Indoor Liquid/Suction Heat Exchanger

Systems and methods are disclosed that include providing an air conditioning (A/C) system having an indoor unit with a Liquid/Suction Heat Exchanger (LSHX) coupled between an outdoor heat exchanger of an outdoor unit and an indoor metering device on a so-called “liquid” line and coupled between an indoor heat exchanger and a compressor of the outdoor unit on a so-called “vapor” line. The LSHX is configured to increase the efficiency of the A/C system by increasing the amount of subcooling in the refrigerant on the liquid line of the LSHX and increasing the amount of superheat in the refrigerant on the vapor line of the LSHX.

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Air conditioning (A/C) systems may generally be used in residential and/or commercial areas cooling to create comfortable temperatures inside those areas. Some A/C systems may generally be capable of cooling a comfort zone by transferring heat from a comfort zone to an ambient zone using a refrigeration cycle. To facilitate efficient and effective heat transfer in the heat pump system, refrigerant temperature management remains a critical part of the A/C system design.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the disclosure, an indoor unit of an air conditioning (A/C) system is disclosed as comprising a liquid/suction heat exchanger (LSHX) and a superheat sensor configured to monitor the amount of superheat in refrigerant exiting the LSHX.

In other embodiments of the disclosure, an air conditioning (A/C) system is disclosed as comprising: an outdoor unit; and an indoor unit, comprising: a liquid/suction heat exchanger (LSHX); and a superheat sensor configured to monitor the amount of superheat in refrigerant exiting the LSHX.

In yet other embodiments of the disclosure, a method of operating an air conditioning (A/C) system is disclosed as comprising: providing an A/C system comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit comprising an indoor metering device and a liquid/suction heat exchanger (LSHX); monitoring the amount of superheat in refrigerant exiting the LSHX; and adjusting a position of the indoor metering device to control the amount of superheat in the refrigerant exiting the LSHX.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIG. 1, a schematic diagram of an air conditioning (A/C) system100is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Most generally, A/C system100may be selectively operated to implement a closed thermodynamic refrigeration cycle to provide a cooling functionality (hereinafter, “cooling mode”). The A/C system100generally comprises an indoor unit102, an outdoor unit104, and a system controller106that may generally control operation of the indoor unit102and/or the outdoor unit104.

Indoor unit102generally comprises an indoor heat exchanger108, an indoor fan110, an indoor metering device112, and an indoor controller124. The indoor heat exchanger108may generally be configured to promote heat exchange between refrigerant carried within internal tubing of the indoor heat exchanger108and an airflow that may contact the indoor heat exchanger108but that is segregated from the refrigerant. In some embodiments, indoor heat exchanger108may comprise a plate-fin heat exchanger. However, in other embodiments, indoor heat exchanger108may comprise a spine fin heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, or any other suitable type of heat exchanger.

The indoor fan110may generally comprise a centrifugal blower comprising a blower housing, a blower impeller at least partially disposed within the blower housing, and a blower motor configured to selectively rotate the blower impeller. The indoor fan110may generally be configured to provide airflow through the indoor unit102and/or the indoor heat exchanger108to promote heat transfer between the airflow and a refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger108. The indoor fan110may also be configured to deliver temperature-conditioned air from the indoor unit102to one or more areas and/or zones of a climate controlled structure. The indoor fan110may generally comprise a centrifugal, mixed-flow fan and/or any other suitable type of fan. The indoor fan110may generally be configured as a modulating and/or variable speed fan capable of being operated at many speeds over one or more ranges of speeds. In other embodiments, the indoor fan110may be configured as a multiple speed fan capable of being operated at a plurality of operating speeds by selectively electrically powering different ones of multiple electromagnetic windings of a motor of the indoor fan110. In yet other embodiments, however, the indoor fan110may be a single speed fan.

The indoor metering device112may generally comprise an active expansion valve. More specifically, the indoor metering device112may comprise an electronically-controlled motor-driven electronic expansion valve (EEV). In some embodiments, however, the indoor metering device112may comprise a thermostatic expansion valve. In some embodiments, while the indoor metering device112may be configured to meter the volume and/or flow rate of refrigerant through the indoor metering device112, the indoor metering device112may also comprise and/or be associated with a refrigerant check valve and/or refrigerant bypass configuration when the direction of refrigerant flow through the indoor metering device112is such that the indoor metering device112is not intended to meter or otherwise substantially restrict flow of the refrigerant through the indoor metering device112.

Outdoor unit104generally comprises an outdoor heat exchanger114, a compressor116, an outdoor fan118, and an outdoor controller126. In some embodiments, the outdoor unit104may also comprise a plurality of temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger114, the compressor116, and/or the outdoor ambient temperature. The outdoor heat exchanger114may generally be configured to promote heat transfer between a refrigerant carried within internal passages of the outdoor heat exchanger114and an airflow that contacts the outdoor heat exchanger114but that is segregated from the refrigerant. In some embodiments, outdoor heat exchanger114may comprise a plate-fin heat exchanger. However, in other embodiments, outdoor heat exchanger114may comprise a spine-fin heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, or any other suitable type of heat exchanger.

The compressor116may generally comprise a variable speed scroll-type compressor that may generally be configured to selectively pump refrigerant at a plurality of mass flow rates through the indoor unit102, the outdoor unit104, and/or between the indoor unit102and the outdoor unit104. In some embodiments, the compressor116may comprise a rotary type compressor configured to selectively pump refrigerant at a plurality of mass flow rates. In alternative embodiments, however, the compressor116may comprise a modulating compressor that is capable of operation over a plurality of speed ranges, a reciprocating-type compressor, a single speed compressor, and/or any other suitable refrigerant compressor and/or refrigerant pump.

The outdoor fan118may generally comprise an axial fan comprising a fan blade assembly and fan motor configured to selectively rotate the fan blade assembly. The outdoor fan118may generally be configured to provide airflow through the outdoor unit104and/or the outdoor heat exchanger114to promote heat transfer between the airflow and a refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger108. The outdoor fan118may generally be configured as a modulating and/or variable speed fan capable of being operated at a plurality of speeds over a plurality of speed ranges. In other embodiments, the outdoor fan118may comprise a mixed-flow fan, a centrifugal blower, and/or any other suitable type of fan and/or blower, such as a multiple speed fan capable of being operated at a plurality of operating speeds by selectively electrically powering different multiple electromagnetic windings of a motor of the outdoor fan118. In yet other embodiments, the outdoor fan118may be a single speed fan. Further, in other embodiments, however, the outdoor fan118may comprise a mixed-flow fan, a centrifugal blower, and/or any other suitable type of fan and/or blower.

The system controller106may generally be configured to selectively communicate with an indoor controller124of the indoor unit102, an outdoor controller126of the outdoor unit104and/or other components of the A/C system100. In some embodiments, the system controller106may be configured to control operation of the indoor unit102and/or the outdoor unit104. In some embodiments, the system controller106may be configured to monitor and/or communicate with a plurality of temperature sensors associated with components of the indoor unit102, the outdoor unit104, and/or the ambient outdoor temperature. Additionally, in some embodiments, the system controller106may comprise a temperature sensor and/or may further be configured to control heating and/or cooling of zones associated with the A/C system100. In other embodiments, however, the system controller106may be configured as a thermostat for controlling the supply of conditioned air to zones associated with the A/C system100.

The system controller106may also generally comprise a touchscreen interface for displaying information and for receiving user inputs. The system controller106may display information related to the operation of the A/C system100and may receive user inputs related to operation of the A/C system100. However, the system controller106may further be operable to display information and receive user inputs tangentially and/or unrelated to operation of the A/C system100. In some embodiments, however, the system controller106may not comprise a display and may derive all information from inputs from remote sensors and remote configuration tools.

The indoor controller124may be carried by the indoor unit102and may generally be configured to receive information inputs, transmit information outputs, and/or otherwise communicate with the system controller106, the outdoor controller126, and/or any other device via any suitable medium of communication. In some embodiments, the indoor controller124may be configured to receive information related to a speed of the indoor fan110, transmit a control output to an electric heat relay, transmit information regarding an indoor fan110volumetric flow-rate, and communicate with an indoor EEV controller128configured to control operation of the indoor metering device112. In some embodiments, the indoor controller124may be configured to communicate with an indoor fan controller and/or otherwise affect control over operation of the indoor fan110.

The indoor EEV controller128may be configured to receive information regarding temperatures and/or pressures of the refrigerant in the indoor unit102. More specifically, the indoor EEV controller128may be configured to receive information regarding temperatures and pressures of refrigerant entering, exiting, and/or within the indoor heat exchanger108. Further, the indoor EEV controller128may be configured to communicate with the indoor metering device112and/or otherwise affect control over the indoor metering device112.

The outdoor controller126may be carried by the outdoor unit104and may be configured to receive information inputs, transmit information outputs, and/or otherwise communicate with the system controller106, the indoor controller124, and/or any other device via any suitable medium of communication. In some embodiments, the outdoor controller126may be configured to receive information related to an ambient temperature associated with the outdoor unit104, information related to a temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger114, and/or information related to refrigerant temperatures and/or pressures of refrigerant entering, exiting, and/or within the outdoor heat exchanger114and/or the compressor116. In some embodiments, the outdoor controller126may be configured to transmit information related to monitoring, communicating with, and/or otherwise affecting control over the compressor116, the outdoor fan118, a relay associated with adjusting and/or monitoring a refrigerant charge of the A/C system100, and/or a position of the indoor metering device112. The outdoor controller126may further be configured to communicate with and/or control a compressor drive controller that is configured to electrically power and/or control the compressor116.

The A/C system100is shown configured for operating in the cooling mode in which heat is absorbed by refrigerant at the indoor heat exchanger108and heat is rejected from the refrigerant at the outdoor heat exchanger114. In some embodiments, the compressor116may be operated to compress refrigerant and pump the relatively high temperature and high pressure compressed refrigerant from the compressor116to the outdoor heat exchanger114. As the refrigerant is passed through the outdoor heat exchanger114, the outdoor fan118may be operated to move air into contact with the outdoor heat exchanger114, thereby transferring heat from the refrigerant to the air surrounding the outdoor heat exchanger114(condenser in cooling mode). The refrigerant may primarily comprise liquid phase refrigerant and the refrigerant may flow from the outdoor heat exchanger114to the indoor metering device112. The indoor metering device112may meter passage of the refrigerant through the indoor metering device112so that the refrigerant downstream of the indoor metering device112is at a lower pressure than the refrigerant upstream of the indoor metering device112. The pressure differential across the indoor metering device112allows the refrigerant downstream of the indoor metering device112to expand and/or at least partially convert to a two-phase (vapor and gas) mixture. The two phase refrigerant may enter the indoor heat exchanger108(evaporator in cooling mode). As the refrigerant is passed through the indoor heat exchanger108, the indoor fan110may be operated to move air into contact with the indoor heat exchanger108, thereby transferring heat to the refrigerant from the air surrounding the indoor heat exchanger108, and causing evaporation of the liquid portion of the two phase mixture. The refrigerant may thereafter re-enter the compressor116.

Referring now toFIG. 2, an A/C system200is shown according to another embodiment of the disclosure. A/C system200may generally be substantially similar to A/C system100and comprise outdoor unit104and system controller106. A/C system200also comprises an indoor unit202that is substantially similar to indoor unit102. However, indoor unit202comprises a Liquid/Suction Heat Exchanger (LSHX)230and a superheat sensor240. Generally, the LSHX230may be coupled between the outdoor heat exchanger114and the indoor metering device112on a so-called “liquid” line. Additionally, the LSHX230may be coupled between the indoor heat exchanger108and the compressor116on a so-called “vapor” line. The LSHX230may generally be configured to increase the efficiency of the A/C system200by providing optimal system subcooling and/or superheat in the refrigerant of the A/C system200as compared to A/C system100that does not include an LSHX230and must accomplish said subcooling and superheat in the outdoor and indoor heat exchangers, respectively. Subcooling refers to the number of degrees that liquid refrigerant is below the refrigerant saturation temperature (when condenses to a liquid), while superheat refers to the number of degrees that vapor refrigerant is above the refrigerant saturation temperature.

The superheat sensor240may generally be disposed on the so-called suction line at a location downstream from the LSHX230and configured to measure the temperature and/or the pressure of the refrigerant exiting the LSHX230. In alternative embodiments, the superheat sensor240may be disposed upstream of the LSHX230between the LSHX230and the indoor heat exchanger108and configured to measure and/or monitor the temperature and/or the pressure of the refrigerant entering the LSHX230. Generally, the indoor controller124may be configured to monitor the temperature of the vapor refrigerant exiting the LSHX230via the superheat sensor240and communicate with the indoor EEV controller128to control the position of and/or operation of the indoor metering device112. By monitoring the superheat sensor240and controlling the indoor metering device112, the indoor controller124may control the amount of superheat in the refrigerant exiting the indoor heat exchanger108and/or exiting the LSHX230. Alternatively, the temperature of the vapor refrigerant leaving the LSHX230could be monitored with a sensing bulb of a thermostatic expansion valve, the superheat thereby being controlled by the thermostatic expansion valve.

When the A/C system200is operated in the cooling mode, the LSHX230may receive subcooled refrigerant from the outdoor heat exchanger114. Generally, the amount of subcooling in the refrigerant entering the LSHX230may be at least about 1 degree Fahrenheit. However, in other embodiments, the amount of subcooling in the refrigerant received by the LSHX230may be at least about 2 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 3 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 5 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 7 degrees Fahrenheit, and/or at least about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The subcooled refrigerant may pass through the LSHX230and be further cooled within the LSHX230. Accordingly, the LSHX230may be configured to further increase the amount of subcooling within the refrigerant passing though the LSHX230. In some embodiments, the LSHX230may increase the amount of subcooling to at least about 2 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 3 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 5 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 7 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and/or at least about 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Because some of the subcooling is performed by the LSHX230, the outdoor heat exchanger114may transfer heat more efficiently and/or effectively, thereby increasing the efficiency of the A/C system200.

The LSHX230receives refrigerant that exits the indoor heat exchanger108after having passed through the indoor heat exchanger108. In some embodiments, refrigerant leaving the indoor heat exchanger108may be superheated by at least about 1 degree Fahrenheit. However, in other embodiments, the refrigerant leaving the indoor heat exchanger108may comprise a superheat of at least about 2 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 3 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 5 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 7 degrees Fahrenheit, and/or at least about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The superheated refrigerant may pass through the LSHX230and be further superheated within the LSHX230. Accordingly, the LSHX230may be configured to further increase the amount of superheat within the refrigerant passing though the LSHX230. In some embodiments, the LSHX230may increase the amount of superheat to at least about 2 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 3 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 5 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 7 degrees Fahrenheit, at least about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and/or at least about 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Because the majority of the superheat is performed by the LSHX230, the indoor heat exchanger108may transfer heat more efficiently and/or effectively, thereby increasing the efficiency of the A/C system200.

After the refrigerant is further superheated within the LSHX230, the superheated refrigerant may exit the LSHX230. The superheat sensor240may continuously monitor the temperature and/or the pressure of the superheated refrigerant exiting the LSHX230. Generally, the position of the indoor metering device112may be controlled by the indoor EEV controller128in response to the superheat sensor240communicating the temperature and/or pressure of the superheated refrigerant exiting the LSHX230to the indoor controller124. To increase the superheat in the refrigerant exiting the LSHX230, the indoor metering device112may be adjusted to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant exiting the indoor metering device112and entering the indoor heat exchanger108. Alternatively, to reduce the superheat in the refrigerant exiting the LSHX230, the indoor metering device112may be adjusted to increase the pressure of the refrigerant exiting the indoor metering device112and entering the indoor heat exchanger108. Accordingly, the position of the indoor metering device112may be continuously adjusted to maintain a specified and/or predetermined amount of superheat in the refrigerant leaving the LSHX230.

From the LSHX230, superheated refrigerant may then exit the indoor unit202and enter the outdoor unit104, where it may then pass to the compressor116. Since the refrigerant entering the compressor116is superheated, substantially no liquid-phase refrigerant may pass to the compressor116. As such, substantially all of the refrigerant that passes to the compressor116may be in a superheated, vapor phase. Because liquid refrigerant may cause damage to the compressor116, the LSHX230prevents liquid-phase refrigerant from entering the compressor116by superheating the refrigerant that passes through the LSHX230.

Additionally, after refrigerant has been compressed by the compressor116and passed through the outdoor heat exchanger114, the refrigerant may be passed from the outdoor heat exchanger114to the LSHX230through liquid line250. In some embodiments, liquid line250may be about 30 feet long. Because much of the subcooling is performed by the LSHX230as opposed to the outdoor heat exchanger114as in A/C system100, refrigerant in the liquid line250may be about 5 to about 6 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than in a liquid line of A/C system100. Accordingly, the liquid line250may promote heat transfer between the refrigerant in the liquid line250and the surrounding ambient environment, thereby further increasing the efficiency of the AC system200.

The LSHX230may generally be configured to increase the efficiency of the A/C system200by reducing the amount of subcooling in the refrigerant leaving the outdoor heat exchanger118(condenser) and reducing the amount of superheat in the refrigerant leaving the indoor heat exchanger114(evaporator). In order to effectively boost the efficiency of the A/C system200, refrigerant entering the LSHX230in the liquid line must always be at least slightly subcooled, and refrigerant entering the LSHX230on the vapor line must always be at least slightly superheated. If two-phase refrigerant enters either side of the LSHX230, excessive heat exchange may occur in LSHX230and degrade efficiency of the LSHX230and/or the A/C system200. Additionally, two-phase refrigerant entering the LSHX230may also cause the indoor metering device112to operate unstably, thereby making it difficult to control the superheat through the superheat sensor240.

The LSHX230may effectively boost the efficiency of the A/C system200by at least about 5% as compared to A/C system100. However, in some embodiments, the LSHX230may provide an increase in efficiency of at least about 10% as compared to A/C system100. For example, if A/C system100comprises a 25 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating, A/C system200may comprise a 27.5 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. In part, the increase in efficiency may be attributed to the LSHX230providing at least about 5 degrees Fahrenheit less subcooling leaving the outdoor heat exchanger118(condenser) and/or at least about 10 degrees less superheat leaving the indoor heat exchanger114(evaporator) as compared to A/C system100while the subcooling entering the indoor metering device112and the superheat entering compressor116remain substantially the same. However, in some embodiments, the LSHX230may provide at least about 10 degrees Fahrenheit more subcooling and/or at least about 10 degrees more superheat as compared to A/C system100. In other embodiments, the LSHX230may provide at least about 15 degrees Fahrenheit more subcooling and/or at least about 15 degrees more superheat as compared to A/C system100.

It will be appreciated that although the LSHX230is depicted as being installed in an air conditioning (A/C) system200, the LSHX230may also be configured to be installed in the indoor unit of a reversible heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning (HVAC) heat pump system. When the HVAC heat pump system is operated in a cooling mode, the LSHX230and/or the superheat sensor240would operate substantially similar to A/C system200. However, it will be appreciated that the HVAC system may comprise a reversing valve installed in the outdoor unit124that is configured to reverse the flow of refrigerant through the HVAC heat pump system. Thus, when the HVAC heat pump system is operated in a heating mode, the flow of refrigerant through the HVAC heat pump system will be reversed as compared to the flow of refrigerant in the cooling mode. Accordingly, the HVAC heat pump system may comprise a plurality of check valves, solenoid valves, and/or any other suitable configuration of valves that would effectively remove the LSHX230from the fluid circuit during operation in the heating mode. As such, any configuration of electronic solenoids and/or electrically controlled valves may be controlled by the system controller106, the indoor controller124, and/or the outdoor controller126to remove the LSHX230from the fluid circuit. Additionally, the HVAC heat pump may also comprise a bypass line and/or a plurality of bypass lines that operate in conjunction with the valves to remove the LSHX230from the fluid circuit when the HVAC heat pump system is operated in the heating mode.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a flowchart of a method300of operating an A/C system200is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The method300may begin at block302by providing an A/C system200comprising a Liquid/Suction Heat exchanger (LSHX)230in an indoor unit202of the A/C system200. Generally, the LSHX230may be coupled between an outdoor heat exchanger, such as outdoor heat exchanger118, and an indoor metering device, such as indoor metering device112, on a so-called “liquid” line. Additionally, the LSHX230may be coupled between an indoor heat exchanger, such as indoor heat exchanger108, and a compressor, such as compressor116, on a so-called “vapor” line. The method300may continue at block304by operating the A/C system200in a cooling mode. The method may continue at block306by increasing the amount of subcooling in the refrigerant by passing the refrigerant through a liquid line of the LSHX230. The method300may continue at block308by passing the higher subcooled refrigerant through an expansion device112and an indoor heat exchanger108. The method may continue at block310by increasing the amount of superheat in the refrigerant by passing the refrigerant through a vapor line of the LSHX230. The method may continue at block312by monitoring the amount of superheat in the higher superheated refrigerant exiting the LSHX230. The method300may conclude at block314by controlling the position of the indoor metering device112in response to monitoring the amount of superheat in the higher superheated refrigerant exiting the LSHX230to control the amount of superheat in the refrigerant exiting the LSHX230. In some embodiments, the temperature of the superheated refrigerant may be monitored via a superheat sensor240disposed downstream of the LSHX230. In alternative embodiments, the temperature of the superheated refrigerant may be monitored via a superheat sensor240disposed upstream of the LSHX230and downstream from the indoor heat exchanger108.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a schematic diagram of a general-purpose processing (e.g., electronic controller or computer) system1300is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In some embodiments, processing system1300may be system controller106, indoor controller124, and/or outdoor controller126and be suitable for implementing one or more embodiments disclosed herein. In addition to the processor1310(which may be referred to as a central processor unit or CPU), the system1300may comprise network connectivity devices1320, random access memory (RAM)1330, read only memory (ROM)1340, secondary storage1350, and input/output (I/O) devices1360. In some cases, some of these components may not be present or may be combined in various combinations with one another or with other components not shown. These components may be located in a single physical entity or in more than one physical entity. Any actions described herein as being taken by the processor1310might be taken by the processor1310alone or by the processor1310in conjunction with one or more components of the processor system1300.

The processor1310generally executes algorithms, instructions, codes, computer programs, and/or scripts that it might access from the network connectivity devices1320, RAM1330, ROM1340, or secondary storage1350(which might include various disk-based systems such as hard disk, floppy disk, optical disk, or other drive). While only one processor1310is shown, processor system1300may comprise multiple processors1310. Thus, while instructions may be discussed as being executed by a processor1310, the instructions may be executed simultaneously, serially, or otherwise by one or multiple processors1310. The processor1310may be implemented as one or more CPU chips.

The network connectivity devices1320may take the form of modems, modem banks, Ethernet devices, universal serial bus (USB) interface devices, serial interfaces, token ring devices, fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) devices, wireless local area network (WLAN) devices, radio transceiver devices such as code division multiple access (CDMA) devices, global system for mobile communications (GSM) radio transceiver devices, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) devices, Bluetooth, CAN (Controller Area Network) and/or other well-known technologies, protocols and standards for connecting to networks. These network connectivity devices1320may enable the processor1310to communicate with the Internet or one or more telecommunications networks or other networks from which the processor1310might receive information or to which the processor1310might output information.

The network connectivity devices1320might also include one or more transceiver components1325capable of transmitting and/or receiving data wirelessly in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as radio frequency signals or microwave frequency signals. Alternatively, the data may propagate in or on the surface of electrical conductors, in coaxial cables, in waveguides, in optical media such as optical fiber, or in other media. The transceiver component1325might include separate receiving and transmitting units or a single transceiver. Information transmitted or received by the transceiver component1325may include data that has been processed by the processor1310or instructions that are to be executed by processor1310. Such information may be received from and outputted to a network in the form, for example, of a computer data baseband signal or signal embodied in a carrier wave. The data may be ordered according to different sequences as may be desirable for either processing or generating the data or transmitting or receiving the data. The baseband signal, the signal embedded in the carrier wave, or other types of signals currently used or hereafter developed may be referred to as the transmission medium and may be generated according to several methods well-known to one skilled in the art.

The RAM1330might be used to store volatile data and perhaps to store instructions that are executed by the processor1310. The ROM1340is a non-volatile memory device that typically has a smaller memory capacity than the memory capacity of the secondary storage1350. ROM1340might be used to store instructions and perhaps data that are read during execution of the instructions. Access to both RAM1330and ROM1340is typically faster than access to secondary storage1350. The secondary storage1350is typically comprised of one or more disk drives or tape drives and might be used for non-volatile storage of data or as an over-flow data storage device if RAM1330is not large enough to hold all working data. Secondary storage1350may be used to store programs or instructions that are loaded into RAM1330when such programs are selected for execution or information is needed.

The I/O devices1360may include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), touch screen displays, keyboards, keypads, switches, dials, mice, track balls, voice recognizers, card readers, paper tape readers, printers, video monitors, transducers, sensors, or other well-known input or output devices. Also, the transceiver component1325might be considered to be a component of the I/O devices1360instead of or in addition to being a component of the network connectivity devices1320. Some or all of the I/O devices1360may be substantially similar to various components disclosed herein.