Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to improved systems and methods for providing a catalyst to an internal combustion engine. To this end, the systems and methods described herein may redirect a measured flow of pressurized air from an existing engine air flow through a catalyst reservoir to create a catalytic aerosol or mist. The aerosol or mist may be reinjected or delivered to the air intake of an engine. In various embodiments, the systems and methods disclosed herein utilize an existing engine air flow to produce a catalytic aerosol and/or mist rather than utilizing electric pumps or Venturi draws. Air flow may be controlled, adjusted, and/or optimized based upon an engine to which the disclosed systems are coupled based upon one or more passive flow control components (e.g., filters, restrictors, orifices, and/or valves).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional of, and claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/406,073, entitled “Catalytic Aerosol Injection Pressurized Air Redirection Delivery System and Method,” filed Oct. 22, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to the delivery of catalysts to internal combustion engines. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Vehicles powered by internal combustion engines are significant contributors to air pollution and account for, by some estimates, more than 25% of the total energy and 70% of the total petroleum consumed in the United States. Further, fuel consumption and the pollution resulting from the use of internal combustion engines impose a variety of health, economic, and environmental burdens on society. For example, exhaust byproducts of internal combustion engines make the air more difficult to breathe and are generally thought to harm the natural environment. Moreover, liberal and/or wasteful use of the Nation&#39;s and World&#39;s petroleum reserves depletes these reserves at an unwise and unnecessary rate. 
         [0004]    Numerous solutions exist for reducing fuel consumption in internal combustion engines, including some that utilize catalytic aerosols to improve combustion efficiencies. For instance, prior art systems have relied upon the Venturi effect and/or an electric pump to produce and deliver an aerosol to a combustion chamber of an engine. However, these mechanisms can be inconsistent, unreliable, and/or expensive, particularly relative to their benefits. For instance, electric pumps are typically prone to failure and are often quite expensive. Likewise, systems utilizing the Venturi effect are typically sensitive to their position within an air stream and/or they may not deliver the correct flow rate for a requisite pressure and volume. Consequently, and particularly in light of variations between engines which may occur as a result of manufacturer, class, year and/or equipment configuration, insertion of prior art Venturi systems is often based on guesswork. Guesswork, in turn, may lead to a variety of unintended and/or unwanted consequences—e.g., inconsistent and/or unreliable installation results, performance variations, and the like. Thus, a need exists for system that is able to reliably, consistently, and at a low cost deliver a catalytic aerosol to an internal combustion engine. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present disclosure relates to systems, articles of manufacture, and methods for delivering a catalyst to an internal combustion engine, which may, in turn, permit the engine to operate at a higher efficiency and/or, in general, to combust more efficiently. Better combustion efficiencies may result in fewer pollutants and/or exhaust byproducts, as well as reduced fuel consumption. 
         [0006]    In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a system and method are configured for redirecting a portion of pressurized air flowing from an air intake (e.g., a turbocharger, a compressor, and the like) through a catalyst reservoir or a nebulizer, and injecting (or re-injecting) the air containing the catalyst (which may comprise a catalytic aerosol or mist) to an unpressurized, partially pressurized, or pressurized air intake of an internal combustion engine. Air may be channeled through one or more passive flow control components (e.g., filters, restrictors, orifices, and/or check valves, as appropriate to a specific engine application) to limit the air flow through the catalyst to a desired and/or optimal rate. 
         [0007]    In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the systems, articles, and methods disclosed herein may regulate and deliver a prescribed volume of metered air to a catalyst reservoir based, for example, on a size of a restrictor (e.g., a filter and/or a valve), or the load of the engine. More particularly, a check valve may be included, in which case air flow through a catalyst reservoir may be reduced or cut off, as for example, when an engine to which the systems are coupled is operating at a reduced load, such as idle. In various of these embodiments, pressurized air may be used to generate a mist by flowing it to a device, such as a passive nebulizer, which may be coupled to, or part of, a catalytic reservoir. Thus, in various embodiments, a mist may be generated instead of, or in addition to, creating a catalytic aerosol. In various embodiments, the systems, articles, and methods disclosed herein may consistently produce and/or regulate a quantity of aerosol or mist entering an engine air intake stream (i.e., irrespective of the application or engine to which these systems are coupled) and may, in addition, be free of disruption from mechanical and/or electrical failures, as there are relatively few moving (e.g., electrical and electromechanical) parts. 
         [0008]    These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of certain specific embodiments of the invention take together with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals denote like elements, and: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary system for introducing a catalytic aerosol or mist to an engine air intake; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a schematic side view of an exemplary system for introducing a catalytic aerosol or mist to an engine air intake; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary air extraction assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various aspects of the present invention may be realized by any number of methods and apparatuses configured to perform the intended functions. Stated differently, other methods and apparatuses may be incorporated herein to perform the intended functions. It should also be noted that the accompanying drawing figures referred to herein are not all drawn to scale, but may be exaggerated to illustrate various aspects of the present invention, and in that regard, the drawing figures should not be construed as limiting. Finally, although the present invention may be described in connection with various principles and beliefs, the present invention should not be bound by theory. 
         [0014]    In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, improved, more efficient, and simplified apparatuses, systems, and methods for mixing air with one or more catalysts are provided. 
         [0015]    Further, while other embodiments may be described below, in general, and referring to  FIG. 1A , a system  100  for delivering a catalyst to an internal combustion engine, which may permit the engine to operate at a higher efficiency and/or, in general, to combust more efficiently, is shown. Better combustion efficiencies may, in turn, result in fewer pollutants and/or exhaust byproducts, as well as reduced fuel consumption. System  100  thus comprises an engine air intake  102 , a bypass portion  104 , and/or a catalyst reservoir  106 . 
         [0016]    Air intake  102  may comprise a system or device for pressurizing air, such as, for example, a turbocharger, a supercharger, and/or any other type of air compressor and/or pressurizer. In various embodiments, air intake  102  may comprise an existing air intake, such as a turbocharger, a supercharger, and/or any other type of air compressor and/or pressurizer that is part of an existing engine assembly. Stated another way, in various embodiments, air intake  102  may not comprise an auxiliary or incremental air intake device. Rather, air intake  102  may comprise a part of an engine or engine assembly which, for example, is installed in order to blow or deliver airflow to the engine. 
         [0017]    Bypass portion  104  may comprise any type of hollow channel or tube through which air may flow or through which air may be permitted to flow. Bypass portion  104  may comprise one or more filters, valves, restrictors, orifices, and the like, each of which may modulate a flow rate, remove impurities, respond to a pressure differential, and the like. Bypass portion  104  may couple to air intake  102  and/or catalyst reservoir  106 . More particularly, in various embodiments, bypass portion  104  may couple an input of air intake  102  to an output of catalyst reservoir  106 . Further, in various embodiments, bypass portion  104  may couple an output of air intake  102  to an intake of catalyst reservoir  106 . 
         [0018]    Catalyst reservoir  106  may comprise any type of reservoir or container configured or configurable to hold a catalyst. In various embodiments, catalyst reservoir  106  comprises a nebulizer. 
         [0019]    In operation, air intake  102  may pressurize and/or compress a volume of air, which may be delivered through bypass portion  104  to catalyst reservoir  106 . Inside catalyst reservoir  106 , this pressurized air may assist in and/or cause the creation of a catalytic aerosol and/or mist. The catalytic aerosol and/or mist may exit catalyst reservoir  106  through bypass portion  104  and reenter air intake  102 , where it may pass from air intake  102  into an internal combustion engine. 
         [0020]    The exemplary system  100  can comprise various components configured in various manners for facilitating the delivery of a catalyst to an internal combustion engine. For example, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, and with reference to  FIG. 1B , an exemplary aerosol injection and pressurized air redirection delivery system  100  may comprise an air intake  102 , an engine air tube  2 , an air extraction assembly  3 , an air hose  4 , a protective housing  5 , a valve  6 , a filter  7 , an orifice  8 , a connector  9   a , a connector  9   b , a catalyst reservoir  106 , an injector fitting  11 , an air hose  14 , and/or a return injector hose  15 . Together, one or more of the air intake  102 , air tube  2 , air extraction assembly  3 , air hose  4 , protective housing  5 , valve  6 , filter  7 , orifice  8 , connector  9   a , connector  9   b , catalyst reservoir  106 , injector fitting  11 , air hose  14 , and/or return injector hose  15  may be referred to herein as a “bypass,” a “bypass loop,” a “bypass portion,” and/or a “bypass hose”  104 . In various embodiments, system  100  may be installed in, coupled to, and/or used with a variety of types of internal combustion engines, including, but not limited to, diesel engines, gasoline engines, construction equipment engines, engines installed in vehicles designed for off-road and/or on-road use, marine engines, and the like. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, as described elsewhere herein, air intake  102  may comprise a system or device for pressurizing air, such as, for example, a turbocharger, a supercharger, and/or any other type of air compressor and/or pressurizer. In various embodiments, air intake  102  may comprise an existing air intake, such as a turbocharger, a supercharger, and/or any other type of air compressor and/or pressurizer that is part of an existing engine assembly. Stated another way, in various embodiments, air intake  102  may not comprise an auxiliary or incremental air intake device. Rather, air intake  102  may comprise a part of an engine or engine assembly which, for example, is installed in order to blow or deliver airflow to the engine. Air intake  102  may comprise both an input  1   a  and an output  1   b.    
         [0022]    Engine air tube  2  may comprise any type of conduit or channel suitable for conducting or transferring air flow from one point to another. For example, engine air tube  2  may comprise a rubber tube or hose, a plastic tube or hose, a steel reinforced rubber and/or plastic tube or hose, a metal braided tube or hose, and/or any other type of suitable tube or hose. Engine air tube  2  may comprise a first portion  2   a  and a second portion  2   b , and it may be coupled to both the input  1   a  and output  1   b  of air intake  102 . For example, and in various embodiments, engine air tube  2  may comprise a first portion  2   a , which may be separated from a second portion  2   b  by air intake  102 . The output of air intake  102  may be coupled (e.g., after passing through air extraction assembly  3 ) to an air intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. An air cooler may receive air output from engine air tube  2 . 
         [0023]    With brief attention to  FIG. 2 , air extraction assembly  3  is shown in greater detail. In various embodiments, air extraction assembly may comprise a rivnut  200 , a fitting  202 , a fitting  204 , and an air hose  206 . Rivnut  200  may comprise, for example, any type of hollow rivet configured for insertion in a component or substrate material. Rivnut  200  may further comprise an internal threading. Further still, and in various embodiments, rivnut  200  may comprise a plastic nozzle. Rivnut  200  may yet further comprise a heat shrink and/or be secured to engine air tube  2  and/or air hose  4  by way of a heat shrink/material configured to shrink when heat is applied. Moreover, rivnut  200  may comprise Teflon and/or another coating or coated material suitable to limit or prevent build up of a catalyst thereon. 
         [0024]    Fitting  202  and/or fitting  204  may comprise threaded and/or brass/black/galvanized fittings, and may be of any type suitable for coupling a hose, tube, or other hollow channel to rivnut  200 . Fitting  204  may further comprise a quick disconnect fitting. 
         [0025]    In operation, fitting  202  may couple to rivnut  200  by any suitable method or mechanism. For example, fitting  202  may threadably couple to rivnut  200 . Fitting  202  may also couple to rivnut  200  by a pressure fitting mechanism and/or by way of any other suitable mechanism. Fitting  202  may further decouple from rivnut  200  by any suitable means, including, for example, by unthreading from rivnut  200 . Fitting  202  may be further secured to rivnut  200  by a lockwasher and/or any other suitable mechanisms or methods. Likewise, in various embodiments, fitting  204  may couple to and decouple from fitting  202  by any of the mechanisms described elsewhere herein. For example, fitting  204  may threadably couple to and/or decouple from fitting  202 . A pressure fitting may also be employed between fitting  202  and fitting  204 . Similarly, air hose  206  may couple to and/or decouple from fitting  204  by any of the mechanisms described elsewhere herein. For example, air hose  206  may be pressurably and/or threadably fitted to fitting  204 . Rivnut  200 , fitting  202 , fitting  204 , and/or air hose  206  may be permanently coupled, e.g., by an injection molding technique, by an adhesive substance, by tacks, compression locking mechanisms, and/or by any other mechanism for permanently, semi-permanently, temporarily, provisionally, and/or removably securing such an assembly. 
         [0026]    Air extraction assembly  3  may be coupled to the engine air tube  2  at a point succeeding or following output  1   b  of air intake  102  (i.e., where airflow is pressurized by air intake  102 ). In an embodiment, air extraction assembly  3  may be coupled to engine air tube  2  at a point prior to or preceding a point at which engine air tube  2  couples or is configured to couple to the air intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. 
         [0027]    Returning now to  FIG. 1B , air hose  4  may comprise any type of conduit or channel suitable for conducting or transferring air flow from one point to another. For example, air hose  4  may comprise a rubber hose, a plastic hose, a steel reinforced rubber and/or plastic hose, a metal braided hose, and/or any other type of suitable hose. Air hose  4  may be permanently, semi-permanently, temporarily, provisionally, and/or removably coupled to air extraction assembly  3 . 
         [0028]    Protective housing  5  may comprise a rigid enclosure. Protective housing  5  may therefore comprise any type of rigid, semi-rigid, and/or non-rigid material suitable for protecting or shielding one or more components, for example, from dirt, heat, inclement weather and/or engine conditions, damage, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, protective housing  5  may comprise aluminum, steel, titanium, carbon fiber, brass, tin, metal alloys, one or more plastics, rubber, ceramic materials, and/or, generally, any other type of material or combination of materials suitable for protecting or shielding one or more components from dirt, heat, inclement weather and/or engine conditions, damage, and the like. In certain embodiments, protective housing  5  may be omitted from system  100 . Further, in various embodiments, protective housing  5  may house one or more of filter  7 , orifice  8 , valve  6 , connector  9   a , and/or connector  9   b.    
         [0029]    Connector  9   a  may comprise any type of fitting capable of coupling air hose  4  to protective housing  5  and/or filter  7 , including, for example, a barbed lug. Connector  9   a  may therefore comprise any fitting operable to couple to air hose  4 . In an embodiment, connector  9   a  may couple to air hose  4  and/or filter  7  by way of one or more nipples, which may or may not be barbed or ridged. Similarly, in various embodiments, connector  9   b  may comprise any fitting operable to couple air hose  14  to orifice  8 . Thus, in an embodiment, connector  9   b  may couple to air hose  14  and/or orifice  8  by way of one or more nipples or connectors, which, again, may or may not be barbed or ridged. Further, in certain embodiments, connectors  9   a  and  9   b  may be crimped at each end of protective housing  5 , thereby securing air hose  4  and air hose  14  with protective housing  5 . Further still, and in various embodiments, connectors  9   a  and/or  9   b  may couple to filter  7  and/or orifice  8 , respectively, by way of one or more tubes, hoses, and/or conduits, which may comprise, for example, rubber, plastics, steel reinforced rubber and/or plastic, metal braided materials, and/or any other type of suitable material and/or combinations of suitable materials. 
         [0030]    Filter  7  may comprise any type of air filter configured or configurable to remove debris, vapor, mist, particulate, and/or any other pollutant and/or impurity from an input gas (e.g., air or air mixed with a mist or vapor). In an embodiment, filter  7  may restrict or reduce a volume of airflow, such that a rate and/or volume of inflow to filter  7  is less than a rate and/or volume of outflow from filter  7 . Further, in an embodiment, filter  7  may be omitted. 
         [0031]    Orifice  8  may comprise a hollow channel or conduit configured or configurable to restrict and/or regulate a rate and/or volume of airflow, such that a rate and/or volume of inflow to orifice  8  is greater than a rate and/or volume of outflow from orifice  8 . In various embodiments, orifice  8  may comprise a flow orifice and/or a flow restrictor or regulator, with fixed or variable inflow rate. In certain embodiments, orifice  8  may couple to filter  7  by way of one or more tubes, hoses, or conduits, which may comprise, for example, rubbers, plastics, steel reinforced rubbers and/or plastics, metal braided materials, and/or any other types of suitable materials and/or combinations of suitable materials. In an embodiment, orifice  8  may be omitted, in which case filter  7  may couple directly to connector  9   b  by way of any method described elsewhere herein. 
         [0032]    Valve  6  may comprise any type of valve configured or configurable to operate at or above a specified pressure. Thus, in certain embodiments, valve  6  comprises a check valve, such as a ball check valve, a diaphragm check valve, a swing check valve, a titling disc check valve, a stop check valve, a lift check valve, a duckbill valve, and/or a crack pressure valve. In various embodiments, valve  6  may be located or coupled between connector  9   a  and filter  7 , and/or between orifice  8  and connector  9   b . Further, in various embodiments, valve  6  may be coupled to air hose  4  and/or to air hose  14 , and/or located outside protective housing  5 . In some embodiments, valve  6  may be omitted. 
         [0033]    Air hose  14  may comprise any type of conduit or channel suitable for conducting or transferring air flow from one point to another. For example, air hose  14  may comprise a rubber hose, a plastic hose, a steel reinforced rubber and/or plastic hose, a metal braided hose, and/or any other type of hose, especially any type of hose or conduit described elsewhere herein. In various embodiments, air hose  14  may be permanently and/or removably coupled to an intake port of catalyst reservoir  106 . Further, as described elsewhere herein, air hose  14  may be coupled to connector  9   b.    
         [0034]    Catalyst reservoir  106  may, as described elsewhere herein, comprise any type of reservoir or container configured or configurable to hold a catalyst. In various embodiments, catalyst reservoir  106  comprises a nebulizer. Catalyst reservoir  106  may comprise a reservoir input  10   a  and a reservoir output  10   b . Catalyst input  10   a  may, in various embodiments, be coupled to air hose  14 . Likewise, in various embodiments, reservoir output  10   b  may be coupled by way of return injector hose  15  and injector fitting  11  to engine air tube  2 . 
         [0035]    A catalyst may comprise any catalytically active component. Thus, a catalyst may comprise a variety of elements and/or chemicals, including, but not limited to, Platinum, Rhenium, Rhodium, Palladium, Silver, Lanthanum, Cerium, Niobium, Tantalum, Tin, Tungsten, Zirconium, Ruthenium, Vanadium, Manganese, Copper, Molybdenum, Chromium, Cobalt, Nickel, Iron, Zinc, Potassium, Sodium, Cesium, Iridium, Praseodymium, Neodymium, Rubidium, Barium, Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium, and/or combinations/compounds thereof. Catalysts may further comprise various mixtures of inorganic salts in propylene glycol and/or water. 
         [0036]    Return injector hose  15  may comprise any type of conduit or channel suitable for conducting or transferring air flow from one point to another. For example, return injector hose  15  may comprise a rubber hose, a plastic hose, a steel reinforced rubber and/or plastic hose, a metal braided hose, and/or any other type of hose, especially any type of hose or conduit described elsewhere herein. Further, in various embodiments, return injector hose  15  may be permanently and/or removably coupled to engine air tube  2  by way of injector fitting  11 . In certain embodiments, return injector hose  15  may be coupled to engine air tube  2  such that air exiting return injector hose  15  enters an input port  1   a  of air intake  102 . 
         [0037]    Injector fitting  11  may comprise any type of hollow fitting, tube, or rivet configured to couple return injector hose  15  to engine air tube  2  and/or for insertion in a component or substrate material. In various embodiments, injector fitting  11  may comprise a rivnut, as described elsewhere herein. Further, in various embodiments, injector fitting  11  may comprise an internal threading, a plastic nozzle, plastic or nylon tubing, and/or heat shrink/a material that shrinks when exposed to heat. For example, in various embodiments, injector fitting  11  may be secured to engine air tube  2  and/or return injector hose  15  by way of a heat shrink/material configured to shrink when heat is applied. Injector fitting  11  may further comprise Teflon or another coating or coated material suitable to limit or prevent build up of catalyst thereon. 
         [0038]    In operation, system  100  may divert a volume of compressed air from output  1   b  of engine air tube  2  by way of air extraction assembly  3 . The diverted air may pass through air hose  4 , through connector  9   a , and into filter  7 . Filter  7  may remove impurities and or meter the air flowing therethrough. Valve  6  may prevent air from entering filter  7  where, for example, the internal combustion engine (not shown) to which system  100  is coupled is idling or otherwise operating at a low speed. Air may pass through orifice  8 , which may further control and/or meter the airflow in system  100 . Exiting orifice  8 , air may enter air hose  14 , and at this stage, air exiting orifice  8  is fully and reliably controlled and/or metered by the system  100  for use at catalyst reservoir  106  without the use of a dedicated pump or another electrical connection or piece of electrical or electromechanical equipment, such as an air pump. 
         [0039]    Air hose  14  may transfer air to catalyst reservoir  106 . Inside catalyst reservoir  106 , pressurized and/or filtered air may assist in and/or cause the creation of a catalytic aerosol and/or mist. The catalytic aerosol and/or mist, comprising a return flow, may exit catalyst reservoir  106  through return injector hose  15 . Return flow may enter engine air tube at or near input  1   a  of air intake  102 . Indeed, in various embodiments, it is important that return flow enter air intake  102 , because a pressure differential between injector fitting  11  and air extraction assembly  3  is necessary to draw air through system  100 . In other words, were injector fitting  11  to be coupled to engine air tube  2  at a point in engine air tube  2  where airflow was pressurized (i.e., subsequent to the air intake  102 ), air would not enter air extraction assembly  3  (or an insufficient quantity of air would enter assembly  3 ), and the advantages of system  100  would be minimized, if not altogether lost. 
         [0040]    Thus, system  100  offers a unique and cost effective method by which air may be mixed with an aerosol catalyst and/or mist prior to being supplied to an internal combustion engine. As described elsewhere herein, and aside from air intake  102 , no other electric or electromechanical pump is required for operation of system  100  (because air intake  102  may comprise an existing air intake  102  as described herein), and, as such, an expensive and potentially failure prone component may be removed or excluded. Additionally, because system  100  may comprise a closed loop system, drawing air only from within an existing engine air stream (as opposed, for example, to a second external air source), the risk of introducing foreign contaminants into an engine and/or the air intake of an engine may be reduced. The system  100  thus permits the flow of pressurized air through a catalyst reservoir  106  to generate a consistent and measured flow of air including a catalyst into an internal combustion engine, rather than, for example, an inconsistent and generally less powerful draw, which may be created by certain Venturi systems. 
         [0041]    Accordingly, system  100  provides a reliable and consistent method for delivering air intermixed with one or more catalysts to an internal combustion engine. Moreover, air and catalyst may be delivered to an internal combustion engine under one or more pressures (including at a standard or non-turbocharged/pressurized intake velocity), and these features may be adjusted to improve or customize the fuel efficiency and/or reduce the emissions associated with any internal combustion to which system  100  is coupled. In other words, in various embodiments, system  100  may be customized or optimized to an engine to which it is coupled. For example, larger engines may require or benefit from greater quantities of catalyst, while smaller engines may utilize less catalyst. Thus, system  100  (e.g., valve  6 , filter  7 , and/or orifice  8 ) may be adjusted and/or customized, so that an optimal or substantially optimal amount of catalyst and/or air flow is delivered to an engine. 
         [0042]    System  100  may be further constructed, manufactured, packaged, delivered, and/or sold as a kit. Thus, for example, and in various embodiments, system  100  may be sold as a commercial off the shelf package (including some or all of the components described above). Further, the components comprising the kit may come as a preassembled system  100 , a portion of a preassembled system  100 , and/or entirely as separate components, any of which may be assembled and/or installed in a vehicle after the kit is opened. That is, for example, system  100  may be sold as a preassembled kit and/or installed by a person offering installation services. Further, in various embodiments, system  100  may be sold as a set of components, which may be coupled to a vehicle after purchase. Further, in various embodiments, system  100  may be installed in a more concise and integrated manner by an original equipment manufacturer. 
         [0043]    Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various aspects of the present invention may be realized by any number of methods and apparatuses configured to perform the intended functions. Stated differently, other methods and apparatuses may be incorporated herein to perform the intended functions. It should also be noted that the accompanying drawing figures referred to herein are not all drawn to scale, but may be exaggerated to illustrate various aspects of the present invention, and in that regard, the drawing figures should not be construed as limiting. Finally, although the present invention may be described in connection with various principles and beliefs, the present invention should not be bound by theory. 
         [0044]    The foregoing disclosure is merely illustrative of the present invention and is not intended to be construed as limiting the invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described, persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As such, it should be understood that all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.