Abstract:
In various aspects, a solar collector apparatus includes a lens pivotally mounted about an axis thereof and adapted to gather sunlight into a focal point, and a tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the tracking device cooperates with the lens to pivot the lens about the axis in correspondence to the position of the sun. Related methods of use of the solar collector apparatus are disclosed herein. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to solar energy and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for orientation of a lens in correspondence to the position of the sun. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Society requires energy for economic growth and for quality of life. As the earth&#39;s population grows along with the global economy, the need for energy continues to increase. Solar energy may be useful in meeting this global demand for energy, and solar energy may have certain advantages over fossil fuels or other energy sources for the heating of water for residential or commercial purposes. The heated water may be stored in an insulated tank until use. This allows water to be heated when solar energy is available and the water may be used at night or on cloudy days when solar energy is not available. The cost of heating water using solar energy may be less than the cost of heating a similar amount of water using fossil fuels. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for improved apparatus as well as related methods for heating water using solar energy. 
         [0007]    A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,622 B2, issued in the name of Konold; 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,519 B2, issued in the name of Litwin; 
         [0010]    U.S. Patent Application no. 2008/0314438 A1, published in the name of Tran et al.; 
         [0011]    U.S. Patent Application no. 2005/0133082 A1, published in the name of Konold et al.; 
         [0012]    U.S. Patent Application no. 2008/0078435 A1, published in the name of Johnson; 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,296,410 B2, issued in the name of Litwin; 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,103, issued in the name of Thompson; and 
         [0015]    U.S. Patent Application no. 2009/0293940 A1, published in the name of Sharpe. 
         [0016]    Consequently, a need has been felt for an improved apparatus for heating water using solar energy in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. 
         [0017]    This application presents claims and embodiments that fulfill a need or needs not yet satisfied by the products, inventions and methods previously or presently available. In particular, the claims and embodiments disclosed herein describe a solar collector apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a lens pivotally mounted about an axis thereof and adapted to gather sunlight into a focal point; and a tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the tracking device cooperates with the lens to pivot the lens about the axis in correspondence to the position of the sun, the apparatus providing unanticipated and nonobvious combination of features distinguished from the products, inventions and methods preexisting in the art. The applicant is unaware of any product, method, disclosure or reference that discloses the features of the claims and embodiments disclosed herein. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    These and other needs and disadvantages may be overcome by the apparatus and related methods disclosed herein. Additional improvements and advantages may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of the present disclosure. 
         [0019]    A solar collector apparatus is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the solar collector apparatus includes a lens pivotally mounted about an axis thereof and adapted to gather sunlight into a focal point, and a tracking device adapted to track a position of the sun, the tracking device cooperates with the lens to pivot the lens about the axis in correspondence to the position of the sun. Related methods of use of the solar collector apparatus are disclosed herein. 
         [0020]    This summary is presented to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein as a prelude to the detailed description that follows below. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates by plan cut-away view an exemplary implementation of a solar collector apparatus; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates by perspective view portions of the exemplary implementation of the solar collector apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  illustrates by schematic view portions of the exemplary implementation of the solar collector apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  illustrates by schematic view portions of the exemplary implementation of the solar collector apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates by plan cut-away view portions of the exemplary implementation of the solar collector apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates by plan cut-away view portions of the exemplary implementation of the solar collector apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates by schematic view portions of the exemplary implementation of the solar collector apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7A  illustrates by side view portions of the exemplary implementation of the solar collector apparatus of  FIG. 1  including portions of an outer reservoir; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7B  illustrates by cut-away view portions of the exemplary implementation of the solar collector apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7C  illustrates by cut-away view portions of the exemplary implementation of the solar collector apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  illustrates by cut-away view portions of the exemplary implementation of the solar collector apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0032]    The Figures are exemplary only, and the implementations illustrated therein are selected to facilitate explanation. The number, position, relationship and dimensions of the elements shown in the Figures to form the various implementations described herein, as well as dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, flow and similar requirements are explained herein or are understandable to a person of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this disclosure. Where used in the various Figures, the same numerals designate the same or similar elements. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “forward,” “rear,” “first,” “second,” “inside,” “outside,” and similar terms are used, the terms should be understood in reference to the orientation of the implementations shown in the drawings and are utilized to facilitate description thereof. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  illustrates an implementation of solar collector apparatus  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , solar collector apparatus  10  includes lens  20  mounted to housing  60  by axle  30  which passes along an axis  33  (see  FIG. 2 ) defined by a radius of lens  20 . Axle  30  secures lens  20  to housing  60  such that lens  20  may pivot about axle  30  with respect to housing  60 , as indicated by arrow  31 . Lens surface  22  of lens  20  is generally faced toward the sun  400 , as illustrated, while lens surface  24  of lens  20  is generally faced toward chamber  64  of housing  60 . Solar radiation  405  enters lens  20  through lens surface  22  and exits through lens surface  24  to be focused thereby upon heat exchanger  40 . Axle  30  may be configured as an axle or other pivotable attachment for the securement of lens  20  to housing  60 . Axle  30 , in this implementation, is generally positioned about housing  60  such that lens  20  is positioned generally about entry  65  of chamber  60 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , heat exchanger  40  is positioned within chamber  64  of housing  60 . Solar radiation  405  from the sun  400  is reflected by an array of reflective materials  455 , and is focused into focal point  410  upon outer surface  41  of heat exchanger  40  within chamber  64  of housing  60  to transfer the solar energy of the solar radiation  405  to the heat exchanger  40 . Outer surface  41  of heat exchanger  40  may be black or may be otherwise configured to enhance the absorption of solar energy from the solar radiation  405 . Lens  20  may be pivoted about axle  30  to focus solar radiation  405  upon outer surface  41  of heat exchanger  40 . Portions of outer surface  41  may be generally concave, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , such that focal point  410  may traverse about surface  41  of heat exchanger  40  as lens  20  is pivoted about axle  30 . 
         [0035]    Inner surface  43  of heat exchanger  40  defines heat exchanger chamber  44  which may be generally filled by a working fluid  46 . In various implementations, the working fluid  46  may be mineral oil, various other oils, or so forth. The working fluid  46  may be heated by the solar energy impinging upon outer surface  41  of heat exchanger  40 , and heat exchanger  40  may exchange heat between the working fluid  46  and feed water  150 , which may be water or other fluid to be heated. The heat exchanger  40  may be configured in other ways to exchange heat between the working fluid  46  and the feed water  150 , in other implementations. Various connections (not shown) may be provided to convey the feed water  150  into and out of heat exchanger  40 . 
         [0036]    Cover  80 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is placed over entry  65  of housing  60  including lens  20  to entry  65  of housing  60  and to protect lens  20 . Cover  80  may be generally hemispherical, as shown, to allow lens  20  to pivot within the hemispherical lens cover  80 . Cover  80  may be made of various generally transparent materials that allow the passage of solar radiation therethrough such as, for example, a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic (e.g. Lexan™) 
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , mounts  67 ,  69  rotatably mount housing  60  to support structure  90 . Support structure  90  is generally adapted to support housing  60 . Mounts  67 ,  69  are rotatable such that mounts  67 ,  69  allow housing  60  to rotate with respect to support structure  90  about axis  63  in the directions indicated by arrows  61 . Accordingly, in this implementation, axis  63  is perpendicular to axis  33 , and lens  20  may rotate about axis  33  and housing  60  may rotate about axis  63 . 
         [0038]    Beam  95  of support structure  90 , in this implementation, is anchored to base  430  thereby securing support structure  90  to base  430 . Base  430  may be the ground, a portion of a structure such as a building, or other suitable securement for solar collector apparatus  10 . 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , solar collector apparatus  10  includes tracking device  105  disposed thereabout. Tracking device  105  is adapted to track the position of the sun  400  as the sun  400  traverses across the sky. Tracking device  105  cooperates with housing  60  and mounts  67 ,  69  to rotate housing  60  about mounts  67 ,  69  in order to orient entry  65  of housing  60  and lens  20  located thereabout toward sun  400  as sun  400  traverses the sky between sunrise and sunset. In various implementations, tracking device  105  may include one or more photovoltaic cells, a microcontroller, and so forth, and various electric motors, power sources, and so forth may be provided to allow tracking device  105  to cooperate with housing  60  to orient housing  60  including lens  20  toward sun  400 , as would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this disclosure. The photovoltaic cell may provide electrical power to the tracking device  105  including associated mechanisms as well as detect the position of sun  400 , in various implementations. 
         [0040]    The implementation of the solar collector apparatus  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes outer reservoir  120  disposed circumferentially about portions of outer surface  66  of housing  60  that may be generally oriented toward the sun  400  generally proximate entry  65 . Outer reservoir  120  includes manifold  121  and header  123 , as illustrated. Feed water  150  is introduced into header  123  in order to introduce feed water  150  into solar collector apparatus  10 , and various connections may be provided (not shown) about header  123  to connect various sources of feed water  150  thereto. 
         [0041]    Tubes disposed circumferentially about housing  60 , such as tubes  126 ,  128 , pass from manifold  121  and extend into header  123  (see  FIGS. 7A and 7B ). Tubes  126 ,  128 , are filled with gas and configured to act as heat pipes with the portions extending into manifold formed to heat feed water  150  within header  123 , with manifold  121  anchoring tubes  126 ,  128  and outer tubes  127 ,  129  in place. For example, the portions of tubes  126 ,  128  that extend into header  123  may be formed as bulbs  147  including other such suitable shapes (see  FIG. 7C ). Tubes  126 ,  128  may be formed of copper or other metal, and tubes  126 ,  128  pass annularly through outer tubes  127 ,  129 , respectively. Outer tubes  127 ,  129  may be formed of glass or other transparent to allow solar radiation to pass through outer tubes  127 ,  129  thereby warming the gas within tubes  126 ,  128  by radiative heating. Annular regions  141 ,  143  between outer tubes  127 ,  129  and inner tubes  126 ,  128  may be evacuated such that a vacuum exists within annular regions  141 ,  143  to insulate tubes  126 ,  128 , respectively, in order to prevent conductive or convective cooling of the gas within tubes  126 ,  128 . 
         [0042]    Header  123  may be insulated to prevent cooling of the feed water  150  within the header  123 . Feed water  150  may be introduced into intake header  123  where the feed water is warmed by solar radiation absorbed by the gas within tubes such as tubes  126 ,  128 . The tubes, such as tubes  126 ,  128 , may follow the shape of the housing  60  closely so that the tubes are spaced closer together proximate the header  123  and spaced further apart proximate the manifold  121  thereby following the radius of the housing  60 . 
         [0043]    In some implementations, one or more pumps (not shown) may be provided to pump the feed water  150  through the outer reservoir  120  and the heat exchanger  40 . In other implementation, the feed water  150  may flow through the outer reservoir  120  and the heat exchanger  40  as driven by thermal convection or by gravity. 
         [0044]    Side  41  of heat exchanger  40  is faced toward lens  20 , while side  42  of heat exchanger  40  is faced toward inner surface  68  of housing  60 . A parabolic reflector  85  is mounted between heat exchanger  40  and inner surface  68  of housing  60  to reflect heat or light back into chamber  64  of housing  60 . Parabolic reflector  85  may be sized such that portions of parabolic reflector  85  extend beyond the footprint of heat exchanger  40 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  illustrates portions of solar collector apparatus  10  including lens  20  mounted about entry  65  of chamber  64  of housing  60  and including tracking device  50 . Tracking device  50  is adapted to track the position of the sun  400  as the sun  400  traverses across the sky. Tracking device  50  cooperates with lens  20  and axle  30  to rotate lens  20  about axis  33  of axle  30  in order to orient lens  20  toward sun  400  as sun  400  traverses the sky between sunrise and sunset. In various implementations, tracking device  50  may include one or more photovoltaic cells, a microcontroller, various electric motors, power sources, and so forth to allow tracking device  50  to track the position of the sun  400  and to cooperate with lens  20  to orient lens  20  toward sun  400 , as would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this disclosure. Axle  30  may extend across lens  20 , as illustrated, or, in other implementations (not shown) axle  30  may be divided into two portions each of which attaches to lens  20  proximate the circumferential boundary of lens  20 . 
         [0046]    Lens  20  may be affixed to axle  30  and axle  30  may rotate to allow lens  20  to rotate with respect to housing  60 . In other implementations, axle  30  may be stationary and lens  20  may be rotationally attached to axle  30  to rotate about axle  30 . Axle  30  includes other rotational mechanisms of attachment of lens  20  to housing  60 , in various other implementations. 
         [0047]    Lens  20  may be formed of glass or other transparent material and may be configured to have suitable optical properties. Lens  20 , as illustrated, may be configured as a Fresnel lens, in various implementations, to reduce the mass of lens  20 . 
         [0048]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the center of lens surface  22  of lens  20  defines normal vector  200  that points outward from lens surface  22  and perpendicular to lens surface  22  of lens  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , normal vector  200  may be traversed along path  162  by rotation of lens  20  about axis  33  and normal vector  200  may be traversed along path  164  by rotation of housing  60  about axis  63  to orient normal vector  200 , and, hence, lens  20 , toward sun  400 . Axes  33 ,  63  are perpendicular to one another, as indicated in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0049]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the position of the sun  400  at a particular moment in time with respect to solar collector apparatus  10  may be described by pointing normal vector  200  toward sun  400 . With normal vector  200  pointed toward sun  400 , azimuth  310  is the angle between the projection of normal vector  200  in the plane of the horizon  340  with respect to a reference direction N (North), as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , and altitude  320  is the angle of normal vector  200  with respect to horizon  340 . It should be noted that the reference direction may be North, South, East, West, or other direction, in various other implementations, and the azimuth may be measured, for example, either clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the reference direction. The celestial meridian  350  passes through the zenith  330 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0050]    In one exemplary implementations, axis  63  of solar collector apparatus  10  may be oriented perpendicular to the plane of the horizon  340  toward zenith  330  so that normal vector  200  may be rotated through various azimuths by rotation of housing  60  about axis  63  as the azimuth of the sun changes throughout the day. Axis  33  may be oriented to lie in the plane of the horizon  340  so that normal vector  200  may be rotated through various altitudes by rotation of lens  20  about axis  33  as the altitude of the sun changes throughout the day. Accordingly, normal vector  200 , and hence lens  20 , may be oriented toward sun  400  as the position of the sun varies throughout the day by rotation of housing  60  about axis  63  and by rotation of lens  20  about axis  33 . 
         [0051]    In another exemplary implementation, axis  63  of solar collector apparatus  10  may be oriented to lie in the plane of the horizon  340  so that normal vector  200  may be rotated through various altitudes by rotation of housing  60  about axis  63  as the altitude of the sun changes throughout the day. Axis  33  may be oriented perpendicular to the plane of the horizon  340  toward zenith  330  so that normal vector  200  may be rotated through various azimuths by rotation of lens  20  about axis  33  as the azimuth of the sun changes throughout the day. Accordingly, normal vector  200 , and hence lens  20 , may be oriented toward sun  400  as the position of the sun varies throughout the day by rotation of housing  60  about axis  63  and by rotation of lens  20  about axis  33 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  illustrates lens  20  as lens  20  is pivoted from a first lens position  27  (illustrated in solid line) into a second lens position  29  (illustrated in phantom) in order to orient lens  20  toward the sun  400  as the position of the sun  400  changes during the course of the day. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , surface  41  of heat exchanger  40  has a generally concave shape to allow focal point  410  of lens  20  to track generally along surface  41  of heat exchanger  40  to impart solar energy to heat exchanger  40  as lens  20  is pivoted from first lens position  27  to second lens position  29 . 
         [0053]    As an example, the focal point of the lens  20 , per this example, is about 29 inches so that about 22¼ inches of sunlight (lens diameter) is concentrated into about a 1-inch diameter and may heat that 1-inch diameter area to about 1600° F. Copper piping may be used within the heat exchanger  140  to convey the feedwater  150  therethrough, and ceramic tiles or similar may be placed within or about the heat exchanger  40  to provide thermal mass or for insulation, in various implementations. 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  illustrates portions of heat exchanger  40  including portions of heat exchanger chamber  44  with pipes  48  disposed therein. As illustrated, working fluid  46  surrounds pipes  48  within heat exchanger chamber  44 . Solar radiation, which is focused upon surface  41  of heat exchanger  40  by lens  20 , imparts heat to working fluid  46 . In turn, the heat is transferred from the working fluid  46  to the feed water  150  as the feed water  150  is passed through chamber  64 , in this implementation. 
         [0055]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , side  42  of heat exchanger  40  is faced toward inner surface  66  of housing  60 . Ceramic tile  49  and a layer of insulating material  170  may be interposed between side  42  of heat exchanger  40  and inner surface  66  of housing  60 . The ceramic tile  49  are positioned between side  42  of heat exchanger  40  and parabolic reflector  85 , and insulating material  170  is positioned between parabolic reflector  85  and inner surface  66  of housing  60 , as illustrated. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6  illustrates by schematic diagram the heating of the feed water  150  by the implementation of the solar collection apparatus  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , cold feed water  150  is passed into outer reservoir  120 , and the feed water  150  is heated by solar radiation within outer reservoir  120 . The feed water  150  passes from outer reservoir  120  into inner reservoir  130  within chamber  64  of housing  60 . The feed water  150  is further heated by heat radiated from the heat exchanger  40  within chamber  64  of housing  60  while the feed water  150  is within chamber  64 . The feed water  150  then passes into the heat exchanger  40  where the feed water  150  is heated by heat transfer from the working fluid  46  within the heat exchanger chamber  44  of heat exchanger  40 . The feed water  150 , which is now heated, is emitted from the heat exchanger  40  and the hot feed water  150  may be conveyed to various locations for use. In some implementations, the feed water  150  may be discharged following use, while, in other implementations, the feed water  150  may be circulated back for reheating following use. 
         [0057]      FIG. 7A  illustrates portions of housing  60  including portions of outer reservoir  120  positioned about outer surface  66 . As illustrated, outer tubes  127 ,  129 ,  137 ,  139  pass between manifold  121  and header  123 , and outer tubes  127 ,  129 ,  137 ,  139  are arrayed circumferentially around housing  60  such that solar radiation  405  strikes outer tubes  127 ,  129   137 ,  139 . Header  123  is placed circumferentially about outer surface  66  of housing  60  proximate entry  65 , as illustrated. 
         [0058]      FIG. 7B  illustrates outer tube  127  and tube  126  in combination. As illustrated, region  141  is generally evacuated to a vacuum. Outer tube  127  may be formed of glass or other transparent material so that solar radiation may penetrate outer tube  127  to impinge upon tube  126  to warm gas within passage  145  of tube  126 . Outer tubes  129 ,  137 ,  139  may be formed in generally the same manner as outer tube  127  with tube  126  therein, as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . 
         [0059]      FIG. 7C  illustrates portions of tube  126  extending within reservoir  124 , which is formed by the interior of header  123 . As illustrated, the portion of tube  126  extending with reservoir  124  of header  123  is formed into a bulbous shape to transfer heat from gas within tube  126  into feed water  150  within reservoir  124  of header  123 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 8  illustrates a detail of insulating material  170  in position about outer surface  68  of housing  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , surface  176  of insulating material is biased against outer surface  68 . Surface  178  of insulating material may be absorbtive to heat chamber  64  of housing  60 . Insulating material  170  may cover at least portions of outer surface  68 , in various implementations, so that the chamber  64  is generally enclosed by insulating material to retain heat therein. The insulating material  170  may be formed, for example, of fiberglass or polystyrene foam (Styrofoam™). 
         [0061]    In operation, solar collector apparatus  10  may be oriented such that lens  20  is faced toward the sun to focus solar radiation through lens  20  into focal point  410 . Tracking device  50  tracks the position of the sun. Tracking device  50  may cooperate with lens  20  to pivot lens  20  about axle  30 , which is aligned with axis  33 , to orient lens  20  toward the sun as the position of the sun changes throughout the day. Focal point  410  falls upon outer surface  41  of heat exchanger  40  to impart solar energy to heat exchanger  40 . Outer surface  41  may have a generally curved shape such that focal point  410  may traverse the curved outer surface  41  as lens  20  is pivoted. 
         [0062]    Tracking device  105  tracks the position of the sun. Tracking device  105  may cooperate with housing  60  to rotate housing  60  about mounts  67 ,  69 , which are aligned with axis  63 , to orient housing  60  such that entry  65  is oriented toward the sun as the position of the sun changes throughout the day. In various other implementations, tracking device  105  and tracking device  50  may be combined as a single tracking device. 
         [0063]    In some implementations, lens  20  may pivot to match the altitude  329  of the sun and the housing  60  may rotate to match the azimuth  310  of the sun. In other implementations, lens  20  may pivot to match the azimuth  310  of the sun and the housing  60  may rotate to match the altitude  329  of the sun. 
         [0064]    With lens  20  oriented toward the sun such that focus  410  falls upon outer surface  41  of heat exchanger  40  thereby imparting solar energy into the heat exchanger  40 , feed water  150  may be passed through solar collector apparatus  10  to heat the feed water  150  using the solar energy. The feed water  150  may pass through outer reservoir  120 . The feed water may be heated within outer reservoir  120  by solar energy absorbed by the outer surface  126  of the outer reservoir  120 . The feed water  120  may pass from outer reservoir  120  into chamber  64  of housing  60 . 
         [0065]    The feed water  150  then passes from chamber  64  where the feed water  150  is heated by heat transfer from the working fluid  46  within the heat exchanger chamber  44  of heat exchanger  40 . The feed water  150 , which is now heated, is emitted from the heat exchanger  40 . The heated feed water  150  may be used for domestic hot water, heating a pool, heating, or various other residential or commercial purposes, in various implementations. 
         [0066]    The foregoing discussion along with the Figures discloses and describes various exemplary implementations. These implementations are not meant to limit the scope of coverage, but, instead, to assist in understanding the context of the language used in this specification and in the claims. Upon study of this disclosure and the exemplary implementations herein, one of ordinary skill in the art may readily recognize that various changes, modifications and variations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims.