Patent ID: 12253286

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the disclosure relate to an apparatus that enables cooling of electronic devices through the use of magnetostrictive materials or other materials that vibrate when positioned in a varying magnetic field. In some examples one or more controllers can be provided to enable control of the apparatus101.

FIG.1schematically shows an apparatus101for enabling cooling according to examples of the disclosure. The cooling apparatus101comprises one or more portions of material103configured to vibrate at one or more ultrasonic frequencies when the material is positioned within a varying magnetic field105.

In the example shown inFIG.1the apparatus101is provided within an electronic device107. The apparatus101could be provided as a cooling module or component within the electronic device107. For example the apparatus101could be provided as a vapour chamber or heat pipe within the electronic device107. In some examples the apparatus101could be provided as part of a component of the electronic device107.

The electronic device107could be a mobile phone, a lap top or any other suitable type of electronic device107. The electronic device107comprises one or more components113that require cooling. The components113can comprise processing units, power sources, display units, transceiver modules or any other components that generate unwanted heat during use.

A cooling system115is provided to enable cooling of the electronic device107. The cooling system115can comprise any means that enables heat to be transferred away from the components113. In some examples the cooling system115can comprise a two-phase cooling system such as a vapour chamber or heat pipe. In other examples the cooling system could comprise a single-phase cooling system such as an air-cooled system.

In the example ofFIG.1the cooling system115is shown as being part of the electronic device107. It is to be appreciated that in other examples the cooling system115could be distributed between different devices. For example, an air-cooled system could comprise an auxiliary or peripheral device that directs air flow to the electronic device as needed.

The apparatus101comprises one or more portions of material103configured to vibrate at one or more ultrasonic frequencies when the material is positioned within a varying magnetic field105. The one or more portions of material103can be configured to respond to one or more predetermined frequencies of magnetic fields105. For example, the size and shape of the portions of material103can be selected so that a resonant mode of the portions of material corresponds to a frequency of the magnetic fields that is to be used. In some examples a plurality of portions of material103can be provided where the different portions of material103have different sizes and/or shapes so that they have different resonant modes corresponding to different frequencies.

In some examples the apparatus103can comprise a plurality of portions of material103that are arranged in in array. The array can comprise a periodic spacing to enable an acoustic interference pattern to be created through constructive and/or destructive interference of pressure waves created by the vibrations of the portions of material103. The array of portions of material103can be configured so that the acoustic interference pattern can focus the pressure waves in a predetermined position. The predetermined position could correspond to the position of a component113within the electronic device107or any other suitable heat source. This can enable air flow, or other working fluid, to be focused on the component113or other heat source.

The one or more portions of material103could comprise a magnetostrictive material such as cobalt, Terfenol D, galfenol or any other suitable material or combinations of material. In some examples the portions of material103could comprise a magnetocaloric material such as gadolinium or any other suitable material or combinations of material.

The apparatus101can be provided in any suitable location within the electronic device107. The apparatus101can be positioned within the electronic device107so that vibration of the one or more portions of material103can provide cooling for the cooling system115. In some examples the apparatus101can be positioned within the apparatus107so that one or more portions of material103can be positioned adjacent to or in close proximity to the components113. In some examples the apparatus101can be positioned so that the vibrations of the one or more portions of material103directs a flow of a working fluid of the cooling system115towards the components113.

In the example shown inFIG.1the electronic device107comprises a single cooling apparatus101. It is to be appreciated that in some examples of the disclosure the electronic device107could comprise a plurality of cooling apparatus101. The different cooling apparatus101could be provided in different positions within the electronic device107to enable cooling of the different components within the electronic device107. In other examples the cooling apparatus101could comprise a plurality of different portions of material103or a plurality of different arrays of different portions of material103that could be configured to enable cooling of different components of the electronic device107.

The varying magnetic field105is provided by a magnetic field source111. The magnetic field source111can comprise any means that can provide a varying magnetic field105with ultrasonic frequencies. In the example ofFIG.1the magnetic field source111comprises one or more charging coils109coils that can be configured to enable inductive charging of the electronic device107. Other types of magnetic field source can be used in other examples of the disclosure.

In the example shown inFIG.1the charging coils109that provide the varying magnetic field105for the one or more portions of material103are provided externally to the electronic device107. In such examples the charging coils109could be provided in a separate charging device or any other suitable type of auxiliary or peripheral device.

In other examples magnetic field source111could be provided internally to the electronic device107. For instance, the charging coils within the electronic device107could be used to enable charge transfer into the electronic device107and also to cause the vibration of the one or more portions of material103.

In some examples the magnetic field source111can be configured to be controlled by a controller or other control means. In such examples the magnetic field source111can be controlled to control the cooling provided by the cooling apparatus101. For instance, the frequency of the varying magnetic field105can be selected to control the vibrations of the one or more portions of material103and so control the cooling provided by the cooling apparatus101.

The magnetic field source111is positioned relative to the electronic device107so that when the apparatus101is in use the one or more portions of material103are positioned within the varying magnetic field105provided by the magnetic field source111.

When the apparatus101is in use the magnetic field source111is controlled to provide a varying magnetic field105. The apparatus101is positioned so that the one or more portions or material103are positioned within the varying magnetic field105.

The varying magnetic field105causes vibrations of the one or more portions of material103through the magnetostrictive effect or through the magnetocaloric effect depending upon the type of material that has been used. The frequency of the vibrations of the portions of material103will correspond to the frequency of the varying magnetic field105. The frequency of the vibrations of the portions of material103can be an ultrasonic frequency. The portions of material103can have a plurality of different resonant modes that can enable them to vibrate at different ultrasonic frequencies.

The vibration of the one or more portions of material103can provide cooling of the components113by providing increased cooling within the cooling system115.

In some examples the increased cooling can be provided by providing an increased flow of working fluid within the cooling system115. For instance, where air cooling is used to cool the components113the vibrations of the one or more portions of material103can increase the flow of air. In such examples the one or more portions of material103or arrays of portions of material103can be shaped so as to direct flow of the air in a given direction. For instance, the portions of material103could be shaped as fins to direct cool air towards one or more hot components113or to direct the warmed air away from the hot components113. In some examples, where air cooling is used, air from the surrounding environment of the electronic device107can be used in the cooling system115. For example, cool air can enter through one or more vents of the electronic device. Similarly, in some examples, heated air can be directed out of the electronic device107through one or more vents.

In some examples the portions of material103could be configured in an array so that the vibrations of the portions of material103can create an acoustic interference pattern that focusses flow of the working fluid towards the hot components113. This can enable a cooling jet of air or other fluid to be directed towards the hot components113or other heat sources.

In some examples the cooling system115could be a liquid or two-phase cooling system. In such examples the vibrations of the one or more portions of material103could be used to increase the flow of the liquid or two-phase fluid through the cooling system. This could increase the flow of cool fluid towards the hot components113and/or increase the flow of heated fluid away from the hot components113.

In some examples the working fluid of the cooling system115can be incident on the one or more portions of material103and the vibration of the one or more portions of material103can direct the working fluid through the cooling system. For instance, the surface of the one or more portions of material103can be shaped so as to direct the flow of droplets of a liquid. In such examples, the surface of the one or more portions of material103could have a saw-tooth profile so that when the one or more portions of material103vibrates the liquid droplets are directed in the direction of the sloped edge of the saw teeth. This could be used to direct a fluid in a liquid phase towards an evaporator region of a cooling system115.

In some examples the apparatus101can comprise a plurality of different arrays of portions of material103. An array can comprise a plurality of portions of material103. The different arrays can be configured to provide resonant modes at different frequencies so that the apparatus101can provide cooling when varying magnetic fields105with different frequencies are used. In some examples the magnetic field source111can be configured to control which of the available arrays of portions of material103are used by controlling the frequency of the varying magnetic field105provided by the magnetic field source111.

In some examples the different arrays of portions of material103can comprise different portions of materials103that have different sizes and shapes so that they are configured to resonate at different frequencies. In some examples the arrays can comprise different portions of material103that have a different periodic spacings so that an acoustic interference pattern can be generated at different frequencies. In some examples a single portion103of material can be part of more than one array. For instance a single portion of material103can be positioned with a first periodic spacing from a first portion of material103so as to provide an interference pattern at a first frequency. The same single portion of material103can be positioned with a second periodic spacing from a second portion of material103so as to provide an interference pattern at a second frequency.

In some examples the apparatus101can be configured so that the vibration of the one or more portions of material103causes an increase of evaporation of a working fluid within a cooling system. For example, the one or more portions of material103can be configured so that droplets of the working fluid can form on the surface of the one or more portions103of the material. The vibrations of the one or more portions of material103can cause the droplets to coalesce and increase the evaporation of the fluid thereby increasing heat transfer.

In some examples the apparatus101can be configured to enable the level of cooling provided by the apparatus101to be controlled. For instance, in some examples the means for providing the varying magnetic field105can be configured to provide the varying magnetic fields at different frequencies. The different frequencies can cause different frequencies of vibrations of the one or more portions of material103which can cause different levels of cooling to be provided. In some examples this can cause different arrays of portions of material103to be activated. The different arrays of portions of material103can be located in different positions and can enable cooling of different components113or other heat sources.

In the example shown inFIG.1the one or more portions of material103are provided within the electronic device107that is to be cooled. In other examples the portions of material103could be provided in a different device but could be configured to be positioned close to an electronic device107during use. For instance, the portions of material103could be provided in an inductive charging device and could be configured to provide cooling for the electronic device107when the electronic device107is being charged by the charging device. In such examples the one or more portions of material103could be configured to generate an air flow towards the electronic device107that enables cooling of the electronic device107.

In some examples the positions and arrangements of the one or more portions of material103can be designed using an algorithm so as to provide a desired cooling effect for one or more available frequencies of the magnetic field105.

FIG.2shows another example apparatus101according to examples of the disclosure. In this example the apparatus101is provided in an electronic device107. In the example shown inFIG.2the electronic device107is being inductively charged by a charging device201.

The apparatus101can comprise an array of portions of material103that are configured to vibrate at one or more ultrasonic frequencies when the material is positioned within a varying magnetic field105.

The portions of material103are positioned within the electronic device107so that when the electronic device107is being inductively charged the varying magnetic field from the charging device201is incident on the portions of material103. The portions of material103can be provided on the surface of the electronic device107or embedded within components of the electronic device107or in any other suitable configuration.

The electronic device107also comprises one or more components113that require cooling. The components can comprise processing units, display units, power sources or any other type of components. The one or more portions of material103are positioned within the electronic device107so that the vibration of the portions of material103can provide cooling for the one or more components113.

In the example shown inFIG.2the electronic device is being inductively charged by a charging device201. The charging device201comprises one or more inductive charging coils109. The inductive charging coils109create a varying magnetic field105that can transfer power to the electronic device107. In examples of the disclosure the varying magnetic field105provided by the inductive charging coils109also causes the vibration of the portions of material103that can provide increased cooling as described above.

The electronic device107could be used while it is docked in or otherwise positioned adjacent to, the charging device201. For instance, a user could be viewing data on the display of the electronic device107or could be using the electronic device107to render content or for communications functions or for any other suitable purpose. The use of the electronic device107can cause one or more components113within the electronic device107to generate unwanted heat. In such examples the cooling effect provided by the one or more portions of material103can be used to cool the components of the electronic device107.

A single charging coil109in the charging device201is shown inFIG.2. It is to be appreciated that in other examples of the disclosure the charging device201can comprise a plurality of charging coils109. The plurality of charging coils109can be distributed within the charging device201so that when an electronic device107is positioned adjacent to the charging device201for charging only a subset of the plurality of charging coils109are aligned within the corresponding charging coils of the electronic device107and used to provide inductive charging of the electronic device107. The subset of the plurality of charging coils109that are used for inductive charging can be selected based on the relative position of the charging coils109in the charging device201and the corresponding coils in the electronic device107. The subset of charging coils109that are used for charging can be selected to provide the most efficient charge transfer. In such examples a second subset of charging coils109that are not being used for inductive charging can be used to provide the varying magnetic field105for the one or more portions of material103.

In some examples the apparatus101can allow for faster charging of the electronic device107by enabling heat generated by the charging coils109to be transferred away from the electronic device107and/or the charging device201. This can increase the power that can be used for the inductive charging. In such examples the one or more portions of material103can be positioned between the electronic device107and the charging device201so as to provide for improved air flow in the gap between the electronic device107and the charging device201during charging.

FIG.2shows an example apparatus101being used in an electronic device107however it is to be appreciated that the apparatus101could be used in any type of device that needs cooling such as within a chemical or refrigeration process. The cooling apparatus101can be in a fixed position within the device that is to be cooled or can be external to the device that it to be cooled. In some examples the apparatus101can be moveable relative to the device that is to be cooled so that the apparatus101can be positioned closer to the hotter regions of the device.

Also, the magnetic field source111need not be a charging coil109but could be a source that provides a varying magnetic field105that could be used for any other purpose. In some examples the magnetic field source111could be provided solely, or primarily, for causing the vibrations of the portions of material103.

FIG.3shows another example cooling apparatus101according to examples of the disclosure. The example cooling apparatus101comprises a vapor chamber301. The vapor chamber301comprise one or more portions of material103that are configured to vibrate at one or more ultrasonic frequencies when the material is positioned within a varying magnetic field105.

In the example shown inFIG.3the one or more portions of material103are provided on the surface of the vapour chamber301. In other examples the one or more portions of material103could be incorporated within the materials of the vapour chamber301.

The one or more portions of material103in any location of the vapour chamber301are configured such that vibration of the one or more portions of material103improves the heat transfer by the vapour chamber301. In some examples the one or more portions of material103can be provided at the evaporator region of the vapour chamber301so as to facilitate evaporation of a working fluid within the vapour chamber301. In other examples the one or more portions of material103could be provided within the vapour chamber301so as to enable the working fluid to flow towards the evaporator region.

In the example shown inFIG.3the evaporator region of the vapour chamber301is provided in proximity to a heat source. The evaporator region of the vapor chamber301is provided in proximity to the heat source so that heat from the heat source can be transferred to a working fluid within the evaporator region of the vapor chamber. The heat source could be an electronic component113such as a processor or a screen that generates unwanted heat during use or any other suitable source of heat.

A condenser region is provided at a different section of the vapor chamber301. For example, the condenser region could be provided on the opposite side of the vapour chamber301to the evaporator region so that the condenser region has a cooler temperature than the evaporator region.

When the vapour chamber301is in use heat from the heat source causes a working fluid within the vapor chamber301to evaporate at the evaporator region and change phase from a liquid to a gas. The working fluid in the gas phase travels from the evaporator region through the internal volume of the vapor chamber301to the condenser region. At the condenser region the comparatively cooler temperature causes the working fluid to condense and change phase from a gas to a liquid. As a result, heat is transferred from the evaporator region to the condenser region.

Examples of the disclosure can increase the heat transferred by the vapour chamber301through the vibrations of the one or more portions of material103. In the example shown inFIG.3a varying magnetic field can be provided by one or more charging coils109from a charging device201. It is to be appreciated that other sources for a varying magnetic field can be used in other examples of the disclosure.

In the example shown inFIG.3the portion of material103has a spiral shape that corresponds to the shape of the charging coil109in the charging device201. Other shapes and configurations of the one or more portions of material103could be used in other examples of the disclosure.

In the example shown inFIG.3the one or more portions of material103are provided within a vapour chamber301. The portions of material103could be provided within other types of cooling systems in other examples of the disclosure. For instance, the one or more portions of material103could be provided within a heat pipe or any other suitable type of cooling device. In some examples the one or more portions of material could be provided within channels and/or ducts of cooling systems so as to enable the transfer of working fluid though the channels and/or ducts.

The vapour chamber301can comprise a module that can be provided within an electronic device107such as a mobile phone or other suitable type of electronic device107. The vapour chamber301can be sized and shaped so as to fit in any suitable location of the electronic device107. The portions of material103within the vapour chamber301can be positioned so as to provide cooling for the components of the electronic device107.

FIG.4shows an example method that can be implemented using apparatus101as described above. In this example the apparatus101can comprise a plurality of different arrays of portions of material103configured to vibrate at one or more ultrasonic frequencies when the material is positioned within a varying magnetic field105. The different arrays can be configured to operate at different frequencies of the varying magnetic field105.

At block401the apparatus101is positioned within a varying electromagnetic field105. In some examples this can be achieved by positioning an electronic device107adjacent to a charging device201so as to enable inductive charging of the electronic device107. In other examples the source of the varying magnetic field105could be provided within the same device as the one or more portions of material103. In such examples the apparatus101can be positioned within a varying electromagnetic field105by activating the one or more sources111of the varying magnetic field105.

At block403the method comprises selecting one or more portions of material103where the selection is based on heat transfer requirements of a cooling system115. In some examples the selecting can comprise determining which of a plurality of arrays of portions of material103can provide a desired cooling effect.

In some examples the one or more portions of material103can be selected based on the components113within the electronic device107that require additional cooling. In such examples the array or arrays that are positioned closest to these components113can be selected.

In some examples the one or more portions of material103can be selected based on the amount of excess heat that needs to be removed. For example, activating different arrays of portions of material103can provide for different levels of heat transfer. In such examples the amount of heat transfer required can be determined and then the appropriate array of portions of material103can be selected on that basis.

At block405the source of the varying magnetic field111is controlled to enable a varying magnetic field105to be provided having a frequency corresponding to the resonant frequency of the selected one or more portions of material103. The frequency of the varying magnetic field105therefore depends on the one or more portions of material103that have been selected at block403.

At block407the varying magnetic field105causes the vibration of the one or more portions of the material103. The one or more portions of material103vibrate with the same frequency as the varying magnetic field105. In examples of the disclosure the frequency can be an ultrasonic frequency.

At block409the vibration of the one or more portions of material provides improved cooling within the cooling system115.

In the example shown inFIG.4the method also comprises an optional block411of updating the selected one or more portions of material103. This enables the selected one or more portions of material103to be updated if needed. For example, if the amount of heat that is being generated increases or decreases then the one or more portions of material103that are being used can be changed to take the change in required heat transfer into account. In some examples the one or more portions of material103that are selected could be changed if there is determined to be a change in the components113of the electronic device107that are being used. For instance, if a different component113is determined to be generating more heat then the array closest to this component113could be selected. In other examples, if a component113that is very temperature sensitive is being used then the amount of cooling provided could be increased so as to ensure that this component is kept cool.

Once the new one or more portions of material103has been selected the method returns to block405and the source111of the varying magnetic field105is controlled to provide the varying magnetic field105at the resonant frequency of the newly selected array.

It is to be appreciated that variations of the method can be made in examples of the disclosure. For instance, in the example ofFIG.4the frequency of the varying magnetic field105is controlled to match the resonant frequency of the selected array of portions of material103. In other examples the frequency of the magnetic field can be fixed by the charging protocol being used or by any other suitable factor. In such examples the available frequency of the varying magnetic field105can be taken into account at block403when the one or more portions of material103are being selected.

FIG.5schematically illustrates a controller501according to examples of the disclosure. The controller501illustrated inFIG.5can be a chip or a chip-set. In some examples the controller501can be provided within electronic devices107such as mobile phones, or charging devices201or any other suitable type of device.

The implementation of the controller501can be as controller circuitry. In some examples the controller501can be implemented in hardware alone, have certain aspects in software including firmware alone or can be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

As illustrated inFIG.5the controller501can be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable instructions of a computer program509in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor505that can be stored on a computer readable storage medium (disk, memory etc.) to be executed by such a processor505.

The processor505is configured to read from and write to the memory507. The processor505can also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processor505and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor505.

The memory507is configured to store a computer program509comprising computer program instructions (computer program code503) that controls the operation of the controller501when loaded into the processor505. The computer program instructions, of the computer program 09, provide the logic and routines that enables the controller501to perform the methods illustrated inFIG.4. The processor505by reading the memory507is able to load and execute the computer program509.

The controller501therefore comprises: at least one processor505; and at least one memory507including computer program code503, the at least one memory507and the computer program code503configured to, with the at least one processor505, cause the controller501at least to perform: selecting403one or more portions of material103configured to vibrate at one or more ultrasonic frequencies when the material is positioned within a varying magnetic field105, the selection based on heat transfer requirements of a cooling system; controlling one or more sources of a varying magnetic field105to provide a varying magnetic field at a frequency corresponding to the selected one or more portions of material103configured to vibrate at one or more ultrasonic frequencies.

As illustrated inFIG.5the computer program509can arrive at the controller501via any suitable delivery mechanism511. The delivery mechanism511can be, for example, a machine readable medium, a computer-readable medium, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) or a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or a solid state memory, an article of manufacture that comprises or tangibly embodies the computer program509. The delivery mechanism can be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program509. The controller501can propagate or transmit the computer program509as a computer data signal. In some examples the computer program509can be transmitted to the controller501using a wireless protocol such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth Smart, 6LoWPan (IPv6 over low power personal area networks) ZigBee, ANT+, near field communication (NFC), Radio frequency identification, wireless local area network (wireless LAN) or any other suitable protocol.

The computer program509comprises computer program instructions for causing an controller501to perform at least the following: selecting403one or more portions of material103configured to vibrate at one or more ultrasonic frequencies when the material is positioned within a varying magnetic field105, the selection based on heat transfer requirements of a cooling system; controlling one or more sources of a varying magnetic field105to provide a varying magnetic field at a frequency corresponding to the selected one or more portions of material103configured to vibrate at one or more ultrasonic frequencies.

The computer program instructions can be comprised in a computer program509, a non-transitory computer readable medium, a computer program product, a machine readable medium. In some but not necessarily all examples, the computer program instructions can be distributed over more than one computer program509.

Although the memory507is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it can be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which can be integrated/removable and/or can provide permanent/semi-permanent/dynamic/cached storage.

Although the processor505is illustrated as a single component/circuitry it can be implemented as one or more separate components/circuitry some or all of which can be integrated/removable. The processor505can be a single core or multi-core processor.

References to “computer-readable storage medium”, “computer program product”, “tangibly embodied computer program” etc. or a “controller”, “computer”, “processor” etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single/multi-processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other processing circuitry. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.

As used in this application, the term “circuitry” can refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuitry implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions and(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g. firmware) for operation, but the software can not be present when it is not needed for operation.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

The blocks illustrated inFIG.4can represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program509. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the blocks can be varied. Furthermore, it can be possible for some blocks to be omitted.

Examples of the disclosure therefore provide an apparatus101that enables improved cooling of electronic devices107. In some examples of the disclosure, the apparatus101can make use of existing varying magnetic fields105, that are being used for charging or any other purpose, and so provides for an energy efficient cooling system.

In the examples described above the apparatus101is configured to enable cooling of electronic devices such as mobile telephones. It is to be appreciated that the apparatus101could be configured to provide for cooling of other electronic devices such as electric vehicles or any other suitable electronic devices.

The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one . . . ” or by using “consisting”.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term ‘example’ or ‘for example’ or ‘can’ or ‘may’ in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus ‘example’, ‘for example’, ‘can’ or ‘may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not.

The term ‘a’ or ‘the’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use ‘a’ or ‘the’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of ‘at least one’ or ‘one or more’ may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the Applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon.