Abstract:
A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A thin transparent film (or with adhesive) is placed over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. The film is sized to fit connectors faces and can be temporary, being replaced with each installation. A coating can also applied to the connector surface, providing a similar effect, as well as structurally enhancing the connector surfaces.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/019,405, filed Jun. 30, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    This disclosure was made with Government support under N68335-11-C-0383 awarded by the United States Navy. The government may have certain rights. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0003]    This present disclosure relates to fiber optic connector interfaces. This disclosure aids in protecting the tip of the fiber, especially the region that guides light, while allowing light coupling between fibers. This invention can be used to protect fiber optic connector end-faces during the manufacturing process of cables and also during the general use of fiber optic cables. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Fiber optic cables are often connected together by aligning and pressing the ends of two fibers together. The end of the fibers (the ‘end-faces’) are typically polished smooth and flat, or at an angle. The optical coupling occurs between the cores of the fibers, which is the central portion of the fiber that guides the optical energy. The types of fiber can be single-mode-fiber (SMF), with a core that is usually 9 microns in diameter, or multi-mode-fiber (MMF), with a core that is much larger, but typically between 50 to 100 microns in diameter. Efficient optical coupling occurs when the cores of the two fibers are aligned and in physical contact. Ideally, nearly 100% of the light is coupled between the two fibers, but in practice, a loss of up to 0.3 dB may be acceptable. 
         [0005]    Imperfections in the fiber end-face polished surface or contamination trapped between the cores of the fibers can reduce the efficiency of the optical coupling. These imperfections can also create an increased amount of back-reflected light from the connector interface. Imperfections can arise during the handling and use of the fiber. Imperfections can be in the form of scratches or other mechanical damage to the end-face of the fiber. Contamination can result from liquid sources or oils on the fiber end-face. Contamination can also result from particles trapped within the fiber-to-fiber interface. Particles can originate from the connector itself, for example, from the regions where the mechanical alignment mechanisms engage (such as guide holes), or from external sources, such as dust in the environment outside the connector. A trapped particle can further damage the end-face polish if the particle hardness is similar or greater that the glass in the fiber core. A particle can create scratches on the fiber end-face. 
         [0006]    The optical coupling efficiency between the two fiber cores is reduced if the fiber cores are not in physical contact and an air gap is created between the cores. An air gap will create a Fresnel reflection of approximately 4% at each of the two core-to-air interfaces, a double Fresnel reflection. If this light is coherent, the interference of the reflections can create additional coupling loss. 
         [0007]    Multi-fiber connectors are designed to bring two arrays of fiber end-faces into alignment and create physical contact between the fiber cores. The manufacturing process typically polishes the fiber connector end-face, polishing multiple fibers simultaneously. The polishing process typically leaves the tips of the fibers slightly protruding from the connector face by 1 to 3 microns. This allows two connectors to mate and have the fiber end-faces make physical contact. 
         [0008]    The protrusions of the fiber tips on the connector are not typically perfectly uniform. The polishing process may leave a taper or a curvature across the array. Therefore, there is a provision in the connector to allow the fibers to recess under pressure. A spring can be provided within the connector to create the pressure. As two fiber connectors mate, the fibers that have a greater protrusion will come into contact first. Under pressure, these two fibers will recede into their connector until fibers with less protrusion make physical contact. 
         [0009]    A failure in the recess mechanism may make a fiber fail to rebound after it has been recessed. This failure is called ‘pistoning’. The fiber tip has been pressed down into the connector, but does not restore to a protruding state after un-mating of the connector. Pistoning can cause failure of a subsequent mating, as the fiber is not protruding enough to create physical contact. 
         [0010]    Damage may occur to the fiber end-face during the process of manufacturing the fiber optic cable. There may be steps of handling the cable for testing, inspection or installation of the cable into a higher-level assembly. The manufacturer may ship the cable to a customer that further handles the cable before final installation into a network. 
         [0011]    Fiber optics are finding use in applications that operate in harsh environments, such as aircraft, helicopters, unmanned vehicles, ship-board, space-craft and missiles. The fiber optic components must be able to operate and survive in an environment with severe shock, vibration, exposure to liquid contaminates, and over wide temperature ranges (such a −55 C to 125 C). These environmental stresses can cause the fiber end-faces, in physical contact within a connector, to become damaged or contaminated. Damage may occur when a particle trapped in the optical interface is moved along the fiber end-face due to vibration, shock or thermal expansion/contraction. This movement may leave scratches on the polish surface of the fiber end-face. An environment that exposes the connector to liquid contaminate can compromise optical coupling if the liquid enters into an air gap between two fiber cores. 
         [0012]    Therefore, there has been a long-standing need for systems and methods for providing more precise fiber end coupling. Details of such systems and methods are provided below. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0013]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0014]    In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an exposed end protection device for a mechanical optical coupler is provided, comprising: a single transparent, planar film, adapted to be cover an exposed fiber end from a mechanical optical coupler&#39;s ferrule; and alignment openings disposed in the film, positioned and sized to allow passage of an alignment mechanism of the ferrule through the film, wherein the film&#39;s thickness is less than approximately 50 microns, has an index of refraction between approximately 1.1-2.2, and a Rockwell scale E hardness of between approximately 30-150, so as to conform around a fiber end-face and prevent an air gap between the fiber end-face and a mating fiber. 
         [0015]    In another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a method of preventing an air gap from forming between fiber cores within a mechanical optical coupler is provided, comprising: applying a single transparent, planar film with a thickness less than approximately 50 microns, an index of refraction between approximately 1.1-2.2, and a Rockwell scale E hardness of between approximately 30-150, over a first plurality of exposed fiber ends of a first mechanical optical coupler&#39;s ferrule by aligning openings disposed in the film with alignment holes of the first ferrule; aligning a second mechanical optical coupler ferrule&#39;s alignment mechanism with the first ferrule&#39;s alignment holes; and pressing and securing the first and second ferrules together into the film, to conform the film around the fiber end-faces and prevent an air gap between the fiber end-faces, wherein the scattering and absorption losses are under 1%. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a prior art multi-fiber connector. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary fiber protector. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary fiber protector mounted on a multi-fiber connector. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary fiber protector with tabs. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary fiber protector with tabs mounted on a multi-fiber connector. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows an exemplary fiber optic coupling over a gap. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a plot of an exemplary fiber optic coupling versus the width of the gap. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  shows an exemplary fiber protector with an adhesive layer. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of an exemplary fiber protector on a multi-fiber connector. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  shows two fiber connectors mated with an exemplary fiber protector in-between. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  shows two fiber connectors mated with two an exemplary fiber protectors in-between. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  shows an exemplary multi-fiber connector with a coating that protects the fiber. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  shows two exemplary fiber connectors mated that have a coated fiber protector. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  shows an exemplary cartridge for applying film. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  shows an exemplary process using a film-based fiber protector. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  shows an exemplary manufacturing flow for permanent coating. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    The exemplary fiber optic interface system, and the assembly method of a transparent layer within the interconnect system, are described in this application. This system creates a fiber optic interface system that places a thin transparent film over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface. This system can use a temporary film, designed to be removed or replaced if necessary, or a permanent layer, designed to remain on the fiber end-face through the life of the fiber cable. The film is thin and transparent creating minimal additional coupling loss between to fibers. The additional coupling loss can be small enough to allow fiber optic cable testing and general use with the layer in place. 
         [0033]    The system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. The system may also prevent damage to the fiber end-faces during cable manufacturing and general use. The system may prevent foreign objects or liquids from becoming trapped between the fiber cores within a connector. 
         [0034]    The temporary film is applied in a manner that covers the end-faces of fibers at a connector interface. The film supplies compliance to allow the fiber end-faces to embed themselves into the film, making physical contact between the fiber core and the film. The film can be made up of multiple layers, such as an adhesive layer and a structural layer. The adhesive layer can allow the film to be applied and removed from the fiber end-faces. Ideally, the adhesive layer leaves no residues on the fiber end-faces after removal. 
         [0035]    The permanent film can be applied one time and remains on the fiber cable throughout the lifetime use. The permanent film may include additional functionality of coating the fiber connector interface and preventing pieces of the fiber connector from breaking off during mating of the connector. 
         [0036]    A temporary film may be applied using a cartridge containing multiple films. The cartridge can have method of aligning the fiber connector end-face to the film during application. The cartridge can provide mechanical support of the film during application. The cartridge may operate in a tool that provides a means to apply the film onto the fiber end-face. The tool may have a feature to apply a film to a connector, and then advance the cartridge to another region on the cartridge for application on another connector. 
         [0037]    The permanent film may be applied with a coating process. The coating process may apply the film to the region of the fiber end-faces, the entire end-face or a region that includes some or all of the entire connector. 
         [0038]    The exemplary system(s) and method(s) has application in the general field of fiber optic cables. It can be used during the manufacturing process to protect the fiber end-face, without sacrificing the ability to measure the optical coupling properties of the cable. It can be used to protect fiber cables that are found in higher-level assemblies (such as modules, or box-level solutions) during the manufacturing and test process of the assembly. The exemplary system(s) and method(s) can aid the connector performance in harsh environment applications; and can relax the polishing specifications normally required to create physical contact between fiber cores. 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a prior art multi-fiber connector  110  that is made up of a ferrule  115  that holds fibers  130  aligned to each other and to an alignment mechanism  120 . There are many types of alignment mechanisms  120 , including, but not exclusively, guide pin and guide holes, features that are processed monolithically into the ferrule  115 , or features that align the outer body of the ferrule  115 , such as a sleeve. The alignment mechanism  120  provides a means to align two of the multi-fiber connectors  110  together during the mating of two sets of the fibers  130 , so that light couples between the fibers. The fibers  130  can be polished or cleaved so that the ends of the fibers are roughly flat or at an angle. The fibers  130  and face of the ferrule  115  can be polished together in a single processing step. The fibers  130  can protrude slightly from the ferrule  115  to allow for physical contact with another set of fibers (not shown) in a mating ferrule. A typical fiber protrusion is 1 to 3 microns. The fibers  130  can be mounted into the ferrule  110  using an adhesive that provides compliance to allow the fibers  130  to recess toward the ferrule  110  when pressure is applied to the ends of the fibers  130  during connector mating. It should be apparent that the exposed fiber  103  ends, renders them susceptible to contamination (from debris, dust, etc.) or even damage. To date, there is no known protection scheme other than the installer perhaps placing a rag over the multi-fiber connector  110  whilst preparing the mating connector. The following Figures show various improvements to the prior art. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of an exemplary fiber protector  1  sade with a transparent film  160 . The film can have clearance  170  regions to prevent mechanical interference with alignment mechanisms  120 , if present, or other features within the connector. The clearance  170  features can aid in alignment of the film to the ferrule  110  during the application process. The clearance  170  regions can have a clearance-to-edge slot  172  or other feature (micro slots around clearance  170 , etc.) that eases the installation or removal of the fiber protector  150 . The film  160  is thin and in some embodiments is approximately less than 50 microns. The film should be soft enough to conform around the fiber end-face. In commercial embodiments, a Rockwell scale E hardness of the film in the range of approximately 30 and 150 was found to be effective. Of course, other values may be found effective, depending on the implementation. A non-exhaustive list of film materials that may be suitable are polyimide, polyethylene, polyurethane, and silicone. The fiber protector  150  can be manufactured by cutting or stamping a pattern into a film. A laser could be used for cutting the film, as well as other suitable manufacturing methods. The fiber protector  150  can be applied to a fiber connector  202  having 1 or more fibers. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary fiber protector  150  mounted on a prior art multi-fiber connector  202 , creating a protected connector  200 . The fiber protector  150  covers the fiber(s) to create protected fiber(s)  205 . The fiber protector  150  can have a clearance around the alignment mechanism  204  on the fiber connector  202 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary fiber protector  250  with extending tabs. In this embodiment, tabs  260  are provided onto the fiber protector  250  to ease in the removal of the film  160 . The tabs  260  can be placed in an area convenient to grasp that does not interfere with the overall operation of the connector and be of any suitable shape or size. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  shows a multi-fiber connector  202  with a mounted fiber protector with tabs  250 , creating a protected connector  300 . In this embodiment, the tabs  260  are on two sides of the fiber protector  250  and protrude above and below the fiber connector  202 . It should be understood that while two tabs  260  are shown, less or more tabs  260  may be used, according to design preference. 
         [0044]    The transparent fiber protector  250  creates a small gap between fibers within a fiber connection.  FIG. 6  shows is a closeup side illustration showing the detail of fiber coupling over this gap from a transmit fiber to a receive fiber. The transmit fiber is made up of a transmit fiber core  336 , which contains the light, and a transmit fiber cladding  332 . Similarly, the receive fiber has a receive fiber core  352  and receive fiber cladding  356 . The material for both the core and the cladding is glass having a different reflective index for the two regions. The objective is to couple optical energy efficiently (typically &gt;90%) from the transmit core to the receive core. The light path  328  within the transmit core  336  will experience a transmit reflection  344  at the end of the transmit fiber, and a receive reflection  348  at the start of the receive fiber. These are Fresnel reflections, caused by the difference in the index of refraction of materials. Only when the gap  360  is reduced to zero thickness (d=0) are the reflections nearly eliminated, since the fiber core materials have a nearly identical index of reflections (i.e., the difference in index would result from fiber manufacturing non-uniformity). If the gap  360  contained air, the magnitude of the Fresnel reflections would be approximately 4%, resulting in 0.36 dB of optical signal loss from the combined transmit reflection  344  and receive reflection  348 . If the gap  360  is filled with a transparent film  340  that nearly matches the fiber core index of refraction, the Fresnel reflections can be substantially reduced. Therefore, in commercial embodiments, a suitable index of refraction for the film was set to 1.5, the typical index of the fiber core. However, any film with an index of refraction between 1.1 and 2.2 will produce less reflection than an air gap. 
         [0045]    The film  340  can also create loss due to light scattering and absorption. However, in a commercial embodiment, the amount of scattering and absorption is negligible (&lt;1%). 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is a plot showing measured results of fiber optic coupling between two fibers versus a film thickness. The type of fiber was a 50 micron graded index multi-mode fiber. The film was a polyethylene. The coupling was measured for gap  360  thickness d at steps of 5 microns with the gap filled with the film. A coherent laser source was used for this measurement, which shows up as some variations at gap thicknesses of d=5 microns and d=10 microns. If an application had an acceptable loss budget of −0.2 dB, a film thickness of roughly 25 microns would be expected to be acceptable with this film. 
         [0047]    A transparent adhesive layer added to the transparent film can aid securing the fiber protector in place on the connector.  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional illustration of an exemplary fiber protector  390  with a transparent adhesive layer  394  added. The adhesive layer  394  should be thin, for example, less than 25 microns. In the process of making the fiber protector  390 , clearance  170  areas can be formed in the film  392 . Silicone or acrylate adhesives are possible candidates for the transparent adhesive  394 . Of course, other suitable adhesives may be used, according to design preference. The adhesive, in some embodiments, allows the fiber protector  390  to be removed without leaving residue on the fiber connector  202 . For outdoor environment applications, the film and adhesive should be chosen to survive in temperature extremes and in the presence of moisture. 
         [0048]    The transparent film  392  can also be coated to improve the surface qualities for optical (i.e., anti-reflection or absorption coatings) and mechanical reasons. For example, the mechanical qualities can be improved with a diamond coating to provide resistance to scratches. 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  shows a top side, cut-away view  400  of a single fiber protector  150  on a multi-fiber connector  100 . The multi-fiber connector  110  has alignment mechanisms  120 , such as a guide hole or guide pin, and fiber ends  410  that protrude. Due to manufacturing variations, the fiber ends  410  may not protrude uniformly across an array of fibers. The fiber ends  410  are in contact with the fiber protector  150  is a manner that reduces the Fresnel reflections at this interface. The top surface of the fiber protector  150  can be substantially flat. 
         [0050]      FIG. 10  shows a top side, cut-away view of a fiber connector  450  first side  401  mated to a fiber connector second side  402  so that one or more fibers are brought into alignment for the purpose of optical coupling. In this embodiment, a single fiber protector  150  is shown. An alignment hole first side  461  is aligned to alignment hole second side  462  with an alignment pin  460 . This shows one method of achieving alignment, however other methods are possible. A fiber protector  150  is applied to fiber connector first side  401 . The fiber ends first side  411  and fiber ends second side  412  are in physical contact with the fiber protector  150 . Light is coupled from the fiber ends first side  411  to the fiber ends second side  412 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  shows a top side, cut-away view of a fiber connector  500  first side  401  mated to a fiber connector second side  402  so that one or more fibers are brought into alignment for the purpose of optical coupling. In this embodiment, two fiber protectors are utilized between the respective connector fibers. An alignment hole first side  461  is aligned to alignment hole second side  462  with an alignment pin  460 . This shows one method of achieving alignment, however other methods are possible. A first fiber protector first side  505  is applied to fiber connector first side  401 . The fiber ends first side  411  are in physical contact with the fiber protector first side  505 . A fiber protector second side  510  is applied to fiber connector second side  402 . The fiber ends first side  412  are in physical contact with the fiber protector second side  510 . The fiber protector first side  505  is in physical contact with the fiber protector second side  510 . Light is coupled from the fiber ends first side  411  to the fiber ends second side  412 . Evident is the conforming of the fiber protector sides to the ends of the respective fibers, thus ensuring a non-air gap. 
         [0052]      FIG. 12  shows a top side, cut-away view of multi-fiber connector  600  with a coating that permanently protects the fiber. The fiber connector  610  has one or more fibers and may have an alignment mechanism, such as an alignment hole  620  or guide pin. The fiber ends  410  can be protruding from the fiber connector  610 . A fiber protection coating  615  is applied permanently to the fiber connector  610 . The fiber protection coating  615  covers the fiber ends  410 . The fiber protection coating  615  may be applied with vapor deposited process, such as parylene or organic coatings. In commercial embodiments, a process that 1 micron precision of the coating thickness was used to provide consistent results. In one embodiment, the coating is applied to the entire fiber connector  610 , including inside the alignment holes  610 . In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the alignment hole  620  is reduced by the coating. To retain precision, the coating thickness inside the alignment hole  620  should be well controlled. A coating process with 1 micron thickness precision is adequate for most fiber-to-fiber alignment applications. 
         [0053]    The process of mating guide pins into alignment holes  620  can cause damage  618  in the region around the alignment holes  620 . Pieces of the fiber connector  610  can break away in these regions. The fiber protector coating  615  can reduce this damage  610  and also retain the pieces that would otherwise break away. 
         [0054]      FIG. 13  shows a top side, cut-away view of two fiber connectors  650  mated that have a permanent coated fiber protector. The fiber connector first side  401  has a fiber protector coating first side  611  that is a permanent coating over the fiber ends first side  411 . The fiber protector coating first side  611  may optionally coat the entire fiber connector first side  401 , including the inside of the alignment hole first side  621 . A fiber connector second side  402  has a permanent fiber coating second side  612  that protects the fiber ends second side  412 . An alignment pin  630  can provide an alignment mechanism. The fiber ends first side  411  are aligned to fiber ends second side  412  so that light couples through the protector coating between the fibers. The fiber protector coating first side  611  is in physical contact with the fiber ends first side  411  and the fiber protector coating second side  612 . The fiber ends second side  412  are in physical contact with the fiber protector coating second side  612 . 
         [0055]    The suitable index of refraction for the coating is 1.5, the typical index of the fiber core used in the industry. However, any coating with an index of refraction between 1.1 and 2.2 produced less reflection than an air gap. For outdoor environment applications, the coating should be chosen to survive in temperature extremes and in the presence of moisture. 
         [0056]      FIG. 14  is an illustration  800  of a method of applying the exemplary film with a cartridge. A mechanical support  805  provides the mechanism of holding the film  820  and alignment of the fiber connector(s)  830  to the film  820 . The film  820  is applied to the mechanical support  805  and patterned to match the fiber connector face  835 . This pattern can include clearance  170  for alignment mechanisms, pin slots (not shown), and a perforate pattern  802  to allow the fiber protector  150  to release from the film  820 . The fiber connector  830  is pressed into the ferrule alignment mechanism  810  (which may be a hole in the support that matches the outer dimensions of the fiber connector  830 ). The adhesive side of the film  825  is mated to the fiber connector face  835 , to create a fiber connector aligned that is face mated  840  into film  820 . The cartridge can be a standalone element, or it can be contained into a higher level tool that provides indexing of the cartridge. 
         [0057]      FIG. 15  is a process flow  900  illustrating an example of film protection. First, the ferrule has final processing the fiber end-face  910 . At this point the fiber ends are in their final state, such as polished or cleaved. These fibers are then inspected and tested for quality  915  (for example, optical inspection with an interferometer and optical coupling tests). If the quality is not acceptable  920 , the ferrule may be re-processed. If acceptable  920 , the film is applied  925 . Then the ferrule is inspected and tested  930 . If the ferrule does not pass the test  935 , the film is re-applied  925 . If the ferrule passes the test  935 , it is optionally assembled into a higher level cable  940 . The cable is shipped to a customer  945 . The customer can inspect and test the cable  950 , insert the cable in a module  955  and test the module in environmental conditions  960 . After testing the film can be optionally removed  965  or left in place for final test  970  and system integration. 
         [0058]      FIG. 16  shows a manufacturing flow  1000  for a cable created with the coating. The fibers are processed into the ferrule  1010 . This step includes inserting the fibers into the ferrule, and processing the fiber ends (polishing or cleaving). The next step is to inspect and test quality  1015  of the fiber connector. If the quality is not acceptable  1020 , the ferrule is re-processed. If the quality is acceptable  1020 , the next step is to apply the protector coating to the ferrule  1025 , then inspect and test with the coating ( 1030 ). The ferrule may be then assembled into a higher-level cable assembly  1040  and then final test  1045 . 
         [0059]    In view of the above, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the functional blocks, methods, devices and systems described in the present disclosure may be integrated or divided into different combinations of systems, devices, and functional blocks, as would be known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0060]    For example, while the process steps, algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes may be configured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to the invention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred. 
         [0061]    While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.