Patent Publication Number: US-2023150354-A1

Title: Multiple inlet filtration system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation of and claims benefit to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/477,137 filed on Sep. 16, 2021 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/173,489 filed on Oct. 29, 2018, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 11,124,059, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The field of the present disclosure generally relates to filtration devices. More particularly, the field of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for a multiple inlet air box which exhibits improved air flow and may be coupled with a reusable air filter so as to improve engine performance and fuel economy. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An air filter designed to remove particulate is generally a device composed of fibrous materials. These fibrous materials may remove solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air. Air filters are used in applications where air quality is important, notably in building ventilation systems and with engines. 
     Air filters may be used in automobiles, trucks, tractors, locomotives, and other vehicles that use internal combustion engines. Air filters may be used with gasoline engines, diesel engines, or other engines that run on fossil fuels or other combustible substances. Air filters may be used with engines in which combustion is intermittent, such as four-stroke and two-stroke piston engines, as well as other types of engines that take in air so that a combustible substance may be burned. For example, air filters may be used with some gas turbines. Filters may also be used with air compressors or in other devices that take in air. 
     Filters may be made from pleated paper, foam, cotton, spun fiberglass, or other known filter materials. Generally, the air intakes of internal combustion engines and compressors tend to use paper, foam, or cotton filters. Some filters use an oil bath. Air filters for internal combustion engines prevent abrasive particulate matter from entering the combustion cylinders of the engine, wherein the particulate matter would cause mechanical wear and oil contamination. Many fuel injected engines utilize a flat panel, pleated paper filter element. This filter usually is placed inside an enclosed, plastic box connected to a throttle body by way of ductwork. Vehicles that use carburetors or throttle body fuel injection systems typically use a cylindrical air filter positioned above the carburetor or the throttle body. 
     A drawback to conventional air boxes that require flat panel paper filters is that as particular matter builds up in the filter, air flow through the filter becomes restricted. Such a restricted air flow generally leads to a reduction in engine performance, such as a decrease in engine power output and a greater fuel consumption. Moreover, as the paper filter becomes increasingly clogged, pressure below the filter decreases while the atmospheric air pressure outside the filter remains the same. When the difference in pressure becomes too great, contaminants may be drawn through the paper filter directly into the engine. Thus, the ability of the paper filter to protect the engine from contamination and internal damage tends to decrease near the end of the filter&#39;s service life. Typically, paper air filters are removed from the vehicle and discarded, and a new paper air filter is then installed. Considering that there are millions of vehicles throughout the world, the volume of discarded air filters that could be eliminated from landfills is a staggering number. 
     Another drawback to conventional air boxes is that they typically draw air through a tortuous path of hoses or ductwork before the air enters the intake of the engine. In some cases, the air box is a greater source of air restriction than is the paper filter. Similar to a contaminated air filter, a restrictive air box decreases engine performance and fuel economy. What is needed, therefore, is an air box which exhibits improved air flow and may be coupled with a reusable air filter so as to improve engine performance and fuel economy. 
     SUMMARY 
     An apparatus and a method are provided for a multiple inlet air box configured to communicate an airstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The multiple inlet air box is comprised of a housing that supports the air filter within an interior of the housing. A mount portion comprising the housing fixedly receives a base of the air filter. Multiple air inlets are configured to couple with corresponding air inlet ports of the vehicle to direct the airstream into the multiple inlet air box. A duct conveys the airstream from the multiple inlets to the air filter within the interior of the housing. A conduit communicates the airstream from an interior of the air filter to the air intake duct of the internal combustion engine. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, an air box configured to communicate an airstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle comprises a housing configured to support the air filter within an interior of the housing; a duct configured to direct the airstream to the air filter; one or more air inlets to the duct that are configured to couple with one or more corresponding air inlet ports of the vehicle; and a conduit configured to communicate the airstream from an interior of the air filter to the air intake duct. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, either of the one or more air inlets may be blocked to the airstream so as to facilitate coupling and operation of the air box with the engine of a vehicle comprising only one corresponding air inlet port. In another exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more air inlets comprises an opening having a size, shape, and orientation that substantially matches the size, shape, and orientation of the one or more corresponding air inlet ports to which each of the one or more air inlets is to be coupled. In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more air inlets are configured to be slightly larger than the one or more corresponding air inlet ports, such that the one or more air inlets may receive the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more air inlets are configured to be substantially the same size as the one or more corresponding air inlet ports, such that the one or more air inlets may be aligned with, and pressed against the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more air inlets are configured to be slightly smaller than the one or more corresponding air inlet ports, such that the one or more air inlets may be inserted into the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. In another exemplary embodiment, a specific configuration of the air inlets may be varied so as to accommodate a particular make, model, and configuration of the engine for which the air box is to be utilized. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a seal is disposed around a perimeter edge of each of the one or more air inlets so as to establish a substantially air-leak resistant junction between the one or more air inlets and the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal is comprised of a molded pliable strip including a recess that is configured to receive the perimeter edge. In another exemplary embodiment, the molded pliable strip is comprised of a cross-sectional shape that is suitable to establish the substantially air-leak resistant junction. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal is comprised of pliable stripping that is configured to be disposed around an interior of the perimeter edge, such that the pliable stripping fills a space between an interior of each of the one or more air inlets and an exterior of the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal is comprised of pliable stripping that is configured to be disposed on an exterior of each of the one or more air inlets, such that the pliable stripping fills a space between the exterior of each of the one or more air inlets and an interior of the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. 
     In an exemplary embodiments, a method for an air box to communicate an airstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle comprises configuring a housing to support the air filter within an interior of the housing; configuring a duct to direct the airstream to the air filter; forming one or more air inlets to the duct; providing a configuration and orientation to each of the one or more air inlets to facilitate coupling with one or more corresponding air inlet ports of the vehicle; and extending a conduit from an interior of the air filter to the air intake duct. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, forming one or more air inlets further comprises disposing a seal around a perimeter edge of the one or more air inlets so as to establish a substantially air-leak resistant junction between the one or more air inlets and the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. In another exemplary embodiment, providing a configuration and orientation further comprises configuring either of the one or more air inlets to be blocked to the airstream so as to facilitate operation of the air box in a vehicle that lacks either of the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an upper perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple inlet air box in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a lower perspective view of the exemplary multiple inlet air box of  FIG.  1   , according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of an engine bay wherein an exemplary embodiment of a multiple inlet air box is coupled with an engine, according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a top view of the engine bay of  FIG.  3    wherein the multiple inlet air box is coupled with air inlet ports disposed within the engine bay in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The invention should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first air inlet,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first air inlet” is different than a “second air inlet.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein. 
     In general, the present disclosure describes an apparatus and a method for a multiple inlet air box configured to communicate an airstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The multiple inlet air box is comprised of a housing that is configured to support the air filter within an interior of the housing. A mount portion is disposed within the housing and configured to fixedly receive a base of the air filter. Hardware fasteners may be coupled with the base of the air filter to affix the air filter to an inner surface of the mount portion, forming a leak resistant coupling there between. A conduit is configured to communicate the airstream from an interior of the air filter to the air intake duct of the internal combustion engine. One or more air inlets to the interior of the housing are configured to couple with corresponding air inlet ports of the vehicle so as to direct the airstream into the multiple inlet air box. A duct passes the airstream from the air inlets to the interior of the housing. An opening disposed on a bottom portion of the housing is configured to receive either a flat panel to enclose the interior of the housing or an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle such that the ECU is placed into contact with the airstream and is cooled thereby. 
     Although embodiments of the invention may be described and illustrated herein in terms of a cone-shaped air filter, it should be understood that embodiments of this invention are not limited to the exact shape illustrated, but rather may include a wide variety of generally enclosed shapes, such as cylindrical, circular, oval, round, curved, conical, or any other closed perimeter shape, that provide a relatively large surface area in a given volume of the filter. Moreover, embodiments as described herein are not limited to use as internal combustion engine filters, but rather may have applicability in other filtration systems in which a large volume of air requires treatment. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an upper perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a multiple inlet air box  100  in accordance with the present disclosure. The multiple inlet air box  100  is comprised of one or more air inlets  104  that are connected to a housing  108  by way of a duct  112 . The duct  112  is configured to communicate an airstream  116  entering through the air inlets  104  into an interior  120  of the housing  108 . As best illustrated in  FIG.  2   , an air filter  124  disposed within the interior  120  is configured to remove particulate matter and contaminants that may be flowing with the airstream  116  before the airstream is directed through a conduit  128  to an air intake duct of the internal combustion engine. The multiple inlet air box  100  generally is of an enclosed variety and is configured to improve movement of the airstream  116  through the air filter  124  disposed within the interior  120  of the housing  108 . Preferably, the interior  120  is characterized by smooth surfaces and rounded edges so as to decrease turbulence and air resistance through the multiple inlet air box  100 , thereby improving engine performance beyond that otherwise possible with conventional air boxes. 
     The housing  108  and the duct  112  preferably are comprised of a material that is sufficiently durable and temperature resistant to retain their configurations during installation and operation when coupled with the air intake duct of the engine. In some embodiments, the housing  108  and duct  112  may be formed as a single component by way of injection molding. In some embodiments, the housing  108  and the duct  112  may be formed as separate components that may be coupled together during installation of the multiple inlet air box  100  into a vehicle. It is envisioned that either or both of the housing and the duct  112  may be formed by way of injection molding. 
     In some embodiments, one or more supports may be disposed on the housing  108  and the duct  112  so as to fixate the multiple inlet air box  100  within the engine bay of a vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 2   , rear supports  132  are configured to be coupled with, or fastened to, the interior of an engine bay  136  of a vehicle, as shown in  FIGS.  3 - 4   , such that the conduit  128  may be coupled with an air intake duct  140  of an engine  144 . In some embodiments, the rear supports  132  may be configured to couple the multiple inlet air box  100  directly with the engine  144  of the vehicle. It is envisioned that the rear supports  132  may include any suitable fastening means to facilitate installing the multiple inlet air box  100  in the engine bay  136 , such as, by way of example, suitably designed holes, brackets, molded shaped portions, protrusions, extensions, straps, hardware fasteners, or other any similar device for holding the multiple inlet air box  100  fixed within the engine bay  136 . As will be appreciated, the particular fastening means will vary according to the specific make, model, and type of the vehicle with which the multiple inlet air box  100  is to be used. 
     The housing  108  is configured to support the air filter  124  and provide an interface between the air filter and the air intake duct  140  of the engine  144 . A front side of the housing  108  is comprised of a mount portion  148  that is configured to facilitate coupling the air filter  124  with an interior surface of the front side of the housing. In some embodiments, the air filter  124  may be of a flangeless variety, and thus the base may include a compressible seal. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 2   , the mount portion  148  is comprised of a flat surface that receives the seal of the air filter  124 . A multiplicity of fasteners  152 , or other suitable hardware, may be used to compress the seal between the base of the air filter  124  and the flat surface, thereby establishing an air-leak resistant connection between an interior of the air filter  124  and the mount portion  148 . Further details about components comprising the base of the air filter  124 , including seals disposed thereon, are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/276,502, entitled “Flangeless Air Filter,” filed on September  26 ,  2016 , the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, however, the mount portion  148  may be comprised of a suitably sized flange or conduit that extends into the interior  120  and is configured to be received into an opening in the base of the air filter  124 . It is contemplated that the mount portion  148  may be comprised of any coupling means suitable for forming a reasonably air-leak resistant connection between the air filter  124  and the mount portion  148 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  2   , the mount portion  148  places the interior of the air filter  124  into fluid communication with the conduit  128 . The conduit  128  is configured to convey the airstream  116  from the interior of the air filter  124  to the air intake duct  140  of the engine  144 . The conduit  128  is comprised of a transition  156  and a flange  160  that is configured to receive the air intake duct  140 . Preferably, the transition  156  provides a molded connection between the flange  160  and the housing  108 , although other forms of connections may be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment of  FIG.  2   , the transition  156  generally positions a longitudinal dimension of the flange  160  at an offset with respect to a center of the mount portion  148 . In some embodiments, the transition  156  may position the longitudinal dimension of the flange  160  at an angle relative to the housing  108 . In some embodiments, the angle between the conduit  128  and the housing  108  may be  90 -degrees. In general, however, the value of the angle between the conduit  128  and the housing  108  will depend upon the particular vehicle, as well as the specific configuration of the engine, for which the multiple inlet air box  100  is to be utilized. As such, any value of the angle and the offset of the conduit  128  may be incorporated into the multiple inlet air box  100  without detracting from the present disclosure. 
     The flange  160  comprises an opening  164  that is configured to conduct the airstream  116  from the interior of the air filter  124  to the air intake duct  140 . It should be understood that the flange  160  has a configuration and an exterior diameter, and the opening  164  has an inner diameter that are suitable for coupling with the air intake duct  140  of the engine  144 . As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2   , exterior diameter of the transition  160  may taper along the length of the conduit  128  to a suitable exterior diameter of the flange  160 . Moreover, in some embodiments, the flange  160  may comprise any of various additional ridges, raised portions, or other surface features so as to optimally engage with the air intake duct  140 . The specific configuration of the flange  160  and the inner diameter of the opening  164  will depend upon the particular make, model, and engine configuration for which the multiple inlet air box  100  is to be utilized, and thus a wide variety of configurations and diameters may be incorporated into the conduit  128 , without limitation. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG.  4   , each of the air inlets  104  is configured to be coupled with an air inlet port  168  disposed within the engine bay  136 . As will be recognized, the air inlet ports  168  generally extend through the vehicle to a source of external air, such as a front of the vehicle. Each air inlet  104  comprises an opening having a size, shape, and orientation that substantially match the size, shape, and orientation of the particular air inlet port  168  to which the air inlet  104  is to be coupled. In some embodiments, the air inlets  104  may be configured to be slightly larger than the air inlet ports  168 , such that the air inlets  104  may receive the air inlet ports  168  into an interior of the air inlets. In some embodiments, the air inlets  104  may be configured to be substantially the same size as the air inlet ports  168 , such that the air inlets  104  may be aligned with, and pressed against the air inlet ports  168 . Still, in some embodiments, the air inlets  104  may be configured with a size and shape that is slightly smaller than the size and shape of the air inlet ports  168 , such that the air inlets  104  may be inserted into the interior of the air inlet ports  168 . It is contemplated that any of various suitable hardware fasteners may be utilized to couple the air inlets  104  with the air inlet ports  168 . It is further contemplated that any of various additional bends, ridges, raised portions, or other surface features may be incorporated into the air inlets  104  so as to optimally engage with the air inlet ports  168  of the vehicle. As such, the specific configuration of the air inlets  104  will depend upon the particular make, model, and configuration of the engine  144  for which the multiple inlet air box  100  is to be utilized, without limitation, and without deviating beyond the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , a seal  172  is disposed around a perimeter edge of each of the air inlets  104 . The seal  172  serves to establish a substantially air-leak resistant junction between the air inlet port  168  and the air inlet  104 . In some embodiments, the seal  172  is comprised of a molded pliable strip that may be pressed onto the perimeter edge of the air inlet  104 , as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 2   . The molded pliable strip may include a recess that is configured to fixedly receive the perimeter edge of the air inlet  104 , such that the seal  172  remain fixed to the perimeter of the air inlet. The seal  172  may be comprised of any cross-sectional shape that is suitable for sealing the junction between the air inlet  104  and the air inlet port  168 . 
     In some embodiments, the seal  172  may be comprised of pliable stripping that is configured to be disposed between an interior of the perimeter edge of the air inlet  104  and an exterior of the air inlet port  168 . The pliable stripping may be affixed to either the air inlet  104  or the air inlet port  168  by way of a suitable adhesive or any of various fasteners. In some embodiments, wherein the air inlets  104  are configured to be received into the air inlet ports  168 , the pliable stripping may be affixed between the interior of the air inlet port  168  and the exterior of the air inlet  104 . 
     It should be understood that the number of air inlets  104  comprising the multiple inlet air box  100  is not to be limited to two air inlets, as shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 4   . Although some vehicles include two air inlet ports  168 , as shown herein, other similar vehicles may be limited to solely either one of the two air inlet ports  168 , discussed herein. It is contemplated, therefore, that either one of the air inlets  104  may be blocked to the airstream  116 , as needed, during installing of the multiple inlet air box  100  into the engine bay  136 . Any of various mechanical devices may be used to block either of the air inlets  104 , such as, by way of non-limiting example, baffles, end caps, slats, panels, and the like. In some embodiments, either one of the air inlets  104  may be omitted from the multiple inlet air box  100  so as to accommodate a target vehicle that lacks the corresponding air inlet port  168 , without limitation. 
     In some embodiments, the housing  108  and the duct  112  may include any of various surface features or contours that are configured to provide clearance with nearby components disposed on the engine  144  or elsewhere within the engine bay  136 . For example, as best shown in  FIG.  2   , the duct  112  includes a longitudinal groove  178  configured to provide clearance for a hood prop (not shown) when the hood of the vehicle is closed. Further, a front support  182  is disposed on the duct  112  forwardly of the air inlets  104 . The front support  182  is configured to be received by a mounting portion  186  of the engine bay  136  so as to maintain the air inlets  104  engaged with the air inlet ports  168 , as described herein. It should be understood that a wide variety of surface features, contoured portions, and suitable supports may be coupled with the multiple inlet air box  100 , without limitation. 
     It is contemplated that a wide variety of peripheral components may be coupled with the housing  108  and the duct  112 , as needed. In some embodiments, for example, one or more sheet metal components may be fastened onto locations of the duct  112  that are near heated components within the engine bay  136 , such as an exhaust manifold of the engine  144 . In some embodiments, one or more pliable pads may be strategically located on the exterior of the housing  108  and the duct  112  so as to cushion contact with nearby components within the engine bay  136 . It is envisioned that the pliable pads may be comprised of rubber suitable to reduce vibrations occurring between the multiple inlet air box  100  and the nearby components. In some embodiments, a latch mechanism may be installed within the longitudinal groove  178  and configured to retain the hood prop when the hood of the vehicle is closed. It should be understood that a wide variety of components or devices may be coupled with the multiple inlet air box  100  so as to facilitate operation of the multiple inlet air box within the engine bay  136  and in connection with the engine  144 , without limitation. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  2   , the housing  108  comprises an opening  180  into the interior  120 . The opening  180  comprises an edge portion  184  that is configured to be coupled with a flat panel (not shown) so as to enclose the interior  120 . In some embodiments, the edge portion  184  may be configured to be coupled with a flat surface of an engine control unit (ECU), such that the flat surface of the ECU encloses the interior  120 . In such embodiments, the flat surface of the ECU may be placed into direct contact with the airstream  116 , such that the airstream transfers heat away from the ECU before being drawn through the air filter  124  and into the air intake duct  140  of the engine  144 . Further details about coupling an ECU with the multiple inlet air box  100  so as to cool the ECU are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,769, entitled “Engine Control Unit Cooling Air Box,” filed on Oct. 27, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The edge portion  184  preferably is configured to receive a multiplicity of fasteners so as to fixedly attach either the ECU or the flat panel to the housing  108 . In some embodiments, a multiplicity of threaded holes may be disposed in suitable locations within the edge portion  184  to threadably receive the multiplicity of fasteners. Further, a suitable gasket or a seal may be disposed between the ECU or flat panel and the edge portion  184  so as to prevent outside air other the airstream  116  from entering the interior  120 . It should be understood, however, that the ECU or the flat panel may be fixedly coupled with any suitable surface of the housing  108  by way of any of various fastening means, without limitation. 
     It is contemplated that the opening  180  facilitates installing and removing the air filter  124  from the housing  108 , as needed. For example, once the air filter  124  is dirty, the air filter may be removed from the housing and a new, clean air filter  124  may be installed. A transparent portion  188 , as shown in  FIG.  1   , disposed on a top of the housing  108  facilitates direct observation of the condition of the air filter  124 . In one embodiment, a method for removing the air filter  124  comprises removing the above-mentioned flat panel or ECU from the edge portion  184  to provide access to the interior  120  of the housing  108 . The fasteners  152  may then be loosened to release the base of the air filter  124  from the mount portion  148 . Once the fasteners  152  are removed, the air filter  124  may be removed from the interior  120  by way of the opening  180 . 
     Although the method for removing the air filter  124  generally facilitates replacing the air filter, when dirty, with a clean air filter, it is contemplated that the method for removing the air filter  124  is particularly advantageous for use with embodiments of the air filter  124  that are configured to be periodically cleaned and reused. For example, in some embodiments, the air filter  124  may be comprised of multiple layers of cotton gauze that are treated with a filter oil composition that enhances the filtration properties of the air filter. It is contemplated that a practitioner may clean the air filter  124  by first removing from the air filter from the housing  108 , as described above, and then applying a solvent to remove the filter oil from the air filter  124 . The practitioner may clean the air filter  124  by inserting a water hose through the base and into the interior of the air filter  124  and spraying water so as to flush contaminants from the air filter. Further details about components comprising the air filter  124 , as well as details about the filter oil composition and periodic cleaning of the air filter, are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/181,678, entitled “Air Box With Integrated Filter Media,” filed on Feb. 16, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/701,163, entitled “Filter Oil Formulation,” filed on Apr. 30, 2015, the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the invention, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.