U.S. patent application number 17/510455 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-10 for heated condensate drainage tube.
The applicant listed for this patent is Intellihot, Inc.. Invention is credited to Sivaprasad Akasam, Sridhar Deivasigamani.
Application Number | 20220042719 17/510455 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005925892 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220042719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Deivasigamani; Sridhar ; et
al. |
February 10, 2022 |
HEATED CONDENSATE DRAINAGE TUBE
Abstract
A passive heater for heating a drainage tube, the passive heater
including: an elongated flexible thermal conductor including a
first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to
be disposed in contacting relationship with a heat source and at
least a portion of the elongated flexible thermal conductor is
configured to be disposed in contacting relationship with a portion
of the drainage tube; and an eyelet disposed on the first end, the
eyelet configured to facilitate the securement of the elongated
flexible thermal conductor to the heat source, wherein the first
end is configured to receive heat and transmit it along the
elongated flexible thermal conductor to increase temperature of the
portion of the drainage tube to prevent freezing of a fluid through
the drainage tube.
Inventors: |
Deivasigamani; Sridhar;
(Peoria, IL) ; Akasam; Sivaprasad; (Dunlap,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Intellihot, Inc. |
Galesburg |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005925892 |
Appl. No.: |
17/510455 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16458629 |
Jul 1, 2019 |
11187435 |
|
|
17510455 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/222 20130101;
F24H 8/006 20130101; F24F 2013/227 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24H 8/00 20060101
F24H008/00; F24F 13/22 20060101 F24F013/22 |
Claims
1. A passive heater for heating a drainage tube, said passive
heater comprising a fluid jacket comprising an inlet port and an
outlet port, wherein said inlet port is configured to receive a
fluid and at least a portion of said fluid jacket is configured to
be disposed in a contacting relationship with the drainage tube
such that the drainage tube can be heated by the fluid to prevent
freezing of a drainage through the drainage tube and said outlet
port is configured to return the fluid.
2. The passive heater of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a
liquid.
3. The passive heater of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a gas.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM AND RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This divisional application claims the benefit of priority
from non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/458,629 filed on Jul.
1, 2019. Said application is incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a heated drainage tube.
More specifically, the present invention is directed to heated
condensate drainage tube.
2. Background Art
[0003] During operation, a hydrocarbon fuel-consuming high
efficiency heating system produces condensates that must be drained
through drainage tubes. In some occasions, its condensate drainage
tube may be exposed to temperatures at or below the freezing point
causing the contents of the drainage tube, i.e., condensates, to zo
freeze, creating a blockage to the condensate drainage tube. There
exists a need for a freeze-proof condensate drainage tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a passive heater for heating a drainage tube, the passive heater
including: [0005] (a) an elongated flexible thermal conductor
including a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is
configured to be disposed in contacting relationship with a heat
source and at least a portion of the elongated flexible thermal
conductor is configured to be disposed in contacting relationship
with a portion of the drainage tube; and [0006] (b) an eyelet
disposed on the first end, the eyelet configured to facilitate the
securement of the elongated flexible thermal conductor to the heat
source, wherein the first end is configured to receive heat and
transmit it along the elongated flexible thermal conductor to
increase temperature of the portion of the drainage tube to prevent
freezing of a fluid through the drainage tube.
[0007] In one embodiment, the first end of the elongated flexible
thermal conductor includes a plurality of branches configured for
receiving heat from the heat source that is a plurality of heat
sources. In one embodiment, at least one of said plurality of
branches is at least partially insulated.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, there is further
provided a passive heater for heating a drainage tube, the passive
heater including: [0009] (a) an elongated flexible thermal
conductor including a first end and a second end, wherein the first
end is configured to be disposed in contacting relationship with a
collective heat source and at least a portion of the elongated
flexible thermal conductor is configured to be disposed in
contacting relationship with a portion of the drainage tube; and
[0010] (b) a collar disposed on the first end of the elongated
flexible thermal conductor, the collar is thermally connected to
the elongated flexible thermal conductor, the collar includes at
least one receptacle configured to receive the collective heat
source, wherein heat from the collective heat source is
transmittable to the portion of the drainage tube to increase
temperature of the portion of the drainage tube.
[0011] In one embodiment, the passive heater further includes a
branch having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end
of the branch is configured to receive a contributory heat source,
heat received from the contributory heat source is transmittable to
the second end of the branch, the second end of the branch is
configured to be thermally connected to the at least one receptacle
such that heat received from the contributory heat source is
transmittable as at least a portion of the collective heat source.
In one embodiment, the branch is at least partially insulated. In
one embodiment, the contacting relationship includes contact of the
elongated flexible thermal conductor with an outer wall surface of
the portion of the drainage tube. In one embodiment, the contacting
relationship includes contact of the elongated flexible thermal
conductor with an inner wall surface of the portion of the drainage
tube. In one embodiment, the contacting relationship includes
contact of the elongated flexible thermal conductor within a wall
of the portion of the drainage tube.
[0012] In accordance with the present invention, there is further
provided a passive heater for heating a drainage tube, the passive
heater including a fluid jacket including an inlet port and an
outlet port, wherein the inlet port is configured to receive a
fluid and at least a portion of the fluid jacket is configured to
be disposed in a contacting relationship with the drainage tube
such that the drainage tube can be heated by the fluid to prevent
freezing of a drainage through the drainage tube and said outlet
port is configured to return the fluid.
[0013] In one embodiment, the fluid is a liquid. In another
embodiment, the fluid is a gas.
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a means for
preventing and/or inhibiting freezing of condensates from the
combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
passive means for preventing and/or inhibiting freezing of
condensates from the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
means for preventing and/or inhibiting freezing of condensates from
the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel where the means is available
on demand.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
means for preventing and/or inhibiting freezing of condensates from
the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel where the means is not
significantly impacting the resources allocated for domestic water
and space heating purposes.
[0018] Whereas there may be many embodiments of the present
invention, each embodiment may meet one or more of the foregoing
recited objects in any combination. It is not intended that each
embodiment will necessarily meet each objective. Thus, having
broadly outlined the more important features of the present
invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be
better understood, and that the present contribution to the art may
be better appreciated, there are, of course, additional features of
the present invention that will be described herein and will form a
part of the subject matter of this specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In order that the manner in which the above-recited and
other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more
particular description of the invention briefly described above
will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which
are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these
drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are
not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the
invention will be described and explained with additional
specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a condensate drainage tube
adapted to drain condensates generated from a water heater.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an augmented condensate
drainage tube adapted to drain condensates generated from a water
heater.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a purpose-built thermal
conductor useful for augmenting the temperature of a condensate
drainage tube adapted to drain condensates generated from a water
heater.
[0023] FIGS. 4-6 are diagrams depicting various possible
configurations of a thermal conductor useful for augmenting the
temperature of a condensate drainage tube adapted to drain
condensates generated from a water heater.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting one scenario where branched
thermal conductors may be used to receive heat from heat
sources.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a close-up view of one scenario where a thermal
conductor may be used to heat a condensate drainage tube.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting size relationships between
branch and main thermal conductors.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a diagram depicting one embodiment of a
condensate drainage tube configured for receiving heat through
removable branches.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a diagram depicting another means for heating a
condensate drainage tube.
PARTS LIST
[0029] 2--drainage tube [0030] 4--thermal conductor [0031] 6--tube
wall [0032] 8--eyelet or washer or ring [0033] 10--heating system
[0034] 12--thermal source [0035] 14--thermal sink [0036] 16--frozen
condensate [0037] 18--exhaust of drainage tube [0038] 20--drain
grate [0039] 22--drain [0040] 24--door [0041] 26--louver [0042]
28--cold air flow [0043] 30--branch thermal conductor [0044]
32--section with higher density thermal conductor [0045]
34--section with lower density thermal conductor [0046]
36--fastener [0047] 38--receptacle [0048] 40--fastener [0049]
42--eyelet [0050] 44--insulator [0051] 46--connector [0052]
48--cross-sectional area of branch thermal conductor [0053]
50--cross-sectional area of thermal conductor [0054] 52--inlet
[0055] 53--outlet [0056] 54--stub [0057] 56--heated fluid conductor
[0058] 58--jacket [0059] 60--fitting [0060] 62--tubing [0061]
64--collar [0062] 66--partition [0063] 68--direction
PARTICULAR ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0064] The present heated condensate drainage tube or thermal
conductor configured for heating a condensate drainage tube enables
condensates to remain in the liquid form such that they can
continue to be drained even when the local ambient temperature of
the condensate drainage tube has dropped to or below the freezing
point.
[0065] The present heated condensate drainage tube or thermal
conductor configured for heating a condensate drainage tube is
configured to tap into one or more existing heat sources already
made available for fluid heating. No dedicated or new heat sources
are required to prevent condensates from freezing, thereby
simplifying the manner in which condensates are kept in the liquid
form such that they can continue to be drained even when the local
ambient temperature of the drainage tube has dropped to or below
the freezing point.
[0066] In one embodiment, the present thermal conductor is built
into or built integrally with a condensate drainage tube, thereby
simplifying the manner which the condensate drainage tube is
heated. In one embodiment, heat is fed into the condensate drainage
tube at its first end via a collar configured for receiving one or
more branches. This allows branches of appropriate length to be
selected for use, eliminating the use of branches that are
unnecessarily long and keeping the thermal conductor and condensate
drainage tube neat and easily serviceable and heat transfer through
to the condensate drainage tube efficient.
[0067] The present heated condensate drainage tube or thermal
conductor configured for heating a condensate drainage tube is
operational only on demand. In other words, the present heated
condensate drainage tube or thermal conductor configured for
heating a condensate drainage tube is operational only when it is
necessary to do so. The concerns of condensate freeze only exist
when condensates are generated, i.e., only when the combustion of a
hydrocarbon fuel has occurred. Therefore, without a demand, no
condensates would have been generated that would need to be
drained.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0068] The term "about" is used herein to mean approximately,
roughly, around, or in the region of. When the term "about" is used
in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by
extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set
forth. In general, the term "about" is used herein to modify a
numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of
20 percent up or down (higher or lower).
[0069] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a condensate drainage tube 2
adapted to drain condensates generated from a water heater 10. The
water heater relies on the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel to
generate heat. Condensate generation is one of the hallmarks of a
high efficiency (e.g., greater than 90% efficiency) condensing
combustion system. A high efficiency condensing combustion system
achieves high efficiency by condensing water vapor in the flue
gases and recovering its latent heat of vaporization. The result is
condensed vapor that is typically collected and put through a
neutralizer and drained. Condensate is an acidic solution
containing various concentrations of nitric, nitrous, sulfuric,
sulfurous acids and hydrochloric acids and can be harmful for
drainage pipes, septic tanks, treatment plants and other waste
handling systems. In conventional neutralizer systems, calcium
carbonate may be used as a neutralizing agent to raise the pH of
collected condensate before it is drained as an effluent. No
neutralizer systems are shown but rather a condensate drainage tube
2 is shown to be directed to a drain 22. A first end of the
condensate drainage tube 2 is connected to either a pre-neutralized
drain portion, e.g., the drainage line or part 56 of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/859,169 (if no condensate neutralization is
desired) or a post-neutralized drain portion, e.g., the outlet of
the condensate neutralizer or part 54 of the '169 application (if
condensate neutralization is desired). A second end of the
condensate drainage tube 2 or the exhaust 18 of the drainage tube
is preferably and typically secured to a drain grate 20 to ensure
that the condensate or neutralized condensate is directed by
gravity down and into the drain 22. Under certain ambient
conditions, the second end of the drainage tube tends to be clogged
due to the cold air flow 28 which enters the mechanical room in
which the water heater and the drainage tube 2 are disposed and
sinks to the lowest point of the mechanical room, i.e., the
mechanical room floor which at least a portion of the condensate
drainage tube 2 runs. The movement of cold air is enhanced when a
door 24 to the mechanical room is equipped with louvers 26. As the
condensate arrives by gravity at or near the exhaust 18, it would
have lost sufficient heat to the surroundings of the drainage tube
2. Left unattended for a prolonged period at sufficiently low
temperature at or near the exhaust 18, frozen condensate 16 can
form at or near the exhaust 18, backing up further condensate flow
to the inlet of the drainage tube 2 and affecting the efficient
operation or the operation of a condensate neutralizer or water
heater to which the drainage tube 2 is connected. A number of
corrective measures may be taken to address the issue where
condensates freeze that prevent efficient flow of the condensates.
The mechanical room may be made more airtight to prevent cold flow
to enter it. The ambient temperature of the mechanical room may be
increased to ensure that no parts of the mechanical room will
experience temperature that is sufficiently low where freezing of
the condensates can occur. However, such measures will require
sufficient energy to be expended for the sole purpose of preventing
the freezing of condensates. The ensuing disclosure reveals an
apparatus useful for preventing freezing of condensates without
requiring an additional heating source to the apparatuses that
create the condensates in the first place. Further, in one
embodiment, the heat energy used for preventing freezing of
condensates is sourced from one or more components of the water
heater which would otherwise be wasted. For instance, the bottom
casting of a coil tube water heater configured to channel flue gas
out to the exhaust has already be disposed at a temperature higher
than the exhaust of the drainage tube during the operation of the
water heater. In another embodiment, heat energy, may in addition,
be sourced from an outlet of the water heater. Therefore, the
present heated condensate drainage tube or thermal conductor
configured for heating a condensate drainage tube can be said to be
a "passive" device or apparatus.
[0070] FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an augmented condensate
drainage tube 2 adapted to drain condensates generated from a water
heater. It shall be noted that, in this embodiment, a thermal
conductor 4 is now wrapped around a conventional drainage tube 2 to
transmit heat from a thermal source 12 to a thermal sink 14 which
is disposed at or near the exhaust of 18 of the drainage tube 2.
The thermal source 12 is preferably a part that is heated with heat
energy that would be wasted if not tapped into, e.g., from the flue
gas of a coil tube heat exchanger directly or the flue gas exhaust
of a coil tube heat exchanger, an example of which can be found in
part 36 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/213,930. In another
example, the thermal source 12 may also be the heated fluid or a
product of the water heater. Although less desirable as the removal
of heat energy from the heated fluid for the purpose of preventing
freezing of the condensates will reduce the water temperature at a
point of use, the effects of such a removal of heat energy is
negligible in terms of the lower temperature at the point of use or
the additional energy required to replenish the energy drawn for
this purpose.
[0071] FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a purpose-built thermal
conductor useful for augmenting the temperature of a condensate
drainage tube 2 adapted to drain condensates generated from a water
heater. Here, it can be shown that, in order to receive heat energy
from multiple thermal sources, the first end of the thermal
conductor may be branched into two branches 30 or more. In order to
facilitate the securement of the thermal conductor 4 to one or more
heat sources, an eyelet 8 is disposed on the first end, e.g., by
crimping the eyelet 8 onto a branch 30. A screw can be used to
secure and tighten the eyelet 18 to a thermal source as long as the
surface area of the eyelet 18 that comes in contact with the
thermal source is sufficiently large, heat conduction from the
thermal source to the thermal sink 14 occurs without impediment.
The branches 30 and any one of the thermal conductors disclosed
herein may be constructed from strands of thermal conductors, e.g.,
copper, etc., that continue on to form a larger-diameter thermal
conductor 4. Parts of the thermal conductors 4, 30 not required to
transmit heat by conduction to the drainage tube 2, may be
insulated to prevent heat loss along their length from the first
end to the second end. It shall be noted that the branches 30 are
insulated with insulators 44. Branches need not be of the same
length. For instance, the branches can be configured for different
lengths depending on the reaches required of each branch. All
branches are preferably used and should not be left unconnected to
a heat source as an unconnected branch can become an unused heat
sink and the intended heat sink, i.e., the second end of the
thermal conductor 4 will receive reduced transmission of heat. In
case a surplus branch exists, this branch shall be also be
thermally tied to a heat source, e.g., the same heat source another
branch 30 is thermally connected to. A drainage tube 2 is encased
in the thermal conductor 4 that is braided such that the drainage
tube 2 and its contents can be heated by the heat transmitted from
the branch thermal conductors 30 to the exhaust 18 of the drainage
tube 2. It shall be noted that the thermal conductor 4 is also
insulated with insulators 44 to reduce heat loss from the thermal
conductor 4 to its surroundings.
[0072] FIGS. 4-6 are diagrams depicting various possible
configurations of a thermal conductor 4 useful for augmenting the
temperature of a condensate drainage tube 2 adapted to drain
condensates generated from a water heater. Here, the thermal
conductor 4 is configured in the form of a "cage" although it may
also be braided as shown in FIG. 3. Note that the density of the
cage material can be varied along the length of the thermal
conductor 4. This is useful if more heating is desired at a certain
location of the thermal conductor 4, e.g., at the exhaust 18 of a
drainage tube 2. It shall be noted that section 32 of the thermal
conductor is disposed at a higher density than section 34. Further,
the manner in which the cage is disposed with respect to the wall 6
of the drainage tube 2 can also affect the effectiveness of the
thermal conductor 4 for preventing freezing of the condensates.
FIG. 4 shows a cage 4 that is disposed on the exterior surface of
the drainage tube 2 with the cage 4 coming in contact with the
exterior surface of the drainage tube 2. An insulation 44 may be
provided to minimize heat loss from the cage to the surroundings of
the cage. FIG. 5 shows a cage 4 that is disposed within the wall 6
of the drainage tube during fabrication to form an integral tube
wall and cage. The wall 6 can be made from a uniform material,
e.g., polyurethane or another polymer or a non-reacting metal
resistant to neutralized or pre-neutralized condensates. The wall 6
can also be made from multi-materials, e.g., metal for the layer
enclosed by the cage 4 for excellent heat conduction and polymer
for the layer enclosing the cage 4 for excellent insulation to
prevent heat loss to the ambient environment of the drainage tube
2. FIG. 6 shows a cage 4 that is disposed within the lumen of the
wall 6. Here, some parts of the cage 4 come in direct contact with
the condensates.
[0073] FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting one scenario where branched
thermal conductors 30 may be used to receive heat from heat
sources. Here, there are two branches 30, each connected to a stub
54. Although each branch 30 is shown thermally connected to a stub
54, the wall to which a branch 30 is connected can be any wall that
is heated in the process of heating a fluid or medium in the
heating system. A fastener 36 is shown being used to secure a
branch 30 to a stub 54 by means of an eyelet 10. It shall be noted
that the eyelets 10 come in direct contact with the wall that is
heated and the fastener 36 with the medium. The medium enters
through inlet 52 and exits through outlet 53 and the cavity of the
stubs 54 is exposed to this medium, e.g., at about 140 degrees F.
FIG. 8 is a close-up view of one scenario where a thermal conductor
4 may be used to heat a condensate drainage tube. Here, both the
fastener 36 and the eyelet 8 come in direct contact with a solid
part but the fastener 36 is not exposed to the medium. In the
embodiment shown, the thermal conductor 4 is wrapped around a
conventional drainage tube to provide some heating to the
conventional drainage tube.
[0074] FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting size relationships between
branch and main thermal conductors 30, 4. Here, the effective
cross-sectional area of each branch 30 is represented using part 48
and the effective cross-sectional area of the thermal conductor 4
is represented using part 50. The ratio of the total effective
branch area 48 to the effective cross-sectional area 4 of the
thermal conductor 4 shall be close to about 1.0.
[0075] FIG. 10 is a diagram depicting one embodiment of a
condensate drainage tube 2 configured for receiving heat through
removable branches 30. A collar 64 is disposed on the first end of
the drainage tube 2. A connector 46, e.g., a male connector, is
provided to allow connection of the drainage tube 2 to a water
heater. A plurality of receptacles 38 are provided such that one or
more branches 30 may be connected to the collar 64. Branches 30 may
be configured at suitable lengths so that they may reach
appropriate heat sources. Each branch 30 is a thermal conductor
having two ends one of which ends is terminated with an eyelet 8
and the other one of which is terminated with eyelet 42. To secure
a branch 30 to the collar 64, a fastener 40 is used to thread
eyelet 42 and screwed into a matching receptacle 38. During
operation of a water heater, if the eyelet 8 is determined to be
disposed at a temperature significantly higher than the temperature
of the connector 46, e.g., by about 10 degrees F., no isolator that
thermally isolates the collar 64 and the connector 46 will be
needed. However, if the eyelet 8 is determined to be disposed at a
temperature largely the same as the temperature of the connector
46, e.g., less than 10 degrees F., an isolator 44 that thermally
separates the collar 64 and the connector 46 will be necessary.
This way, heat received via the eyelet 8 can readily be conducted
through the collar 64 to the second or distal end of the drainage
tube 2.
[0076] FIG. 11 is a diagram depicting another means for heating a
condensate drainage tube 2. Here, heat is transferred via a flow
established through the stubs 54 with the flow exiting a stub 54 of
a fluid conductor 56 through a jacket 58 via flexible tubings 62
connected to the stubs 54 and the jacket 58. The jacket 58 is
preferably wrapped around the second end of the drainage tube 2 in
the direction indicated, i.e., direction 68, to elevate the
temperature of the second end of the drainage tube 2 and the
condensate flowing through the drainage tube 2 above the freezing
temperature. It shall be noted that, again, this means of heating
the condensate requires no additional heating elements other than
the devices already used for water heating. The flow can be a
heated liquid, e.g., water, flow from a heating system. In another
embodiment, the flow can be a flue flow, a result of a hydrocarbon
fuel combustion. Partitions 66 disposed within the jacket 58 are
provided to force the flow within the jacket 58 through the entire
jacket 58 to ensure that condensates are heated properly in the
portion of the drainage tube 2 that is encased in the jacket 58.
The jacket 58 and any one of the thermal conductors 4 disclosed
herein may additionally and/or alternatively be used to heat any
parts of the heating system/s which supply heat to the thermal
conductors 4.
[0077] The detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings
that show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments
in which the present disclosed embodiments may be practiced. These
embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice aspects of the present invention.
Other embodiments may be utilized, and changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. The various
embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to
form new embodiments. The detailed description is, therefore, not
to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present
invention is defined only by the appended claims, with the full
scope of equivalents to which they may be entitled. It will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any
arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be
substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is
intended to cover any adaptations or variations of embodiments of
the present invention. It is to be understood that the above
description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive,
and that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the
purpose of description and not of limitation. Combinations of the
above embodiments and other embodiments will be apparent to those
of skill in the art upon studying the above description. The scope
of the present disclosed embodiments includes any other
applications in which embodiments of the above structures and
fabrication methods are used. The scope of the embodiments should
be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
* * * * *