Patent Publication Number: US-2023149756-A1

Title: Systems and methods of polymeric sprinklers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/971,336, filed Feb. 7, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Sprinklers can be used to respond to fires by providing fluids, such as water, to address the fire. For example, sprinklers can deliver fluid from a fluid supply when the sprinkler opens to address the fire. 
     SUMMARY 
     At least one aspect relates to a sprinkler. The sprinkler includes a body including an internal passageway extending from an inlet to an orifice. The body can be made of a composite material, such as a polymeric material. The sprinkler can include a first frame arm extending from the body, a second frame arm extending from the body, and a connector member connecting the first frame arm with the second frame arm. 
     At least one aspect relates to a sprinkler system. The sprinkler system includes one or more pipes that receive fluid from a fluid supply, a body, a first frame arm extending from the body, a second frame arm extending from the body, and a connector member connecting the first frame arm with the second frame arm. The body includes an internal passageway extending from an inlet coupled with the one or more pipes to an orifice. The body can be made of a composite material, such as a polymeric material. 
     These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detail below. The foregoing information and the following detailed description include illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations, and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and implementations. The drawings provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and implementations, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. For purposes of clarity, not every component can be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of an example of a sprinkler system. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an example of a sprinkler. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of an example of a sprinkler. 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of an example of a sprinkler. 
         FIG.  5    is a section view of an example of a sprinkler body. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of fire sprinklers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods of polymeric sprinklers. 
     Fire sprinklers can be made from metal materials, such as metal materials that have been validated to function under the rigors of fire conditions, including high temperatures. While polymeric sprinklers may allow for lower cost manufacturing, it can be difficult to manufacture polymeric sprinklers that can perform as needed under fire conditions, such as to maintain the shape of the sprinkler within appropriate tolerances so that resulting water flow and spray patterns output appropriately. 
     A sprinkler in accordance with the present disclosure can include a body, a first frame arm, a second frame arm, and a connector member. The body can include an internal passageway extending from an inlet to an orifice. The body can be made of a polymeric material. The first frame arm and the second frame arm can extend from the body. The connector member can connect the first frame arm with the second frame arm. The type of material used in the sprinkler (e.g., composite material), the direction of material flow to form the sprinkler, such as in an injection molding process, and the connector member, among other features of the sprinkler, can provide rigidity or strength to the sprinkler to enable the sprinkler to perform under fire conditions (including testing that represents fire conditions). The structure, material, and sizing of components of the sprinkler, including the connector member and the frame arms, can be made to mitigate regions identified during testing as having weak points, such as to space knit points of the fibers used in the injection molding process from locations subject to tensile or compressive forces. 
       FIG.  1    depicts a sprinkler system  100 . The sprinkler system  100  can include a fluid supply  104  coupled with one or more sprinklers  108  using one or more pipes  112 . The sprinkler  108  can be actuated responsive to a fire condition, causing fluid to flow from the fluid supply  104  through the one or more pipes  112  and out of the sprinkler  108 . 
       FIGS.  2 - 4    depict a sprinkler  200 . The sprinkler  200  can be used to implement the sprinkler  108  of  FIG.  1   . For example, the sprinkler  200  can be coupled with the one or more pipes  112 . Various examples of the sprinkler  200  can be used for various modes of operation or installation, including but not limited to concealed sprinkler, upright sprinkler, and pendent sprinkler modes of operation or installation. 
     The sprinkler  200  can be a polymeric sprinkler. For example, the sprinkler  200 , including portions thereof such as body  204 , frame arms  232 ,  236 , and connector member  240 , can be manufactured using materials such as composite materials. The sprinkler  200  can be manufactured by injection molding the materials to form the sprinkler  200 . The materials can include a resin, such as a thermoplastic polymeric resin. The materials can include reinforcing fibers. The materials can be made as a composite of a resin and reinforcing fibers. The sprinkler  200  or a portion thereof, such as frame arms  232 ,  236 , can be made such that the reinforcing fibers are parallel to longitudinal axis  228  (or within a threshold angle of parallel, such as within five degrees, three degrees, or one degree parallel to longitudinal axis  228 ). This can facilitate providing the sprinkler  200  with rigidity in appropriate directions to mitigate stresses applied to the sprinkler  200  under fire conditions (or test conditions representative of fire conditions). 
     The composite material can include a thermoplastic polymeric resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers. Examples of the composite material are described with respect to the following standards: ASTM International Standards D3418, D570, E831, D638, D695 and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standards 294-24 and 2577, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in relevant part. 
     In an example, the composite material can include a thermoplastic polymeric resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers. The thermoplastic polymeric resin has a peak melting temperature of at least about 250° C. (as determined pursuant to ASTM D3418), a water absorption of no more than about 0.3 wt. % (as determined pursuant to ASTM D570), and a coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than about 100 microns/m (as determined pursuant to ASTM E831). The composite material may have an elongation at break of no more than about 3% (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638). The composite material may have a compressive strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D695). The composite material may have a tensile strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638), and, in some instances, may have a tensile strength of at least about 200 or at least about 250 MPa. The composite material may have a transverse molding shrinkage of no more than about 1% (as determined pursuant to ISO 294-24, 2577). The composite material may have a melt flow index at 400° C. of at least about 1 g/10 min. The melt flow index may be at least about 10 g/10 min at 400° C. The thermoplastic polymeric resin may include polyphenylenesulfide, polyphthalamide, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide or a combination of two or more thereof. The reinforcing fibers may be glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers or a mixture of two or more thereof. 
     In an example, the composite material includes a thermoplastic polymeric resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers. The thermoplastic polymeric resin has a melting point of at least about 250° C., water absorption of no more than about 0.3 wt. % (as determined pursuant to ASTM D570), and the composite material has an elongation at break of no more than about 3% (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638). The composite material may have a coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than about 100 microns/m (as determined pursuant to ASTM E831). The composite material may have a compressive strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D695). The composite material may have a tensile strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638), and, in some instances, may have a tensile strength of at least about 200 or at least about 250 MPa. The composite material may have a transverse molding shrinkage of no more than about 1% (as determined pursuant to ISO 294-24, 2577). The composite material may have a melt flow index at 400° C. of at least about 1 g/10 min. The composite material may have a melt flow index of at least about 10 g/10 min at 400° C. 
     In an example, the composite material includes a thermoplastic polymeric resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers. The thermoplastic polymeric resin has a melting point of at least about 250° C., water absorption of no more than about 0.3 wt. % (as determined pursuant to ASTM D570), and the composite material has a transverse molding shrinkage of no more than about 1% (as determined pursuant to ISO 294-24, 2577). The composite material may have an elongation at break of no more than about 3% (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638). The composite material may have a coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than about 100 microns/m (as determined pursuant to ASTM E831). The composite material may have a compressive strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D695). The composite material may have a tensile strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638), and, in some instances, may have a tensile strength of at least about 200 or at least about 250 MPa. The composite material may have a transverse molding shrinkage of no more than about 1% (as determined pursuant to ISO 294-24, 2577). The composite material may have a melt flow index at 400° C. of at least about 1 g/10 min. The composite material may have a melt flow index of at least about 10 g/10 min at 400° C. 
     In an example, the composite material includes a thermoplastic polymeric resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers. The thermoplastic polymeric resin has a melting point of at least about 250° C., a water absorption of no more than about 0.3 wt. % (as determined pursuant to ASTM D570, and the composite material has a tensile strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638). In some instances, the composite material may have a tensile strength of at least about 200 or at least about 250 MPa. The composite material may have a compressive strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D695). The composite material may have a coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than about 100 microns/m (as determined pursuant to ASTM E831). The composite material may have an elongation at break of no more than about 3% (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638). The composite material may have a transverse molding shrinkage of no more than about 1% (as determined pursuant to ISO 294-24, 2577). The composite material may have a melt flow index at 400° C. of at least about 1 g/10 min. The composite material may have a melt flow index of at least about 10 g/10 min at 400° C. 
     In an example, the composite material includes a thermoplastic polymeric resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers. The thermoplastic polymeric resin is selected from the group consisting of Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS), Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), Polyphthalamide (PPA), Polyimide (TPI), Polyamide (PA), Polysulfone (PSU), Polyethersulfone (PES), Polyetherimide (PEI), Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) and mixtures of two or more thereof. The reinforcing fibers selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers and mixtures of two or more thereof. 
     In an example, the thermoplastic polymeric resin is PPS and the reinforcing fibers is glass fibers and/or carbon fibers. The composite material includes about 25 to 45 wt. % glass fibers. The thermoplastic polymeric resin may have a peak melting temperature of at least about 250° C. (as determined pursuant to ASTM D3418), and a water absorption of no more than about 0.1 wt. % (as determined pursuant to ASTM D570). The composite material may have a coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than about 100 microns/m (as determined pursuant to ASTM E831). The composite material may have an elongation at break of no more than about 2% (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638). The composite material may have a compressive strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D695). The composite material may have a tensile strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638). The composite material may have a transverse molding shrinkage of no more than about 0.8% (as determined pursuant to ISO 294-24, 2577). The composite material may have a melt flow index at 400° C. of at least about 1 g/10 min. The composite material may have a melt flow index of at least about 10 g/10 min at 400° C. 
     In an example, the thermoplastic polymeric resin is PEKK and the reinforcing fibers are glass and/or carbon fibers. The composite material includes about 25 to 35 wt. % glass fibers. The thermoplastic polymeric resin may have a peak melting temperature of at least about 325° C. (as determined pursuant to ASTM D3418), and a water absorption of no more than about 0.2 wt. % (as determined pursuant to ASTM D570). The composite material may have a coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than about 50 microns/m (as determined pursuant to ASTM E831). The composite material may have an elongation at break of no more than about 3% (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638). The composite material may have a compressive strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D695). The composite material may have a tensile strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638), and, in some instances, may have a tensile strength of at least about 200 or at least about 250 MPa. The composite material may have a transverse molding shrinkage of no more than about 1.5% (as determined pursuant to ISO 294-24, 2577). The composite material may have a melt flow index at 400° C. of at least about 5 g/10 min. The composite material may have a melt flow index of at least about 10 g/10 min at 400° C. 
     In an example, the thermoplastic polymeric resin is PEI and the reinforcing fibers are glass and/or carbon fibers. The composite material may include about 25 to 35 wt. % carbon fibers. The thermoplastic polymeric resin may have a glass transition temperature of at least about 200° C. (as determined pursuant to ASTM D3418) and a water absorption of no more than about 0.2 wt. % (as determined pursuant to ASTM D570). The composite material may have a coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than about 25 microns/m (as determined pursuant to ASTM E831). The composite material may have an elongation at break of no more than about 1.3% (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638). The composite material may have a compressive strength of at least about 200 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D695). The composite material may have a tensile strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638), and, in some instances, may have a tensile strength of at least about 200 or at least about 250 MPa. The composite material may have a transverse molding shrinkage of no more than about 0.2% (as determined pursuant to ISO 294-24, 2577). The composite material may have a melt flow index at 380° C. of at least about 25 g/10 min. Typically, the composite material may have a melt flow index of at least about 50 g/10 min at 380° C. 
     In an example, the thermoplastic polymeric resin is PPA and reinforcing fibers are glass and/or carbon fibers. The composite material may include about 20 to 35 wt. % glass fibers. The thermoplastic polymeric resin may have a peak melting temperature of at least about 300° C. (as determined pursuant to ASTM D3418) and a water absorption of no more than about 0.3 wt. % (as determined pursuant to ASTM D570). The composite material may have a coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than about 250 microns/m (as determined pursuant to ASTM E831). The composite material may have an elongation at break of no more than about 2.5% (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638). The composite material may have a compressive strength elongation at break of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D696). The composite material may have a tensile strength of at least about 150 MPa (as determined pursuant to ASTM D638), and, in some instances, may have a tensile strength of at least about 200 or at least about 250 MPa. The composite material may have a transverse molding shrinkage of no more than about 1.2% (as determined pursuant to ISO 294-24, 2577). The composite material may have a melt flow index at 400° C. of at least about 1 g/10 min. the composite material may have a melt flow index of at least about 10 g/10 min at 400° C. 
     The sprinkler  200  can include a body  204 . The body  204  can include a body wall  208  that extends from an inlet  212  to a surface  216 . The inlet  212  can couple with a fluid source, such as one or more pipes  112 . For example, the body wall  208  can define one or more threaded members  218  that connect with thread receiving members of the one or more pipes  112  or an adapter coupled with the one or more pipes  112  to connect the sprinkler  200  with the one or more pipes  112 . 
     The surface  216  can define an orifice  220  on an opposite side of the body  204  from the inlet  212 . The orifice  220  can receive one or more sealing elements, such as a sprinkler button (not shown) to seal the orifice  220  to prevent fluid flow out of the orifice (e.g., until a thermal element, such as a fluid-filled tube, that applies a load to the one or more sealing elements to hold the one or more sealing elements in place is actuated responsive to a fire condition). A diameter of the orifice  220  can be less than a diameter of the inlet  212 . 
     The orifice  220  can include a tapered portion  222  shaped to receive a sprinkler button. The tapered portion  222  can decrease in diameter from the surface  216  towards the inlet  212 . The tapered portion  222  can extend from the surface  216  to a surface  226 . The surface  226  can form a flat portion (e.g., the surface  226  can lie in a plane perpendicular to longitudinal axis  228 ) as compared to the tapering or beveled structure of tapered portion  222 . The surface  226  can extend inwards (e.g., towards longitudinal axis  228 ) from the tapered portion  222 . The tapered portion  222  can be formed through the injection molding process used to manufacture the sprinkler  200 , as compared to metal sprinklers that may need to form a tapered portion through a separate machining process from machining or casting the body of the sprinkler. 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  2  and  4   , the body  204  can include an internal passageway  224  that extends from the inlet  212  to the orifice  220  defined by the surface  216 . Fluid can flow through the internal passageway  224  from the inlet  212  to the orifice  220 , such as to be outputted through the orifice responsive to a fire condition. 
     The internal passageway  224  can define a longitudinal axis  228 . The longitudinal axis  228  can be perpendicular to a plane of the surface  216 . The longitudinal axis  228  can be within a threshold angle of perpendicular to the plane of the surface  216 . The threshold angle can be less than five degrees. The threshold angle can be less than three degrees. The threshold angle can be less than one degree. 
     The sprinkler  200  can include a first frame arm  232  and a second frame arm  236  that extend from the surface  216 . The first frame arm  232  and the second frame arm  236  can extend in a direction opposite from the inlet  212 . The first frame arm  232  and the second frame arm  236  can extend in a direction that is parallel with the longitudinal axis  228 . The first frame arm  232  and the second frame arm  236  can extend within a threshold angle of parallel with the longitudinal axis  228 . The threshold angle can be less than five degrees. The threshold angle can be less than three degrees. The threshold angle can be less than one degree. 
     The sprinkler  200  can include a connector member  240  that connects the first frame arm  232  with the second frame arm  236 . The connector member  240  can provide torsional rigidity to the sprinkler  200 , such as to provide rigidity for forces that torque the frame arms  232 ,  236  relative to one another. The connector member  240  can mitigate cooling effects that might otherwise reduce the effectiveness of the sprinkler  200 . 
     The connector member  240  can include a first end  244  that extends from the first frame arm  232 , a second end  248  that extends from the second frame arm  236 , and a connector body  252  that extends between the first end  244  and the second end  248 . The connector member  240  can form a curved structure. 
     The connector member  240  (e.g., the connector body  252 ) can extend parallel with the surface  216  and spaced from the surface  216 . The connector member  240  can extend within a threshold angle of parallel with the surface  216  and spaced from the surface  216 . The threshold angle can be less than five degrees. The threshold angle can be less than three degrees. The threshold angle can be less than one degree. 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  2 - 4   , the connector member  240  can include a sidewall  304  that defines an opening  260 . The sidewall  304  can be curved. The sidewall  304  can extend at least partially around the longitudinal axis  228  and be spaced from the longitudinal axis to define the opening  260 . For example, the connector member  240  can define the opening  260  to be a partially annular opening through which the longitudinal axis  228  passes. An arc length of the sidewall  304  around the longitudinal axis can be greater than sixty degrees and less than three hundred degrees. The arc length can be greater than ninety degrees and less than two hundred seventy degrees. The arc length can be greater than one hundred twenty degrees and less than two hundred ten degrees. The arc length can be one hundred eighty degrees. 
     The connector member  240  can include a first guide pin channel  264  adjacent to the first frame arm  232 , and a second guide pin channel  268  adjacent to the second frame arm  236 . The guide pin channels  264 ,  268  can receive guide pins (not shown) that help orient a deflector of the sprinkler  200  that causes fluid to be outputted from the sprinkler  200  in a target spray pattern. The guide pin channels  264 ,  268  can be useful for receiving the guide pins so that the guide pins can properly orient the deflector, resist pressure forces that occur responsive to activation of the sprinkler  200 , and shape the flow of water from the orifice  220 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  2  and  4   , the guide pin channels  264 ,  268  can define a channel axis  272  that intersects the longitudinal axis  228 . The channel axis  272  can extend from centerlines of the guide pin channels  264 ,  268 . The channel axis  272  can intersect the longitudinal axis  228  at a midpoint  276  of the channel axis  272  (or within a threshold distance of the midpoint  276 , the threshold distance being on the order of a few thousands of an inch, such as being less than 0.01 inches). As such, the orifice  220  can be centered relative to the guide pin channels  264 ,  268 , which can ensure that a minimum density of water per unit area is distributed over the coverage area when the sprinkler  200  is actuated (e.g., distributed via the deflector oriented by guide pins in the guide pin channels  264 ,  268 ). The length of the guide pin channels  264 ,  268  can correspond to a wall thickness of the connector member  240 . 
     The first frame arm  232  can include an outward portion  280  and an inward portion  284  that is inward of the outward portion  280  relative to the longitudinal axis  228 . The outward portion  280  of the first frame arm  232  can be formed on a side of the sprinkler  200  towards which the connector member  240  curves (e.g., relative to a plane bisecting the sprinkler  200  through the first frame arm  232 , second frame arm  236 , and longitudinal axis  228 ). As depicted in  FIG.  3   , the second frame arm  236  can include an outward portion  308  and an inward portion  312  that is inward of the outward portion  308  relative to the longitudinal axis, and the inward portion  312  can be formed on a side of the sprinkler  200  away from which the connector member  240  curves (e.g., relative to the plane bisecting the sprinkler  200  through the first frame arm  232 , second frame arm  236 , and longitudinal axis  228 ). 
       FIG.  5    depicts a body  500  of a sprinkler. The body  500  or features thereof can be used to implement the body  204  described with reference to  FIGS.  2 - 4   . The body  500  includes an internal passageway  504  that extends from an inlet  508  to an orifice  512  (e.g., the orifice  512  being at an outlet side of the internal passageway  504  relative to the inlet  508 ). 
     The internal passageway  504  can include a first portion  516  and a second portion  520  between the orifice  512  and the inlet  508 . The first portion  516  can be between the orifice  512  and the second portion  520 . The orifice  512  can have a greater diameter than the first portion  516 . 
     The second portion  520  can increase in diameter from the first portion  516  towards the inlet  508  relative to a longitudinal axis  524  of the internal passageway  504 . For example, the second portion  520  can define an angle  528  by which the diameter increases from the first portion  516  towards the inlet  508 . The angle  528  can be greater than or equal to 0.5 degrees and less than or equal to 16 degrees. The angle  528  can be greater than or equal to 2 degrees and less than or equal to 10 degrees. The angle  528  of the second portion  520  can be used to 
     Having now described some illustrative implementations, it is apparent that the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example. In particular, although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, those acts and those elements can be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed in connection with one implementation are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other implementations or implementations. 
     The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” “comprising” “having” “containing” “involving” “characterized by” “characterized in that” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalents thereof, and additional items, as well as alternate implementations consisting of the items listed thereafter exclusively. In one implementation, the systems and methods described herein consist of one, each combination of more than one, or all of the described elements, acts, or components. 
     Any references to implementations or elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular can also embrace implementations including a plurality of these elements, and any references in plural to any implementation or element or act herein can also embrace implementations including only a single element. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements to single or plural configurations. References to any act or element being based on any information, act, or element can include implementations where the act or element is based at least in part on any information, act, or element. 
     Any implementation disclosed herein can be combined with any other implementation or embodiment, and references to “an implementation,” “some implementations,” “one implementation” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation can be included in at least one implementation or embodiment. Such terms as used herein are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Any implementation can be combined with any other implementation, inclusively or exclusively, in any manner consistent with the aspects and implementations disclosed herein. 
     Where technical features in the drawings, detailed description or any claim are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been included to increase the intelligibility of the drawings, detailed description, and claims. Accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements. 
     Systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the characteristics thereof. Further relative parallel, perpendicular, vertical, or other positioning or orientation descriptions include variations within +/−10% or +/−10 degrees of pure vertical, parallel, or perpendicular positioning. References to “approximately,” “about” “substantially” or other terms of degree include variations of +/−10% from the given measurement, unit, or range unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Coupled elements can be electrically, mechanically, or physically coupled with one another directly or with intervening elements. Scope of the systems and methods described herein is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are embraced therein. 
     The term “coupled” and variations thereof includes the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly with or to each other, with the two members coupled with each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled with each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic. 
     References to “or” can be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” can indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. A reference to “at least one of ‘A’ and ‘B’” can include only ‘A’, only ‘B’, as well as both ‘A’ and ‘B’. Such references used in conjunction with “comprising” or other open terminology can include additional items. 
     Modifications of described elements and acts such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations can occur without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed can be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the disclosed elements and operations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.