Abstract:
An apparatus for separating a mineral from a liquid including a housing and a fluid having a mineral bearing particle and contained within the housing. The apparatus further includes a generator configured to apply a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the mineral bearing particle. The field produces a temperature increase within a portion of the mineral bearing particle and the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid, the heated fluid imposing motion-inducing forces on the particle.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Mining operations remove aggregate ore from an in-ground deposit and process the loose aggregate ore to remove metals, coal, and other minerals. Ore removed from the ground includes particles of the target material but may also include various other, secondary materials. Such secondary materials may include rock, soil, and other minerals. In order to produce a pure sample of the target material, the secondary material must be removed from the target material sample. 
         [0002]    Traditional methods for removing secondary material from a target material involve a chemical process and one or more finishing steps. The finishing steps often fail to fully remove the secondary material from the target material. By way of example, finishing steps may include the size or weight dependent processes of frothing, filtering, and panning. Frothing uses chemicals and large bubbles to chemically separate target material. Filtering machines rely on a fluid containing the target material and secondary material and pass the fluid through one or more filters. The filters are generally fibrous and vary in precision from course to fine. After the fluid is passed through, particles of the same size are trapped within the filter regardless of whether the particles are target material or secondary material. Given the need for a pure target material final product, trapped filter material may be thereafter panned. While panning separates target material from secondary material, panning is very time consuming. Despite these deficiencies, frothing, filtering and panning remain the primary methods used for removing target material from a fluid containing target material and secondary materials. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    One exemplary embodiment relates to an apparatus for separating a mineral from a liquid including a housing and a fluid having a mineral bearing particle and contained within the housing. The apparatus further includes a generator configured to apply a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the mineral bearing particle. The field produces a temperature increase within a portion of the mineral bearing particle and the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid, the heated fluid imposing motion-inducing forces on the particle. 
         [0004]    Another exemplary embodiment relates to an apparatus for separating a mineral bearing particle from a fluid including a housing and a fluid having a mineral bearing particle and contained within the housing. The apparatus further includes a generator configured to apply a non-uniform radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the mineral bearing particle. The field induces a propulsion force that moves the mineral bearing particle within the fluid. 
         [0005]    Still another exemplary embodiment relates to a mobile apparatus for separating a mineral bearing particle from a fluid. The mobile apparatus includes a housing configured to float at a surface of the fluid and a driver configured to create relative movement between the housing and the fluid. The mobile apparatus further includes a generator configured to apply a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the fluid. The field increases the temperature of a mineral bearing particle contained within the fluid to a boiling point of the fluid whereby the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid. 
         [0006]    Yet another exemplary embodiment relates to a method for separating a mineral bearing particle from a fluid. The method includes providing a housing, providing a fluid contained within the housing, the fluid containing a mineral bearing particle, applying a radio-frequency electromagnetic field to the mineral bearing particle using a generator, and increasing the temperature of a portion of the mineral bearing particle with the field, wherein the mineral bearing particle transfers heat into the fluid, the heated fluid imposing motion-inducing forces on the mineral bearing particle. 
         [0007]    Yet another exemplary embodiment relates to a method for separating mineral bearing particle from a fluid. The method includes providing a housing, providing a fluid contained within the housing, the fluid containing at least one mineral bearing particle, applying a non-uniform radio-frequency field to the mineral bearing particle using a generator, and moving the mineral bearing particle within the fluid with an propulsion force induced by the field. 
         [0008]    The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried out in various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features an combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a generator and fluid in a RF particle separator. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a generator operating upon a fluid in a RF particle separator. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a generator operating upon a fluid within a chute. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a target and secondary particle affected by a field. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a target and secondary particle affected by a field. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a target particle affected by a field and heated to a specified skin depth. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a target particle affected by a field and heated to a specified temperature gradient. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a target particle affected by a field and including an induced force component. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of an RF particle separator having a characteristic altering system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of an RF particle separator having a characteristic altering system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a schematic view of an RF particle separator having a dispenser system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a schematic view of a mobile RF particle separator. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0023]    RF separators are intended to provide an efficient replacement to traditional separation equipment. Such RF separators receive a fluid containing particles largely separated from rock through polymerization and raise the temperature of target material to raise the particles within a fluid. Such target particles may also be raised magnetically. Various conditions are controlled to ensure that secondary material is not raised within the fluid. The RF separators produce a final product of target material containing little, if any, secondary material. 
         [0024]    Referring to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , a particle extractor is shown as radiofrequency (RF) particle separator  10 . RF particle separator  10  extracts materials without relying on filtering or chemicals traditionally associated with frothing. RF particle separator  10  may further eliminate the need for subsequent panning. As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , RF particle separator includes a reservoir, shown as basin  20 . Basin  20  provides a support structure for various components of RF particle separator  10 . Basin  20  is generally concave shaped, but basin  20  may have a variety of different shapes. According to an exemplary embodiment, basin  20  may be one meter wide, one meter deep, and ten meters long. According to an exemplary embodiment, basin  20  is manufactured by removing a portion of ground material. In this form, basin  20  may include a liner material to facilitate retaining fluids within basin  20  and have dimensions of one hundred meters wide, three meters deep, and one hundred meters long. According to an alternative embodiment, basin  20  is formed from metal, composite, or wood. According to another alternative embodiment, basin  20  is formed from still other suitable materials. 
         [0025]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , RF particle separator  10  may include a carrier fluid, shown as fluid  30 . Fluid  30  facilitates the extraction process of RF particle separator  10 . Fluid  30  may include a non-homogeneous mixture of different constituents, a homogeneous mixture of different constituents, or may include only a single fluid constituent. According to an exemplary embodiment, fluid  30  may comprise a dielectric fluid (e.g., pure water, water that includes secondary materials, glycerine, furfural, ethylene glycol, alcohol, solutions of such fluids, etc.). As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , fluid  30  is located within basin  20 . Fluid  30  may partially or entirely fill basin  20  as the demands of RF particle separator  10  require. According to an exemplary embodiment, fluid  30  is a liquid. According to an exemplary embodiment, fluid  30  is liquid water. According to an alternative embodiment, fluid  30  is an alcohol, acetone, or another liquid selected to facilitate the extraction process of RF particle separator  10 . 
         [0026]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , RF particle separator  10  includes a material of interest, shown as target particles  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , target particles  50  may be located within fluid  30 . Target particles  50  may be any material to be separated from fluid  30 . Target particles  50  may include valuable minerals. Such valuable minerals may constitute the entire target particle  50 , or target particle  50  may include a valuable mineral and a less valuable material (e.g., gangue). According to an exemplary embodiment, target particles  50  may comprise valuable metals such as gold, silver, or platinum, among other valuable metals. According to an alternative embodiment, target particles  50  may comprise less valuable metals such as iron, copper, and aluminum, among other less valuable metals. Target particles  50  include a specified size. The size of target particles  50  may vary based on the nature of previous processing steps. According to an exemplary embodiment, the size of target particles  50  is between approximately 0.1 micrometers to 1.0 millimeters. As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , target particles  50  may be suspended within fluid  30 . According to various alternative embodiments, target particles  50  may be located along the bottom of fluid  30  within basin  20 , along a side of fluid  30  within basin  20 , or randomly oriented within fluid  30 . 
         [0027]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , RF particle separator  10  may include target particles  50  and extraneous materials, shown as secondary particles  60 . Such secondary particles  60  may not rise within fluid  30  to the same extent as target particles  50  once affected by field  42 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , secondary particles  60  may be located within fluid  30 . According to an exemplary embodiment, secondary particles  60  include any material within fluid  30  other than target particles  50  (e.g. carbon compounds, less valuable materials, etc.). The composition of such secondary particles  60  may include aggregate, processing chemicals, and materials having a value less than the target particles  50 . The size and shape of secondary particles vary widely. According to an exemplary embodiment, the size of secondary particles  60  is between approximately 0.1 micrometers to 1.0 millimeters. As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , secondary particles  60  may be suspended within fluid  30 . According to various alternative embodiments, secondary particles  60  may be located along the bottom of fluid  30  within basin  20 , along a side of fluid  30  within basin  20 , or randomly oriented within fluid  30 . 
         [0028]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the material properties of target particles  50  and secondary particles  60  vary depending on the nature of their composition. According to an exemplary embodiment, the density of target particles  50  is greater than the density of fluid  30 . Such target particles  50  may nonetheless remain suspended within fluid  30  due to various flow currents within fluid  30 , among other reasons. Flow currents within fluid  30  may occur due to a physical or thermal movement of fluid  30  within basin  20 . According to an alternative embodiment, the density of target particles  50  is approximately equal to the density of fluid  30 . According to still another alternative embodiment, the density of target particles  50  is less than the density of fluid  30 . Such target particles  50  may nonetheless remain suspended within fluid  30  or sink within fluid  30  due to various flow currents within fluid  30  or the presence of secondary particles  60 . By way of example, secondary particles  60  having a greater density than that of target particles  50  may be attached to target particles  50  and force them to suspend or sink within fluid  30 . The density of secondary particles  60  may similarly be less than, equal to, or greater than the density of fluid  30 . 
         [0029]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , RF particle separator  10  includes a wave creation device, shown as generator  40 . Generator  40  is configured to subject fluid  30  to a pattern of waves, shown as field  42  having specified characteristics. According to an exemplary embodiment, generator  40  is a wave form generator capable of exposing fluid  30  to electromagnetic waves having identified properties. Such identified properties may include frequency, intensity, uniformity, direction, polarization, mode shape, and pulse length, among other known properties of electromagnetic waves. The wave form may include a plurality of electromagnetic waves having different properties. The plurality of electromagnetic waves may overlap in space, in time, or both in space and in time. Identifying certain properties of field  42  provides greater control of the extraction process of RF particle separator  10 . 
         [0030]    According to various alternative embodiments, generator  40  subjects fluid  30  to a continuous or pulsed field. The electromagnetic field within the separator may be a standing wave or a non-propagating evanescent field. Such fields may have a modal character dominated either by an electric field component (varying at an RF frequency) or a electromagnetic field component (varying at an RF frequency). According to an alternative embodiment, generator  40  produces a continuous electric field component. According to still another alternative embodiment, generator  40  subjects fluid  30  to a electromagnetic field component. Such electromagnetic field may be a continuous electromagnetic field. According to an alternative embodiment, the electromagnetic field is a pulsed electromagnetic field. Varying the type of field  42  generated by generator  40  allows for greater control of the extraction process undertaken by RF particle separator  10 . By way of example, field  42  may be selected as having a predominately magnetic field characteristic in order to extract target particles having naturally occurring or introduced magnetic characteristics. 
         [0031]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , generator  40  may direct field  42  toward fluid  30 . The distance, relative orientation, and presence of intervening objects between generator  40  and fluid  30  impact the intensity of the field that affects fluid  30 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , generator  40  is located on a side of basin  20 . It should be understood that generator  40  may be located in any position with respect to fluid  30 , including within fluid  30 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , field  42  passes through basin  20  and into fluid  30 . According to another alternative embodiment, generator  40  is positioned to allow field  42  to flow directly into fluid  30 . 
         [0032]    Referring next to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , RF particle separator  10  may interact with fluid  30 . Fluid  30  facilitates the extraction process of RF particle separator  10  shown in  FIG. 3 . Fluid  30  may include various properties as discussed above. According to an exemplary embodiment, RF particle separator  10  includes target particles  50 . Target particles  50  may comprise valuable or less valuable materials as discussed above. As discussed above, target particles  50  may be located within fluid  30  in various configurations. According to an alternative embodiment, RF particle separator  10  further includes secondary particles  60 . Secondary particles  60  may be any material of various sizes within fluid  30 , as discussed above, and secondary particles  60  may be located within fluid  30  in various configurations. 
         [0033]    According to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , RF particle separator  10  further includes a transport structure, shown as chute  70 . Chute  70  provides a support structure for various components of RF particle separator  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, chute  70  is generally concave shaped, but it should be understood that chute  70  may have a variety of different shapes. According to an exemplary embodiment, chute  70  is manufactured by removing a portion of ground material. In this form, chute  70  may include a liner material to facilitate retaining fluids within chute  70  and prevent fluid  30  from seeping into the ground. According to an alternative embodiment, chute  70  is formed from a metal, composite, or wood. According to another alternative embodiment, chute  70  is formed from still other suitable materials. 
         [0034]    According to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , chute  70  at least partially contains fluid  30 . Such containment may include chute  70  entirely surrounding fluid  30 . Fluid  30  may experience a pressurized state, depressurized state, or both depending on the operating conditions of RF particle separator  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, fluid  30  flows within chute  70  at a specified flow rate. The flow rate of fluid  30  may be specified according to maximize the extraction process of RF particle separator  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, fluid  30  flows within chute  70  due to gravity. Such flow may occur where a first end of chute  70  is located at a greater elevation than a second end of chute  70 . According to an alternative embodiment, fluid  30  flows within  70  due to a mechanical input. Such mechanical input may include a pump that moves fluid  30  within chute  70  at a specified flow rate. According to still another alternative embodiment, fluid  30  does not flow within chute  70 . 
         [0035]    According to an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , chute  70  may interact with additional processing equipment. Such processing equipment may include milling machines, rock crushers, fluid supplies, and fluid runoff chutes. According to an exemplary embodiment, chute  70  interacts with a fluid supply that provides unprocessed fluid  30  containing target particles  50  into chute  70  for extraction by RF particle separator  10 . According to an alternative embodiment, chute  70  is separated from other processing equipment. 
         [0036]    Referring again to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , RF particle separator  10  further includes a generator  40 . Generator  40  subjects fluid  30  to a field as discussed above. The number and orientation of generators  40  may be selected based on an operating condition of RF particle separator  10  or fluid  30 . According to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , RF particle separator  10  includes a plurality of generators  40  spaced at a specified interval along chute  70  (e.g., every 1 meter, every 10 meters, etc.). The position of generators  40  may be selected in order to facilitate subjecting fluid  30  to a field. According to an exemplary embodiment, generators  40  may be disposed along a side of chute  70 . According to various alternative embodiments, generators  40  may be located above, below, within, or on top of fluid  30 . 
         [0037]    Referring still to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , with the generators  40  engaged, fluid  30  is subjected to a field thereby forming a target zone, shown as subjected portion  44 . Subjected portion  44  is a portion of chute  70  where fluid  30  is subjected to a field from generators  40 . According to an exemplary embodiment, subjected portion  44  extends entirely across chute  70  perpendicular to the flow of fluid  30  such that it entirely covers the cross-section of chute  70 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , subjected portion  44  is at least partially defined by a length a along chute  70 . According to various alternative embodiments, subjected portion  44  extends radially, spherically, or according to another defined shape with respect to generators  40 . 
         [0038]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , RF particle separator  10  may further include an accumulator, shown as recovery system  72 . Recovery system  72  collects target particles  50  after they are separated from fluid  30 . According to an exemplary embodiment, recovery system  72  may be at least partially coupled to chute  70 . According to an alternative embodiment, recovery system  72  may be located proximate to an external structure, shown as ground surface  22 , the top surface of fluid  30 , or within fluid  30 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , recovery system  72  may include a strainer, shown as skimmer  74 . Skimmer  74  may be located proximate to the top surface of fluid  30 . Skimmer  74  collects target particles  50  located along the top surface of fluid  30 . This collection occurs through contact between target particles  50  and skimmer  74 . Target particles  50  move to the edge of chute  70 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , recovery system  72  further includes a collection point, shown as catch  76 . Target particles  50  collected by skimmer  74  may be moved to catch  76  for removal. 
         [0039]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , target particles  50  within fluid  30  may be subjected to electromagnetic field  42  created by generator  40 . According to an exemplary embodiment, field  42  has a predominantly electric field character. Such electric fields include continuous fields and pulsed electric fields. Field  42  interacts with target particle  50  and increases the temperature of target particle  50 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the temperature is increased uniformly throughout the volume of target particle  50 . The heating depends on the conductivity of target particles  50  multiplied by the electric field strength squared, which may be a magnetically induced field and vary according to the rate of magnetic flux density change squared (i.e., a higher frequency is better at inducing an electric field strength value). According to an exemplary embodiment, the target particle  50  may comprise a dielectric mineral that is lossy (i.e. that has a high dielectric loss tangent). Dielectric heating within such minerals may be due to rotation of polar molecules and may vary according to the product of frequency and electric field strength squared. According to an alternative embodiment, target particle  50  may comprise a magnetic material (e.g., a ferromagnetic) that exhibits hysteresis. Magnetic heating within such minerals may be due to variation in magnetic domains and may vary according to the product of frequency and electromagnetic field strength squared. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , target particle  50  transfers heat into fluid  30  until at least a portion of fluid  30  is vaporized. Vaporizing fluid  30  forms a vapor pocket, shown as bubble  52  that is coupled to target particle  50  by an interface, shown as contact surface  54 . Contact surface  54  couples bubble  52  to particle  50  through surface tension. This coupling may depend on the wettability of the particle by the liquid fluid. By way of example, vapor bubbles may couple more strongly to particles having a low liquid wettability. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the density of bubble  52  is lower than the density of fluid  30 . This difference in density between bubble  52  and fluid  30  causes bubble  52  to lift target particle  50  within fluid  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the temperature of secondary particle  60  is not increased sufficiently to vaporize fluid  30 . This disparity in temperatures and corresponding variation in attached bubbles  52  separates target particles  50  from fluid  30  and most secondary particles  60 . 
         [0041]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , bubble  52  forms along contact surface  54  of target particle  50 . The location of bubble  52  on target particle  50  may be governed by a number of factors, including the shape, size, and material properties of target particle  50 , among other factors. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , bubble  52  forms along an upper portion of target particle  50 . In this configuration, bubble  52  pulls target particle  50  upwards to the surface of fluid  30 . The lifting force provided by bubble  52  is transferred to target particle  50  through contact surface  54  and causes target particle  50  to rise. According to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , bubble  52  is located along a lower portion of target particle  50 . In this configuration, bubble  52  pushes target particle  50  upwards to the surface of fluid  30 , and the upper portion of target particle  50  may contact another bubble  52  such that it does not further vaporize fluid  30 . 
         [0042]    Referring next to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , field  42  increases the temperature of target particle  50  non-uniformly. Field  42  may interact with target particle  50  and first increase the temperature of an outer portion, shown as outer surface  56 . As further interaction occurs, an affected zone, shown as subjected portion  57  of target particle  50  extends from outer surface  56  inward to an inner boundary, shown as inner temperature line  58 . Subjected portion  57  may include the portion of target particle  50  having an increased temperature. Within subjected portion  57 , the temperature varies from a higher temperature at outer surface  56  to a lower temperature at inner temperature line  58 . The remaining portion of target particle  50  remains an initial temperature. The distance between outer surface  56  and inner temperature line  58  is an affected distance, shown as skin depth β in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0043]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , non-uniformly increasing the temperature of target particle efficiently facilitates the separation process of the RF particle separator. According to an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of target particles  50  is approximately 0.001 meters. With particles of this size, increasing the temperature of subjected portion  57  of target particle  50  may provide greater efficiency in part because of the energy savings caused by increasing the temperature of only part of target particle  50 . Efficiency is further promoted because the temperature of subjected portion  57  may be increased more quickly than a uniform increase of the entire target particle  50 . This faster increase in temperature may reduce the requisite operation time for the field generator and allows the RF particle separator to remove more target particles in an equal duration of time. 
         [0044]    According to various exemplary embodiments, field  42  includes electromagnetic waves having a frequency and amplitude. Varying the frequency of the electromagnetic waves emitted by generator  40  varies skin depth β. According to an exemplary embodiment, skin depth β is inversely proportional to the square root of the frequency of the electromagnetic waves. By way of example, a higher frequency tends to decrease the skin depth β whereas a lower frequency tends to increase the skin depth β. According to an exemplary embodiment, skin depth β is approximately ten percent of the diameter of the target particles  50 . According to an alternative embodiment, the skin depth is increased until subjected portion  57  extends throughout target particle. In both instances, the efficiency of RF particle separator  10  is increased relative to embodiments where the skin depth is substantially larger than the size of the particle (or its mineral portion). The skin depth impacts the size of particles moved by RF particle separator  10 . The frequency of field  42  may then be varied in order to remove different sized particles with each applied frequency. According to an exemplary embodiment, the frequency of the field is increased or decreased according to a specified pattern thereby allowing for the extraction of certain sized particles. 
         [0045]    Referring next to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , target particles  50  may be extracted from fluid  30  without vaporizing fluid  30 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , field  42  increases the temperature of target particle  50  according to a specified pattern, shown as thermal gradient  112 . According to an exemplary embodiment, field  42  includes electromagnetic waves having a frequency, amplitude, and other characteristics. 
         [0046]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the frequency of the electromagnetic waves within field  42  varies. Such variance may occur in a single linear dimension (e.g., vertically, laterally, along a depth, etc.), a single curvilinear dimension, two dimensions formed by two of the foregoing linear or curvilinear dimensions, spherically, or according to some other one, two, or three dimensional geometry. According to an alternative embodiment, the amplitude of the electromagnetic waves within the field varies. According various other alternative embodiments, still other characteristics of the field vary. 
         [0047]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , target particles  50  within fluid  30  interact with field  42 . Variance among the electromagnetic waves within field  42  provides a non-uniform temperature increase within target particles  50 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the frequency or amplitude of electromagnetic waves of field  42  varies across the particles, and heating due to electromagnetic waves acting on the bottom  110  of target particle  50  may be greater than the heating due to electromagnetic waves acting on the top  111  of target particle  50 . This variance in heating results in thermal gradient  112  within target particle  50 . As discussed above, thermal gradient  112  is related to the variance in characteristics of field  42 . The material properties of target particles  50  (e.g., density, thermal conductivity, presence of trace materials, etc.) may impact the degree that thermal gradient  112  corresponds to the variance within the electromagnetic waves of field  42 . 
         [0048]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , field  42  interacts with target particle  50  to increase the temperature of target particle  50 . The temperature is increased to a first specified level, shown as first temperature  114  at a location proximate to the bottom of target particle  50  and a second specified level, shown as second temperature  116  at a location proximate to the top of target particle  50 . According to an exemplary embodiment, first temperature  114  is higher than second temperature  116 . While the entire target particle  50  transfers heat to fluid  30 , portions of target particle  50  having a proportionally higher temperature transfer proportionally more heat to the surrounding fluid  30 . According to an alternative embodiment, field  42  creates thermal gradient  112  having lateral characteristics such that target particle  50  moves laterally within fluid  30 . 
         [0049]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiments shown in  FIG. 7 , the additional heat transfer proximate to certain portions of target particle  50  causes a greater increase in the temperature of fluid  30  along to the bottom of target particle  50  than the fluid  30  along to the top of target particle  50 . The warmer fluid  30  proximate to the bottom of target particle  50  expands and rises toward the surface of fluid  30 . This rising fluid  30  causes a thermal influx, shown as propulsion currents  118 . Propulsion currents  118  interact with the surface of target particles  50  to provide a lifting force. According to an alternative embodiment, field  42  causes different thermal gradients  112  within target particles  50 . These varying thermal gradients  112  cause unique heat transfer between target particles  50  and fluid  30  and provide for different movement of target particles  50 . 
         [0050]    Referring next to still another alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , target particles  50  may be moved through magnetic interaction. According to an exemplary embodiment, target particles  50  may comprise a conductive material capable of carrying an electric current. Field  42  created by generator  40  may interact with target particles  50  along a specified direction, shown as field vector  120 . Field vector  120  may cause eddy currents to form and circulate within target particles  50  perpendicular to field vector  120 . These eddy currents may travel throughout or only within a certain volume of target particles  50 . Flow of electrons along the electrical circuit may induce a voltage and electromagnetic field within target particles  50 . This electromagnetic field may combine with field  42  having a specified gradient and interact with the current to produce a J×B force, shown as force vector  122  having a magnitude and a direction. The magnitude of force vector  122  moves target particles  50  along the direction of force vector  122 . Such movement of target particles  50  through fluid  30  caused by force vector  122  is less dependent on the characteristics of fluid  30  than alternative methods such as vaporizing fluid  30 . 
         [0051]    Referring again to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , several factors impact the magnitude of force vector  122 . By way of example, the magnitude of waves within field  42  and the conductance of target particles  50 , among other factors, impact the magnitude of force vector  122 . According to an exemplary embodiment, target particles  50  may be highly conductive materials (gold, silver, copper, etc.). Highly conductive materials allow field  42  to induce stronger eddy currents within target particles  50  and may increase the magnitude of force vector  122 . A stronger induction of eddy currents within target particles  50  may further facilitate the separation operation of RF particle separator  10  because secondary particles  60  may be a material not suitable to carrying eddy currents or may be a material less suitable to carrying eddy currents than target particles  50 . By way of example, aggregate material may be not well suited to carrying eddy currents. Aggregates failing to carry sufficient eddy currents will not move substantially in the direction of force vector  122 . Target particles  50  may be better at carrying eddy currents than secondary particles  60  and may move in the direction of force vector  122  while the secondary particles  60  may not. 
         [0052]    According to an alternative embodiment, the target particles may have a conductance lower than highly conductive materials but greater than the secondary particles (e.g., titanium, platinum, etc.). As discussed above, the strength of the field may also impact the magnitude of a force vector. The strength of the field may be controlled in order to induce eddy currents within the target particles that create a sufficient magnitude of a force vector. According to an exemplary embodiment, the magnitude of a force vector may be sufficient where it is capable of moving the target particles along a specified path. 
         [0053]    According to an alternative embodiment, the strength of the field may be further increased in order to create a force vector having a magnitude capable of moving the target particles faster or slower, as conditions may require. By way of example, a larger force may be necessary where the fluid is flowing rapidly or where the target particles must be extracted from the fluid quickly. Under these circumstances, the requisite force vector may have a magnitude much greater than the weight force of the target particle. According to an exemplary embodiment, the strength of the field is controlled to induce a force vector capable of moving the target particles without substantially moving the secondary particles. 
         [0054]    According to an alternative embodiment, the target particles may have magnetic properties apart from those paramagnetically induced by a field. Such magnetic properties may have been introduced to target particles or naturally occurring within the target particles. The magnetic properties may be induced by the field but be nonlinear and dependent upon the amplitude or frequency of the field. Ferrous materials may be particularly susceptible to such properties. According to an exemplary embodiment, the target particles may be iron having naturally occurring magnetic properties. According to an alternative embodiment, target particles may be iron having introduced magnetic properties. The introduction of magnetic properties may occur through various known techniques including introducing the target particles to a magnetic material or an electromagnet. Naturally occurring or introduced magnetic properties of the target particles further interact with the applied electromagnetic field and create a larger force than similar target particles exposed to a similar electromagnetic field. 
         [0055]    According to an alternative embodiment, the target particles may be charged. Charged target particles interact with an electromagnetic field and experience a Lorentz force acting to move the particle. Electromagnetic fields include an electric field portion, E and a electromagnetic field portion, B. For a particle having a given electric charge, q, the force acting to move the particle is the charge q multiplied by the applied electric field and the cross product of the velocity of the particle and the applied electromagnetic field. The cross product causes the Lorentz force to act perpendicular to both the velocity with applied electromagnetic field. According to an exemplary embodiment, the target particles may be naturally charged. According to an alternative embodiment, the target particles may be charged prior to entering the field. Such charging may occur or according to various known methods, including electrostatically charging the target particles or creating ions by exposing the target particles to a chemical compound. 
         [0056]    Referring next to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , RF particle separator  10  may further include a fluid characteristic regulator, shown as conditioner system  80 . Conditioner system  80  may decrease the air pressure above fluid  30  in order to facilitate the size or formation rate of bubbles  52  within fluid  30 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , conditioner system  80  may further include a cover, shown as housing  82 . Housing  82  may include an inside portion and an outside portion and partially or entirely surround fluid  30  thereby sealing fluid  30  from external atmospheric pressure conditions. 
         [0057]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , housing  82  may be disc shaped and coupled to a surface of basin  20 . Such coupling may be accomplished according to any known technique including welding, a bolted connection, using an adhesive, or other known coupling techniques. According to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , housing  82  is partially coupled to ground surface  22 . Such coupling may occur by burying a portion of housing  82  within ground surface  22 , by using seal connection, or by various alternative known methods. 
         [0058]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , conditioner system  80  may further include a volume, shown as zone  84 . Zone  84  is formed between the surface of fluid  30  and the inside portion of housing  82 . According to an exemplary embodiment, zone  84  may be filled with a fluid and substantially sealed from external atmospheric conditions. Such a fluid may include air, argon gas, or another known fluid capable of facilitating to the formation of bubbles  52  within fluid  30 . Sealing zone  84  may provide at least the benefit of allowing for the regulation of certain fluid conditions within zone  84 . Such certain fluid conditions may include temperature, pressure, among other known conditions of the fluid within zone  84 . 
         [0059]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , zone  84  is in fluid communication with fluid  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , the fluid pressure within zone  84  acts on fluid  30  and inhibits the formation of bubbles  52 . Further, the heat energy of the fluid within zone  84  may be absorbed by fluid  30  or the fluid within zone  84  may absorb heat energy from fluid  30 . According to various alternative embodiments, additional characteristics of the fluid within zone  84  impact characteristics of fluid  30 . 
         [0060]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , conditioner system  80  includes a pressure regulating device, shown as pump  86 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , pump  86  may be coupled to housing  82 . According to an alternative embodiment, pump  86  may be coupled to basin  20 . Varying the coupling location of pump  86  may vary a pressure profile across zone  84  whereby the pressure above one portion of fluid  30  may be greater or lower than the pressure above a different portion of fluid  30 . According to an exemplary embodiment, conditioner system  80  further includes one or more diffusers that allow pump  86  to more uniformly increase or decrease the pressure within zone  84 . 
         [0061]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , pump  86  is configured to decrease the pressure of the fluid within zone  84  relative to the atmospheric conditions outside housing  82 . Reducing the pressure of the fluid within zone  84  provides at least the benefit of changing the force acting upon fluid  30  by the fluid within zone  84 . As discussed above, this force acting upon fluid  30  resists the formation of bubbles  52 . Reducing the force acting on fluid  30  allows bubbles  52  to form within fluid  30  more easily. According to an alternative embodiment, pump  86  is configured to increase the pressure of the fluid within zone  84  relative to the atmospheric pressure outside housing  82 . Such an increase in pressure may be necessary in order to allow RF particle separator  10  to selectively remove target particles  50  from fluid  30  or prevent excessive vaporization of fluid  30 . 
         [0062]    Referring further to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the temperature of fluid  30  may be sufficiently high to vaporize fluid  30  under the surrounding atmospheric conditions. This effect may especially occur in areas of greater elevation where the atmospheric pressure is lower than at sea-level. Under such conditions, fluid  30  may begin to vaporize uncontrollably and cause RF particle separator  10  to extract both target particles  50  and secondary particles  60  from fluid  30 . This plural extraction is not preferred in that a mixture may require further processing in order to separate target particles  50  from the extracted mixture of target particles  50  and secondary particles  60 . According to an alternative embodiment, pump  86  may be configured to increase the pressure within zone  84  thereby preventing this uncontrolled vaporization condition. 
         [0063]    According to various alternative embodiments, other conditions of the fluid within a zone surrounding the carrier fluid may be regulated. According to an exemplary embodiment, a conditioner system may include a temperature regulating device, such as a heater or air conditioner. A heater or air conditioner in fluid communication with the fluid surrounding the carrier fluid may be necessary in order to facilitate the extraction of target particles from the carrier fluid. By way of example, the temperature of the fluid surrounding the carrier fluid may be regulated in order to prevent the fluid containing target and secondary particles from changing state. 
         [0064]    According to an alternative embodiment, the conditioner system may include an air conditioner that reduces the temperature of fluid surrounding the carrier fluid. As discussed above, the temperature of the carrier fluid under certain atmospheric conditions (e.g., low pressure, etc.) may lead to uncontrolled vaporization and cause the RF particle separator to extract both target and secondary particles. Uncontrolled vaporization may be avoided by increasing the pressure of the fluid acting on the carrier fluid. Such uncontrolled boiling may further be avoided by reducing the temperature of the fluid surrounding the carrier fluid thereby causing heat transfer from the carrier fluid into the surrounding fluid. An air conditioner or heat pump that reduces the temperature of a surrounding fluid may reduce the temperature of the carrier fluid until the uncontrolled vaporization condition (i.e. the maximum temperature of the carrier fluid before vaporization occurs at a given pressure) is no longer present. 
         [0065]    According to an alternative embodiment, the conditioner system may include a heating element that increases the temperature of fluid surrounding the carrier fluid. An increased temperature of the surrounding fluid may increase the temperature of the carrier fluid through heat transfer from the surrounding fluid to the carrier fluid. Such an increase may be necessary in order to prevent the carrier fluid from freezing due to cold atmospheric conditions, for example. Preventing the carrier fluid from freezing provides at least the benefit of allowing bubbles to extract target particles from the carrier fluid. Should a portion of the carrier fluid freeze, bubbles will not lift target particles to the surface of the carrier fluid for separation. Separation may not be possible for at least the reason that a separator may not have physical access to the target particles due to physical separation by a frozen layer of carrier fluid. Separation may further not be possible due to frozen carrier fluid interfering with the operation of the separator in another way (i.e. preventing the movement of various components). 
         [0066]    While the preceding discussion of the conditioner system included references to various components of RF particle separator  10  according to an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , it should be understood that the conditioner system may be configured to interact with various alternative embodiments of the RF particle separator. Such alternative embodiments may include the RF particle separator shown in  FIG. 3 , among others. Still further orientations and configurations of the conditioner system may be possible and understood by an ordinary person in the relevant art. 
         [0067]    Referring next to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , RF particle separator  10  may further include a fluid regulation system, shown as governor  90 . Governor  90  may adjust a condition of fluid  30 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , governor  90  may be coupled to an upper portion of basin  20  above fluid  30 . According to various alternative embodiments, governor  90  may be coupled with another portion of basin  20  above fluid  30 , coupled with basin  20  partially within fluid  30 , or coupled with basin  20  entirely submerged within fluid  30 . Such coupling may occur through a variety of known techniques (adhesive, bolted connection, snap fitting, etc.). According to still other alternative embodiments, governor  90  may be coupled to another portion of RF particle separator  10  or may float within or upon fluid  30 . 
         [0068]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , governor  90  may further include a substance capable of varying a property of fluid  30 , shown as substance  100 . Substance  100  may be a fluid or a solid capable of being dispensed in various ways. According to an exemplary embodiment, substance  100  is a liquid (e.g., acetone, etc.). Such liquid substance  100  may be sprayed, dropped, or otherwise infused into fluid  30 . According to an alternative embodiment, substance  100  is a solid material. Such solid substance  100  may be introduced into fluid  30  as a singular amount of substance  100  or may be introduced into fluid  30  as multiple particles of substance  100 . According to still another alternative embodiment, substance  100  is a gas. Gaseous substance  100  may dissolve within fluid  30  or may remain dissociated from fluid  30  to regulate a condition of fluid  30 . Substances  100  may dissolve or mix within fluid  30  at a specified release rate. The release rate of substance  100  may be specified based on various conditions of fluid  30  including flow rate, temperature, and pressure, among other conditions of fluid  30  or the surrounding environment. 
         [0069]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , substance  100  regulates the vapor pressure of fluid  30 . Adjusting the vapor pressure of fluid  30  provides at least the benefit of facilitating or inhibiting the formation of bubbles  52  within fluid  30 . Fluid  30  includes an initial vapor pressure before substance  100  is added. By way of example, the vapor pressure of pure water at twenty-five degrees Celsius is 0.03 atmospheres. This initial vapor pressure of may be increased or decreased as the conditions of fluid  30  demand. By way of example, the vapor pressure of fluid  30  may be increased to facilitate the formation of bubbles  52  or may be decreased to inhibit the formation of bubbles  52 . 
         [0070]    According to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , substance  100  regulates the surface tension of liquid fluid  30 . The surface tension of fluid  30  is ability of the liquid fluid  30  to resist an external force caused by cohesion of similar molecules. Fluid  30  includes an initial surface tension before substance  100  is added. By way of example, the surface tension of pure water at twenty-five degrees Celsius is 71.97 dynes per cubic centimeter. This surface tension may be increased or decreased depending on the operating conditions of RF particle separator  10 . By way of example, liquid fluid  30  may be water and substance  100  may be ethanol. The surface tension of a combination of water and forty percent ethanol by weight at twenty-five degrees Celsius is 29.63 dynes per cubic centimeter. According to an exemplary embodiment, substance  100  may increase the surface tension of fluid  30  to reduce the size and formation rate of bubbles  52  within fluid  30 . According to an alternative embodiment, substance  100  may decrease the surface tension of fluid  30  to increase the size and formation rate of bubbles  52  within fluid  30 . 
         [0071]    According to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the substance regulates the latent heat of fusion or the latent heat of vaporization of the carrier fluid. According to an exemplary embodiment, the substance may include a saline solution or crystalline salt. The carrier fluid having a saline solution or crystalline salt added may freeze at a lower temperature than an untreated carrier fluid and not experience the freezing issues discussed above. According to an alternative embodiment, the substance may cause the carrier fluid to vaporize at a different temperature than an untreated carrier fluid and prevent the uncontrolled vaporization issues discussed above. 
         [0072]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , governor  90  may further include a distributor, shown as dispenser  95 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , dispenser  95  may be configured to facilitate the transmission of substance  100  into fluid  30 . According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , dispenser  95  is coupled to basin  20  above a level of fluid  30 . According to various alternative embodiments, dispenser  95  may be coupled to another component of RF particle separator  10  and may be disposed within fluid  30 . 
         [0073]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the physical structure of dispenser  95  may be related to a characteristic of substance  100 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , dispenser  95  may be an auger system capable of facilitating the transmission of a solid bead shaped substance  100  into fluid  30 . Dispenser  95  may include a hopper configured to store substance  100  and a screw device that interacts with substance  100  and facilitate the transmission of substance  100  into fluid  30 . Dispenser  95  may further include a mixer that facilitates creating a solution of substance  100  and fluid  30 . While a specific configuration is disclosed, it should be understood that dispenser  95  may further include various additional components configured to manipulate substance  100  either prior to or after substance  100  is introduced into fluid  30 . 
         [0074]    According to an alternative embodiment, the dispenser may be a nozzle system capable of facilitating the transmission of a fluid substance into the carrier fluid. The dispenser may include a tank configured to store the fluid substance and a nozzle that regulates the flow of the fluid substance. The dispenser may further include a mixer that facilitates creating a solution of the fluid substance and carrier fluid. While a specific configuration is disclosed, it should be understood that the dispenser may further include various additional components configured to manipulate the substance either prior to or after the substance is introduced into the carrier fluid. 
         [0075]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , governor  90  may further include a substance manager, shown as controller  97 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , controller  97  is configured to activate dispenser  95  in order to direct substance  100  into fluid  30 . Controller  97  may include one or more processing circuits and memory devices configured to activate dispenser  95  in a specified manner. Such specified manner may include a continuous operation mode, a timer operation mode, or an as-needed operation mode. 
         [0076]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , controller  97  further includes a sensor configured to monitor a condition of fluid  30 . Controller  97  may then activate dispenser  95  in response to a received signal from the sensor in order to change a condition of fluid  30 . By way of example, controller  97  may monitor the surface tension of fluid  30  either directly or indirectly and adjust the activation of dispenser  95  in order to change a condition of fluid  30 . According to various alternative embodiments, controller  97  may adjust the activation of dispenser  95  in response to another received condition (e.g., the temperature or pressure, among other conditions, of the fluid within zone  84 , the temperature and pressure, among other conditions, of the ambient environment, etc.). 
         [0077]    According to an alternative embodiment, controller  97  may activate dispenser  95  in a timer mode according to a predetermined schedule. Timer mode operation may be appropriate where the conditions of fluid  30  vary predictably over time or do not substantially vary with time. Such timer mode operation provides at least the benefit of limiting the number of additional sensors or components needed to regularly activate dispenser  95 . A predetermined schedule may be programmed by a user into controller  97  or may be calculated by controller  97 . By way of example, a user may input a time duration of one minute into controller  97  thereby causing controller  97  to activate dispenser  95  once every minute. 
         [0078]    According to still another alternative embodiment, controller  97  may activate dispenser  95  continuously. Such continuous operation may be necessary where the conditions of fluid  30  require a constant release of the regulating substance. By way of example, a constant release of the regulating substance may be necessary where the ambient temperature surrounding the carrier fluid is very low. As discussed above, these conditions may cause the carrier fluid to freeze and prevent effective separation of the target particles from the carrier fluid. 
         [0079]    Referring next to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , RF particle separator  130  may be a mobile unit configured to extract target particles from fluid  30 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , RF particle separator  130  includes a collector, shown as accumulator  132  and a support, shown as structure  134 . According to an exemplary embodiment, structure  134  is generally flat and may float upon a portion of fluid  30  to facilitate the extraction operation of RF particle separator  130 . 
         [0080]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , RF particle separator  130  further includes generator  40 . As discussed above, generator  40  is configured to subject fluid  30  to a field having specified characteristics. Such interaction causes target particles to rise as discussed above. According to an exemplary embodiment, generator  40  is a wave form generator capable of subjecting fluid  30  to an electromagnetic wave having identified properties (e.g., frequency, intensity, uniformity, direction, etc.). Identifying certain properties of the electromagnetic field provides greater control of the extraction process of RF particle separator  130 . 
         [0081]    Referring still to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , RF particle separator  130  may include a collector, shown as accumulator  132 . Accumulator  132  is configured to gather target particles  50  raised within fluid  30  by generator  40  and deposit them into a catch (not shown). According to an exemplary embodiment, accumulator  132  may include a skimmer that contacts fluid  30  and extracts target particles  50  from fluid  30 . Such a skimmer may include a fixed blade design that moves within fluid  30  and contacts target particles  50 . By way of example, an angled fixed blade design may cause target particles  50  to move along the blade and into the catch. According to an alternative embodiment, accumulator  132  may include a driven skimmer device that moves within fluid  30  independent of any movement of structure  134  within fluid  30 . According to still another alternative embodiment, accumulator  132  includes a suction device capable of extracting target particles raised by generator  40  from fluid  30 . 
         [0082]    According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , RF particle separator  130  is configured to move with respect to fluid  30 . Such movement may include drifting or driven motion within basin  20  along the surface of fluid  30 . As RF particle separator  130  moves with respect to fluid  30 , generator  40  subjects fluid  30  to a field that extracts target particles  50 . The movement between RF particle separator  130  and fluid  30  may allow RF particle separator  130  having an extraction profile to extract target particles  50  from fluid  30  located within basin  20  having a size larger than the extraction profile of RF particle separator  130 . 
         [0083]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the carrier fluid flows within a basin along a specified path and RF particle separator  130  moves within a current generated by the carrier fluid. According to an alternative embodiment, RF particle separator  130  further includes a driving device configured to move RF particle separator  130  within the carrier fluid. Such movement may occur along the surface of the carrier fluid or may occur within the carrier fluid. RF particle separator  130  may further include a controller configured to regulate the movement of RF particle separator  130  within the carrier fluid. Such regulated movement may include a specified path or a random pattern having specified operation parameters. 
         [0084]    It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the systems and methods as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the enclosure may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from scope of the present disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims. 
         [0085]    The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions. 
         [0086]    Although the figures may show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps.