Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly may include a connector body having a conductor receiving end and first and second connector ends formed substantially perpendicularly to an axial direction of the conductor receiving end. The connector body includes a first axial bore that communicates with each of a second axial bore and a third axial bore in the first and second connector ends, respectively. The electrical connector assembly may include a conductor spade assembly received in the first axial bore, wherein the conductor spade assembly includes a spade portion extending between the second axial bore and the third axial bore. A removeable contact may be received within the second axial bore to conductively engage the spade portion of the conductor spade assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35. U.S.C. §119, based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/325,848 filed Apr. 20, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to electrical cable connectors, such as loadbreak connectors and deadbreak connectors. More particularly, aspects described herein relate to an electrical cable connector, such as a power cable elbow or T-connector connected to electrical switchgear assembly. 
         [0003]    Loadbreak connectors used in conjunction with 15 and 25 KV switchgear generally include a power cable elbow connector having one end adapted for receiving a power cable and another end adapted for receiving a loadbreak bushing insert or other switchgear device. The end adapted for receiving the bushing insert generally includes an elbow cuff for providing an interference fit with a molded flange on the bushing insert. 
         [0004]    In some implementations, the elbow connector may include a second opening formed opposite to the bushing insert opening for providing conductive access to the power cable by other devices. Typically, the second opening is provided with an elbow cuff for providing an interference fit with a molded flange on the attached device, such as a loadbreak reducing bushing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating an electrical connector consistent with implementations described herein; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the spade connector of  FIG. 1   
           [0007]      FIG. 3A  is top view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 1  in a misaligned configuration; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3B  is top view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 1  in an aligned configuration; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the electrical connector of  FIG. 1  in an assembled configuration; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating an electrical connector consistent with another implementation described herein; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6A  is top view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 5  in a misaligned configuration; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6B  is top view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 5  in an aligned configuration; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the electrical connector of  FIG. 5  in an assembled configuration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating an electrical connector consistent with still another implementation described herein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9A  is top view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 8  in a misaligned configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9B  is top view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 8  in an aligned configuration; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the electrical connector of  FIG. 8  in an assembled configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating a combined power cable elbow connector  100  in an unassembled configuration consistent with implementations described herein. As shown in  FIG. 1 , combined power cable elbow connector  100  may include a conductor receiving end  105  for receiving a power cable  110  therein, a first T end  115  that includes an opening for receiving a deadbreak transformer bushing (transformer bushing  405  in  FIG. 4 ) or other high or medium voltage terminal, an insulating plug, etc., and a reducing T end  120  that includes an opening for receiving a second elbow or other device, such as a loadbreak device (not shown). Combined power cable elbow connector  100  may be termed “combined” because it includes a power cable elbow connector combined with a loadbreak and/or deadbreak reducing or other interface end  120 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , first T end  115  may include a bushing receiving portion  122  and a flange or elbow cuff  125 . Bushing receiving portion  122  may include substantially conical sidewalls configured to receive mating sidewalls of an attached bushing or other device. Flange or elbow cuff  125  may surround the open receiving end of first T end  115  to provide a seating surface for sealingly receiving an attached bushing or other device (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0021]    Consistent with implementations described herein, reducing T end  120  may include a contact receiving portion  127 . As described in detail below, contact receiving portion  127  may include a substantially cylindrical bore for receiving a contact assembly therein. As shown in  FIG. 1 , contact receiving portion  127  may be axially aligned with bushing receiving portion  122 . 
         [0022]    Conductor receiving end  105  may extend substantially axially from connector  100  and may include a bore extending therethrough. First T end  115  and reducing T end  120  may project substantially perpendicularly from conductor receiving end  105 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         [0023]    In some implementations, combined power cable elbow connector  100  may include a semi-conductive outer shield  130  formed from, for example, a semi-conductive variant of a peroxide-cured synthetic rubber, commonly referred to as EPDM (ethylene-propylene-dienemonomer). Within shield  130 , combined power cable elbow connector  100  may include an insulative inner housing  135 , typically molded from an insulative rubber or epoxy material. Within insulative inner housing  135 , combined power cable elbow connector  100  may include a conductive or semi-conductive insert  140  that surrounds the connection portion of power cable  110 . 
         [0024]    Conductor receiving end  105  of combined power cable elbow connector  100  may be configured to receive power cable  110  therein. As described below with respect to FIGS.  2  and  3 A- 3 B, a forward end of power cable  110  may be prepared by connecting power cable  110  to a conductor spade assembly  145 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of conductor spade assembly  145 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , conductor spade assembly  145  may include a modular configuration. More specifically, conductor spade assembly  145  may include a rearward sealing portion  150 , a crimp connector portion  155 , and a spade portion  160 . 
         [0025]    Rearward sealing portion  150  may include an insulative material surrounding a portion of power cable  110  about an opening of conductor receiving end  105 . When conductor spade assembly  145  is positioned within connector  100 , rearward sealing portion  150  may seal an opening of conductor receiving end  105  about power cable  110 . 
         [0026]    Crimp connector portion  155  may include a substantially cylindrical assembly configured to receive a center conductor  165  of power cable  110  therein. Upon insertion of center conductor  165  therein, crimp connector portion  155  may be crimped onto power center conductor  165  prior to insertion of cable  110  into conductor receiving end  105 . 
         [0027]    Spade portion  160  may be conductively coupled to crimp connector portion  155  and may extend axially therefrom. As shown in  FIG. 1 , upon insertion of spade assembly  145  into connector  100 , spade portion  160  may project into a space between first T end  115  and reducing T end  120 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , spade portion  160  may include a perpendicular bore  170  extending from first T end  115  to reducing T end  120 . As described below, once spade assembly  145  is properly seated within connector  100 , bore  170  may allow a stud or other element associated with first T end  115  to conductively engage spade assembly  145  and/or a device connected to reducing T end  120 . 
         [0028]    In one exemplary implementation, combined power cable elbow connector  100  may include a voltage detection test point assembly  175  for sensing a voltage in connector  100 . Voltage detection test point assembly  175  may be configured to allow an external voltage detection device, to detect and/or measure a voltage associated with connector  100 . 
         [0029]    For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , voltage detection test point assembly  175  may include a test point terminal  180  embedded in a portion of insulative inner housing  135  and extending through an opening within outer shield  130 . In one exemplary embodiment, test point terminal  180  may be formed of a conductive metal or other conductive material. In this manner, test point terminal  180  may be capacitively coupled to the electrical conductor elements (e.g., power cable  110 ) within the connector  100 . 
         [0030]    A test point cap  182  may sealingly engage a portion of test point terminal  180  and outer shield  130 . In one implementation, test point cap  182  may be formed of a semi-conductive material, such as EPDM. When test point terminal  180  is not being accessed, test point cap  182  may be mounted on test point assembly  175 . Because test point cap  182  is formed of a conductive or semi-conductive material, test point cap  182  may ground test point terminal  180  when in position. 
         [0031]    Consistent with implementations described herein, connector  100  may include a contact assembly  185  for insertion within contact receiving portion  127  of reducing T end  120 . In some implementations, contact assembly may be formed of a conductive material, such as copper or aluminum. Configuration of power elbow connector  100  to include reducing T end  120  may facilitate connection of a second power elbow connector to connector  100  via contact assembly  185  without requiring an intermediate reducing plug. Known reducing plugs may include conductive contact assemblies enclosed therein. However, incorporation of such an enclosed contact assembly into reducing T end  120  may prevent or substantially impair visual alignment during insertion of conductor spade assembly  145  into power elbow connector  100 . 
         [0032]    By providing contact assembly  185  initially removed from reducing T end  120 , a technician or installer may be provided with visual access to spade portion  160  of conductor spade assembly  145  during assembly of connector  100 .  FIG. 3A  is a top view of power elbow connector  100  in a misaligned configuration. As shown in  FIG. 3A , during initial assembly, spade portion  160  may be inserted into connector  100  such that bore  170  in spade portion  160  is not completely aligned (e.g., not concentrically aligned) with contact receiving portion  127  in reducing T end  120 . Because reducing T end  120  does not initially include contact assembly  185 , the installer may visually identify the misalignment and may fully insert spade portion  160  into connector  100 , as shown in  FIG. 3B . When fully inserted, bore  170  in spade portion  160  may be concentrically aligned with contact receiving portion  127  in reducing T end  120 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of electrical connector  100  in an assembled configuration. As shown, a deadbreak bushing  405  may be mounted (e.g., welded, etc.) to an electrical switchgear, such as transformer housing  410  (a portion of which is shown in  FIG. 4 ). Following full insertion of spade portion  160  into connector  100  (as visually confirmed through contact receiving portion  127 ), bushing receiving portion  122  in first T end  115  may be positioned onto bushing  405  such that a stud portion  415  of bushing  405  is received within bore  170  in spade portion  160 . 
         [0034]    Once power elbow connector  100  has been placed on bushing  405  (with stud  415  extending through bore  170 ), contact assembly  185  may be inserted into contact receiving portion  127  of reducing T end  120 . In one implementation, contact assembly  185  may include a stud receiving portion  190  ( FIG. 1 ) for conductively engaging stud  415  in bushing  405 . For example, an inside diameter of stud receiving portion  190  may be sized slightly smaller than an outside diameter of stud  415 . In other implementations (not shown), stud  415  and stud receiving portion  190  may include correspondingly threaded surfaces for engaging one another and retaining connector  100  to bushing  405 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating another implementation of combined power cable elbow connector  500  in an unassembled configuration consistent with implementations described herein. Similar to combined power cable elbow connector  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , combined power cable elbow connector  500  may include a conductor receiving end  505  for receiving a power cable  510  therein, and a first T end  515  that includes an opening for receiving a deadbreak transformer bushing (transformer bushing  705  in  FIG. 7 ) or other high or medium voltage terminal, an insulating plug, etc. In addition, combined power cable elbow connector  500  may include a bushing well interface T end  520  that includes an opening for receiving a bushing or other similar device interface (not shown). 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , first T end  515  may include a bushing receiving portion  522  and a flange or elbow cuff  525 . Bushing receiving portion  522  may include substantially conical sidewalls configured to receive mating sidewalls of an attached bushing or other device. Flange or elbow cuff  525  may surround the open receiving end of first T end  515  to provide a seating surface for sealingly receiving an attached bushing or other device (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0037]    Consistent with implementations described herein, bushing well interface T end  520  may include a bushing receiving portion  527  and a stud receiving portion  529 . Bushing receiving portion  527  may include substantially conical sidewalls for engaging exterior surfaces of a received bushing. As described in detail below, stud receiving portion  529  may include a substantially cylindrical bore for receiving a conductive stud therein. As shown in  FIG. 5 , stud receiving portion  529  may be axially aligned with bushing receiving portion  522  in first T end  515 . 
         [0038]    Similar to conductor receiving end  105  of connector  100 , conductor receiving end  505  may extend substantially axially from connector  500  and may include a bore extending therethrough. First T end  515  and bushing well interface T end  520  may project substantially perpendicularly from conductor receiving end  505 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 . 
         [0039]    In some implementations, combined power cable elbow connector  500  may include a semi-conductive outer shield  530  formed from, for example, a semi-conductive variant of a peroxide-cured synthetic rubber, such as EPDM. Within shield  530 , combined power cable elbow connector  500  may include an insulative inner housing  535 , typically molded from an insulative rubber or epoxy material. Within insulative inner housing  535 , combined power cable elbow connector  500  may include a conductive or semi-conductive insert  540  that surrounds the connection portion of power cable  510 . 
         [0040]    Conductor receiving end  505  of combined power cable elbow connector  500  may be configured to receive power cable  510  therein. As described below with respect to  FIGS. 6A-6B , a forward end of power cable  510  may be prepared by connecting power cable  510  to a conductor spade assembly  545 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , conductor spade assembly  545  may include a modular configuration. More specifically, conductor spade assembly  545  may include a rearward sealing portion  550 , a crimp connector portion  555 , and a spade portion  560 . 
         [0041]    Rearward sealing portion  550  may include an insulative material surrounding a portion of power cable  510  about an opening of conductor receiving end  505 . When conductor spade assembly  545  is positioned within connector  500 , rearward sealing portion  550  may seal an opening of conductor receiving end  505  about power cable  510 . 
         [0042]    Crimp connector portion  555  may include a substantially cylindrical assembly configured to receive a center conductor  565  of power cable  510  therein. Upon insertion of center conductor  565  therein, crimp connector portion  555  may be crimped onto power center conductor  565  prior to insertion of cable  510  into conductor receiving end  505 . 
         [0043]    Spade portion  560  may be conductively coupled to crimp connector portion  555  and may extend axially therefrom. As shown in  FIG. 5 , upon insertion of spade assembly  545  into connector  500 , spade portion  560  may project into a space between first T end  515  and bushing well interface T end  520 . As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B , spade portion  560  may include a perpendicular bore  570  extending from first T end  515  to bushing well interface T end  520 . As described below, once spade assembly  545  is properly seated within connector  500 , bore  570  may allow a stud or other element associated with first T end  515  and/or bushing well interface T end  520  to conductively engage spade assembly  545  and/or a device connected to bushing well interface T end  520 . 
         [0044]    Consistent with implementations described herein, a conductive stud  575  may be inserted into stud receiving portion  529  of bushing well interface T end  520 . Configuration of power elbow connector  500  to include bushing well interface T end  520  may facilitate connection of a second reducing type device (not shown) without requiring an intermediate device. Known bushing well interface devices may include a conductive stud enclosed therein. However, incorporation of such an enclosed stud may prevent or substantially impair visual alignment during insertion of conductor spade assembly  545  into power elbow connector  500 . 
         [0045]    By providing stud  575  initially removed from bushing well interface T end  520 , a technician or installer may be provided with visual access to spade portion  560  of conductor spade assembly  545  during assembly of connector  500 .  FIG. 6A  is a top view of power elbow connector  500  in a misaligned configuration. As shown in  FIG. 6A , during initial assembly, spade portion  560  may be inserted into connector  500  such that bore  570  in spade portion  560  is not completely aligned (e.g., not concentrically aligned) with stud receiving portion  529  in bushing well interface T end  520 . Because bushing well interface T end  520  does not initially include conductive stud  575 , the installer may visually identify the misalignment and may fully insert spade portion  560  into connector  500 , as shown in  FIG. 6B . When fully inserted, bore  570  in spade portion  560  may be concentrically aligned with stud receiving portion  529  in bushing well interface T end  520 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of electrical connector  500  in an assembled configuration. As shown, a deadbreak bushing  705  may be mounted (e.g., welded, etc.) to an electrical switchgear, such as transformer housing  710  (a portion of which is shown in  FIG. 7 ). Following full insertion of spade portion  560  into connector  500  (as visually confirmed through stud receiving portion  529 ), bushing receiving portion  522  in first T end  515  may be positioned onto bushing  705  such that a stud receiving portion  715  of bushing  705  is aligned with bore  570  in spade portion  560 . 
         [0047]    Once power elbow connector  500  has been placed on bushing  705 , conductive stud  575  may be inserted through stud receiving portion  529 , bore  570 , and into stud receiving portion  715  of bushing  705 . In one implementation, stud receiving portion  715  of bushing  705  may include a female threaded interface for engaging a male threaded exterior surface of conductive stud  575 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating another implementation of combined power cable elbow connector  800  in an unassembled configuration consistent with implementations described herein. Similar to combined power cable elbow connector  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , combined power cable elbow connector  800  may include a conductor receiving end  805  for receiving a power cable  810  therein, a first T end  815  that includes an opening for receiving a deadbreak transformer bushing (transformer bushing  1005  in  FIG. 10 ) or other high or medium voltage terminal, an insulating plug, etc., and a loadbreak reducing T end  820  that includes an opening for receiving a second elbow or other device (e.g., a 200 Amp loadbreak device). 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , first T end  815  may include a bushing receiving portion  822  and a flange or elbow cuff  825 . Bushing receiving portion  822  may include substantially conical sidewalls configured to receive mating sidewalls of an attached bushing or other device. Flange or elbow cuff  825  may surround the open receiving end of first T end  815  to provide a seating surface for sealingly receiving an attached bushing or other device (see  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0050]    Consistent with implementations described herein, loadbreak reducing T end  820  may include a contact receiving portion  827 . As described in detail below, contact receiving portion  827  may include a substantially cylindrical bore for receiving a contact assembly therein. As shown in  FIG. 8 , contact receiving portion  827  may be axially aligned with bushing receiving portion  822 . 
         [0051]    Conductor receiving end  805  may extend substantially axially from connector  800  and may include a bore extending therethrough. First T end  815  and loadbreak reducing T end  820  may project substantially perpendicularly from conductor receiving end  805 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 . 
         [0052]    In some implementations, combined power cable elbow connector  800  may include a semi-conductive outer shield  830  formed from, for example, a semi-conductive variant of a peroxide-cured synthetic rubber, such as EPDM. Within shield  830 , combined power cable elbow connector  800  may include an insulative inner housing  835 , typically molded from an insulative rubber or epoxy material. Within insulative inner housing  835 , combined power cable elbow connector  800  may include a conductive or semi-conductive insert  840  that surrounds the connection portion of power cable  810 . 
         [0053]    Conductor receiving end  805  of combined power cable elbow connector  800  may be configured to receive power cable  810  therein. As described below with respect to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B, and  10 , a forward end of power cable  810  may be prepared by connecting power cable  810  to a conductor spade assembly  845 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 , conductor spade assembly  845  may include a modular configuration. More specifically, conductor spade assembly  845  may include a rearward sealing portion  850 , a crimp connector portion  855 , and a spade portion  860 . 
         [0054]    Rearward sealing portion  850  may include an insulative material surrounding a portion of power cable  810  about an opening of conductor receiving end  805 . When conductor spade assembly  845  is positioned within connector  800 , rearward sealing portion  850  may seal an opening of conductor receiving end  805  about power cable  810 . 
         [0055]    Crimp connector portion  855  may include a substantially cylindrical assembly configured to receive a center conductor  865  of power cable  810  therein. Upon insertion of center conductor  865  therein, crimp connector portion  855  may be crimped onto power center conductor  865  prior to insertion of cable  810  into conductor receiving end  805 . 
         [0056]    Spade portion  860  may be conductively coupled to crimp connector portion  855  and may extend axially therefrom. As shown in  FIG. 8 , upon insertion of spade assembly  845  into connector  800 , spade portion  860  may project into a space between first T end  815  and loadbreak reducing T end  820 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 A and  9 B, spade portion  860  may include a perpendicular bore  870  extending from first T end  815  to loadbreak reducing T end  820 . As described below, once spade assembly  845  is properly seated within connector  800 , bore  870  may allow a stud or other element associated with first T end  815  to conductively engage spade assembly  845  and/or a device connected to loadbreak reducing T end  820 . 
         [0057]    Consistent with implementations described herein, connector  800  may include a contact assembly  875  for insertion within contact receiving portion  827  of loadbreak reducing T end  820 . Configuration of power elbow connector  800  to include loadbreak reducing T end  820  may facilitate connection of a loadbreak device to connector  800  via contact assembly  875  without requiring an intermediate reducing plug. Known loadbreak reducing plugs may include conductive contact assemblies enclosed therein. However, incorporation of such an enclosed contact assembly into loadbreak reducing T end  820  may prevent or substantially impair visual alignment during insertion of conductor spade assembly  845  into power elbow connector  800 . 
         [0058]    By providing contact assembly  875  initially removed from loadbreak reducing T end  820 , a technician or installer may be provided with visual access to spade portion  860  of conductor spade assembly  845  during assembly of connector  800 .  FIG. 9A  is a top view of power elbow connector  800  in a misaligned configuration. As shown in  FIG. 9A , during initial assembly, spade portion  860  may be inserted into connector  800  such that bore  870  in spade portion  860  is not completely aligned (e.g., not concentrically aligned) with contact receiving portion  827  in loadbreak reducing T end  820 . Because loadbreak reducing T end  820  does not initially include contact assembly  875 , the installer may visually identify the misalignment and may fully insert spade portion  860  into connector  800 , as shown in  FIG. 9B . When fully inserted, bore  870  in spade portion  860  may be concentrically aligned with contact receiving portion  827  in loadbreak reducing T end  820 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 10  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of electrical connector  800  in an assembled configuration. As shown, a deadbreak bushing  1005  may be mounted (e.g., welded, etc.) to an electrical switchgear, such as transformer housing  1010  (a portion of which is shown in  FIG. 10 ). Following full insertion of spade portion  860  into connector  800  (as visually confirmed through contact receiving portion  827 ), bushing receiving portion  822  in first T end  815  may be positioned onto bushing  1005  such that a stud portion  1015  of bushing  1005  is received within bore  870  in spade portion  860 . 
         [0060]    Once power elbow connector  800  has been placed on bushing  1005  (with stud  1015  extending through bore  870 ), contact assembly  875  may be inserted into contact receiving portion  827  of loadbreak reducing T end  820 . In one implementation, contact assembly  875  may include a stud receiving portion  880  for conductively engaging stud  1015  in bushing  1005 . For example, an inside diameter of stud receiving portion  880  may be sized slightly smaller than an outside diameter of stud  1015 . In other implementations (not shown), stud  1015  and stud receiving portion  880  may include correspondingly threaded surfaces for engaging one another and retaining connector  800  to bushing  1005 . 
         [0061]    By providing an effective and easy to use mechanism for visually confirming alignment of a conductor spade assembly within a combined power cable elbow, installing personnel may be able to more easily identify alignment issues, thereby preventing damage to equipment caused by misalignment. 
         [0062]    The foregoing description of exemplary implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments described herein to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the embodiments. For example, implementations may also be used for other devices, such as other high voltage switchgear equipment, such as any 15 kV, 25 kV, or 35 kV equipment. 
         [0063]    For example, various features have been mainly described above with respect to elbow power connectors. In other implementations, other medium/high voltage power components may be configured to include the visible open port configuration described above. 
         [0064]    Although the invention has been described in detail above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above-mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims. 
         [0065]    No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.