Patent ID: 12215806

DESCRIPTION

In the aerospace industry, due to advances in materials, wings are getting skinnier and skinnier, while still needing to house various systems, including hydraulic and fuel systems. For example,FIG.1illustrates a portion of a wingbox14of an aircraft16having a confined space12, through which a series of conduits extend, including a fuel line20. The fuel line20comprises at least two conduits10clamped together by a clamp18. During installation of the fuel line20, a technician must access the confined space12with a single hand, translate the two conduits10toward each other, align the two conduits10with each other, and secure the two conduits together with the clamp18. Such a task is difficult and time consuming.

FIG.2schematically represents conduit coupling devices100and systems300for coupling conduits together, such as in connection fuel lines extending through a wingbox of an aircraft. However, conduit coupling devices100and systems300are not limited to be used in connection with aircraft fuel lines.

Generally, inFIG.2, elements that are likely to be included in a given example are illustrated in solid lines, while elements that are optional to a given example are illustrated in broken lines. Optional elements of conduit coupling devices100are illustrated in dashed lines, and environment is illustrated in dash-dot lines. However, elements that are illustrated in solid lines are not essential to all examples of the present disclosure, and an element shown in solid lines may be omitted from a particular example without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, environmental elements illustrated in dash-dot lines may be considered components of a system300.

Two conduit coupling devices100are schematically represented inFIG.2in solid lines. As shown inFIG.2at left, at least one of the two conduit coupling devices100generally comprises at least a body102and an elongate connecting member104. The body102of a conduit coupling device100is configured to selectively engage an outer surface22of a conduit10. The elongate connecting member104of a conduit coupling device100either extends from the body102or is configured to selectively extend from the body102. That is, in some examples, the elongate connecting member104may be integral with the body102, while in other examples, the elongate connecting member104may be configured to be selectively attached to and detached from the body102. In particular, the elongate connecting member104is configured to be selectively attached to a second conduit coupling device150(or at least a body102of a second conduit coupling device150), shown at right, to facilitate alignment of the two bodies102and thus the alignment of the corresponding conduits10. Moreover, the elongate connecting member104facilitates the translation of the two bodies102(and thus the corresponding conduits10) toward each other.

The conduits10may take any suitable configuration and generally may be described as having longitudinal axes24that need to be substantially aligned with each other and also having end faces26that need to be brought together and optionally into engagement with each other for operative clamping of the two conduits10together. For example, the conduits10may form a fuel line20, such as discussed above in connection withFIG.1. Conduits10may have various shapes and sizes, but typically may be cylindrical. Conduit coupling devices100therefore may have any suitable size to correspond to respective conduit sizes. Additionally or alternatively, some conduit coupling devices may be sized to fit more than one size of conduit10.

Accordingly, conduit coupling devices100facilitate the alignment of the longitudinal axes24of two adjacent conduits10when a user operatively attaches the elongate connecting member104from one conduit coupling device100to another.

As schematically illustrated inFIG.2, in some examples, the body102of a conduit coupling device100comprises a first portion106and a second portion108that is configured to be selectively moved relative to the first portion106to engage the outer surface22of a conduit10. In particular, the body102is configured to facilitate attachment of the body102to the outer surface22of a conduit10. In some such examples, the second portion108is hinged to the first portion106. That is, as schematically represented inFIG.2, in some examples, the first portion106and the second portion108collectively define a hinge110that is configured to permit for the selective separation and the selective coming together of the first portion106and the second portion108. Accordingly, in such examples, the body102may be hinged opened to be placed around the outer surface22of a conduit10and then hinged closed to engage the outer surface22of the conduit10.

As also schematically illustrated inFIG.2, in some examples, the first portion106or the second portion108of the body102defines a detent112that is configured to resist but also permit separation of the first portion106and the second portion108, such as in a direction aligned with the hinge110. In particular, in some examples, the first portion106and the second portion108are configured to be hinged between open and closed configurations and also are configured to be completely separated from each other. Accordingly, in confined spaces, such as the confined space12ofFIG.1, removal of such a conduit coupling device100from a conduit10may be facilitated by translating the first portion106and the second portion108away from each other generally parallel to the longitudinal axis24of the conduit10to which it is attached. In some such examples, the detent112maintains the hinge110in an operative state until a user overcomes the friction of the detent112to separate the first portion106and the second portion108.

As schematically illustrated inFIG.2, some conduit coupling devices100further comprise a clasp114that is configured to operatively secure the first portion106to the second portion108(i.e., in a closed configuration) and to selectively restrict movement of the second portion108relative to the first portion106. In other words, the clasp114is used to secure the body102to the outer surface22of a conduit10once the first portion106and the second portion108are hinged to the closed configuration. To remove such a conduit coupling device100from a conduit10, the clasp114is opened, and the first portion106and the second portion108may be hinged apart in examples that comprise a hinge110and/or may be translated away from each other in examples where hinge110is so configured.

In some examples, the elongate connecting member104is configured to be selectively translated relative to the body102of the conduit coupling device100. Accordingly, the elongate connecting member104may be adjusted relative to the body102, such as to be extend into operative position for attachment to an adjacent conduit coupling device100, or at least to a body102thereof.

As an illustrative example, the elongate connecting member104may comprise a ratchet strap116. In such examples, the body102comprises a ratchet buckle118that is configured to operatively receive the ratchet strap116and that is configured to selectively restrict and selectively permit translation of the ratchet strap116through the ratchet buckle118. Accordingly, during use, a user, optionally with one hand, may adjust the position of the ratchet strap116relative to the body102so as to extend the ratchet strap116toward an adjacent second conduit coupling device150and to be operatively coupled to the ratchet buckle118of the second conduit coupling device150. As a result, the two bodies102of the two conduit coupling devices100will be aligned, thereby aligning, or aiding in the aligning of, the longitudinal axes24of the conduits10.

In some examples, as schematically and optionally represented inFIG.2, the conduit coupling device100further comprises a second elongate connecting member104that extends from the body102or that is configured to selectively extend from the body102. When present, the second elongate connecting member104is configured to be selectively attached to the second conduit coupling device150(e.g., the body102thereof) to facilitate alignment of the body102and the second conduit coupling device150. Additionally or alternatively, the second elongate connecting member104may be considered a component of (i.e., may initially extend from or be positioned to extend from) the second conduit coupling device150. In some examples, two elongate connecting members104are positioned on opposing sides of the body102. Such a configuration serves to restrict the misalignment and/or binding of the two bodies102of the adjacent conduit coupling devices100when being translated toward each other.

In such examples when the body102comprises a first portion106and a second portion108, one elongate connecting member104may extend from the first portion106while the other elongate connecting member104may extend from the second portion108. In such examples where the two elongate connecting members104each comprise a ratchet strap116, the first portion106of the body102comprises a first ratchet buckle118, and the second portion108of the body102comprises a second ratchet buckle118that is configured to operatively receive the second ratchet strap116. The second ratchet buckle118is configured to selectively restrict and selectively permit translation of the second ratchet strap116through the second ratchet buckle118.

With continued reference toFIG.2, some conduit coupling devices100further comprise an extension120that extends from the body102and that is configured to extend only partially around and spaced-apart from the outer surface22of the conduit10when the body102is operatively attached to the outer surface22of the conduit10. The extension120may be described as an extension of the body102that does not fully circumscribe a full extent of the body102and thus does not fully circumscribe a conduit10when the body102is attached to the outer surface22thereof. When present, the extension120provides structure that engages a clamp18during installation. In particular, the extension120aids in guiding the clamp18around two conduits10operatively positioned adjacent each other. That is, a user may insert a clamp18between the conduits10and the extension120, and translate the clamp18toward the extension120, which in turn will cause the clamp18to be fed around the conduits10, facilitating the user's operative attachment of the clamp18to the conduits10.

In some such examples, when the body102of a conduit coupling device100comprises a first portion106and a second portion108, the extension120may comprise an extension first portion122extending from the first portion106of the body102and an extension second portion124extending from the second portion108of the body102. Thus, in examples where the first portion106and the second portion108of the body102are hinged, the extension first portion122and the extension second portion124will pivot relative to each other when the first portion106and the second portion108are moved relative to each other, such as to install the body102on an outer surface22of a conduit10.

As schematically and optionally illustrated inFIG.2, in some examples of conduit coupling devices100, the body102comprises one or more pads126that are configured to engage the outer surface22of the conduit10to restrict translation of the body102relative to the outer surface22of the conduit10when the body102is operatively attached to the outer surface22of the conduit10. Any suitable number and shape of pads126may be utilized, and the pads126may be constructed of any suitable material, such as one that provides a non-slip friction interface with the outer surface22of a conduit10. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more pads126may be compressible to permit a given conduit coupling device100to engage conduits10of difference sizes, such as different diameters. That is, the presence of one or more pads126may configure and permit a conduit coupling device100to be used with more than one size of conduit10.

With continued reference toFIG.2, systems300for coupling conduits10together comprise at least two conduit coupling devices100. Systems300also may further comprise one or more clamps18.

Turning now toFIGS.3-11, an illustrative non-exclusive example of a system300is illustrated in the form of system302. Where appropriate, the reference numerals from the schematic illustration ofFIG.2are used to designate corresponding parts of system302; however, the example ofFIGS.3-11are non-exclusive and do not limit conduit coupling devices100and systems300to the illustrated embodiments of system302. That is, conduit coupling devices100and systems300are not limited to the specific embodiments of the illustrated system302, and conduit coupling devices100and systems300may incorporate any number of the various aspects, configurations, characteristics, properties, etc. of conduit coupling devices100and systems300that are illustrated in and discussed with reference to the schematic representations ofFIG.1and/or the embodiments ofFIGS.3-11, as well as variations thereof, without requiring the inclusion of all such aspects, configurations, characteristics, properties, etc. For the purpose of brevity, each previously discussed component, part, portion, aspect, region, etc. or variants thereof may not be discussed, illustrated, and/or labeled again with respect to system302; however, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the previously discussed features, variants, etc. may be utilized with system302.

System302is an example of a system300that comprises two conduit coupling devices100with identical bodies102and collectively having two elongate connecting members104in the form of ratchet straps116. Each body102comprises a first portion106and a second portion108that are hinged together by a hinge110, as well as an extension120with an extension first portion122and an extension second portion124. Each of the first portion106and the second portion108comprise a ratchet buckle118. In particular, the example ratchet buckles118of system302comprise a release button that when engaged selectively permits translation of a corresponding ratchet strap116in a reverse direction (i.e., a direction toward which the short faces of the ratchet barbs face).

The first portion106of the bodies102comprises pads126, as perhaps best seen inFIG.4. Each conduit coupling device100of system302comprises a clasp114for operatively coupling together the first portion106and the second portion108when operatively positioned around a conduit10.

FIG.3illustrates the two conduit coupling devices of system302in closed configurations, whileFIG.4illustrates the two conduit coupling devices of system302in open configurations, such as to permit for installation on corresponding conduits10. As illustrated inFIG.5, the two conduit coupling devices100, once operatively installed on corresponding conduits10, may be inserted into a confined space12, such as (but not limited to) a wingbox14of an aircraft16. InFIGS.3-5, both ratchet straps116are illustrated as being initially coupled to the body102one of the two conduit coupling devices100so as to facilitate insertion of the ratchet straps116into the ratchet buckles118of the body102of the other of the two conduit coupling devices100without having to engage the release button of the rachet buckles118of the other of the two conduit coupling devices100. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that one ratchet strap116may be initially coupled to one body102while the other ratchet strap is initially coupled to the other body102. Moreover, the ratchet buckles118of the first portions106of the bodies102may be configured for operative translation of ratchet straps116in a first direction (i.e., without engagement of the release buckle), while the ratchet buckles118of the second portions108of the bodies102may be configured for operative translation of ratchet straps116in a second, opposite direction.

Once the two conduit coupling devices100and their respective conduits10are initially positioned and aligned, a user may then operatively insert the two ratchet straps116into the corresponding ratchet buckle118of the second conduit couple device100, as illustrated inFIG.6. Next, as illustrated inFIG.7, a user may translate the two conduits10(and thus the bodies102of the two conduit coupling devices100) toward each other, with the ratchet straps116operatively translating through the respective ratchet buckles118until the end faces26of the conduits10engage each other. Next, as illustrated inFIGS.8-9, a clamp18may be operatively positioned around the two conduits10, by inserting the clamp18between the conduits10and the extensions120of one of the two conduit coupling devices100(i.e., the one on the left in the figures) and then rotating the clamp18until it is positioned fully around the conduits10as shown inFIG.9. Then, the clamp18may be operatively secured as shown inFIG.10.

Turning toFIG.11, the conduit coupling devices100of system302are examples of conduit coupling devices100whose bodies102comprise a detent112and whose hinges110are configured to permit for the selective translation of the first portion106relative to the second portion108along the longitudinal axes24of the conduits10. Accordingly, with reference back toFIG.5, the conduit coupling devices100of system302may be removed from the conduits10when adjacent to structures that otherwise restrict the pivotal opening of the bodies102about their respective hinges110.

FIG.12schematically provides a flowchart that represents illustrative, non-exclusive examples of methods200according to the present disclosure. InFIG.12, some steps are illustrated in dashed boxes indicating that such steps may be optional or may correspond to an optional version of a method200according to the present disclosure. That said, not all methods according to the present disclosure are required to include the steps illustrated in solid boxes. The methods and steps illustrated inFIG.12are not limiting and other methods and steps are within the scope of the present disclosure, including methods having greater than or fewer than the number of steps illustrated, as understood from the discussions herein. In the following discussion, reference numerals fromFIGS.1-11are utilized; however, the disclosed methods200are not limited to being implemented solely with the conduit coupling devices100and the systems300disclosed herein.

With reference toFIG.12, methods200of coupling conduits10generally comprise at least attaching202a first conduit coupling device100to a first conduit10(e.g., seeFIGS.3-4); attaching204a second conduit coupling device100to a second conduit10(e.g., seeFIGS.3-4); operatively attaching206the first conduit coupling device100to the second conduit coupling device100(e.g., seeFIG.6); translating208the first conduit coupling device100and the second conduit coupling device100toward each other to operatively position the first conduit10relative to the second conduit10(e.g., seeFIGS.6-7); and clamping210the first conduit10to the second conduit10(e.g., seeFIG.8-10).

Some methods200further comprise, following the clamping210, detaching212the first conduit coupling device100from the first conduit10and detaching214the second conduit coupling device100from the second conduit10(e.g., seeFIG.11).

Some methods200further comprise, following the attaching202and the attaching204and prior to the operatively attaching206, inserting216the first conduit10with the first conduit coupling device100and the second conduit10with the second conduit coupling device100into a confined space12. In some such methods, the confined space12is a wingbox14of an aircraft16(e.g., seeFIG.5).

In some methods200, each of the operatively attaching206, the translating208, and the clamping210is implemented via a single hand of an individual.

In some methods200, the clamping210comprises positioning218a clamp18around the first conduit10and the second conduit10, operatively securing220the clamp18to the first conduit10and the second conduit10(e.g., seeFIGS.8-10). In some such methods200, the positioning218comprises inserting222the clamp18between the first conduit10or the second conduit10and a portion of the first conduit coupling device100or the second conduit coupling device100, and rotating224the clamp18around the first conduit10of the second conduit10(e.g., seeFIGS.8-10). Additionally or alternatively, in some methods200, the positioning218comprises inserting228a hinged clamp18between the first conduit10or the second conduit10and an extension120of the first conduit coupling device100that defines a channel128between the extension120and the first conduit10or the second conduit10, and guiding230the hinged clamp18through the channel128to circumscribe the first conduit10or the second conduit10with the hinged clamp18(e.g., seeFIGS.8-10).

Some methods200further comprise detaching226the first conduit coupling device100from the second conduit decoupling device100.

In some methods200, the first conduit10and the second conduit10are fuel lines20.

In some methods200, the first conduit coupling device100and the second conduit coupling device100each comprise a conduit coupling device100as disclosed herein in connection withFIGS.2-11.

Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of inventive subject matter according to the present disclosure are described in the following enumerated paragraphs:

A. A conduit coupling device (100), comprising:a body (102) configured to selectively engage an outer surface (22) of a conduit (10); andan elongate connecting member (104) extending from the body (102) or configured to selectively extend from the body (102), wherein the elongate connecting member (104) is configured to be selectively attached to a second conduit coupling device (150) to facilitate alignment of the body (102) and the second conduit coupling device (150).

A1. The conduit coupling device (100) of paragraph A, wherein the body (102) comprises:a first portion (106); anda second portion (108) configured to be selectively moved relative to the first portion (106) to engage the outer surface (22) of the conduit (10).

A1.1. The conduit coupling device (100) of paragraph A1, wherein the second portion (108) is hinged to the first portion (106).

A1.1.1. The conduit coupling device (100) of paragraph A1.1, wherein the first portion (106) and the second portion (108) collectively define a hinge (110), and wherein the hinge (110) is configured to permit for the selective separation of the first portion (106) and the second portion (108).

A1.1.1.1. The conduit coupling device (100) of paragraph A1.1.1, wherein the first portion (106) or the second portion (108) defines a detent (112) configured to resist and permit separation of the first portion (106) and the second portion (108).

A1.2. The conduit coupling device (100) of any of paragraphs A1-A1.1.1.1, further comprising:a clasp (114) configured to operatively secure the first portion (106) to the second portion (108) and to selectively restrict movement of the second portion (108) relative to the first portion (106).

A2. The conduit coupling device (100) of any of paragraphs A-A1.2, wherein the elongate connecting member (104) is configured to be selectively translated relative to the body (102).

A3. The conduit coupling device (100) of any of paragraphs A-A2, wherein the elongate connecting member (104) comprises a ratchet strap (116), and wherein the body (102) comprises a ratchet buckle (118) that is configured to operatively receive the ratchet strap (116) and to selectively restrict and selectively permit translation of the ratchet strap (116) through the ratchet buckle (118).

A4. The conduit coupling device (100) of any of paragraphs A-A3, wherein the elongate connecting member (104) is a first elongate connecting member (104), and wherein the conduit coupling device (100) further comprises:a second elongate connecting member (104) extending from the body (102) or configured to selectively extend from the body (102), wherein the second elongate connecting member (104) is configured to be selectively attached to the second conduit coupling device (150) to facilitate alignment of the body (102) and the second conduit coupling device (150).

A4.1. The conduit coupling device (100) of paragraph A4 when depending from paragraph A1, wherein the first elongate connecting member (104) extends from the first portion (106) of the body (102) or is configured to selectively extend from the first portion (106) of the body (102), and wherein the second elongate connecting member (104) extends from the second portion (108) of the body (102) or is configured to selectively extend from the second portion (108) of the body (102).

A4.1.1. The conduit coupling device (100) of paragraph A4.1 when depending from paragraph A3, wherein the ratchet strap (116) is a first ratchet strap (116), wherein the second elongate connecting member (104) comprises a second ratchet strap (116), wherein the ratchet buckle (118) is a first ratchet buckle (118), wherein the first portion (106) of the body (102) comprises the first ratchet buckle (118), and wherein the second portion (108) of the body (102) comprises a second ratchet buckle (118) that is configured to operatively receive the second ratchet strap (116) and to selectively restrict and selectively permit translation of the second ratchet strap (116) through the second ratchet buckle (118).

A5. The conduit coupling device (100) of any of paragraphs A-A4.1.1, further comprising:an extension (120) extending from the body (102) and configured to extend only partially around and spaced-apart from the outer surface (22) of the conduit (10) when the body (102) is operatively attached to the outer surface (22) of the conduit (10).

A5.1. The conduit coupling device (100) of paragraph A5 when depending from paragraph A1, wherein the extension (120) comprises an extension first portion (122) extending from the first portion (106) of the body (102) and an extension second portion (124) extending from the second portion (108) of the body (102).

A6. The conduit coupling device (100) of any of paragraphs A-A5.1, wherein the body (102) comprises one or more pads (126) configured to engage the outer surface (22) of the conduit (10) to restrict translation of the body (102) relative to the outer surface (22) of the conduit (10) when the body (102) is operatively attached to the outer surface (22) of the conduit (10).

B. A system (300) for coupling conduits (10) together, the system (300) comprising:at least two of the conduit coupling devices (100) of any of paragraphs A-A6.

B1. The system (300) of paragraph B, further comprising:a clamp (18).

C. A method (200) of coupling conduits (10), the method (200) comprising:attaching (202) a first conduit coupling device (100) to a first conduit (10);attaching (204) a second conduit coupling device (100) to a second conduit (10);operatively attaching (206) the first conduit coupling device (100) to the second conduit coupling device (100);translating (208) the first conduit coupling device (100) and the second conduit coupling device (100) toward each other to operatively position the first conduit (10) relative to the second conduit (10); andclamping (210) the first conduit (10) to the second conduit (10).

C1. The method (200) of paragraph C, further comprising:following the clamping (210), detaching (212) the first conduit coupling device (100) from the first conduit (10) and detaching (214) the second conduit coupling device (100) from the second conduit (10).

C2. The method (200) of any of paragraphs C-C1, further comprising:following the attaching (202) the first conduit coupling device (100) to the first conduit (10) and the attaching (204) the second conduit coupling device (100) to the second conduit (10) and prior to the operatively attaching (206), inserting (216) the first conduit (10) with the first conduit coupling device (100) and the second conduit (10) with the second conduit coupling device (100) into a confined space (12).

C2.1. The method (200) of paragraph C2, wherein the confined space (12) is a wingbox (14) of an aircraft (16).

C3. The method (200) of any of paragraphs C-C2.1, wherein each of the operatively attaching (206), the translating (208), and the clamping (210) is implemented via a single hand of an individual.

C4. The method (200) of any of paragraphs C-C3, wherein the clamping (210) comprises:positioning (218) a clamp (18) around the first conduit (10) and the second conduit (10); andoperatively securing (220) the clamp (18) to the first conduit (10) and the second conduit (10).

C4.1. The method (200) of paragraph C4, wherein the positioning (218) comprises:inserting (222) the clamp (18) between the first conduit (10) or the second conduit (10) and a portion of the first conduit coupling device (100) or the second conduit coupling device (100); androtating (224) the clamp (18) around the first conduit (10) or the second conduit (10).

C4.2. The method (200) of any of paragraphs C4-C4.1, wherein the positioning (218) comprises:

inserting (228) a hinged clamp (18) between the first conduit (10) or the second conduit (10) and an extension (120) of the first conduit coupling device (100) that defines a channel (128) between the extension (120) and the first conduit (10) or the second conduit (10); andguiding (230) the hinged clamp (18) through the channel (128) to circumscribe the first conduit (10) or the second conduit (10) with the hinged clamp (18).

C5. The method (200) of any of paragraphs C-C4.2, further comprising:detaching (226) the first conduit coupling device (100) from the second conduit decoupling device (100).

C6. The method (200) of any of paragraphs C-C5, wherein the first conduit (10) and the second conduit (10) are fuel lines (20).

C7. The method (200) of any of paragraphs C-C6, wherein the first conduit coupling device (100) and the second conduit coupling device (100) each comprise the conduit coupling device (100) of any of paragraphs A-A6.

D. The use of the conduit coupling device (100) of any of paragraphs A-A6 for coupling conduits (10) together.

As used herein, the terms “adapted” and “configured” mean that the element, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms “adapted” and “configured” should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, or other subject matter is simply “capable of” performing a given function but that the element, component, and/or other subject matter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that elements, components, and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as being adapted to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being configured to perform that function, and vice versa. Similarly, subject matter that is recited as being configured to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being operative to perform that function.

As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entries listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities optionally may be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising,” may refer, in one example, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another example, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another example, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.

The various disclosed elements of apparatuses and steps of methods disclosed herein are not required to all apparatuses and methods according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements and steps disclosed herein. Moreover, one or more of the various elements and steps disclosed herein may define independent inventive subject matter that is separate and apart from the whole of a disclosed apparatus or method. Accordingly, such inventive subject matter is not required to be associated with the specific apparatuses and methods that are expressly disclosed herein, and such inventive subject matter may find utility in apparatuses and/or methods that are not expressly disclosed herein.