Patent Publication Number: US-2020282806-A1

Title: Heating and cooling system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/813,407 filed on Mar. 4, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a heating and cooling system, such as a heating and cooling system for a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Typical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for a vehicle include an evaporator for cooling the vehicle&#39;s passenger cabin, and a heater core or electric heater for heating the passenger cabin. Thus, current systems require a device for cooling and another separate device for heating. While current HVAC systems are suitable for their intended use, they are subject to improvement. For example, an HVAC system that is more efficient, less costly, and easier to assembly as compared to current systems would be desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     The present disclosure includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having a condenser, an evaporator, a heater, a compressor, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is in an auxiliary case that is spaced apart from the heater and the evaporator. The heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the condenser and the compressor. In a heating mode, refrigerant warmed by the compressor circulates through the heat exchanger to warm airflow moving across the heat exchanger. In a cooling mode, refrigerant cooled by the condenser circulates through the heat exchanger to cool airflow moving across the heat exchanger. 
     The present disclosure further includes an HVAC system having a front assembly configured to be positioned behind a dashboard of a vehicle. The front assembly has an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a heater. An auxiliary assembly is spaced apart from the front assembly and is configured to be positioned within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The auxiliary assembly includes a blower and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the front assembly for circulation of refrigerant between the front assembly and the auxiliary assembly. At least one refrigerant control device is configured to circulate refrigerant warmed by the compressor through the heat exchanger to generate heat in a heating mode. The refrigerant control device is further configured to circulate refrigerant cooled by the condenser through the heat exchanger to generate cooling in a cooling mode. 
     The present disclosure also includes an HVAC system having a front assembly configured to be positioned behind a dashboard of a vehicle. The front assembly includes an evaporator, a heater, and a blower. An auxiliary assembly is spaced apart from the front assembly and is configured to be positioned within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The auxiliary assembly includes a blower, a heat exchanger, a condenser, and a compressor. At least one refrigerant control device is configured to circulate refrigerant warmed by the compressor through the heat exchanger to generate heat in a heating mode. The at least one refrigerant control device is also configured to circulate refrigerant cooled by the condenser through the heat exchanger to generate cooling in a cooling mode. Refrigerant lines connect the front assembly to the auxiliary assembly to circulate refrigerant between the front assembly and the auxiliary assembly. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of select embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in accordance with the present disclosure installed in an exemplary vehicle; 
         FIG. 2 . illustrates an exemplary configuration of the HVAC system of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another HVAC system in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an additional HVAC system in accordance with the present disclosure including a dual zone heat exchanger; 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of an auxiliary case in accordance with the present disclosure including a blower and a heat exchanger of any of the HVAC systems of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5B  is a top view of the case of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of another auxiliary case in accordance with the present disclosure including a blower and a heat exchanger of any of the HVAC systems of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary seat in cooperation with an auxiliary case of any one of the HVAC systems of the present disclosure to heat and/or cool the seat; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary seating arrangement, such as of an autonomous vehicle, in cooperation with an auxiliary case of any one of the HVAC systems of the present disclosure to heat and/or cool the seats; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary pair of seats and a storage box in cooperation an auxiliary case of any one of the HVAC systems of the present disclosure to heat and/or cool the seats and heat and/or cool an interior of the storage box. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary vehicle  10  including an exemplary heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system  110  in accordance with the present disclosure. The exemplary vehicle  10  includes a front passenger cabin  20  and a rear passenger cabin  30 . At a forward most portion of the front passenger cabin  20  is a dashboard  40 . Although the exemplary vehicle  10  is illustrated as a passenger vehicle, the HVAC system  110  may be installed in any other suitable type of vehicle as well. For example, in addition to a passenger vehicle, the HVAC system  110  may be installed in any suitable mass transit vehicle, recreational vehicle, utility vehicle, construction vehicle/equipment, military vehicle/equipment, watercraft, aircraft, etc. The HVAC system  110  may be configured for use in any suitable non-vehicular application as well. For example, the HVAC system  110  may be used to heat and/or cool any suitable area of a building or other structure. 
     The HVAC system  110  generally includes a main (or front) assembly  112  having the various components described herein. The components of the main assembly  112  may be packaged in any suitable manner, such as within any suitable case. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the main assembly  112  is installed behind the dashboard  40  of the exemplary vehicle  10  such that the main assembly  112  is on a side of the dashboard  40  opposite to the front passenger cabin  20 . 
     The HVAC system  110  further includes an auxiliary assembly  210  having the various components described herein. The components of the auxiliary assembly  210  may be arranged in any suitable packaging or case. In the example of  FIG. 1 , the auxiliary assembly  210  is arranged in the rear passenger cabin  30 . The main assembly  112  and the auxiliary assembly  210  are connected by refrigerant lines  126  to allow refrigerant to flow between the main assembly  112  and the auxiliary assembly  210 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary configuration of the main assembly  112  and the auxiliary assembly  210  of the HVAC system  110  will now be described. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the main (or front) assembly  112  includes an evaporator  114 , a compressor  116 , and a condenser  118 , which are in fluid communication with one another by way of any suitable refrigerant lines  124 . The auxiliary assembly  210  may alternatively be configured to include the compressor  116  and the condenser  118 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3  for example. 
     The evaporator  114 , the compressor  116 , and the condenser  118 , may also be in fluid communication with any suitable heater  120 . A blower  122  is included to circulate airflow cooled by the evaporator  114  or heated by the heater  120 . Any suitable refrigerant control devices may be included to control the flow of refrigerant throughout the main assembly  112  and between the main assembly  112  and the auxiliary assembly  210 . For example, with respect to the configuration of  FIG. 2 , valves  130 A,  130 B,  130 C, and  130 D may be included to control refrigerant flow. The main assembly  112  is connected to air vents of the front passenger cabin  20  to direct airflow heated or cooled by the main assembly  112  to the front passenger cabin  20 . 
     The auxiliary assembly  210  includes any suitable heat exchanger  220 . A blower  222  is arranged in any suitable manner to circular airflow heated or cooled by the heat exchanger  220 . A temperature sensor  242  is included to measure the temperature of airflow that has passed across the heat exchanger  220 . The temperature sensor  242  may be any suitable temperature sensor, such as any suitable resistance temperature sensor. Refrigerant lines  230  of the auxiliary assembly  210  are arranged to direct refrigerant to and from the heat exchanger  220 . The refrigerant lines  230  are in fluid communication with the main assembly  112  by way of refrigerant lines  126 . Refrigerant flow to and from the heat exchanger  220  is controlled by any suitable refrigerant control devices, such as by any suitable valves  240 A,  240 B, and  240 C. 
     The valves  130 A,  130 B,  130 C,  130 D,  240 A,  240 B,  240 C, and the compressor  116  may be controlled by any suitable control module of the HVAC system  110  to provide heating or cooling in response to a command from a user, or as prescribed by any suitable heating/cooling algorithm stored within the control module. In this application, “control module” may be replaced with the term “circuit.” “Control module” may refer to, be part of, or include processor hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code and memory hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor hardware. The code is configured to provide the features of the control module, and the HVAC system  110  generally, described herein. The term memory hardware is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave). The term computer-readable medium is therefore considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a non-transitory computer-readable medium are nonvolatile memory devices (such as a flash memory device, an erasable programmable read-only memory device, or a mask read-only memory device), volatile memory devices (such as a static random access memory device or a dynamic random access memory device), magnetic storage media (such as an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive), and optical storage media (such as a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-ray Disc). 
     The refrigerant lines  230  delivering refrigerant to the heat exchanger  220  are configured to provide a “heating loop” extending from the compressor  116  to the heat exchanger  220 , and a “cooling loop” extending from the condenser  118  to the heat exchanger  220 . When ambient air in the rear passenger cabin  30  is lower than a set point set by a user, then a heating mode is activated by the HVAC system  10 . In the heating mode, the compressor  116  is activated to compress and pressurize refrigerant flowing therethrough to increase the temperature of the refrigerant to any suitable temperature, such as 60° C. The valve  240 B is open, and the valve  240 A is closed, to direct the pressurized, high temperature refrigerant to the heat exchanger  220 . Airflow generated by the blower  222  is heated as the airflow passes over the heat exchanger  220 . The blower  222  blows the heated air out of the auxiliary assembly  210  to heat the surrounding area, such as the rear passenger cabin  30  when the auxiliary assembly  210  is arranged at or near the rear passenger cabin  30  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The temperature to which the airflow generated by the blower  222  is heated by the heat exchanger  220  (as measured by the temperature sensor  242 ) is a function of the amount of airflow generated by the blower  222  and the degree to which the valve  240 B is open. Thus, to produce maximum heating the speed of the blower  222  is set to maximum speed and the valve  240 B is opened completely. To generate less than maximum heat, the speed of the blower  222  is set to less than the maximum speed and the valve  240 B is not entirely opened. The heated airflow can be used for any other suitable purpose as well. For example and as described further herein, the heated airflow may be directed to one or more seats  310  to heat the seats  310  ( FIGS. 7-9 ), or to a storage unit  410  to heat the contents thereof ( FIG. 9 ). 
     When ambient air in the rear passenger cabin  30  is greater than a set point set by a user, then a cooling mode is activated by the HVAC system  10 . In the cooling mode, the valve  240 B is closed and the valve  240 A is open to direct refrigerant to the heat exchanger  220  through the “cooling loop.” Specifically, the compressor  116  is deactivated, or activated at a relatively low speed, and the condenser  118  cools refrigerant flowing therethrough because the condenser  118  is configured to radiate heat from the refrigerant. The refrigerant is cooled to any suitable temperature, such as about 2° C. The cooled refrigerant is directed to the heat exchanger  220  through the cooling loop. At the heat exchanger  220 , the cooled refrigerant absorbs heat to effectively cool air about the heat exchanger  220 . The blower  222  circulates the cooled air within the rear passenger cabin  30  to cool the rear passenger cabin  30 . The temperature to which the airflow generated by the blower  222  is cooled by the heat exchanger  220  (as measured by the temperature sensor  242 ) is a function of the amount of airflow generated by the blower  222  and the degree to which the valve  240 A is open. Thus, to produce maximum cooling the speed of the blower  222  is set to maximum speed and the valve  240 A is opened completely. To generate less than maximum cooling, the speed of the blower  222  is set to less than the maximum speed and the valve  240 A is not entirely opened. The auxiliary assembly  210  may be arranged at any other suitable location to cool the area about the auxiliary assembly  210 . For example and as described further herein, the cooled airflow may be directed to one or more seats  310  to cool the seats  310  ( FIGS. 7-9 ), or to a storage unit  410  ( FIG. 9 ) to cool the contents thereof. 
     The heat exchanger  220  may be configured as a single zone heat exchanger, or a multizone heat exchanger as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , for example.  FIG. 4  illustrates the heat exchanger  220  as including a first zone  224 A of coils and a second zone  224 B of coils. Refrigerant flow through the first zone  224 A of coils is independent of refrigerant flow through the second zone  224 B of coils. Although  FIG. 4  illustrates the heat exchanger  220  as including two zones, the heat exchanger  220  may include three or more zones as well. In the dual zone configuration of  FIG. 4 , refrigerant heated by the compressor  116  or cooled by the condenser  118  is selectively directed to the first zone  224 A or the second zone  224 B to heat or cool an environment. First valve  240 A and second valve  240 B control airflow to the first zone  224 A and the second zone  224 B respectively. Valve  240 D controls refrigerant flow from the compressor  116  to the heat exchanger  220 , and valve  240 E controls refrigerant flow from the condenser  118  to the heat exchanger  220 . The valves  240 A,  240 B,  240 D, and  240 E may be controlled by any suitable control module of the HVAC system  110  to provide heating or cooling in response to a command from a user, or as prescribed by any suitable heating/cooling algorithm stored within the control module. 
     In a heating mode, the compressor  116  is activated and refrigerant heated thereby is directed to only the first zone  224 A by opening the valve  240 D, closing the valve  240 E, opening the valve  240 A, and closing the valve  240 B. In the heating mode, refrigerant heated thereby is directed to only the second zone  224 B by opening the valve  240 D, closing the valve  240 E, opening the second valve  240 B, and closing the first valve  240 A. Heated refrigerant may be directed to both the first zone  224 A and the second zone  224 B by opening valves  240 A,  240 B, and  240 D, and closing valve  240 E. As explained above, the temperature of airflow generated by the blower  222  depends on the speed of the blower and the degree to which the valve  240 D is open. 
     In a cooling mode, the compressor  116  is not activated and refrigerant cooled by the condenser  118  is directed to only the first zone  224 A by closing the valve  240 D, opening the valve  240 E, opening the valve  240 A, and closing the valve  240 B. The cooled refrigerant is directed to only the second zone  224 B by closing the first valve  240 A and opening the second valve  240 B. The cooled refrigerant may be directed to both the first zone  224 A and the second zone  224 B by opening both the first valve  240 A and the second valve  240 B. Thus, the single heat exchanger  220  can cool airflow passing over the first zone  224 A and heat airflow passing over the second zone  224 B, or vice versa. Airflow passing over the first zone  224 A may be directed to a first location to provide heating or cooling at the first location, and airflow passing over the second zone  224 B may be directed to a second location to provide heating or cooling at the second location. As explained above, the temperature of airflow generated by the blower  222  depends on the speed of the blower and the degree to which the valve  240 E is open. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B , the auxiliary assembly  210  may include a case  212 A housing at least the heat exchanger  220  and the blower  222 . The case  212 A may include the compressor  116  and the condenser  118  as well, such as when the HVAC system  110  is configured as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The case  212 A defines an airflow inlet  250  and an airflow outlet  252 . The blower  222  draws airflow into the case  212 A through the inlet  250 . As the airflow passes over the heat exchanger  220 , the airflow is heated or cooled by the heat exchanger  220  depending on whether the heat exchanger  220  is in the heating mode or the cooling mode described above. The blower  220  blows the heated or cooled airflow out from within the case  212 A through the outlet  252  to any particular area or structure to be cooled or heated. 
     In the example of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the inlet  250  and the outlet  252  are both at a side surface of the case  212 A, which is between a bottom surface and a top surface of the case  212 A.  FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative exemplary case  212 B for the auxiliary assembly  210 . The case  212 B includes at least the heat exchanger  220  and the blower  222 . The case  212 B may further include the compressor  116  and the condenser  118  when the HVAC system  110  is configured as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . With the case  212 B, the inlet  250  is at a bottom surface  254  of the case  212 B, and the outlet  252  is at a side surface of the case  212 B between the bottom surface  254  and a top surface  256 . The blower  222  is arranged to vertically overlap the heat exchanger  220 . The configuration of the case  212 B of  FIG. 6  is generally more compact as compared to the configuration of the case  212 A of  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an alternate configuration of the auxiliary assembly  210  for heating and cooling a seat  310 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the heat exchanger  220  and the blower  222  of the auxiliary assembly  210  are arranged in the case  212 B, which is configured to direct airflow heated or cooled by the heat exchanger  220  to the seat  310  to heat or cool the seat  310 . The heat exchanger  220  may be a single zone heat exchanger, or a dual zone heat exchanger including the first zone  224 A and the second zone  224 B, as illustrated. 
     The case  212 B defines the inlet  250  through which airflow is drawn into the case  212 B by the blower  222 . The airflow is drawn across the heat exchanger  220  in order to be heated or cooled by the heat exchanger  220  as described above. The airflow exits the case  212 B through outlets  252 A and  252 B. The outlet  252 A is connected to the seat  310  by way of an airflow conduit  264  to direct heated or cooled airflow to the seat  310  for heating or cooling a base  312  and a front surface  314  of a back support  316 . Airflow exits the seat  310  through a rear duct  318  at a rear of the back support  316 . Airflow heated or cooled by the heat exchanger  220  also exits the outlet  252 B to heat or cool any desired area. For example, the outlet  252 B may be arranged at a lower portion of the rear passenger cabin  30  to heat or cool the rear passenger cabin  30  and particularly direct heated or cooled airflow to the feet of passengers seated at the rear passenger cabin  30 . When the heat exchanger  220  is configured with the first zone  224 A and the second zone  224 B, airflow exiting the outlets  252 A and  252 B can advantageously be heated or cooled to different temperatures. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the HVAC case  212 B includes a plurality of seat outlets  252 A,  252 C,  252 D, and  252 E to heat or cool multiple seats, such as four seats  310 A,  310 B,  310 C, and  310 D. The seat outlets  252 A,  252 C,  252 D, and  252 E may be connected to the seats  310 A,  310 B,  310 C, and  310 D in any suitable manner, such as by way of any suitable airflow conduits  264 A,  264 B,  264 C, and  264 D respectively. The case  2128  may also include the foot outlet  252 B to heat and/or cool the passengers of the seats  310 A- 310 D, and particularly their feet. The four seat arrangement of  FIG. 8  may be particularly useful for an autonomous vehicle, or any vehicle with seats configured for socializing. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another application for the auxiliary assembly  210 , and particularly the case  2128  including the heat exchanger  220  and the blower  222 . Specifically, the case  212 B is connected to first seat  310 A and second seat  3108  by first conduit  264 A and second conduit  264 B respectively. The first conduit  264 A extends from the outlet  252 A to the first seat  310 A. The second conduit  264 B extends from the outlet  252 C to the second seat  310 B. Although two seats  310 A and  310 B are illustrated, any suitable number of seats may be heated or cooled by the auxiliary assembly  210 , such as one seat as described above with respect to the configuration of  FIG. 7 , or four seats as described above in the configuration of  FIG. 8 . The HVAC case  212 B may also include the foot outlet  252 B to heat or cool the feet of occupants of the seats  310 A,  310 B. The case  212 B further includes a conduit  264 E extending between the case  212 B and a storage unit  410 . The conduit  264 E extends from an outlet of the case  2128  to any suitable connection of storage unit  410  to direct airflow heated or cooled by the heat exchanger  220  to the storage unit  410  for heating or cooling an interior  412  of the storage unit  410 . The storage unit  410  is configured to store any suitable items to be heated or cooled, such as any suitable food and/or beverage. 
     The present disclosure thus advantageously provides for an auxiliary assembly  210  including a single heat exchanger  220  configured to generate hot or cold airflow nearly instantly with less parts (e.g., no temperature control doors) as compared to current HVAC systems. The single heat exchanger  220  may be configured to heat or cool an environment about the auxiliary assembly  210 , such as the rear passenger cabin  30 . The heat exchanger  220  can advantageously be used as both a condenser for heating and an evaporator for cooling because there is no need for the auxiliary assembly  210  to provide dehumidification, such as for a rear window. The auxiliary assembly  210  may also be configured such that an airflow outlet of the auxiliary assembly  210  is connected to one or more seats  310  or storage unit  410  to heat or cool the seats  310  and the storage unit  410 . Thus, the auxiliary assembly  210  is able to provide heating or cooling using only the single heat exchanger  220 . The heat exchanger  220  is thus effectively able to function as an evaporator for cooling and a condenser for heating. The heat exchanger  220  is particularly effective for use in the auxiliary assembly  210  because the air has already been conditioned by the main assembly  112 . The HVAC system  110  provides an improved coefficient of performance, particularly when used in a battery electric vehicle. The HVAC system  110  is able to run the blower  222  at lower speeds, which advantageously saves power, reduces airside pressure drop, and improves fuel economy. The HVAC system  110  is also able to run the compressor  116  and any corresponding water pump at reduced power to further improve fuel economy. The HVAC system  110  is relatively lighter than previous HVAC systems, such as due to elimination of glycol and reduced plumbing requirements. Furthermore, the auxiliary assembly  210  requires less space in the vehicle  10  due to elimination of temperature control doors, the presence of only one heat exchanger, and the elimination of a water loop. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure provides numerous additional advantages as well. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 
     Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.