Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a fluid heat exchanger assembly comprising: a fluid inlet; a cooler fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet having a cooler fluid outlet; a warmer fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and having a warmer fluid outlet; and at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warming wafer surface, positioned between the warmer fluid conduit and the cooler fluid conduit, such that the cooling wafer surface faces the cooler fluid conduit and the warmer wafer surface faces the warmer fluid conduit; whereupon electrical activation of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device the cooling wafer becomes relatively cool in comparison to the warmer wafer surface becoming relatively warm. Additionally, the heat exchanger assembly may receive ambient air flowing through a fluid inlet positioned within or on a vehicle such that the cooler fluid is directed into at least one item taken from the group of: a body-suit worn by a driver of a vehicle, apparel worn by a driver of a vehicle and protective equipment worn by a driver of a vehicle.

Description:
BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a fluid heat exchanger assembly and more particularly to a personal cooling device. The invention utilizes commercially available thermoelectric heat transfer devices having the capability to concurrently provide heating and cooling on opposing sides of the device.  
           [0002]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0003]    The heating and/or cooling of fluid (i.e., gases or liquids) in transmit or at a point of accumulation has been effected in a multitude of fashions dating back as far as the origin of the very reasons for such heat transfer. A majority of the pieces of prior art typically center around heat transfer from or to a fluid by the circulation of currents from one region to another.  
           [0004]    In the area of vehicle racing in particular, special suits are used by individuals in an attempt to maintain a cooler epidermal temperature while performing various strenuous or dangerous acts. One such product, in particular, the K&amp;P Temp Suit, is a hooded vest made from a loose-knit cotton fabric with a nylon inner liner worn by a driver while competing in an automobile race. The system is supplied with the suit, an ice with chest with a pump, a timer, fittings, wire connecters and enough hose and wires to mount the components almost anywhere in the vehicle. The cooling system, in particular, consists of either a 16-quart or 8-quart ice chest with a built-in pump and attached hose. The manufacturer of this device indicates that using the 16-quart chest the ice load will last up to four hours depending upon the cooling line insulation, test location and heat load. Temperature control is accomplished by a variable timer. This timer cycles the pump on and off at various rates thereby controlling the temperature. The suit, in particular, has a chin strap which keeps a cooling tube against the back of the neck thereby cooling the back of the neck. The chin strap and the vest front are fastened by velcro, thereby making fastening or unfastening simple. The suit is connected to the cooling system by a quick release or dry brake connecter.  
           [0005]    Other designs of racing suits have centered around various forms of fabric which are considered to “breath.” These fabrics allow water vapor emitted from the epidermal layer to pass through the fabric thereby taking heat from the epidermal layer to the environment. Additionally, body-suits worn by those involved in hazardous activities typically provide regions or layers which are impervious to air flow for various safety reasons. However, these safety reasons often conflict with the ability of the wearer to stay relatively cool in performing their duties by inhibiting air flow for cooling the epidermal region of the wearer, thus generally inhibiting the stamina of the wearer. These systems have compromised the cooling capabilities of various fabrics directly to inhibit the very air flow which could present a danger to the wearer. Other body-suits have been developed in which cool liquids are circulated throughout a particular apparel, only to be refrigerated and reticulated again.  
           [0006]    Additionally, racing helmets for stock car drivers have been fitted with built-in side ports to accommodate air conditioning hoses or ventilation hoses. An example of such a ventilation hose attachment may be seen on NASCAR Winston Cup type vehicles where a duct is placed in the driver&#39;s window opening, which is cupped inward toward the driver, pulling air into an attached ventilation hose which flows into a side port on the driver&#39;s helmet. Additionally, these helmets have various vents which can be opened to provide variable flow, thus directing the air flow to a particular region(s) that the driver desires. Helmets worn by open wheel racers or motorcycle racers, in general, typically have vents which can be opened in a variable fashion or completely closed thereby directing airflow into the helmet in various orientations. These helmets need not use the duct and ventilation hose used by stock car drivers, because in large part their helmet is directly in the line of fluid or air flow over the cockpit.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0007]    The present invention relates to a heat transfer system for cooling fluids utilizing one or more thermoelectric devices being made up of two ceramic wafers and a series of P and N doped semi-conductor blocks positioned there between. The ceramic wafered thermoelectric devices are used to cool a conduit(s) through which the fluid is passed. Effective heat transfer is brought about when the fluid moves through the conduit enabling conduction between the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device and the particles of the conduit.  
           [0008]    Advantageously, the ceramic wafered thermoelectric devices operate on relatively low power and voltages and are relatively durable. Because the ceramic wafered thermoelectric devices emanate thermal energy on the side of the devices opposite that of the cooling side, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may utilize a plurality of conduits for fluid flow enabling the heat withdrawn from a first conduit to be distributed to at least a second conduit.  
           [0009]    It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a fluid heat exchanger assembly comprising: a fluid inlet; a cooler fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet having a cooler fluid outlet; a warmer fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and having a warmer fluid outlet; and at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warming wafer surface, positioned between the warmer fluid conduit and the cooler fluid conduit, such that the cooling wafer surface faces the cooler fluid conduit and the warming wafer surface faces the warmer fluid conduit; where upon electrical activation of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device the cooling wafer becomes relatively cool in comparison to the warming wafer surface becoming relatively warm.  
           [0010]    It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a method of exchanging heat between at least two fluid conduits comprising the steps of: providing at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having at least a cooling wafer surface and a warming wafer surface opposing the cooling wafer surface; and positioning the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device to develop a thermal gradient between fluid within a conduit to be cooled and the cooling wafer surface of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device, and to develop a thermal gradient between fluid within a conduit to be heated and the warming wafer surface of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device.  
           [0011]    It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a fluid heat exchanging assembly comprising: a fluid inlet; a cooler fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and splitting into at least two parallel conduits between the fluid inlet and at least one cooler fluid outlet; at least one warmer fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet; at least two ceramic wafered thermoelectric devices each having a cooling wafer surface opposing a warming wafer surface, a first one of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric wafer devices being positioned between the warmer fluid conduit and a first one of the parallel conduits, such that the cooling wafer surface faces the first one of the parallel conduits and the warming wafer surface faces a section of the warmer fluid conduit, the second ceramic wafered thermoelectric device being positioned between the warmer fluid conduit and a second one of the parallel conduits such that the cooling wafer surface faces the second one of the parallel conduits and the warming wafer surface faces a section of the warmer fluid conduit; a power source operatively coupled to the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device; and a warmer fluid outlet in fluid communication with the warmer fluid conduit.  
           [0012]    It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide a fluid heat exchanging assembly comprising: a fluid inlet; a warmer fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and splitting into at least two parallel conduits between the fluid inlet and at least one warmer fluid outlet; at least one cooler fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid inlet; at least two ceramic wafered thermoelectric devices each having a cooling wafer surface opposing a warming wafer surface, the first one of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric devices being positioned between the cooler fluid conduit and a first one of the parallel conduits such that the warming wafer surface faces the first one of the parallel conduits and the cooling wafer surface faces a section of the cooler fluid conduit, the second ceramic watered thermoelectric device being positioned between the cooler fluid conduit and a second one of the parallel conduits such that the warming wafer surface faces the second one of the parallel conduits and the cooling wafer surface faces a section of the cooler fluid conduit; a power source operatively coupled to the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device; and a cooler fluid outlet in fluid communication with the cooler fluid conduit.  
           [0013]    It is a fifth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of cooling the epidermis of a human being comprising the steps of: providing at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having at least a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warming wafer surface; developing a thermal gradient between the fluid to be cooled and the cooling wafer surface of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device by the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device; and directing the cooled fluid through a region in fluid communication with the epidermis of a human being.  
           [0014]    It is a sixth aspect of the present invention to provide a method for protecting the epidermis of a human being comprising the steps of: providing at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having at least a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warming wafer surface; developing a thermal gradient between the fluid to be cooled and the cooling wafer surface of the ceramic watered thermoelectric device by the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device; directing the cooled fluid to a region approximate the epidermis of a human being; and selectively dispersing a combustion suppression fluid in place of, or in combination with, the cooled fluid when conditions for combustion are present or are detected.  
           [0015]    It is a seventh aspect of the present invention to provide a method of cooling the epidermis of a human being comprising the steps of: providing at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having at least a cooling wafer surface and an opposed warming wafer surface; utilizing the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device to develop a thermal gradient between the fluid to be cooled and the cooling wafer surface of the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device; donning hazardous duty apparel by a human being, the apparel having a plurality of conduits for cooling fluid flow; and directing the cooled fluid to the plurality of conduits in the apparel.  
           [0016]    It is an eighth aspect of the present invention to provide a personal cooling device for use with hazardous duty equipment and/or apparel (such as racing equipment and/or apparel), comprising: an air conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet being in fluid communication with an item of racing apparel, an item of hazardous duty apparel, a protective helmet, a harness, a belt, a shoe, a sock, a glove, and/or a body suit; and at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having a warming wafer surface opposing a cooling wafer surface, positioned in close proximity to the air conduit and such that the cooling wafer surface faces the air conduit so as to allow heat transfer between the air conduit and the cooling wafer surface.  
           [0017]    It is a ninth aspect of the present invention to provide a personal cooling system for a racecar driver, comprising: a protective helmet having at least one coolant air path extending therein in fluid communication with an inlet; an air intake mounted to the racecar adapted to receive at least a portion of air flowing past the racecar; a coolant conduit coupled between, and providing fluid communication between the inlet of the protective helmet and the air intake; at least one ceramic wafered thermoelectric device having a warming wafer surface opposing a cooling wafer surface, positioned in close proximity to the coolant conduit and oriented such that the cooling wafer faces the coolant conduit; and a power supply operatively coupled to the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device, whereby the ceramic wafered thermoelectric device promotes heat transfer between the coolant conduit and the cooling wafer surface. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fluid heat exchanger apparatus according to certain aspects of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid heat exchanger apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along lines  2 - 2  of FIG. 1;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optional blower for use with the fluid heat exchanger apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a cooled racing jumpsuit for use with the fluid heat exchanger apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a 3-way valve assembly coupled between the fluid heat exchanger apparatus, the cooled jumpsuit and a source of flame suppression fluid; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a cooled racing helmet assembly utilizing a fluid heat exchanger apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]    A method and apparatus for heating and/or cooling fluids in transit is disclosed. More particularly, a personal cooling device for use with hazardous duty equipment or apparel, or for use with racing equipment or apparel is disclosed. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific references are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand these detailed explanations to be non-limiting and encompassing obvious variations of the detailed description.  
         [0025]    The ceramic wafered thermoelectric devices (CWTD) utilize two thin ceramic wafers with a series of bismuth telluride semi-conductor blocks sandwiched therebetween which are sufficiently doped to exhibit an excess of electrons (P) or a deficiency of electrons (N). The ceramic wafer material provides an electrically-insulated and mechanically rigid support structure for the thermoelectric device. The “P&amp;N” type semiconductor blocks are electrically interconnected such that, upon electrical activation and depending upon the polarity, heat is transferred from one ceramic wafer to the opposite wafer causing a first ceramic wafer to become cooled while the opposing ceramic wafer becomes hot. The CWTDs are commercially available, for example, as the ZMAX® (line from Tellurex Corporation, Traverse City, Mich. (www.tellurex.com).  
         [0026]    The structure of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be assembled utilizing 1.5 inch aluminum tubing, 0.375 inch polymer tubing, two ceramic wafered thermoelectric devices having wafer surface area approximately measuring 2.25 inches squared, and two aluminum conduits for distributing the fluid flow between the sections of 0.375 inch polymer tubing.  
         [0027]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of a fluid heat exchanger assembly  10  for use with the present invention includes a primary fluid conduit  12  having a fluid inlet  14  and a fluid outlet  16 , and a secondary fluid conduit  18  having a fluid inlet  20  and a fluid outlet  22 . In this exemplary embodiment, the secondary fluid conduit  18  branches from, and is in fluid communication with, the primary fluid conduit at a point  24  upstream from a heat exchange section  26  such that fluid flowing into the inlet  14  of the primary fluid conduit  12  will flow into the fluid inlet  20  of the secondary fluid conduit  18 . At a point  24  upstream from the heat exchanger section  26 , the secondary fluid conduit  18  branches into a pair of parallel (in a flow sense), conduit branches  28 A and  28 B, each of which are coupled to a respective pair of heat exchange conduits  30 A and  30 B.  
         [0028]    Each heat exchange conduit  30 A,  30 B is a fluid conduit of heat transfer material, such as aluminum, having an inlet  32 A,  32 B, an outlet  34 A,  34 B and a substantially planar heat exchange segment  36 A,  36 B positioned therebetween. Each heat exchange conduit  30 A,  30 B is positioned on opposite radial sides of the primary fluid conduit  12  in the heat exchange section  26 , and each sandwiches a ceramic wafered thermoelectric device  38  therebetween. As discussed above, each CWTD  38  includes a ceramic wafer  40 A,  40 B that becomes relatively hot and a ceramic wafer  42 A,  42 B that becomes relatively cool when power is supplied to the leads  44  of the CWTD  38 . A power source (not shown) provides 12VDC to the leads  44  when activated. In the present exemplary embodiment, the hot wafer  40 A,  40 B faces the primary fluid conduit  12  and the cool wafer  42 A,  42 B faces the heat exchange segment  36 A,  36 B of the heat exchange conduit  30  in fluid communication with the secondary fluid conduit  18 . In the exemplary embodiment, the heat exchange segment  36 A,  36 B of the heat exchange conduit  30 A,  30 B is divided into a plurality of discrete paths  46 A,  46 B to increase surface area contact between the heat exchange material of the heat exchange conduit  30 A,  30 B and the fluid flowing therethrough (See FIG. 2 in particular).  
         [0029]    As power is delivered to the CWTDs  38  by leads  44 , the hot ceramic wafer  40 A,  40 B becomes relatively hot by drawing the thermal energy away from cold ceramic wafer  42 A,  42 B and the thermal energy generated by the semiconductors as a result of current flow therethrough. The difference in temperature between the hot ceramic wafer  40 A,  40 B and the temperature of the fluid within the primary fluid conduit  12  establishes a gradient for thermal energy transfer to the fluid in the primary fluid conduit from the hot ceramic wafer  40 A,  40 B. Concurrently, the cold ceramic wafer  42 A,  42 B becomes relatively cold as thermal energy is drawn away from its surface. The difference in temperature between the cold ceramic wafer  42 A,  42 B and the fluid within heat exchange conduit  30 A,  30 B establishes a gradient for thermal energy transfer from the fluid flowing within heat exchange conduit  30 A,  30 B to the cold ceramic wafer  42 A,  42 B. In sum, the result is fluid passing within primary fluid conduit  12  being heated or increased in temperature by operation of the CWTDs  38 ; and, simultaneously, the fluid passing within secondary fluid conduit  18  is cooled or decreased in temperature by operation of the CWTDs  38 .  
         [0030]    After the fluid within primary fluid conduit  12  has passed through the heat exchange section  26 , the warmer fluid is expelled via the fluid outlet  16 . Concurrently, cooler fluid within secondary fluid conduit  18 , after having passed through the heat exchange section  26 , is thereafter expelled via the fluid outlet  22 .  
         [0031]    As will be described in a first exemplary application of this heat exchanger assembly  10 , the fluid outlet  22  from the secondary fluid conduit  18  provides a source of cooled air to an apparel item of a race-car driver and the fluid outlet  16  from the primary fluid conduit  12  is in fluid communication with an exhaust port or channel.  
         [0032]    If the orientation of the CWTDs  38  are switched, or if the polarity of the power supplied to the leads  44  of the CWTDs  38  were reversed, then the fluid flowing through the primary fluid conduit  12  would be cooled and the fluid flowing through the secondary fluid conduit  18  would be heated. Thus, as will be described below in a second exemplary application of this heat exchanger assembly  10 , the CWTDs  38  are reversed as described, the fluid outlet  16  from the primary fluid conduit  12  provides a source of cooled air to a helmet of a race-car driver and the fluid outlet  22  from the secondary fluid conduit  18  is in fluid communication with an exhaust port or channel.  
         [0033]    As shown in FIG. 3, it is within the scope of the present invention to utilize a fluid pump, such as a blower  48 , to accelerate the fluids flowing through the primary and/or secondary conduits  12 ,  18 . The blower  48  of FIG. 3 is coupled in fluid communication with the primary conduit  12 , upstream from the heat exchange section  26 , by a fluid conduit  50  that branches from the primary fluid conduit  12 . As the blower  48  operates, fluid is drawn from the environment into the blower  48  and pushed through the branch conduit  50 , thereafter arriving in primary fluid conduit  12 . The fluid flow generated by blower  48  results in a decrease in fluid pressure in the inlet  14  upstream from primary conduit  12 . This decrease in pressure results in a pressure differential between the fluid source and fluid at the entrance of the inlet  14 , thus inducing fluid flow into the inlet  14  and directionally toward primary fluid conduit  12 . It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a pump with more than one fluid outlet, or provide a plurality of pumps with one or more fluid outlets for generating flow in the direction of the primary conduit  12 . It is within the scope of this aspect of the present invention that the blower  48  be substituted with any type of pump which can create a pressure differential in the fluid, thereby promoting fluid flow in a desired direction. Examples of pumps which may be used with the present invention include, without limitation, fans, positive displacement pumps, gear pumps and centrifugal pumps.  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 4, a first exemplary application for the fluid heat exchanger assembly  10  is to cool a jumpsuit  52  worn by a race-car driver. The jumpsuit  52  includes a plurality of conduits  54  extending into various regions of the jumpsuit  52 , where the conduits  54  include air exit ports  56  that allow cool air to be released in the respective region of the jumpsuit  52 . Each of the conduits  54  are coupled for fluid communication with an inlet conduit  57  that, in turn, includes a quick-disconnect coupling  58  for providing fluid communication with a source of cooled air, such as the fluid outlet  22  of the fluid heat exchanger assembly  10 .  
         [0035]    The plurality of conduits  54  are a structure of flexible hoses divided into five sections for total body cooling. The sections are: left front lower conduit  54 A, right front lower conduit  54 B, right front upper conduit  54 C, left front upper conduit  54 D and a conduit  54 E for the neck and/or head cooling, or for leading to the rear of the jumpsuit  52 . Inlet conduit  57  may be secured to the jumpsuit (Kevlar Safety Suit)  52 . The user may additionally have a mechanism (not shown) conveniently placed in relation to the position of the user&#39;s appendages thereby enabling the user to provide restriction of the fluid flow if the desired cooling effect is being or has been achieved.  
         [0036]    In addition to the jumpsuit  52 , it is also within the scope of the present invention to provide conduits for fluid flow within a protective harness, a belt, a shoe, a sock, a glove, hazardous duty apparel (such as firefighting apparel) and/or racing apparel.  
         [0037]    As shown in FIG. 5, a three-way valve  60  may be provided in fluid communication between the source of cooled air  62 , a source of combustion suppression fluid  64  and a fluid outlet  65 , which includes a quick-disconnect coupling  66  adapted to mate with the quick-disconnect coupling of the jumpsuit  52 . The source of cooled air  62  may be the fluid outlet  22  of the fluid heat exchanger assembly  10 . The three-way valve  60  may be operated in such a manner so as to selectively provide fluid communication between the fluid outlet  65  and the source of the cooled air  62  to the exclusion of combustion suppression source  64 , or to selectively provide fluid communication between the fluid outlet  65  and the combustion suppression source  64  to the exclusion of the source of cooled air  62 . The three-way valve  60  may be electrically connected via leads  68  to a power source (not shown) in which case the user may utilize a manual switch  70  or an automatic switch (not shown) to option between the fluid communication possibilities offered.  
         [0038]    The combustion suppression source  64  may be continuously in fluid communication with a combustion suppression hose  72 . Combustion suppression fluid may be any available combustion suppression agent having as a suppression ingredient fluid or solid matter disbursed utilizing a fluid medium. Examples of such suppression ingredients include water, carbon dioxide, sand and dry powders.  
         [0039]    As shown in FIG. 5, a second exemplary application for the fluid heat exchanger assembly  10  is to provide cooling air to a racer&#39;s helmet  74 . In this application, the polarity of the CWTDs  38  are reversed so that the air in the primary conduit  12  is cooled and the air in the secondary conduit  18  is heated. A duct  76 , positioned at the inlet  14  of the primary conduit  12 , may be mounted, for example, in a driver&#39;s door window opening in the lower comer closest to the front of the vehicle to receive air flowing thereover. As the velocity of the air passing by the duct  76  increases, more and more air is drawn into the duct  76 , and, in turn, the inlet  14 . The duct  76  may be cupped in shape to induce air to be drawn into the duct  76  and thereby push air into primary conduit  12 . At the cupped based of duct  76 , an interface  78  is formed between primary conduit  12  and duct  76 . The interface  78  is the point at which the air becomes axially surrounded by primary conduit  12 . The continual flow of air into the duct  76  provides the driving force to move the air from the duct  76  into primary conduit  12 . Commercially available ducts can be ordered as part number FA-NACA from helmetcity.com.  
         [0040]    The helmet  74  includes a built in side helmet port  80  for mating with the outlet  16  of the primary conduit  12 . The side helmet port  80  is in fluid communication with an inner conduit or bladder  82  for distributing the cooled air about and/or onto the wearer&#39;s head. The construction of such an inner bladder  82  or conduit will be readily ascertained by those of ordinary skill in the art. The fluid outlet  18 , in this application, is coupled to an exhaust port or conduit (not shown) for removing the heated air.  
         [0041]    While exemplary applications for the fluid heat exchanger assembly  10  utilize cooled fluid expelled within a hazardous duty/racing suit or helmet, it is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a similar apparatus which expels heated fluid in situations in which such heated fluid is desired by the user in either a suit or helmet.  
         [0042]    With each of the embodiments disclosed herein, it is within the scope of the invention to incorporate a feedback control system with power supplied to the CWTDs  38  for regulating the temperature of the fluid being heated or cooled. Such a control system would be easily available to one of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0043]    Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the processes and systems herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that the inventions contained herein are not limited to these precise processes and systems and that changes may be made to them without departing from the scope of the inventions as defined by the claims.  
         [0044]    Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the meanings of the claims unless such limitations or elements are explicitly listed in the claims. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the inventions disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.