Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a method, apparatus, and system for a centralized microchannel cooling system in precision cooling applications, such as mission-critical systems with data centers or cabinets or rooms with medical equipment. The microchannel condenser is designed to provide sufficient cooling for such applications by configuring multiple microchannel slabs together in a fashion that advantageously can increase the overall cooling abilities of multiple slabs not heretofore known. The system can provide a retrofit condenser for some existing precision cooling systems that have limitations on size, while satisfying cooling capacity requirements. The multiple slabs can be cooled by flowing a fluid such as air or a liquid across them. One or more microchannel slabs can be mounted horizontally, vertically, or in an inclined position. Further, the system can allow for multiple passes of refrigerants through the microchannel slabs.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/893,745, filed Mar. 8, 2007, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO APPENDIX 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The invention relates to micro-channel cooling. More specifically, the invention relates to micro-channel cooling for electronics cooling rooms and cabinets in precision cooling applications. 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0008]    Increased demands are being made on cooling systems for electronic equipment in precision cooling applications. Precision cooling applications include mission-critical systems, such as data centers with cooled rooms and cooled cabinets for electronic equipment, medical equipment centers and operating rooms, and the like. If the equipment is not sufficiently cooled, the internal temperature of the electronic components in the equipment dramatically increases over relatively short periods of time, which may result in significantly reduced system performance and, in some cases, component or total system failure. The additional power and capabilities combined with increased density of electronics placement have stressed the capabilities of conventional cooling schemes for such precision cooling applications. Even where system performance is not compromised, inefficient cooling may unnecessarily increase the cost of cooling the equipment and shorten the lifetime of the equipment. 
         [0009]    Typically, a refrigeration system uses conventional fin-and-tube condenser coils to dissipate heat generated from other portions of the refrigeration system, such as the compressor and evaporator, by passing the refrigerant through the condenser coils. The refrigerant is then circulated back to other system portions in a closed loop system. The condenser coil must be sized to absorb the heat for the system to maintain continuous operation. However, fin-and-tube condenser coils often have poor efficiencies in dissipating heat from the refrigerant passing through the coils. As a result, fin-and-tube condenser coils can be disproportionately large for the amount of heat they can dissipate from the refrigerant. The size also increases the amount of refrigerant which can have an environmental impact. 
         [0010]    New and different methods are being investigated to increase the cooling capabilities to satisfactory levels. A recent innovation is the use of microchannel cooling technology to provide increase efficiencies. Microchannel technology uses cooling tubes subdivided into multiple channels for separating the cooling fluid into individual flow paths and increased energy transfer. A typical application for microchannel cooling has been in conduction cooling of electronic chips. An example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,903,929 in which an integrated circuit is thermally coupled to a pair of microchannel heat exchangers disposed on opposite sides of an integrated circuit die to cool the electronic components. Another example is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,382 in which a microchannel heat exchanger captures thermal energy generated from a heat source by passing fluid through selective areas of the interface layer that is preferably coupled to the heat source, such as electronic chips. In particular, the fluid is directed to specific areas in the interface layer to cool the hot spots and areas around the hot spots to create temperature uniformity across the heat source while maintaining a small pressure drop within the heat exchanger. A more recent application of microchannel technology has been applied to specific racks in cooling cabinets in U.S. Publ. No. 2006/0102322. At least one embodiment discusses a plurality of heat-generating objects, such as electronic circuit boards and hardware, that are situated vertically in an electronic cabinet or other enclosure, and a plurality of heat exchangers that are situated in the enclosure such that a heat exchanger is situated between adjacent heat generating objects in a spaced-apart relationship. 
         [0011]    However, these examples are for cooling the electronic device or other source of heat in a specific portion of the refrigeration system, typically known as an “evaporator.” Different parameters apply for cooling the refrigerant by dissipating the heat of the cooling fluid in the refrigeration system portion typically known as the “condenser.” One microchannel application for a condenser portion of the refrigeration system is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,538 in which a condenser assembly can condense an evaporated refrigerant for use in a retail store refrigeration system. The condenser assembly includes at least one microchannel condenser coil including an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. The patent discloses serial and parallel flow path arrangements of multiple microchannel condensers, and stacked and single layer systems of condensers. 
         [0012]    Thus, there remains a need for a centralized microchannel cooling system for precision cooling applications. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0013]    The present disclosure provides a method, apparatus, and system for a centralized microchannel cooling system in precision cooling applications, such as mission-critical systems with data centers or cabinets or rooms with medical equipment. The microchannel condenser is designed to provide sufficient cooling for such applications by configuring multiple microchannel slabs together in a fashion that advantageously can increase the overall cooling abilities of multiple slabs not heretofore known. The system can provide a retrofit condenser for some existing precision cooling systems that have limitations on size, while satisfying cooling capacity requirements. The multiple slabs can be cooled by flowing a fluid such as air or a liquid across them. One or more microchannel slabs can be mounted horizontally, vertically, or in an inclined position. Further, the system can allow for multiple passes of refrigerants through the microchannel slabs. 
         [0014]    The disclosure provides a cooling system for precision cooling for electronic equipment, comprising: an electronic equipment support structure adapted to support one or more heat generating electronic equipment; an evaporator in fluid communication with the support structure and adapted to provide cooling to the support structure; a compressor; and a microchannel condenser fluidicly coupled to the compressor and adapted to cool refrigerant from the compressor and dissipate heat from the refrigerant. 
         [0015]    The disclosure further provides a method of precision cooling for electronic equipment, comprising: flowing a quantity of refrigerant through an evaporator to cool heat generating electronic equipment supported in an electronic equipment support structure; compressing the refrigerant through a compressor; cooling the refrigerant through a microchannel condenser; and flowing a quantity of air across fins in the microchannel condenser. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    While the concepts provided herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, only a few specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The figures and detailed descriptions of these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the breadth or scope of the concepts or the appended claims in any manner. Rather, the figures and detailed written descriptions are provided to illustrate the concepts to a person of ordinary skill in the art as required by 35 U.S.C. § 112. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective schematic diagram of an exemplary precision cooling application. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective schematic diagram of an exemplary refrigeration system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel condenser system using multiple microchannel slabs with multiple flow paths of refrigerant. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel condenser system using multiple microchannel slabs cooled with a single fan. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel condenser system using multiple microchannel slabs with a parallel flow path of refrigerant in serial communication with at least one other microchannel slab. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel slab with exemplary dimensions. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary multi-path microchannel slab with exemplary dimensions for flowing multiple passes of refrigerant through the slab. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel slab. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel tube illustrating micro channels formed in the tube. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an exemplary cooling fin that can be coupled to at least one microchannel tube. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary slab refrigeration system. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary multiple slab refrigeration system in a parallel flow path with multiple condenser fans. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary multiple slab refrigeration system in a serial flow path with multiple condenser fans. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary slab refrigeration system with multiple condenser fans. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    One or more illustrative embodiments of the concepts disclosed herein are presented below. Not all features of an actual implementation are described or shown in this application for the sake of clarity. It is understood that the development of an actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer&#39;s goals, such as compliance with system-related, business-related, and other constraints, which vary by implementation and from time to time. While a developer&#39;s efforts might be complex and time-consuming, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a perspective schematic diagram of an exemplary precision cooling application. Precision cooling applications in electronic equipment support structures, such as a cooled room  1  and/or a cooled electronic cabinet  2 , can benefit from the refrigeration system described herein. Electronic equipment is generally organized in the room  1  and often in a cabinet  2  with multiple horizontal trays  4  to support multiple rows of equipment. The cabinet  2  generally includes sides,  6 , back  8 , top  10 , bottom  12 , and a door  14  to gain access to the equipment therein. Power rails, uninterruptible power supplies, and other features can be included. Multiple cabinets can be placed in the cooling room  1  as is appropriate for the particular installation. If the refrigeration system is mounted in the room  1 , the cooling fluid can be directed to an external location and be cooled through a condenser with the resultant heat dissipated outside the room. If the refrigeration system is mounted to the cooling cabinet  2 , the condenser can be mounted to the cabinet and the heat dissipated to the room  1 , where a separate cooling system can cool the room, or the cooling cabinet heat can be directed external to the room and the heat dissipated outside the room. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective schematic diagram of an exemplary refrigeration system. While this embodiment illustrates a refrigeration system coupled with a cooled electronics cabinet, it is understood that the refrigeration system could be coupled with the room  1 , described in  FIG. 1 , or other electronic equipment support structures. The refrigeration system  16  generally includes a compressor  18  for compressing refrigerant in the system to an elevated pressure, a condenser  20  to cool the refrigerant that is heated by the act of compression, an expansion device  22  that causes a pressure drop as the refrigerant flows therethrough and thermodynamically cools the refrigerant, an evaporator  24  that is cooled by the cooled refrigerant flowing therethrough, at least one fan  26  to move air across the evaporator&#39;s surfaces to cool the support structure and electronic equipment whereby the refrigerant in turn absorbs heat from the warmer air produced by the electronic equipment, various refrigerant lines  28  for carrying the refrigerant between the components, and a system controller  30 , such as a thermostat. A condenser fan  31  is used to move air across cooling fins of the condenser  20  to cool the condenser and therefore cool the heated, compressed refrigerant, if the condenser system is an air cooled system. While the condenser system in the exemplary embodiments is described as an air cooled system, it should be appreciated that alternatively the condenser may be cooled by any fluid, such as gaseous mediums or liquids or any cooling method known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a pump may be used to move the fluid, such as a liquid, across the cooling fins of the condenser  20  to cool the condenser and therefore cool the heated, compressed refrigerant. 
         [0034]    In at least one embodiment, the compressor  18  can be a fixed displacement compressor or advantageously a variable flow compressor, sometimes referred to as a modulated or digital scroll compressor. The variable flow compressor can allow the refrigeration system  16  to operate more efficiently in that the compressor can be modulated more closely to variable load conditions. For example, the modulation can be controlled by controlling the duty cycle of the compressor with a bypass valve that opens and closes to at least partially bypass the compression stage of the compressor. 
         [0035]    The condenser  20  is used to cool the refrigerant, heated by the compressor compressing the refrigerant. Generally, the condenser  20  can be subdivided into one or more modules (herein “slabs”), so that refrigerant can flow through each of the slabs to control the amount of cooling from the refrigerant and hence head pressure on the refrigeration system. The condenser  20  can include, therefore, microchannel slabs  20 A,  20 B,  20 C. Further, it is understood that the slabs can be mounted vertically as illustrated in  FIG. 2  or horizontally as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Advantageously, if mounted horizontally, the vertical height of the cabinet  2  can be shortened or the same height can be used for other purposes such as additional support space for electronic equipment. 
         [0036]    The expansion device  22 , such as an expansion valve, can expand the refrigerant to a lower pressure and thermodynamically cool the refrigerant. The cooled refrigerant flows from the expansion device to the evaporator  24 . The evaporator  24  is a heat exchanger that cools warmer air generated by the electronic equipment in the support structure and is therefore in fluid communication with the support structure. One or more fans  26  can move air across the surfaces of the evaporator  24  and increase the efficiency of the system  16 . The evaporator  24  allows cool refrigerant flowing in the evaporator to cool warmer air or another medium flowing across the evaporator external surfaces. Conversely, the flowing medium transfers its higher heat into the refrigerant. In at least one embodiment, the evaporator  24  can be mounted vertically along the height of the cabinet  2 . 
         [0037]    The controller  30  can be used to control the flow of refrigerant through the system, the operation of the compressor, the operation of the fans, the operation of pumps, and other operational factors. Further, the controller  30  can control one or more valves (not shown) that control the flow of refrigerant through the condenser and particularly through one or more of the microchannel slabs. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel condenser system using multiple microchannel slabs with multiple flow paths of refrigerant. A microchannel condenser  20  can be formed from a single slab or, as shown, multiple slabs  20 A,  20 B fluidicly coupled together. Further, in this embodiment and the other embodiments described herein, the microchannel slabs can be subdivided into smaller slabs. In at least one embodiment, the slabs can be coupled in parallel flow arrangements. Depending on the heat dissipation requirements, the number of microchannel slabs can vary from one to many slabs. In an advantageous embodiment, three (3) slabs can be coupled to form an effective size of about 40 inches by 40 inches. This particular size can be used to retrofit existing condenser system in some cooled electronic cabinets. Each slab has a plurality of microchannel tubes spaced apart at a pitch distance, which can vary depending on heat loads between the slabs and within each slab as necessary. Each microchannel tube has a plurality of microchannels formed within the tube to separate and conduct portions of the refrigerant flow through each tube. Further details are disclosed herein. 
         [0039]    An inlet refrigerant line  32  can provide the refrigerant to the microchannel condenser. If multiple slabs are used, the line  32  can provide the refrigerant to an inlet manifold  34  that then can provide the refrigerant to the slabs. Each slab  20 A,  20 B can include an inlet header  36 A,  36 B. The inlet headers  36 A,  36 B can include slab inlets  38 A,  38 B, respectively, where the inlet manifold  34  can be fluidicly coupled to the slab inlets. The refrigerant can flow into the slab through the slab inlets  38 A,  38 B and flow into an intermediate header  42 A,  42 B on the slabs  20 A,  20 B. When the slab is a multi-path slab, so that the refrigeration passes multiple times therethrough, the intermediate headers  42 A,  42 B can return the flow of refrigerant into a return path through the slab to an outlet. Baffles  40 A,  40 B on the slabs  20 A,  20 B can be used to separate the inlet headers  36 A,  36 B from outlet headers  44 A,  44 B on the slabs  20 A,  20 B, where the outlet headers  44 A,  44 B receive the return flow of refrigerant fluid from the intermediate headers  42 A,  42 B. The cooled refrigerant can exit the slabs through a slab outlet  46 A,  46 B on the slabs  20 A,  20 B and flow into an outlet manifold  48 . The refrigerant can then flow into an outlet refrigerant line  50  to other portions of the refrigeration system, such as the expansion device  22  described in reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel condenser system using multiple microchannel slabs cooled with a single fan. The slabs  20 A,  20 B, forming the condenser  20 , can be cooled with a single condenser fan  31  of suitable size and airflow. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel condenser system using multiple microchannel slabs with a parallel flow path of refrigerant in serial communication with at least one other microchannel slab. In at least one embodiment, two of the slabs can be coupled in serial flow arrangement. Thus, microchannel condenser can include multiple slabs fluidicly coupled together with at least two slabs  20 A,  20 B being in a parallel flow path and at least two slabs being in a serial flow path (slab  20 A or  20 B or a combination thereof in series with slab  20 C), so that at least one of the slabs in the parallel flow path is different from at least one of the slabs in the serial flow path. An inlet refrigerant line  32  provides the heated refrigerant to the inlet manifold  34 . The refrigerant flows into the slabs  20 A,  20 B and can flow in a single direction through the slabs to the outlet manifold  48  and into the outlet refrigerant line  50 . The outlet refrigerant line  50  can provide the refrigerant to an inlet  52  of slab  20 C. The refrigeration can flow in like manner through the slab  20 C to an outlet  54 . One fan, such as fan  32  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , can provide an air flow over the slabs  20 A,  20 B,  20 C, or a portion thereof. Alternative embodiments can use multiple fans for the one or more slabs. 
         [0042]    One or more of the slabs, such as slab  20 A, can be designed to handle a variety of heat loads. For an exemplary cooled electronics cabinet having a design maximum heat load of 28 kilowatts, an exemplary design for at least one slab is described in  FIGS. 6-9 . Other sizes can be used as can be explained further.  FIG. 6  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel slab with exemplary dimensions.  FIG. 7  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary multi-path microchannel slab with exemplary dimensions for flowing multiple passes of refrigerant through the slab.  FIG. 8  is a side schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel slab.  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an exemplary microchannel tube illustrating microchannels formed in the tube.  FIGS. 6-9  will be described in conjunction with each other. The tubes can be made of aluminum or other suitable thermally conductive material. An exemplary slab  20 A can be formed into an approximate size of 40″ (1016 mm) long by 13.5″ (343 mm) wide. The length of the inlet, outlet, and if present the intermediate headers described above, can add additional length to the slab. In such an exemplary embodiment, the tubes  56 ,  58  in  FIGS. 6 and 7  can be spaced a pitch distance of about 0.45″ (11 mm), so that about 31 tubes can be coupled into the exemplary slab. If the slab is a single pass slab, the slab inlet and outlet can be centrally disposed at about halfway across the width or 6.75″ (172 mm). 
         [0043]    If the slab is a multi-pass slab, such as described in reference to  FIG. 3  and further illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the slab inlet  38 A and slab outlet  46 A can be disposed about 1.5″ (38 mm) from each outside edge. The baffle  40 A can be disposed about 4.5″ (114 mm) from the outside edge of the outlet header  44 A to separate the inlet header  36 A from the outlet header. 
         [0044]    The thickness of the slab  20 A can be about 0.78″ (20 mm), as shown in  FIG. 8 . A height of each microchannel tube  56 ,  58  is about 0.78″ (20 mm) and has a thickness of about 0.071″ (1.8 mm), as shown in  FIG. 9 . The slab thickness and microchannel tube height can vary depending on the cooling requirements. Another exemplary tube height can be about 1.38″ (35 mm), although lesser and greater dimensions can be used. Each tube, such as tube  56 , generally includes a plurality of microchannels  60 . While the size and shape of the microchannels can vary especially at the tube distal portions  56 A,  56 B, the microchannels can be generally about 0.043″ (1.1 mm) in cross sectional width and about 0.034″ (0.867 mm) in cross sectional height and separated by a spacing of about 0.0085″ (0.217 mm) from each other. At those sizes and spacing, about 18 microchannels can be coupled in one exemplary tube. The wall thickness on at least one of the distal portions  56 A,  56 B can be about 0.020″ (0.5 mm) and a side wall thickness can be about 0.014″ (0.35 mm). 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an exemplary cooling fin that can be coupled to at least one microchannel tube. The fin  62  is generally coupled to the tube  56  described above to conduct heat away from the tube. The fin can also be made of aluminum or other suitable thermally conductive material. In at least one embodiment, the fin thickness can be about 0.005″ (0.127 mm) and can be assembled to the tube at a density of about 18 fins per inch. An advantageous fin material can be a louvered fin having a plurality of louvers  64 A,  64 B forming an opening  66  therebetween to allow further air flow between the louvers and increased heat dissipation from the fins. An exemplary fin material is known as 9 element fin material, although other fin materials such as 11 element fin material or unlouvered fin materials can be used. 
         [0046]      FIG. 11  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary slab refrigeration system. The inlet refrigerant line  32  can provide refrigerant to the microchannel condenser  20 , where the condenser can be formed from a single slab or multiple slabs. The refrigerant can flow through the condenser to the outlet refrigerant line  50 . The condenser fan  31  can provide air flow across the condenser  20  to cool the refrigerant therein. 
         [0047]      FIG. 12  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary multiple slab refrigeration system in a parallel flow path with multiple condenser fans. The inlet manifold  34  can provide refrigerant to the microchannel slabs  20 A,  20 B which collectively form the condenser  20 . The refrigerant can flow through the microchannel slabs in a parallel flow path to the outlet manifold  48 . Multiple condenser fans  31 A,  31 B can provide air flow across the slabs  20 A,  20 B, respectively, to cool the refrigerant therein. Microchannel slabs  20 A,  20 B can further be divided into smaller slabs. 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary multiple slab refrigeration system in a serial flow path with multiple condenser fans. The inlet refrigerant line  32  can provide refrigerant to the microchannel slab  20 A. The refrigerant can flow through the microchannel slab  20 A and then into the microchannel slab  20 B in a serial flow path to the outlet refrigerant line  50 . Multiple condenser fans  31 A,  31 B can provide air flow across the slabs  20 A,  20 B, respectively, to cool the refrigerant therein. 
         [0049]      FIG. 14  is a top schematic diagram of an exemplary slab refrigeration system with multiple condenser fans. The inlet refrigerant line  32  can provide refrigerant to the microchannel condenser  20  having an extended length compared to width. The refrigerant can flow through the condenser  20  to the outlet refrigerant line  50 . Multiple condenser fans  31 A,  31 B can provide air flow across the condenser to cool the refrigerant therein. 
         [0050]    The various methods and embodiments of the invention can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments, as would be understood by those with ordinary skill in the art, given the understanding provided herein. Also, various aspects of the embodiments could be used in conjunction with each other to accomplish the understood goals of the invention. Also, the directions such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions and orientations are described herein for clarity in reference to the figures and are not to be limiting of the actual device or system or use of the device or system. The term “coupled,” “coupling,” “coupler,” and like terms are used broadly herein and can include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and can further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unity fashion. The coupling can occur in any direction, including rotationally. Unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, should be understood to imply the inclusion of at least the stated element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof, and not the exclusion of a greater numerical quantity or any other element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof. The device or system may be used in a number of directions and orientations. Further, the order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps. Additionally, the headings herein are for the convenience of the reader and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0051]    The invention has been described in the context of various embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Apparent modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicant, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicant intends to protect all such modifications and improvements to the full extent that such falls within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims. 
         [0052]    Further, any references mentioned in the application for this patent as well as all references listed in the information disclosure originally filed with the application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent such may be deemed essential to support the enabling of the invention. However, to the extent statements might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of the invention, such statements are expressly not meant to be considered as made by the Applicant(s).