Patent Publication Number: US-2022230524-A1

Title: Systems and methods of dynamic low air alarms for differential type fire protection valves

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/845,364, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF DYNAMIC LOW AIR ALARMS FOR DIFFERENTIAL TYPE FIRE PROTECTION VALVES,” filed May 9, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Differential type fire protection valves can use air pressure to hold closed a valve that connects a fluid supply to pipes and sprinklers. For example, differential type fire protection valves can be used in dry pipe sprinkler systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     At least one aspect relates to an alarm system. The alarm system can include a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and one or more processors. The first pressure sensor can detect a first pressure of a fluid supply of a dry pipe sprinkler system. The second pressure sensor can detect a second pressure of gas in at least one pipe of the dry pipe sprinkler system. The one or more processors can receive the first pressure from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure from the second pressure sensor, determine a target minimum pressure based on the first pressure, compare the target minimum pressure to the second pressure, and output an indication of an alarm condition based on the comparison. 
     At least one aspect relates to a method. The method can include detecting, by a first pressure sensor, a first pressure of a fluid supply of a dry pipe sprinkler system, detecting, by a second pressure sensor, a second pressure of gas in at least one pipe of the dry pipe sprinkler system, determining, by one or more processors, a target minimum pressure based on the first pressure, comparing, by the one or more processors, the target minimum pressure to the second pressure, and outputting, by the one or more processors, an indication of an alarm condition based on the comparison. 
     At least one aspect relates to a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions that when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive, from a first pressure sensor, a first pressure of a fluid supply of a dry pipe sprinkler system, receive, from a second pressure sensor, a second pressure of gas in at least one pipe of the dry pipe sprinkler system, determine a target minimum pressure based on the first pressure, compare the target minimum pressure to the second pressure, and output an indication of an alarm condition based on the comparison. 
     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 alarm system of a sprinkler system. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an alarm device of a sprinkler system. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a method of operating an alarm device of a sprinkler system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and implementations of dynamic low air alarms, systems, and methods. Dynamic low air alarms can more accurately detect alarm conditions regarding air and water pressures in sprinkler systems, reducing the likelihood of inadvertent operation of a flow control valve or lack of an indication of a low air condition. The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below can be implemented in any of numerous ways, including in dry systems and in wet systems. 
     Sprinkler systems, including dry pipe sprinkler systems, can be used to protect spaces such as unheated warehouses, parking garages, store windows, attic spaces, and loading docks, which may be exposed to freezing temperatures, such that water filled pipes might freeze if used. When set for service, the dry pipe sprinkler system can be pressurized with a gas, such as air (e.g., atmospheric air) or nitrogen. When a sprinkler of the dry pipe sprinkler system is exposed to heat from a fire, the sprinkler will open, decreasing pressure in the pipe(s) connected to the sprinkler. This decrease in pressure (e.g., pressure decay, pressure drop) can be used to trigger operation of a flow control valve that connects a fluid supply, such as a water supply, to the pipes connected to the sprinkler to deliver the fluid through the sprinkler to address the fire. For example, the flow control valve can include a clapper or other mechanical component having gas on a first side of the clapper and fluid on a second, opposite side of the clapper; depending on the pressures of the gas and fluid and the surface areas of the clapper on which the gas and fluid act, changes in pressure of the gas or the fluid can cause the clapper to change state from a first state in which the clapper is closed to prevent the fluid from flowing into the pipes of the sprinkler system to a second state in which the clapper opens to allow the fluid to flow into the pipes. 
     Sprinkler systems can include alarms that indicate an alarm condition when pressure of the gas in the sprinkler system falls below a pressure threshold. The pressure threshold can be related to a minimum pressure below which operation of the flow control valve is triggered. A low air alarm device can be used to indicate that the pressure of the gas (e.g., system air pressure) has fallen below or decayed beyond the pressure threshold, which is a fixed or predetermined value. 
     In some instances, fluctuations in the pressure of the fluid from the fluid supply can only be estimated prior to or during installation and setup of the sprinkler system. For example, water pressure fluctuations can vary greatly from one system to another and from one day to another. This can make it difficult to accurately specify the pressure threshold, and can result in inadvertent operation of the flow control valve, or false positives (e.g., the alarm goes off even if the sprinklers have not opened responsive to a fire). For example, if the pressure of the fluid fluctuates in an increasing manner, the pressure of the fluid can reach a level sufficient to trigger operation of the flow control valve even if a sprinkler has not opened to cause the pressure of the gas to fall below the predetermined pressure threshold. Alarm devices and systems in accordance with the present disclosure can dynamically monitor fluid pressures to determine more accurate pressure thresholds for gas in the system, and in turn more accurate indications of alarm conditions. The alarm conditions can be outputted using visual or audio alarms as well as electronic notifications that can be transmitted to remote devices, such as a portable electronic device (e.g., cell phone) of a user. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a sprinkler system  100  is depicted. The sprinkler system  100  includes a at least one sprinkler  104  coupled with at least one pipe  108 . The sprinkler  104  can operate in an open state and a closed state, and may normally operate in the closed state, such as by being biased to the closed state. The sprinkler  104  can switch to the open state in response to a fire condition, such as by being actuated to open when heated by a fire. The at least one pipe  108  can include a network of pipes, such as a manifold or piping grid. Each sprinkler  104  can receive fluid from the at least one pipe  108 . 
     In a dry pipe sprinkler system, a gas, such as air or nitrogen, can be in and flow through the at least one pipe  108 . The gas can be at a greater pressure than atmospheric pressure. For example, the gas can have a pressure greater than or equal to 15 pounds per square inch (psi) and less than or equal to 60 psi. The pressure of the gas can be adjusted when the sprinkler system  100  is installed or configured in order to control factors such as valve trip time and fluid delivery time. When the sprinkler  104  switches to the open state, the gas in the at least one pipe  108  can flow out of the at least one pipe  108  due to the difference in pressure between the relatively high pressure in the at least one pipe  108  and the relatively low (e.g., atmospheric pressure) pressure outside of the at least one pipe  108 . The decrease in pressure resulting from the gas flowing out of the at least one pipe  108  can be used to signal the fire condition. 
     The at least one pipe  108  can be coupled with an outlet  136  of a flow control valve  120 . The at least one pipe  108  can receive fluid from the outlet  136  and output the fluid via the sprinkler  104 . An inlet  128  of the flow control valve  120  can be coupled with a fluid supply  150 . The fluid supply  150  can have a fluid such as water or other firefighting fluids. The fluid can flow from the fluid supply  150  to the inlet  128  of the flow control valve  120 . The flow control valve  120  can be a diaphragm valve, such as the DV-5A manufactured by Tyco Fire Products. 
     The at least one pipe  108  can be coupled with an outlet  136  of a flow control valve  120 . The at least one pipe  108  can receive fluid from the outlet  136  and output the fluid via the sprinkler  104 . An inlet  128  of the flow control valve  120  can be coupled with a fluid supply  150 . The fluid supply  150  can have a fluid such as water or other firefighting fluids. The fluid can flow from the fluid supply  150  to the inlet  128  of the flow control valve  120 . The flow control valve  120  can be the DPV-1 manufactured by Tyco Fire Products. 
     The flow control valve  120  can have an open state in which the inlet  128  is in fluid communication with the outlet  136 , and a closed state in which the inlet  128  is not in fluid communication with the outlet  136 . When the inlet  128  is in fluid communication with the outlet  136 , the fluid can flow from the fluid supply  150  through the flow control valve  120  into the pipe  108 . For example, when the sprinkler  104  has opened and the flow control valve  120  is in the open state, fluid can flow from the fluid supply  150  and out of the pipe  108 , such as to address a fire responsive to which the sprinkler  104  opened. The flow control valve  120  can be biased to the closed state. For example, the flow control valve  120  can include an adjustable member, such as a clapper  124 , that can prevent fluid from flowing from the inlet  128  to the outlet  136 . The clapper  124  can be between a fluid chamber  132  coupled with the inlet  128  and a gas chamber  140  (e.g., air chamber) coupled with the inlet  128 . 
     The fluid in the fluid chamber  132  can apply a force on the clapper  124  in a direction towards the gas chamber  140 , and the gas chamber  140  can apply a force on the clapper  124  in a direction  144  towards the fluid chamber  132 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the clapper  124  can be held in a first position that prevents fluid from flowing from the fluid chamber  132  through the gas chamber  140  based on these forces. The clapper  124  may be biased to the first position (e.g., using a spring). When pressure in the gas chamber  140  decreases (e.g., due to the at least one sprinkler  104  opening) below a threshold (e.g., a threshold corresponding to the force applied by the fluid acting on the clapper  124 ), the clapper  124  can be moved away from the fluid chamber  132 , such as to rotate in the direction  144 , allowing fluid to flow from the fluid supply  150  through the flow control valve  120  and into the at least one pipe  108 . 
     The flow control valve  120  may define a trip ratio corresponding to a ratio of a fluid pressure of fluid in the fluid chamber  132  to a gas pressure of gas in the gas chamber  140  for the gas to hold the clapper  124  in the first position to prevent fluid flow from the fluid chamber  132  into the one or more pipes  108 . The trip ratio can depend on structural and geometric properties of the flow control valve  120 , such as how the flow control valve  120  and components thereof are designed and manufactured. A first surface of the clapper  124  that the gas in the gas chamber  140  applies pressure to can be greater than a second surface of the clapper  124  that the fluid in the fluid chamber  132  applies pressure to, such that a relatively lower gas pressure can be used to hold the clapper  124  closed against a relatively higher fluid pressure. The trip ratio can correspond to a minimum pressure differential for operation of the flow control valve  120  (e.g., depending on factors such as the mass of the clapper  124  and the areas of the first and second surfaces of the clapper  124 ). The trip ratio may be greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 20. The trip ratio may be greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 9. The trip ratio may be greater than or equal to 4 and less than or equal to 7. The trip ratio may be greater than or equal to 5 and less than or equal to 6. The trip ratio may be 5.5. For example, if the trip ratio is 5.5, and the fluid pressure is 55 pounds per square inch (psi), then if the gas pressure falls below 10 psi, the clapper  124  can move from the closed state to the open state. 
     The fluctuation of the first pressure can be great enough such that using a predetermined minimum pressure may not enable the low air alarm condition to be detected. For example, an expected fluctuation of the first pressure can be greater than a threshold fluctuation such that the predetermined minimum pressure, which can correspond to a ratio of the first pressure to the second pressure during the expected fluctuation, does not cause the alarm device  112  to output an indication of the alarm condition. For example, if the trip ratio is 5.5, the first pressure is 55 psi, the second pressure is 15 psi, and the predetermined minimum pressure is 12 psi, then a fluctuation of the first pressure from 55 psi to more than 82.5 psi could cause the flow control valve  120  to trip even though the second pressure of 15 psi does not fall below the predetermined minimum pressure of 12 psi. 
     The sprinkler system can include an alarm device  112 . The alarm device  112  can generate and output an indication of an alarm condition. For example, the alarm device  112  can detect a low air alarm condition and generate and output an indication of the low air alarm condition. 
     The alarm device  112  can include or be coupled with a first pressure sensor  116 . The first pressure sensor  116  can be a pressure transducer. The first pressure sensor  116  can detect a first pressure of the fluid of the fluid supply  150 . The first pressure sensor  116  can be coupled with the fluid supply  150  to detect the first pressure of the fluid in the fluid supply  150 , or as depicted in  FIG. 1 , can be coupled with a pipe between the fluid supply  150  and the flow control valve  120  to detect the pressure of the fluid supply  150 . The first pressure sensor  116  can transmit the first pressure to the alarm device  112 . The alarm device  112  can include the first pressure sensor  116  and the first pressure sensor  116  can be coupled with the fluid supply  150  or the pipe between the fluid supply  150  and the flow control valve  120  by one or more pipes (e.g., by tapping the fluid supply  150  or the pipe between the fluid supply  150  and the flow control valve  120 ). 
     The alarm device  112  can include or be coupled with a second pressure sensor  118 . The second pressure sensor  118  can be a pressure transducer. The second pressure sensor  118  can detect a second pressure of the gas of the one or more pipes  108 . The second pressure sensor  118  can be coupled with the one or more pipes  108  to detect the second pressure of the gas (e.g., air) in the one or more pipes  108 . The second pressure sensor  118  can be coupled with the one or more pipes  108  between the one or more sprinklers  104  and the flow control valve  120  or downstream of at least one sprinkler  104  relative to the flow control valve  120  (e.g., on an opposite side of at least one sprinkler  104  relative to the flow control valve  120 ). The second pressure sensor  118  can transmit the second pressure to the alarm device  112 . The alarm device  112  can include the second pressure sensor  118  and the second pressure sensor  118  can be coupled with the one or more pipes via a connection with the one or more pipes (e.g., by tapping the one or more pipes  108 ). 
     The alarm device  112  can receive the first pressure from the first pressure sensor  116 , receive the second pressure from the second pressure sensor  118 , and generate the indication of the alarm condition based on the first pressure and the second pressure. For example, the alarm device  112  can generate the indication of the alarm condition based on dynamically determining a pressure threshold corresponding to a low air alarm based on fluctuations of the first pressure. Because the forces holding the clapper  124  in the first position depend on the first pressure and the second pressure (or the first pressure and second pressure as detected by the respective pressure sensors  116 ,  118  and adjusted for corresponding pressure drops), by using a dynamic pressure threshold, the alarm device  112  can more accurately detect low air conditions. In a normal mode of operation of the sprinkler system  100  (e.g., when fluctuations of the first pressure are within a threshold level of an expected value of the first pressure, such as plus or minus 10 percent, or plus or minus 5 percent), a ratio of the first pressure to the second pressure can be at least three. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and further to  FIG. 1 , the alarm device  112  is depicted. The alarm device  112  can include a processing circuit  204  including a processor  208  and memory  212 . The processor  208  may be implemented as a specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. The memory  212  is one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and computer code for completing and facilitating the various user or client processes, layers, and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory  212  may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The memory  212  is communicably connected to the processor  208  and includes computer code or instruction modules for executing one or more processes described herein. The memory  212  can include various circuits, software engines, and/or modules that cause the processor  208  to execute the systems and methods described herein. 
     The alarm device  112  can include a pressure monitor  216 . The pressure monitor  216  can receive a first pressure  224  (e.g., of fluid of fluid supply  150 ). The pressure monitor  216  can receive the first pressure  224  from a first pressure sensor (e.g., first pressure sensor  116  described with reference to  FIG. 1 ). The pressure monitor  216  can periodically sample the first pressure  224 . 
     The pressure monitor  216  can receive a second pressure  228  (e.g., of gas, such as air, in pipes  108  of sprinkler system  100 ). The pressure monitor  216  can receive the second pressure  228  from a second pressure sensor (e.g., second pressure sensor  118 ). The pressure monitor  216  can periodically sample the second pressure  228 . 
     The pressure monitor  216  can maintain a target minimum pressure. The target minimum pressure can correspond to a low air alarm condition, such that if the second pressure  228  is less than the target minimum pressure, the valve (e.g., flow control valve  120 ) may trip by switching from a closed state to an open state due to the second pressure  228  being less than the target minimum pressure—even if one or more sprinklers  104  of the sprinkler system  100  have not necessarily opened to allow gas to flow out of the sprinklers  104 . In some embodiments, the pressure monitor  216  uses a target maximum pressure associated with the first pressure  224  (e.g., a maximum pressure defined based on an expected value of the first pressure  224 ). In some embodiments, the pressure monitor  216  uses a target pressure ratio of the second pressure  228  and first pressure  224 . 
     The pressure monitor  216  can determine the target minimum pressure based on the first pressure  224 . For example, the pressure monitor  216  can determine the target minimum pressure by applying a ratio to the first pressure  224 . The ratio can be a trip ratio corresponding to an expected ratio of the second pressure  228  to the first pressure  224  (e.g., on either side of the clapper  124 , which may take into account any pressure drop between where the first pressure  224  and second pressure  228  are respectively measured and where the gas and fluid respectively apply pressure to the clapper  124 ) sufficient for the gas pressure in the gas chamber  140  to hold the clapper  124  closed against the fluid pressure in the fluid chamber  132 . For example, the flow control valve  120  may be designed to have a trip ratio of 5.5 to 1, such as if the first pressure  224  is expected to be 55 psi and the flow control valve  120  is expected to trip when the second pressure  228  falls below 10 psi. As compared to systems that rely on a predetermined minimum pressure to determine whether a low air condition is present, the pressure monitor  216  can apply the ratio to the first pressure  224  to more accurately determine how much gas pressure should be used to hold the clapper  124  closed against the first pressure  224  of the fluid in the fluid chamber  132 . For example, if the trip ratio is 5.5:1, and the first pressure  224  is 55 psi during installation, but then fluctuates to 60 psi, the pressure monitor  216  can determine the target minimum pressure by applying the trip ratio to the value of 60 psi of the first pressure  224 , rather than the value of 55 psi. For example, the pressure monitor  216  can determine the target minimum pressure by dividing the first pressure  224  by the trip ratio. 
     The pressure monitor  216  can determine the target minimum pressure based on a safety factor. The pressure monitor  216  can use the safety factor to build in a level of tolerance to the target minimum pressure, as well as to cause an alarm corresponding to the target minimum pressure to be generated before the second pressure  228  falls below a level at which the flow control valve  120  may trip. The safety factor can be a value in psi that the pressure monitor  216  adds to a value resulting from dividing the first pressure  224  by the trip ratio. For example, the safety factor can be greater than or equal to 2 psi and less than or equal to 20 psi. The safety factor can be 10 psi. The safety factor can be user defined. The pressure monitor  216  can determine the target minimum pressure by dividing the first pressure  224  by the trip ratio, and adding the safety factor to the result of dividing the first pressure  224  by the trip ratio. The safety factor can be a multiplicative factor applied to the result of dividing the first pressure  224  by the trip ratio (e.g., multiplying the result by a factor greater than or equal to 1.1 and less than or equal to 2). 
     The pressure monitor  216  can compare the second pressure  228  to the target minimum pressure to determine whether a low air alarm condition is present or satisfied. For example, the pressure monitor  216  can determine that the low air alarm condition is satisfied responsive to the second pressure  228  being less than the target minimum pressure. As such, the pressure monitor  216  can dynamically monitor the second pressure  228  in a manner responsive to fluctuations of the first pressure  224 , which can enable more accurate detection of the low air alarm condition. 
     The alarm device  112  can include an alarm generator  220 . The alarm generator  220  can generate an alarm, such as a low air alarm, responsive to the pressure monitor  216 . For example, the alarm generator  220  can generate the alarm responsive to the pressure monitor  216  indicating that the second pressure  228  is less than the target minimum pressure. The alarm generator  220  can generate the alarm to include at least one of the first pressure  224 , the second pressure  228 , and the target minimum pressure. 
     The alarm device  112  can include an alarm output device  232 . The alarm output device  232  can receive the alarm from the alarm generator  220  and output an indication of the alarm responsive to receiving the alarm. For example, the alarm output device  232  can generate at least one of a visual indication or an audio indication of the alarm. The alarm output device  232  can include one or more lights (e.g., LED lights) or display devices (e.g., OLED, LED, LCD, CRT displays), speakers, tactile feedback devices, or other output devices to provide information to a user. The alarm output device  232  can use communications electronics  236  described below to transmit the alarm to a remote device, such as a portable electronic device (e.g., an application of a portable electronic device) to use the portable electronic device to present the notification. 
     The alarm device  112  can include communications electronics  236 . The communications electronics  236  can receive the alarm from the alarm generator  220  and provide an alarm signal corresponding to the alarm to a remote device, such as a fire alarm control panel or a portable electronic device. The communications electronics  236  can include wired or wireless interfaces (e.g., jacks, antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, wire terminals, etc.) for conducting data communications with various systems, devices, or networks. For example, the communications electronics  236  can include an Ethernet card and port for sending and receiving data via an Ethernet-based communications network. The communications electronics  236  can include a WiFi transceiver for communicating via a wireless communications network. The communications electronics  236  can communicate via local area networks (e.g., a building LAN), wide area networks (e.g., the Internet, a cellular network), and/or conduct direct communications (e.g., NFC, Bluetooth). The communications electronics  236  can conduct wired and/or wireless communications. For example, the communications electronics  236  can include one or more wireless transceivers (e.g., a Wi-Fi transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, a NFC transceiver, a cellular transceiver). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a method  300  of operating an alarm device of a sprinkler system is depicted. The method  300  can be performed using various systems and devices described herein, such as the sprinkler system  100  and the alarm device  112 . 
     At  305 , a first pressure is received (e.g., read) from a first pressure sensor. The first pressure sensor can detect the first pressure as a pressure of fluid in a fluid supply, such as water or other firefighting fluids. The first pressure sensor can be coupled with the fluid supply or with piping between the first pressure sensor and the fluid supply. The first pressure can be received by periodically sampling the first pressure sensor. 
     At  310 , a target minimum pressure is determined using the first pressure. The target minimum pressure can correspond to a low air alarm condition. The target minimum pressure can be determined by applying a ratio to the first pressure, such as a trip ratio corresponding to a pressure ratio (e.g., water to air) on either side of a movable element of a flow control valve sufficient to hold the movable element in a closed state. For example, if the trip ratio is a ratio of (relatively high) water pressure to (relatively low) air pressure, the first pressure can be divided by the trip ratio to determine the target minimum pressure. The target minimum pressure can be determined using a safety factor. For example, the safety factor can be applied to the value resulting from dividing the pressure by the trip ratio. 
     At  315 , a second pressure is received (e.g., read) from a second pressure sensor. The second pressure sensor can detect the second pressure as a pressure of gas (e.g., air) in a pipe of the sprinkler system. The second pressure sensor can be coupled with the pipe or connected by additional piping with a point at which the second pressure is to be detected. The second pressure can be received by periodically sampling the second pressure sensor. 
     At  320 , the second pressure is compared to the target minimum pressure to determine whether the second pressure is less than the target minimum pressure, such as to determine if a low air alarm condition exists. If the second pressure is not less than the target minimum pressure (e.g., second pressure is equal to or greater than the target minimum pressure), then the low air alarm condition may not exist, and the first and second pressures can continue to be monitored and used to monitor the low air alarm condition by dynamically determining the target minimum pressure. 
     At  325 , responsive to determining that the second pressure is less than the target minimum pressure, a low air alarm can be indicated. For example, an alarm signal can be generated responsive to the second pressure being less than the target minimum pressure. The alarm signal can be provided to an alarm output device to cause the alarm output device to generate at least one of a visual indication and an audio indication of the alarm. The alarm signal can be transmitted to a remote device, such as a remote alarm, electronic device, or fire alarm control panel, to communicate the low air alarm condition. 
     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” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. References to at least one of a conjunctive list of terms may be construed as an inclusive OR to indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. For example, 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.