Patent Publication Number: US-11664046-B2

Title: Low profile suspension design

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/987,797 filed on Mar. 10, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the disclosure relate to the field of suspensions for disk drives. More particularly, this disclosure relates to the field of suspensions and methods of attaching actuators used therein to the suspension. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Magnetic hard disk drives and other types of spinning media drives such as optical disk drives are well known. A typical disk drive unit includes a spinning magnetic disk containing a pattern of magnetic storage medium ones and zeroes on it that constitutes the data stored on the disk drive. The magnetic disk is driven by a drive motor. The disk drive unit further includes a disk drive suspension to which a magnetic read/write is mounted proximate a distal end of load beam. The “proximal” end of a suspension or load beam is the end that is supported, i.e., the end nearest to the baseplate which is swaged or otherwise mounted to an actuator arm. The “distal” end of a suspension or load beam is the end that is opposite the proximal end, i.e., the “distal” end is the cantilevered end. 
     The suspension is coupled to an actuator arm, which in turn is coupled to a voice coil motor that moves the suspension arcuately in order to position the head slider over the correct data track on the data disk. The head slider is carried on a gimbal which allows the slider to pitch and roll so that it follows the proper data track on the disk, allowing for such variations as vibrations of the disk, inertial events such as bumping, and irregularities in the disk&#39;s surface. 
     Both single stage actuated disk drive suspensions and dual stage actuated (DSA) suspension are known. In a single stage actuated suspension, only the voice coil motor moves the suspension. In a DSA suspension a small actuator located on the suspension moves the head slider in order to position the head slider over the correct data track. The actuator provides both finer positioning of the head slider than does the voice coil motor and provides higher servo bandwidth than does the voice coil motor. The actuator may be in various locations on the suspension depending on the DSA suspension design. Typically, left- and right-side actuators act in push-pull fashion to rotate the load beam or the distal end of the load beam. Most common DSA suspension designs placed the actuator on the baseplate, on load beam shelves, with actuation of the piezoelectric actuators (PZTs) causing the entire load beam to rotate. Actuators used in DSA suspension have been called milli-actuators or microactuators. 
     SUMMARY 
     A baseplate for a disk drive suspension is provided. The baseplate includes a receiving space at a distal end configured to mate with a spring of a load beam. The receiving space partially extends a length of the baseplate. The baseplate also includes a swage hub at a proximal end and an indented surface surrounding the swage hub. The proximal end is opposite the proximal end. The indented surface is at least partially defined by a baseplate support section. 
     In some embodiments of the baseplate, the baseplate may include a left-side mounting region and a right-side mounting region at the proximal end. Each mounting region includes at least one mounting shelf extending from the base plate and configured to receive an actuator. The disk drive suspension may be configured as a dual stage actuation suspension. 
     In some embodiments of the baseplate, an actuator mounting shelf closer to the distal end includes a mating element configured to abut the spring of the load beam. In some embodiments of the baseplate, each mounting region includes a section of the spring extended into the mounting region to function as a mounting shelf for the actuator. In some embodiments of the baseplate, the disk drive suspension includes a single stage actuation suspension. The indented surface may be shaped to correspond with an actuator arm profile area, outlined by the baseplate support section. The baseplate support section may be asymmetrical, or alternatively, symmetrical. In some embodiments of the baseplate, the receiving space includes an etched surface configured to mate with the spring of the load beam. 
     A disk drive suspension is also described. The disk drive suspension may include a load beam comprising a spring, and a base plate coupled to the spring of the load beam. The baseplate includes a receiving space at a distal end configured to mate with a spring of a load beam. The receiving space partially extends a length of the baseplate. The baseplate also includes a swage hub at a proximal end and an indented surface surrounding the swage hub. The distal end is opposite the proximal end. The indented surface is at least partially defined by a baseplate support section. 
     In some embodiments of the disk drive suspension, the baseplate may include a left-side mounting region and a right-side mounting region at the proximal end. Each mounting region includes at least one mounting shelf extending from the base plate and configured to receive an actuator. The disk drive suspension may be configured as a dual stage actuation suspension. 
     In some embodiments of the disk drive suspension, an actuator mounting shelf closer to the distal end includes a mating element configured to abut the spring of the load beam. In some embodiments of the disk drive suspension, each mounting region includes a section of the spring extended into the mounting region to function as a mounting shelf for the actuator. In some embodiments of the disk drive suspension, the disk drive suspension includes a single stage actuation suspension. The indented surface may be shaped to correspond with an actuator arm profile area, outlined by the baseplate support section. The baseplate support section may be asymmetrical, or alternatively, symmetrical. In some embodiments of the disk drive suspension, the receiving space includes an etched surface configured to mate with the spring of the load beam. 
     Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a hard disk drive assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is an oblique view of a DSA suspension, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a side profile of the DSA suspension of  FIG.  2   , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a baseplate design, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates the baseplate design of  FIG.  4    incorporated in a DSA suspension, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a side profile of the DSA suspension of  FIG.  5   , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates an alternative baseplate design, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates the baseplate design of  FIG.  7    incorporated in a DSA suspension, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a side profile of the DSA suspension of  FIG.  8   , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates an alternative baseplate design incorporated in a DSA suspension, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an alternative baseplate design, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, incorporated in a suspension; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a side profile of the single stage actuated suspension of  FIG.  11   , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a baseplate design with a rail on a load beam in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a baseplate design including a rail on a load beam in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a baseplate design including a rail in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An apparatus is described. The apparatus may include a substrate and one or more sensors mounted to the substrate. The one or more sensors may be mounted to the substrate using adhesive bonding material and one or more spot welds. 
     Current disk drive suspensions include load beam shelf feature that increase the overall thickness of the load beam and the baseplate. This thickness may be a limiting factor for high platter drive with smaller disk space and impacting shock performance of a drive. The smaller disk space design will result in smaller distance from the E-block arm to the disk surface. Lowering the overall thickness of the suspension near the swaged area can increase the clearance to the disk surface. As a result, an improved design and manufacture process is described herein. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a hard disk drive assembly  100 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. As shown, the hard disk drive assembly  100  may include a spinning magnetic disk  101  containing a pattern of magnetic ones and zeroes on it that constitutes the data stored on the disk drive. The magnetic disk is driven by a drive motor. 
     The disk drive unit  100  can further include a disk drive suspension  105  to which a magnetic head slider  110  is mounted proximate a distal end of load beam  107 . The suspension  105  may be coupled to an actuator arm  103 , which in turn is coupled to a voice coil motor  112  that moves the suspension  105  arcuately in order to position head  110  over the correct data track on data disk  101 . A magnetic head slider  110  is carried on a gimbal which allows slider  110  to pitch and roll so that the slider follows the data track on the disk. Carrying the magnetic head slider  110  on the gimbal also allows for such variations as vibrations of the disk, inertial events such as bumping, and irregularities in the disk&#39;s surface. 
       FIG.  2    is an oblique view of a suspension  105 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The suspension  105  can include a baseplate  12  and a load beam  107 . The suspension  105  can also include one or two PZT actuators, such as milli-actuators  14 , mounted to the baseplate  12  and the load beam  107 . Expansion and contraction of the actuators, such as milli-actuators  14 , moves the load beam  107  of the suspension  105 , and more specifically, rotates the entire suspension  105 . As shown, the load beam  107  may include a spring or hinge portion  108  and a beam portion  106 , and a flexure gimbal assembly  36  to which a head slider carrying a read/write transducer head is attached at the distal end of the beam portion. 
     Suspension  105  can be a DSA suspension configured as a milli-DSA suspension or a micro-DSA suspension. A milli-DSA suspension is configured with an actuator, such as a milli-actuator, mounted to a baseplate. A micro-DSA suspension is configured with one or more actuators, such as a micro-actuators, mounted to a flexure gimbal assembly. A suspension  105  can also be configured as a tri-stage actuator suspension. A tri-stage actuated suspension includes a milli-actuator mounted to a baseplate and one or more microactuators mounted on a flexure gimbal assembly. 
     The read/write head writes data to, and reads data from, the data medium which is a spinning magnetic disk drive, or possibly optical medium in an optical disk drive. The baseplate  12  may include a mounting portion  21  which is mounted to an actuator arm  103  via swage hub  28 , and a distal tip  20  to which the hinge  108  is typically spot welded. The hinge  108  may be formed integrally with the beam portion  106  of the load beam  107 . The load beam  107  may include the hinge  108 . In alternative embodiments, the hinge  108  and the beam portion  106  can be formed separately and then welded together. Several structural variations from the generalized construction shown in  FIG.  2    are possible. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a side profile of the suspension of  FIG.  2   , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The baseplate  12  may be die cut or otherwise cut in a metal cutting operation from a relatively thick stainless-steel plate. In contrast, the hinge  108 , beam portion  106 , and the stainless-steel portion of flexure gimbal assembly  36  may be etched from thin sheets of stainless steel. The actuators, such as milli-actuators  14 , may be mounted to the suspension  105  using adhesive  16  including non-conductive and/or conductive adhesive configured to provide an electrical connection to the actuators, such as milli-actuators  14 . 
     The actuators, such as milli-actuators  14 , are arranged in push-pull fashion within a projecting portion of the beam portion  106  that forms a microactuator mounting region. The microactuator mounting region includes microactuator mounting shelves  18 . The actuators, such as milli-actuators  14 , may be mounted onto the microactuator mounting shelves  18 , requiring the load beam  107  to extend a partial length of the baseplate  12 . The microactuator mounting shelves  18  increases the overall thickness T 1  of the load beam  107  and the baseplate  12 . This thickness may be a limiting factor for high platter drive with smaller disk space and impacting shock performance of a drive. The smaller disk space design may result in smaller distance from the E-block arm to the disk surface. Lowering the overall thickness T 1  of the suspension  105  near the swaged area (at the actuator arm  103 ) can also increase the clearance to the disk surface. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a baseplate  9  design, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The baseplate  9  may include left and right-side mounting regions  21  for PZT actuators, such as milli-actuators  14 , (shown in  FIG.  1   ). The microactuator mounting region  21  includes microactuator mounting shelves  48  and  49 , formed integral to the baseplate  9  such as by etching or stamping. The microactuator mounting region  21  may include a distal portion  50  of the suspension, and a proximal portion  51  of the suspension. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates the baseplate  9  of  FIG.  4    incorporated in a DSA suspension  105 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. As used herein, the term “proximal” merely designates the portion of the suspension  105  that lies proximal of the microactuators, i.e., closer to the swage hub  28  at which the suspension  105  is mounted to an actuator arm. Similarly, the term “distal” merely designates the portion of the suspension that lies distal of the microactuators, i.e., closer to the far end of the suspension  105  at which the flexure gimbal assembly  36  is mounted to suspension  105 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the distal portion  50  may be connected to the hinge  108  or spring  109  that supports the load beam  107 . The baseplate  9  may also include an indented surface  29  defined by a baseplate support section  27 , near the proximal portion. The baseplate support section  27  provides stiffness to the baseplate  9 . The indented surface  29  may reduce the overall thickness of the suspension  105  at the swage hub  28 , increasing the clearance to the disk surface. The shape of the indented surface  29  may correspond with an actuator arm profile area, outlined by the baseplate support section  27 . Moreover, the overall thickness can be reduced without impacting the stiffness of the baseplate  9  by having a reduced thickness region around the swage hub  28  corresponding to the actuator arm profile area. In this case, clearance to a disk surface can be increased near the swage hub  28 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a side profile of the suspension  105  of  FIG.  5   , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The distal portion  50  of the baseplate  9  may include an etched surface configured to mate with the spring  109  of the load beam  107 . The microactuator mounting shelf  49  may include a mating element  41 , configured to abut the spring  109  of the load beam  107 . As a result, the load beam  107  does not extend along the length of the baseplate  9 , as compared to  FIG.  3   . The microactuator mounting shelves  48  and  49  reduces the overall thickness T 2  of the load beam  107  and the baseplate  9 . Thus, additional support from load beam  107  can be eliminated and the overall thickness can be reduced, compared to T 1  of  FIG.  3   . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates an alternative baseplate  13 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The baseplate  13  may include left and right-side mounting regions  21  for PZT actuators. Each actuator mounting region  21  can include a actuator mounting shelf  48 . The actuator mounting shelf  48  may be formed integral to the baseplate  13  by etching or stamping. The actuator mounting region  21  may include a distal portion  50  of the suspension, and a proximal portion  51  of the suspension. As illustrated herein, the actuator mounting shelf  48  may extend from the proximal portion  51 . The distal portion  50  may have a receiving space  17  in lieu of a mounting shelf  49  (as illustrated in  FIG.  4   ). 
       FIG.  8    illustrates the baseplate design of  FIG.  7    incorporated in a suspension, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The thickness of the distal portion  50  is less than the thickness of the proximal portion  51 . The receiving space  17  (shown in  FIG.  7   ) may be configured to receive a portion of the load beam  107 . Once coupled to the load beam  107 , the thickness of the spring  109  and the distal portion  50  may be the same or less than the thickness of the proximal portion  51 . Alternatively, the thickness of the spring  109  and the distal portion  50  may be the same or slightly more than the thickness of the proximal portion  51 . 
     The distal portion  50  may be connected to the hinge  108  or spring  109  that supports the load beam  107 . The spring  109  may extend into the actuator mounting region  21  and serve as a mounting shelf for actuators (shown in  FIG.  2   ). The baseplate  13  may also include an indented surface  29  defined by a baseplate support section  27 , near the proximal portion. The baseplate support section  27  provides stiffness to the baseplate  13 . The indented surface  29  may reduce the overall thickness of the suspension at the swage hub  28 , increasing the clearance to a disk surface. The shape of the indented surface  29  may correspond with an actuator arm profile area, outlined by the baseplate support section  27 . Moreover, the overall thickness can be reduced without impacting the stiffness of the baseplate  13  by having a reduced thickness region around the swage hub  28  corresponding to the actuator arm profile area. In this case, clearance to the disk surface can be increased near the swage hub  28 . 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a side profile of the DSA suspension of  FIG.  8   , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The distal portion  50  of the baseplate  13  may include the receiving space  17  configured to mate with the spring  109  of the load beam  107 . The spring  109  can extend into actuator mounting region  21  to serve as a mounting shelf, opposite the actuator mounting shelf  48 . As a result, the load beam  107  does not extend along the length of the baseplate  13 , as compared to  FIG.  3   . The coupling of the baseplate  13  and the load beam  107  at the receiving space  17  reduces the overall thickness T 3  of the load beam  107  and the baseplate  13 . Thus, additional support from load beam  107  can be eliminated and the overall thickness can be reduced. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates an alternative baseplate  15  incorporated in a suspension, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Similar to the embodiment discussed with respect to  FIG.  8   , the distal portion  50  may be connected to the spring  109  that supports the load beam  107 . The baseplate  15  may also include an indented surface  30  defined by a partial baseplate support section  27 , near the proximal portion. The partial baseplate support section  27  is asymmetrical. The baseplate support section  27  provides stiffness to the baseplate  15  on one side of the baseplate  15 . The indented surface  30  may reduce the overall thickness of the suspension at the swage hub  28 , increasing the clearance to the disk surface. The shape of the indented surface  30  may correspond with an actuator arm profile area, outlined by the partial baseplate support section  27 . Moreover, the overall thickness can be reduced without impacting the stiffness of the baseplate  15  by having a reduced thickness region around the swage hub  28  corresponding to the actuator arm profile area. In this case, clearance to a disk surface can be increased near the swage hub  28 . 
     The aforementioned embodiments have been directed to suspensions, where actuators are located on the suspension to effect fine arcuate movements of the head slider. The disclosed embodiments may be implemented in single-stage actuated disk drives, which include only voice coil motors, dual-stage actuated disk drives, tri-stage actuated disk drives, or other types of disk drives. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates another embodiment of a baseplate  11 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. As used herein, the term “proximal portion  54 ” merely designates the portion of the baseplate  11  that lies closer to the swage hub  28  at which the suspension is mounted to an actuator arm. Similarly, the term “distal portion  53 ” merely designates the portion of the suspension that lies closer to where the load beam  107  is mounted to baseplate  11 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the distal portion  53  may be connected to the hinge  108  or spring  109  that supports the load beam  107 . The baseplate  11  may include an indented surface  31  defined by a baseplate support section  27 , near the proximal portion  54 . The baseplate support section  27  provides stiffness to the baseplate  11 . The indented surface  31  may reduce the overall thickness of the baseplate  11  at the swage hub  28 , increasing the clearance to the disk surface. The shape of the indented surface  31  may correspond with an actuator arm profile area, outlined by the baseplate support section  27 . Moreover, the overall thickness can be reduced without impacting the stiffness of the baseplate  11  by having a reduced thickness region around the swage hub  28  corresponding to the actuator arm profile area. In this case, clearance to a disk surface can be increased near the swage hub  28 . 
       FIG.  12    illustrates a side profile of the single stage actuated suspension of  FIG.  11   , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The distal portion  53  of the baseplate  13  may include a receiving space  17  configured to mate with the spring  109  of the load beam  107 . The spring  109  can partially extend along the length of the baseplate  11 , as compared to  FIG.  3   . The coupling of the baseplate  11  and the load beam  107  at the receiving space  17  reduces the overall thickness T 4  of the load beam  107  and the baseplate  11 . Thus, additional support from load beam  107  can be eliminated and the overall thickness can be reduced. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a baseplate design with a rail on a load beam in accordance with an embodiment. As used herein, the term “proximal portion  254 ” merely designates the portion of a baseplate  211  that lies closer to the swage hub  228  at which the suspension is mounted to an actuator arm. Similarly, the term “distal portion  253 ” merely designates the portion of the suspension that lies closer to where the load beam  207  extends from the baseplate  211 . The load beam  207 , according to some embodiments, extends toward the proximate portion  254  of the baseplate  211 . At least a portion of the load beam  207  is disposed under the baseplate  211 . And, the baseplate  211  includes rails  205  that extend beyond the sides of the baseplate  211  and rises above a top surface  213  of the baseplate  211 . According to some embodiments, the rails  205  are formed adjacent to each side  215  of the baseplate  211 . For some embodiments, the rails  205  are formed in the load beam  207  adjacent to each side  215  of the baseplate  211  for a portion of each side  215  of the baseplate  211 . The rails  205  are configured to increase the bending stiffness of the baseplate  211 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the distal portion  253  may be connected to the hinge  208  or spring  209  that supports the load beam  207 . The baseplate  211  may include an indented surface  231 , such as those described herein, defined by a baseplate support section  227 , such as those described herein, near the proximal portion  254 . The baseplate support section  227  provides stiffness to the baseplate  211 . The indented surface  231  is configured to reduce the overall thickness of the baseplate  211  at the swage hub  228 , increasing the clearance to the disk surface. The shape of the indented surface  231 , according to some embodiments, is configured to correspond with an actuator arm profile area, outlined by the baseplate support section  227 . Moreover, the overall thickness can be reduced without impacting the stiffness of the baseplate  211  by having a reduced thickness region around the swage hub  228  corresponding to the actuator arm profile area. In this case, clearance to a disk surface can be increased near the swage hub  228 . For some embodiments, the baseplate support section  227  and the indented portion  231  have the same thickness. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates a baseplate design including a rail on a load beam in accordance with an embodiment. The load beam  307 , according to some embodiments, extends toward the proximate portion  354  of the baseplate  311 , such as those described herein. At least a portion of the load beam  307  is disposed under the baseplate  311 . And, the baseplate  311  includes rails  305  that extend beyond the sides of the baseplate  311  and rises above a top surface  313  of the baseplate  311 . 
     According to some embodiments, the rails  305  are formed adjacent to each side  315  of the baseplate  311 , such as those described herein. For some embodiments, the rails  305  are formed adjacent to each side  315  of the baseplate  311  for a portion of each side  315  of the baseplate  311 . The rails  305  include a flange  317 . The flange  317 , according to some embodiments, is configured as a surface that extends in a direction away from the rail  305 . For some embodiments, the flange  317  is configured as a surface that extends in a direction away from both the rail  305  and the baseplate  311 . For some embodiments, the flange are configured such that the rails  305  including flanges  317  are formed in a shape of approximately an upside-down, uppercase L. The flange  317 , according to some embodiments, extend the entire length of the rail  305 . For other embodiments, the flange  317  extends along a portion of the rail  305 . The rails  305  with flanges  317  are configured to increase the bending stiffness of the baseplate  311 . The flanges  317  enable avoiding high rail height, which may be less desirable during swaging or head stack assembly processes. In the illustrative embodiment, the distal portion  353  may be connected to a hinge or spring that supports the load beam  307  using techniques including those described herein. 
       FIG.  15    illustrates a baseplate design with a rail on a load beam in accordance with an embodiment. As used herein, the term “proximal portion  454 ” merely designates the portion of a baseplate  411  of a suspension  410 , such as those described herein, that lies closer to the swage hub  428  at which the suspension is mounted to an actuator arm. Similarly, the term “distal portion  453 ” merely designates the portion of the suspension  410  that lies closer to where the load beam  407  extends from the baseplate  411 . The load beam  407 , according to some embodiments, extends toward the proximate portion  454  of the baseplate  411 . At least a portion of baseplate  411  includes rails  405  and rises above a top surface  413  of the baseplate  411 . According to some embodiments, the rails  405  are formed in the baseplate along each side  415  of the baseplate  411 . For some embodiments, the rails  405  are formed along a portion of each side  415  of the baseplate  411 . The rails  405  are configured to increase the bending stiffness of the baseplate  411 . For some embodiments, the rails  405  include a flange, such as those described herein. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the distal portion  453  may be connected to the hinge  408  or spring  409  that supports the load beam  407 . The baseplate  411  may include an indented surface, such as those described herein, defined by a baseplate support section, such as those described herein, near the proximal portion  454 . For some embodiments, the baseplate support section and the indented portion have the same thickness, such as those described herein. 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope. In fact, after reading the above description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement alternative embodiments. For example, other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. 
     In addition, it should be understood that any figures which highlight the functionality and advantages are presented for example purposes only. The disclosed methodology and system are each sufficiently flexible and configurable such that they may be utilized in ways other than that shown. 
     Although the term “at least one” may often be used in the specification, claims and drawings, the terms “a”, “an”, “the”, “said”, etc. also signify “at least one” or “the at least one” in the specification, claims and drawings.