Threshing/Separating Device Having Tined Accelerator and/or Axial Rotor System

An axial threshing/separating system having at least one spring tined accelerator cylinder, in where the accelerator cylinder includes a plurality of double torsional spring tine cylinder elements extending from the spring tined accelerator cylinder; and one or more spring tined axial rotors, in where each of the spring tined axial rotors includes a plurality of double torsional spring tine rotor elements extending from each of the spring tined axial rotors, in where each of the spring tined axial rotors is aligned such that a respective longitudinal axis of each spring tined axial rotor is substantially coplanar and substantially parallel to a respective longitudinal axis of each other spring tined axial rotor, and wherein a longitudinal axis of at least one spring tined accelerator cylinder is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each spring tined axial rotor.

Not Applicable.

Not Applicable.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

The disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Unless otherwise noted, all trademarks and service marks identified herein are owned by the applicant.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Present Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of threshing/separating devices. More specifically, the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses relates to a threshing/separating device having a spring tined accelerator cylinder and a spring tined axial rotor arrangement for the harvest of peanuts or related root-type crops.

2. Description of Related Art

It is generally known that peanut and other crop harvesting devices dig the peanut pods or other root-type crops from the ground, shake dirt or other debris from the crop, and thresh the crop so that the peanut pods are separated from the vines. Following separation, the harvested peanuts or other crops are conveyed to bins or other carriers for removal from the field. Typically, the harvest process starts by pulling one or more blades through the earth by a tractor or other methods to cut through the roots of the plant or vines, loosen the surrounding soil, and invert the crop so that it can be later harvested. Inverted root-type crops lay in bundles which often contain the crop itself, vines, dirt, debris, rocks, and other foreign materials collectively referred to as a crop mat. Care must be taken to control the shaking action so that dirt and debris are all that is removed from the peanut vines.

When the crop is ready for harvest, a harvesting device is advanced through the field where the previously dug and inverted peanut vines are drawn into the header portion (gathering mechanism) of the harvesting device and are moved towards the threshing portion of the device. During the conveyor process, the crop is shaken so that dirt and other debris are removed from the peanut vines. The internal conveying process can be performed many ways. One way is by the use of one or more rotating cylinders to convey or feed the crop along concave floors (a structure or device that commonly works in conjunction with rotating cylinder(s) or rotor(s) to direct the flow of a crop mat while often providing a secondary benefit of sifting or separating crop or debris from the crop mat through the use of specifically designed holes or perforations in the concave structure(s). Concaves can be both fixed to limit movement or allowed to move about their longitudinal axis) within the harvester. Although it is commonly understood that rotating cylinders are used for internal conveying or feeding, they can have more than a single purpose. Having a multipurpose rotation cylinder requires careful design, orientation, and other characteristics making each rotating cylinder unique and special. Furthermore, there are rotating cylinders that are distinctly unique in their specific functions so that they are often referred to as rotors. A rotor is a rotating cylinder that is operably mounted in the harvester to thresh and separate peanut pods or other crops away from their vines. The separated product is then conveyed to a bin or other short-term storage before being removed from the field for further processing. Rotors positioned in an orientation that is substantially parallel to direction of travel of the harvester are referred to as axial rotors.

Brief Summary of the Present Disclosure

Typical harvesting devices can have many shortcomings however, the presently disclosed system is an advancement or improvement over previous harvesting technologies.

In various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, the axial threshing (where the peanut pods are detached from the crop mat) or separating (removing peanut pods from the crop mat) system of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses utilizes a spring tined accelerator cylinder and/or one or more spring tined axial rotors in the harvesting process. A spring tined accelerator cylinder comprises of the multiple double torsional spring tined cylinder elements. Whereas a spring tined axial rotor comprises of the multiple double torsional spring tined rotor elements.

In various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, the feed system of the presently disclosed threshing/separating device utilizes one or more unique, preconditioning cylinder(s) that are used to pre-condition (the act of using the preconditioning cylinder(s) to turn the non-uniform crop mat originally ingested into the harvester into a more even and consistent crop mat flow for further processing by the accelerator cylinder). Preconditioning cylinders are typically transversely mounted, meaning they are substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the harvester and commonly extend from one side of the harvester toward the opposing side. The accelerator cylinders are typically transversely mounted, meaning they are also substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the harvester and commonly extend from one side of the harvester toward the opposing side just forward of the inlet (the entrance into a rotor otherwise known as a nose) of one or more, main spring tined axial rotors. Other than feeding, the primary objective for this rotating accelerator cylinder is to accelerate an even crop mat into one or more spring tined axial rotors. The use of double torsional spring tine cylinder elements on the accelerator cylinder makes this feeding system unique among any other axial rotor feeding systems. Other designs for example use a drag type chain conveyor or flighted cylinder to feed one or a pair of axial rotors. A unique aspect of the disclosed system is the use of spring elements. Spring elements, as they are referred to throughout this documentation, should be more clearly understood as, any device or apparatus that has the ability to progressively or incrementally apply more force to a crop mat or other opposing objects as the double torsional spring tine is deflected. Another characteristic of the spring element is its ability to deflect without sustaining damage or permanent deformation itself. A spring having a torsional type construction which are commonly made of a material that has one or more features typically formed in the shape of a helix or coil with tangentially protruding tines. When the torsional tines are subjected to an external force they deflect and return when the force is removed. A spring element consists of mentioned spring, a fastening device and mount (supporting structure used to affix element(s)).

The use of other styles of feed cylinders are incompatible, or at the very least, greatly inefficient in handling peanuts or similar root type crops. Peanut crop can have a very high vine tensile strength. Many inter-twined vines, and root mass with clusters of peanut pods, make up the crop mat drawn into and ingested by a peanut harvester. In addition, the peanut crop is dug from the ground prior to the harvesting process. In return, this means an effective peanut harvester must have the ability to handle large amounts of foreign materials such as dirt, rocks, roots, or other subsoil debris or foreign materials.

A spring tined accelerator cylinder is far superior in its ability to handle foreign materials all while being gentle and efficient enough to handle delicate peanut pods while minimizing any damaging affects to the pods themselves. The use of double torsional spring tine cylinder elements on a spring tined accelerator cylinder engage the crop mat through a piercing action which allows the harvester to efficiently and effectively propel the crop mat for further processing. Along the harvesting process, if an inconsistent (light or heavy) crop mat is ingested by the machine, the double torsional spring tine cylinder elements or double torsional spring tine rotor elements are able to apply progressive force to the crop mat without damage and continue to propel the crop mat without impeding flow. Being able to propel the crop mat through a harvester without machine or crop damage, is critical to a well-designed machine.

The accelerator cylinders convey the peanut or other crop mats toward and/or into one or more spring tined axial rotors. The spring tined axial rotors provide improved threshing and separating where the peanut pods are detached from and then removed from the crop mat. When utilizing more than one axial rotor, a symmetrical inverse of the primary rotor is often employed. In multi-axial rotor configurations, the longitudinal axes of the rotors often lie on the same plane and are parallel with respect to one another. Another unique aspect of an axial rotor is its inlet, which is distinct in it is are conical in shape and has auger styled flighting segments which aids in feeding the crop mat into the rotor from one or more spring tined accelerator cylinder.

Axial spring threshing elements are attached or coupled to the perimeter of the rotors. The spring tined axial rotor utilizes one or more double torsional spring tine rotor elements with various spacing and patterns along a perimeter of the spring tined axial rotor. Unlike a rigid threshing element, a double torsional spring tine rotor element allows flexibility in the harvesting process when a progressive force needs to be applied to the crop mat. Without double torsional spring tine cylinder elements or double torsional spring tine rotor elements, damage to a conventional styled system using rigid elements is imminent. During the threshing operation, it is important for the separating elements to keep materials, especially foreign materials, moving through the harvester so they can be properly processed and expelled. Failure to maintain a positive flow of material is likely to cause crop and machine damage, subsequently requiring the harvester to be shut down, inspected, and/or repaired. If a traditional harvester, one that employs rigid elements sustains failure to its rigid elements, then the materials would stall, causing damage to this area of the device. In contrast, the double torsional spring tine cylinder elements and double torsional spring tine rotor elements of the present disclosure, will flex around materials as needed while still imparting positive movement to the materials, then allowing the double torsional cylinder elements and double torsional spring tine rotor elements to return to their natural position, undamaged. This greatly minimizes harvest downtime and/or machine damage.

The spring rate, placement, and configuration of the double torsional spring tine cylinder elements and double torsional spring tine rotor elements provides improved harvesting benefits. In various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, the double torsional spring tine rotor elements are oriented in a pattern or series of patterns along the perimeter or portions of the perimeter of the main rotor core. The pattern of the double torsional spring tine rotor elements are based on the direction of rotation of the rotor. The position, spacing, and geometry of the double torsional spring tine rotor elements are unique in that they allow a more natural flow or movement of the crop mat along the rotor's axis.

In various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, the double torsional spring tine rotor elements are staggered in a helical arrangement. A side view of the spring tined axial rotor illustrates a staggered element pattern (compared to adjacent helices) creating more coverage of double torsional spring tine rotor elements throughout the rotor(s).

In various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, the double torsional spring tine rotor elements are independent double torsional spring tine rotor elements of a double torsional spring type construction.

Accordingly, the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses separately and optionally provide an axial threshing/separating system that is capable of threshing tough crop mats from the delicate peanut pods, while discarding various foreign materials.

The presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses separately and optionally provide an axial threshing/separating system incorporating a new spring tined, axial rotor design.

The presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses separately and optionally provide an axial threshing/separating system incorporating a double torsional spring tine cylinder elements and double torsional spring tine rotor element.

The presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses separately and optionally provide an axial threshing/separating system that can handle continuous debris such as rocks, roots, and other various, common sub-soil items.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses are described in or are apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses and the accompanying figures. Other aspects and features of embodiments of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the following description of specific, exemplary embodiments of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses in concert with the figures. While features of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses may be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures, all embodiments of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses can include one or more of the features discussed herein. Further, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used with the various embodiments of the systems, methods, and/or apparatuses discussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as device, system, or method embodiments, it is to be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses.

Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature(s) or element(s) of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses or the claims.

For simplicity and clarification, the design factors and operating principles of the axial threshing/separating components and/or systems according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses are explained with reference to various exemplary embodiments of axial threshing/separating components and/or systems according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses. The basic explanation of the design factors and operating principles of the axial threshing/separating components and/or systems is applicable for the understanding, design, and operation of the axial threshing/separating components and/or systems of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses. It should be understood that the axial threshing/separating components and/or systems can be adapted to many applications where axial threshing/separating components and/or systems can be used.

As used herein, the word “may” is meant to convey a permissive sense (i.e., meaning “having the potential to”), rather than a mandatory sense (i.e., meaning “must”). Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the exemplary embodiments and/or elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such exemplary embodiments and/or elements.

The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless stated otherwise.

It should also be understood that the terms “threshing/separating system”, “accelerator cylinder”, “axial rotor”, and “tine” are used for basic explanation and understanding of the operation of the systems, methods, and apparatuses of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses. Therefore, the terms “threshing/separating system”, “accelerator cylinder”, “axial rotor”, and “tine” are not to be construed as limiting the systems, methods, and apparatuses of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses.

For simplicity and clarification, the axial threshing/separating components and/or systems of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses will be described as being used in conjunction with a peanut harvesting device. However, it should be understood that these are merely exemplary embodiments of the axial threshing/separating components and/or systems and are not to be construed as limiting the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses. Thus, the axial threshing/separating components and/or systems of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses may be utilized in conjunction with the harvesting of any appropriate crop.

Turning now to the appended drawing figures,FIGS. 1-4illustrate certain elements and/or aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the spring tined accelerator cylinder100,FIGS. 5-7, and 9-11illustrate certain aspects of exemplary double torsional spring tines120,FIGS. 12-17illustrate certain elements and/or aspects of an exemplary embodiment of a spring tined axial rotor130, andFIGS. 18-22illustrate certain elements and/or aspects of an exemplary embodiment of an axial threshing/separating system, according to the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses.

In certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiment(s) of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses, the spring tined accelerator cylinder100comprises a plurality of elongated support elements112or lateral support bars arranged in a substantially circular fashion about support element disc(s)110. A cylinder core114(a centralized supporting structure of a cylinder or rotor) extends from one or more of the elongated support elements112and is configured so as to allow a rotational force to be applied to the spring tined accelerator cylinder100.

In various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, as illustrated most clearly inFIGS. 5-7, each double torsional spring tine120comprises of one or more tines or tine fingers125that extend to tine finger extensions127. In certain other exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, as illustrated most clearly inFIGS. 9-11, each double torsional spring tine120comprises of one or more tines or tine fingers125, without the optional tine finger extensions127.

If the tine finger extensions127are included, the tine finger extensions127extend from the tine fingers125at an angle that is substantially different from an angle of the tine fingers125. Each tine finger125extends from a tine coil123, which provides a spring biasing effect to each tine finger125. The spring tine coils123are joined by a fastening loop121. In certain exemplary embodiments, each double torsional spring tine120is attached or coupled to the element mounting cleat155proximate to the fastening loop121. The double torsional spring tine120provide yielding, yet resilient elements, which are unique to axial threshing/separating as the double torsional spring tine120adjust to pressure generated from the crop mat. This allows both light and heavy crop loads to be threshed and separated with an equal degree of aggressiveness, while still allowing foreign materials to pass through the harvester10without producing damage to the harvester10.

It should be understood that the spring rate and force may vary, based upon the amount of desired flex or resiliency of each double torsional spring tine finger125. In these exemplary embodiments, the degree of flex or resiliency provided to each tine finger125may be provided by the inherent flex or resiliency of the material used to form the double torsional spring tine120and/or the tine fingers125or the size or shape of at least a portion of each tine finger125.

The degree of flex or bias provided to each tine finger125and/or tine finger extension127is a design choice based upon the desired degree of the formation or flex of each tine finger125or tine finger extension127.

A plurality of double torsional spring tines120attached or coupled to each elongated support element112. In various exemplary embodiments, each double torsional spring tine120is included in a double torsional spring element and is attached or coupled to an elongated support element112via a fastening device116. Together, the elongated support element, the double torsional spring tine120, and fastening device116form a double torsional spring tine cylinder element157that is arranged in a pattern or series of patterns. In various exemplary embodiments, each tine attachment element116includes a bolt or other fastening device. Alternatively, each double torsional spring tine120may be attached or coupled to elongated support element via frictional engagement between the double torsional spring tine120and the elongated support elements112, other attachment devices, adhesives, welding, or the like. In still other exemplary embodiments, each double torsional spring tine120may be formed as an integral extension of the elongated support element112. One or more double torsional spring tines120may be fastened to an individual elongated support element in a pattern or series of patterns that can also create a double torsional spring tine cylinder element157.

A plurality of double torsional spring tines120attached or coupled to each element mounting cleat155. In various exemplary embodiments, each double torsional spring tine120is included in a double torsional spring element and is attached or coupled to an element mounting cleat155, via a fastening device116. Together, the element mounting cleat155, the double torsional spring tine120, and fastening device116form a double torsional spring tine rotor element156that is arranged in a pattern or series of patterns. In various exemplary embodiments, each tine attachment element116includes a bolt or other fastening device. Alternatively, each double torsional spring tine120may be attached or coupled to each element mounting cleat155, via frictional engagement between the double torsional spring tine120and the element mounting cleat155, other attachment devices, adhesives, welding, or the like. In still other exemplary embodiments, each double torsional spring tine120may be formed as an integral extension of the element mounting cleat155.

In certain exemplary embodiments, double torsional spring tine120are attached to adjacent elongated support element112in a staggered or alternating configuration.

Once appropriately attached or coupled to each elongated support element112, each double torsional spring tine120extends radially from the elongated support element112. In various exemplary embodiments, each elongated support element112extends such that a longitudinal axis of each tine finger125is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated support element112to which it is attached or coupled.

Each spring tined axial rotor130is comprised of at least one input shaft135, an inlet face wear plate142, a flighting support frame140, a leading flight segment144, an intermediate flight support (mounting structure between144&146)145, a trailing flight segment146, a rotor nose core132, one or more helical element series150, one or more main rotor cores133, and a plurality of double torsional spring tine rotor elements156.

In various exemplary, nonlimiting embodiments, the longitudinal axis of at least one of the axial rotors130may optionally be arranged so as to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of one or more additional axial rotors130(i.e., such that the longitudinal axes of the axial rotors130do not intersect, if extended). Alternatively, the longitudinal axis of at least one of the axial rotors130may optionally be arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of one or more additional axial rotors130. The longitudinal axis of at least one of the axial rotors130is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of one or more additional axial rotors130if the longitudinal axes of the axial rotors130would intersect, if extended.

Thus, it should be appreciated that the axial rotors130may be arranged in parallel (as illustrated) or arranged such that the longitudinal axes of the axial rotors130diverge from one another as they move toward the rear of the harvester10or converge toward one another as they move toward the rear of the harvester10.

Furthermore, the longitudinal axis of at least one of the axial rotors130may optionally be arranged so as to be coplanar to the longitudinal axis of one or more additional axial rotors130. Alternatively, the longitudinal axis of at least one of the axial rotors130may optionally be arranged so as to be substantially coplanar to the longitudinal axis of one or more additional axial rotors130. The longitudinal axis of at least one of the axial rotors130is substantially coplanar to a plane of the longitudinal axis of one or more additional axial rotors130if the planes of the longitudinal axes of the axial rotors130would intersect.

During rotation of the spring tined axial rotor130, about the input shaft135, the helically arranged surfaces of the leading flight segment144, the intermediate flight support145, the trailing flight segment146, and the helical element series150, causes materials that enter the spring tined axial rotor130, via the inlet face wear plate142, to be transitioned along the longitudinal axis of the spring tined axial rotor130.

In various exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, as illustrated most clearly inFIGS. 12-14the double torsional spring tine rotor elements156are arranged in a pattern or series of patterns (such as a helical or semi helical pattern) around each spring tined axial rotor130. The double torsional spring tines120extend from the spring tined axial rotors130and the spring tined axial rotors130are spaced apart such that there is no interaction or interdigitation of adjacent or opposing double torsional spring tines120.

As illustrated inFIGS. 18-22, the spring tined accelerator cylinder100is positioned such that a longitudinal axis of the spring tined accelerator cylinder100is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the harvester. The spring tined accelerator cylinder100is positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the spring tined axial rotor130is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of any adjacent pre-conditioning preconditioning cylinders160positioned in front of the spring tined accelerator cylinder100. The spring tined axial rotors130are positioned such that their longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to the direction of motion of the harvesting device.

During use of the spring tined accelerator cylinder100and the spring tined axial rotor130within a harvester10for harvesting peanuts, the harvester10is operated to remove peanut pods from peanut vines that have been dug and windrowed. Once separated and cleaned, the peanuts are conveyed into a peanut storage basket and vine material is passed out of the harvester10. In various exemplary embodiments, the harvester10is pulled and powered by a farm tractor.

As the harvester10is operated, a header pickup195of the harvester10lifts the peanuts and vines off of the ground. A header auger196of the harvester10feeds the peanuts and vines into the preconditioning cylinders160. The preconditioning cylinders160precondition the vines into an even crop mat. One or more perforated, concave floors170are positioned below the preconditioning cylinders160, such that extracted dirt can fall through the concave floors170.

In various exemplary embodiments, adjustable overhead teeth positioned over one or more of the preconditioning cylinders160can be used to control the aggressiveness of the pre-conditioning performed by the action of the preconditioning cylinders160. Once appropriately pre-conditioned, the spring tined accelerator cylinder100operates to feed the conditioned crop mat through the spring tined axial rotor inlet12of the harvester10and into the spring tined axial rotors130.

The spring tined axial rotors130serve to perform the main threshing and initial separation of the crop. In various exemplary embodiments, extraction concaves180surround at least a portion of the spring tined axial rotors130. The concaves180are components mounted about the axis of a cylinder or rotor (either above, below or around) which aid in crop movement as well as threshing and separating. During operation, centrifugal force generated by rotation of the spring tined axial rotors130separate the pods from the vines. Optional vaned top covers190may be utilized to promote rearward movement of the vine material. The threshed vine is discharged at the end of the spring tined axial rotors130and peanut pods expelled through the axial rotor extraction concaves180are directed onto the front of a disc separator by an oscillating slide system.

The concaves180may optionally be mounted so as to be stationary or so as to rotate with or relative to the spring tined axial rotors130, as illustrated by the curved arrow inFIG. 16.

During further processing of the peanut pods, a cleaning fan agitates the material on a disc separator to aid in separation and blows light material such as leaves, immature or diseased peanuts, and other light trash over the tail board and out of the back of the harvester10. The higher density good pods fall through the final disc separator16to a stemmer section, while vine material and sticks advance across the disc separator and out of the back of the harvester10. As the good pods fall into the stemmer saws, their stems are removed. Cleaned peanuts fall into a collection auger system14and are conveyed into an elevator air system, which sends the cleaned peanuts to a storage bin or basket18.

While the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses have been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting, and the fundamental disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses should not be considered to be necessarily so constrained. It is evident that the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses are not limited to the particular variation set forth and many alternatives, adaptations, modifications, and/or variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that the phraseology of terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses belongs.

In addition, it is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variations described herein may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein.

Accordingly, the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments will reveal the general nature of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses, such that others may, by applying current knowledge, change, vary, modify, and/or adapt these exemplary, non-limiting embodiments for various applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses and elements or methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in practicing the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses. Any and all such changes, variations, modifications, and/or adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed exemplary embodiments and may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the presently disclosed systems, methods, and/or apparatuses.

Also, it is noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “and”, “said”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Conversely, it is contemplated that the claims may be so-drafted to require singular elements or exclude any optional element indicated to be so here in the text or drawings. This statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely”, “only”, and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements or the use of a “negative” claim limitation(s).