/163 20130101; F16L 59/028 20130101; F16L 59/14 20130101; F17C
13/001 20130101; B32B 2571/00 20130101; F16L 59/168 20130101; F16L
59/029 20130101; B32B 2307/304 20130101; F16L 59/166 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B32B 3/08 20060101
B32B003/08; F17C 13/00 20060101 F17C013/00; F16L 59/16 20060101
F16L059/16; F16L 59/02 20060101 F16L059/02; F16L 59/14 20060101
F16L059/14 |
Claims
1. A method of installing a thermal protection apparatus
comprising: positioning a protective layer comprising a
non-discontinuous layer configured to thermally insulate a
dimensionally continuous portion of a structure proximate to the
structure; overlaying a transition structure comprising a layer
configured to thermally insulate a dimensional transition of the
structure atop the dimensional transition; and affixing a closure
configured to secure the transition structure in fixed position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of, and claims
priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 15/004,261 filed Jan. 22,
2016 and titled "THERMAL INSULATION," which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to mechanisms to
thermally insulate structures, and more specifically, to thermally
insulate structures having dimensional transitions.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Frequently, a fabric or other material is wrapped around a
curved structure to thermally insulate the structure. However,
structures presenting compound curvatures and other dimensional
transitions present challenges. For instance, the fabric or other
material may be prone to folding and pinching, and arranging the
fabric or other material to insulate the radial/dimensional
transition of the curved structure may cause the fabric or other
material to wrinkle or lie bulkily proximate to the curved
structure. Moreover, shaped or contoured thermal insulators are
more complex and expensive to fabricate than flat panel materials,
such as fabrics.
SUMMARY
[0004] A thermal protection apparatus including a transition
structure comprising a layer configured to thermally insulate a
dimensional transition of the structure, and a closure configured
to secure the transition structure in fixed position.
[0005] In various embodiments, the transition structure includes a
spiral interleave transition structure including a plurality of
flaps arranged to spirally overlap and configured to conform to the
dimensional transition. The closure may include a spiral matrix
intersection including a region wherein a distal tip of flap
overlaps at least another flap. The transition structure may
include a petal overlap transition structure including a plurality
of petal interleaves arranged to at least partially overlap. The
plurality of petal interleaves may leave exposed a dimensional
reduction portion. Each petal interleave may comprise a curved
distal tip. Each petal interleave may include a curved shape. In
various embodiments, the curved shape includes one of a cross
section of a conic, a tangent ogive, a spherically blunted tangent
ogive, a secant ogive, an elliptical shape, an oval shape, a
parabolic shape, an ovoid shape, an ellipsoid shape, and a shape
defined by a power series.
[0006] In various embodiments, the closure may include a fastener.
The fastener may be disposed through a portion of one of the
plurality of petal interleaves. The fastener may be disposed
through the portion of the petal interleave including an outermost
petal interleave.
[0007] A thermally protected structure is disclosed. In various
embodiments, the thermally protected structure may include a
thermal protection apparatus, and a structure including a
dimensional transition, wherein the thermal protection apparatus
overlays the dimensional transition and thermally insulates the
dimensional transition.
[0008] In various embodiments, the thermal protection apparatus may
comprise a transition structure including a layer configured to
thermally insulate the dimensional transition of the structure, and
a closure configured to secure the transition structure in fixed
position.
[0009] A method of installing a thermal protection apparatus is
disclosed. In various embodiments, the method may include
positioning a protective layer including a non-discontinuous layer
configured to thermally insulate a dimensionally continuous portion
of a structure proximate to the structure, overlaying a transition
structure including a layer configured to thermally insulate a
dimensional transition of the structure atop the dimensional
transition, and affixing a closure configured to secure the
transition structure in fixed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] 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, is 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.
[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates a thermally protected structure
comprising an end closure, in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 1B illustrates a thermally protected structure
comprising a dimensional reduction, in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 1C illustrates a thermally protected structure
comprising a manifold joint, in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates various aspects of a thermal protection
apparatus, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0015] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate various aspects of a spiral
interleave transition structure at a closure, in accordance with
various embodiments;
[0016] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate various aspects of a petal
overlap transition structure at a closure, in accordance with
various embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates various aspects of a flap overlay
transition structure at a dimensional reduction, in accordance with
various embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates various aspects of a flap overlay
transition structure at a manifold joint, in accordance with
various embodiments; and
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a method of installing a thermal
protection apparatus, in accordance with various embodiments.
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 embodiments of 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 invention and the teachings herein.
Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of
illustration only and not limitation. The scope of the disclosure
is defined by the appended claims. For example, 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. Also, 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.
[0021] Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to
denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or
different materials. Moreover, as used herein, "thermally protect,"
"thermally insulate," and/or the like may mean impeding thermal
energy exchange, for example, by shielding from radiant heat,
deflecting heated air, shielding from convection heat, shielding
from conducted heat, and/or the like.
[0022] With reference now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, in accordance
with various embodiments, thermally protected structures are
depicted. A thermally protected structure may comprise a structure
2 that is at least partially thermally insulated by a thermal
protection apparatus 4 ("thermal protection apparatus 4" may refer
to thermal protection apparatus 4A, 4B, and/or 4C). A thermal
protection apparatus 4 may comprise a thermally insulative layer
positioned proximate to a portion of structure 2. The thermal
protection apparatus 4 may be disposed over at least a portion of
structure 2. Structure 2 may comprise any shaped item and/or
dimensional transition (e.g., widening, narrowing, curving in at
least two dimensions, conic, etc.). In various embodiments,
structure 2 may comprise a shaft that ends on one end, which may be
referred to as an end closure, as depicted in FIG. 1A. In various
embodiments, the structure 2 may comprise a shaft of a first
diameter that interfaces with a shaft of a second diameter, which
may be referred to as a dimensional reduction, as depicted in FIG.
1B. In various embodiments, the structure 2 may comprise a shaft
existing along a first axis that interfaces with a shaft existing
along a second axis, which may be referred to as a manifold joint,
as depicted in FIG. 1C. In various embodiments, the structure 2 may
comprise a shaft with a spheroid, semispheroid, or other curvature
or compound curvature disposed at one end. Moreover, the structure
2 may comprise any other shaped item and/or dimensional transition,
for example curvatures, conic sections, discontinuities, compound
curvatures, and/or the like, desired to be thermally insulated.
[0023] In various embodiments, a thermal protection apparatus 4 may
present a closure of material strips which may be sewn, co-molded,
bonded, and/or the like to provide a barrier to thermal penetration
while providing a tight fit over the structure 2, which may be
particularly important in instances where the dimensional
transition reduces the size or orientation of features of the
structure 2. Moreover, the thermal protection apparatus 4 may float
over the structure 2, permitting the structure 2 to lengthen, to
shorten, and to shuttle, such as in response to thermal expansion.
The thermal protection apparatus 4 may be sewn, bonded, cinched, or
otherwise joined to a wrap member 3. A wrap member 3 may extend
over a different portion of the structure 2, such as a portion of
structure 2 that does not comprise a dimensional transition, and
thus provide thermal insulation to a separate portion of the
structure 2 from thermal protection apparatus 4.
[0024] With reference now to FIGS. 1A-1C and 2, in various
embodiments, a thermal protection apparatus 4 and wrap member 3 may
comprise various components. For instance, a wrap member 3 may
comprise a protective layer 6. A thermal protection apparatus 4 may
comprise a transition structure 7 and/or a closure 10. The
protective layer 6 and transition structure 7 may comprise
thermally insulative sheet material of similar or differing type
that are coupled such as by bonding, sewing, gluing, and/or the
like. The material of each may comprise a single ply, or in further
embodiments, may comprise multiple plies.
[0025] A protective layer 6 of a wrap member 3 may comprise a
non-discontinuous portion of the wrap member 3 shaped to thermally
insulate a portion of a structure 2 not exhibiting dimensional
transitions (i.e., "dimensionally continuous").
[0026] The thermal protection apparatus 4 may be desired to be
implemented so as to also provide thermal protection to a portion
of a structure 2 that does exhibit dimensional transitions. As
such, a transition structure 7 may be provided. A transition
structure 7 may comprise a portion of the thermal protection
apparatus 4 configured to accommodate dimensional transitions. For
instance, a transition structure 7 may have slits, flaps, layers,
segments, and/or the like, whereby the transition structure 7 may
provide thermal insulation to a dimensional transition, for
instance, by overlapping itself across a first dimension in order
to facilitate curvature along a second dimension (such as in the
instance of a structure 2 having a compound curvature).
[0027] The thermal protection apparatus 4 may be desired to be
securable in position relative to the structure 2. For instance,
the transition structure 7 may comprise features tending to move
about, jostle, and/or dislocate, such as under the influence of
airflow, mechanical movements, etc. As such, as closure 10 may be
disposed proximate to the transition structure 7, whereby a first
portion of the transition structure 7 may be connected to a second
portion of the transition structure 7 to prevent unwanted relative
movement of the first and second portions of the transition
structure 7.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3A-3C, in various embodiments,
a transition structure 7A may comprise a spiral interleave
transition structure 8. FIG. 3A depicts thermal protection
apparatus 4A-1 before being coupled to wrap member 3 and/or
structure 2. In various embodiments, thermal protection apparatus
4A-1 may wrap circumferentially around wrap member 3 and/or
structure 2 at the dimensional transition of structure 2.
Transition structure 7A may be coupled to itself around wrap member
3 and/or structure 2 via a fastener 18 Thermal protection apparatus
4 may be cinched by cinch strap 17 to wrap member 3 and/or
structure 2. A spiral interleave transition structure 8 may
comprise a plurality of flaps arranged to spirally overlap when
overlaid on a portion of a structure exhibiting a dimensional
transition and configured to conform to the dimensional
transition.
[0029] For example, the spiral interleave transition structure 8
may comprise a plurality of spiral interleaves 9, such as a first
spiral interleave 9-1, a second spiral interleave 9-2, a third
spiral interleave 9-3, a fourth spiral interleave 9-4, a fifth
spiral interleave 9-5, a sixth spiral interleave 9-6, a seventh
spiral interleave 9-7, and an eighth spiral interleave 9-8. A
spiral interleave 9 may comprise a flap arranged to spirally
overlap at least one adjacent spiral interleave 9 also comprising a
flap. FIG. 3B depicts, in accordance with various embodiments,
spiral interleave transition structure 8 when some spiral
interleaves 9 are in an open configuration and not enclosing the
end closure of structure 2. FIG. 3C depicts, in accordance with
various embodiments, spiral interleave transition structure 8 when
spiral interleaves 9 are all in a closed configuration and forming
an enclosure around the end closure of structure 2.
[0030] In various embodiments, the spiral interleave transition
structure 8 may further comprise an affixation tab 91. An
affixation tab 91 may comprise a portion of the spiral interleave
lying outward of the other spiral interleaves relative to the
underlying structure 2. For instance, the affixation tab 91 may
comprise a portion of the first spiral interleave 9-1 as depicted.
The affixation tab 91 may extend over at least a portion of at
least one other spiral interleave.
[0031] In various embodiments, a closure 10 may be disposed in a
portion of the affixation tab 91, whereby the first spiral
interleave 9-1 may be fixed in position and thus may retain the
other spiral interleaves in position as well. A fastener 13 may
comprise a snap fastener disposed through a portion of an
affixation tab and configured to selectably attach to a reciprocal
snap fastener piece disposed through a portion of another spiral
interleave 9 and/or another aspect of the thermal protection
apparatus 4. In various embodiments, the fastener may be a snap, a
grommet and post/capsan, a bayonet lock, and/or the like.
[0032] Spiral interleave transition structure 8 may comprise a
spiral matrix intersection 16. A spiral matrix intersection 16 may
comprise a region of a distal tip of each spiral interleave 9
(other than the spiral interleave having the affixation tab 91)
that overlaps each other spiral interleave 9. In this manner, each
such spiral interleave 9 frictionally engages at least one other
spiral interleave 9 so that spiral interleaves 9 resist separation
from the underlying structure and thus resist the development of
thermal leaks.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4A-4C, in various embodiments,
a transition structure 7B may comprise a petal overlap transition
structure 21. FIG. 4A depicts thermal protection apparatus 4A-2
before being coupled to wrap member 3. In various embodiments,
thermal protection apparatus 4A2 may comprise strips of material
that couple to each other, wrap member 3, and/or structure 2 by
sewing, molding, bonding, and/or the like, circumferentially around
wrap member 3 at the dimensional transition of structure 2.
[0034] In various embodiments, a petal overlap transition structure
21 may comprise a plurality of petal interleaves 11, such as a
first petal interleave 11-1, a second petal interleave 11-2, a
third petal interleave 11-3, a fourth petal interleave 11-4, a
fifth petal interleave 11-5, a sixth petal interleave 11-6, a
seventh petal interleave 11-7, and an eighth petal interleave 11-8.
The petal interleaves 11 may be arranged to partially overlap at
least one adjacent petal interleave 11 when overlaid on a portion
of a structure exhibiting a dimensional transition. FIG. 4B
depicts, in accordance with various embodiments, petal overlap
transition structure 21 when some petal interleaves 11 are in an
open configuration and not enclosing the end closure of structure
2. FIG. 3C depicts, in accordance with various embodiments, petal
overlap transition structure 21 when petal interleaves 11 are all
in a closed configuration and are enclosing the end closure of
structure 2.
[0035] In various embodiments, a petal interleave 11 may comprise a
curved shape. For example, the curved shape may be a shape
resembling a cross section of a conic, or a tangent ogive shape, or
a spherically blunted tangent ogive shape, or a secant ogive shape
or an elliptical shape, or an oval shape, or a parabolic shape, or
an ovoid shape, or an ellipsoid shape, or a shape defined by a
power series, or any other shape as desired.
[0036] In various embodiments, petal overlap transition structure
21 may further comprise an affixation tab 91. Affixation tab 91 may
comprise a portion of the petal interleave lying outward of the
other petal interleaves 11 relative to the underlying structure 2.
For instance, the affixation tab 91 may comprise a portion of the
first petal interleave 11-1 as depicted. The affixation tab 91 may
extend over at least a portion of at least one other petal
interleave 11. A closure 10 may be disposed in a portion of the
affixation tab 91, whereby the petal spiral interleave 11-1 may be
fixed in position and thus may retain the other petal interleaves
in position as well.
[0037] The closure 10 may comprise a fastener 13, such as snap.
Fastener 13, may comprise a snap fastener disposed through a
portion of an outermost petal interleave 11 (outermost relative to
the other petal interleaves) and configured to selectably attach to
a reciprocal snap fastener piece disposed through a portion of
another petal interleave 11 and/or another aspect of the thermal
protection apparatus 4A-2. Thus, at least one petal interleave 11
is connected to another aspect of the thermal protection apparatus
4A-2 at a distal end and thus frictionally engages the remaining
petal interleaves 11 so that all petal interleaves 11 resist
separation from the underlying structure and thus resist the
development of thermal leaks. In further embodiments, multiple
petal interleaves 11 comprise snaps 15, and thus connect to one
another, or another aspect of the thermal protection apparatus 4A-2
such as the protective layer 6 (See FIG. 2). For instance, in
various embodiments, at least two petal interleaves 11 are
connected together and frictionally engage the remaining petal
interleaves 11 so that all petal interleaves 11 resist separation
from the underlying structure and thus resist the development of
thermal leaks.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, a transition structure 7C
may comprise a petal overlap transition structure 24 in thermal
that may be structured and function similarly to petal overlap
transition structure 21 depicted and described in relation to FIGS.
4A-4C. In various embodiments, petal overlap transition structure
24 may comprise petal interleaves 23. The petal interleaves 23 may
be arranged to partially overlap at least one adjacent petal
interleave 23 when overlaid on a portion of a structure exhibiting
a dimensional transition. However, petal interleaves 23, when
overlapping one another and forming a closure, may leave exposed a
dimensional reduction portion 25 of structure 2, at which a
dimensional reduction occurs. In various embodiments, the distal
tips of petal interleaves 23 may point away from dimensional
reduction point 25 (by being bent, curved and/or the like from the
rest of the petal interleave), which may leave dimensional
reduction point 25 exposed. Transition structure 7C leaving
dimensional reduction point 25 exposed may allow for the thermal
insulation of dimensional reductions, as generally depicted in FIG.
1B.
[0039] In various embodiments, petal overlap transition structure
24 may comprise an affixation tab, similar to affixation tab 91 in
FIG. 4C. The affixation tab may comprise a portion of the petal
interleave lying outward of the other petal interleaves 23 relative
to the underlying structure 2. The affixation tab may extend over
at least a portion of at least one other petal interleave 23. The
affixation tab may be fixed in position and thus may retain the
other petal interleaves in position as well. In various
embodiments, at least one affixation flap may extend across one or
more petal interleaves 23, and affix to the radial side of
transition structure 7C, thereby holding petal interleaves 23 in
place.
[0040] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, a thermal protection
apparatus 4B is depicted at a manifold joint of structure 2, in
accordance with various embodiments. Thermal protection apparatus
4B may comprise a transition structure 30 comprising a primary
insulator 31 and/or a secondary insulator 35. Primary insulator 31
may be configured to wrap circumferentially around a primary
component of structure 2 and/or wrap member 3. Secondary insulator
35 may be configured to wrap circumferentially around a secondary
component of structure 2 and/or wrap member 3.
[0041] In various embodiments, the ends of primary insulator 31 may
comprise cutouts 32. Primary flaps 33 may be comprised in cutouts
32. A side of secondary insulator 35 may comprise secondary flaps
36. To thermally insulate the manifold joint of structure 2,
secondary flaps 36 may be disposed between primary insulator 31 and
structure 2 and/or wrap member 3, contained within cutouts 32.
Primary flaps 33 may fold down over secondary flaps 36. In various
embodiments, primary flaps 33 may be disposed between secondary
insulator 33 and structure 2 and/or wrap member 3, and/or secondary
flaps 36 may fold down over primary flaps 33. In various
embodiments, primary flaps 33 and/or secondary flaps 36 may be held
in place by an affixation tab, similar to those described in
relation to FIGS. 3C and 4C. Though depicted as a T-joint in FIG.
6, a manifold joint may comprise any change in a structure in which
the structure no longer continues along one axis (e.g., a Y-shape,
an L-shape, a bend of any angle, etc.).
[0042] Finally, and with reference to FIGS. 1-6, and FIG. 7, a
method 600 of installing a thermal protection apparatus 4 is
provided. The method 600 may include positioning a protective layer
6 comprising a non-discontinuous layer configured to thermally
insulate a dimensionally continuous portion of a structure 2
proximate to the structure 2 (step 601). The method 600 may further
include overlaying a transition structure 7 comprising a layer
configured to thermally insulate a dimensional transition of the
structure 2 atop the dimensional transition (step 603). Finally,
the method 600 may contemplate affixing a closure 10 configured to
secure the transition structure 7 in fixed position (step 605).
[0043] Various benefits and advantages 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, and any elements that may cause any benefit
or advantage to occur or become more pronounced are not to be
construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements
of the disclosure. 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." 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.
[0044] The foregoing features and elements may be combined in
various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly
indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the
operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the
following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood, however, the following description and drawings are
intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.
[0045] Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the
detailed description herein, references to "various embodiments",
"one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an example embodiment", 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.
[0046] 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 herein is to be
construed under the provisions of 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.
* * * * *