Patent Grant
11958083
The present disclosure relates generally to fume hoods. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to self-closing sashes for fume hoods.
A fume hood, also known as a fume cupboard, is a working environment with localized ventilation that is frequently used in workplaces such as laboratories. The purpose of a fume hood is to minimize the leakage of airborne contaminants into the immediate surrounding environment. A laboratory technician may work with potentially harmful biological or chemical materials that are placed inside a fume hood. A ventilation system may draw air from the technician's surrounding environment, such as a laboratory, into a fume hood, and then safely vent the gases into another location.
Some designs of fume hoods feature a sash or sash window in the front opening of the fume hood. The sash can be raised to allow easier access to the materials and laboratory equipment contained within the fume hood. The sash can also be lowered when access is not required to further minimize the potential for materials to leak into the surrounding environment. Typically the sash does not close fully, but instead maintains a narrow opening. This enables the ventilation system to continue to operate.
At least one embodiment relates to a sash system. The system includes a sash, a counter-weight coupled to the sash by a coupling member, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is coupled to at least one of the sash and the coupling member. The locking mechanism is transitionable between an open configuration where the locking mechanism does not inhibit movement of the at least one of the sash and the coupling member, and a locked configuration where the locking mechanism inhibits movement of the at least one of the sash and the coupling member. The apparatus further includes a controller coupled to the locking mechanism and configured to control operation of the locking mechanism to selectively transition between the open configuration and the locked configuration based on the condition of the sash. The sash and the counter-weight are configured such that when the locking mechanism is in the open configuration, the sash lowers due to gravity.
In at least one embodiment, a method of controlling movement of a sash is provided. The method includes providing a sash coupled to a counter-weight by a coupling member; determining, using a controller, a condition of the sash; and operating, by the controller, a locking mechanism based on the condition of the sash to transition the locking mechanism between an open configuration where the locking mechanism does not inhibit movement of at least one of the sash and the coupling member and a locked configuration where the locking mechanism inhibits movement of the at least one of the sash and the coupling member. The counter-weight provides a balancing force against the weight of the sash. When the locking mechanism is in the open configuration, the sash tends to move toward a closed position.
In at least one embodiment, a hood enclosure assembly is provided. The hood enclosure assembly includes a hood enclosure positioned within an environment, a sash adjustably coupled to the hood enclosure, and a counter-weight coupled to the sash by a coupling member. The hood enclosure includes a plurality of sidewalls forming a work chamber and a front aperture to permit airflow between the environment and the work chamber. The sash is adjustable to cover at least a portion of the front aperture. The hood enclosure assembly further includes a locking mechanism and a controller. The locking mechanism is operatively coupled to at least one of the sash and the coupling member. The controller is configured to control operation of the locking mechanism to selectively inhibit movement of the sash based on a condition of the sash. When the locking mechanism does not inhibit movement of the sash, the sash tends to lower.
This summary is illustrative only and should not be regarded as limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.
The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:
Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
The present disclosure relates to fume hoods, including, but not limited to, the automatic lowering of a sash on the fume hood. The sash may be a transparent window or panel that slides open or closed across the front opening of a fume hood. The sash is used to control access to the interior of the fume hood, to contain the contents of the fume hood, which may be chemical and/or gaseous in nature, and to protect the user of the fume hood from hazardous materials that may otherwise flow out from the front opening of the fume hood. The sash may be made of a tempered safety glass or a laminated safety glass, although other transparent materials, including polycarbonate glazing material, may be used. The sash may slide vertically, horizontally, or a combination of the two. In some designs the sash covers the only opening into a fume hood. As such, raising and lowering the sash affects the draw of air into the fume hood. In a constant air volume (CAV) fume hood, the volume of air that is drawn through the fume hood remains constant. When the sash is lowered, the size of the opening into the fume hood is reduced. If the volumetric flow rate of air remains constant, then the velocity of the air must increase as the size of the opening reduces. This increase in air velocity is often not required to maintain the efficacy of the fume hood, and so may lead to inefficiency and wasted energy. In a system using a variable air volume (VAV) fume hood, the position of the sash is monitored, and the volumetric flow rate of air being drawn through the fume hood is adjusted in response. When the sash is lowered, the speed of fans within the system may be reduced to lower the volumetric flow rate of air being drawn through the fume hood. This maintains the velocity of air at the sash opening and increases efficiency.
Certain benefits of a VAV fume hood rely on the sash being in the closed position when the fume hood is not in use. This may not always happen with certain systems or in certain instances. For example, a person may carry equipment or materials out of a fume hood, and not have a spare hand to close the sash; a person may have contaminants on their hands that they do not wish to spread to the sash; or a person may simply forget to close the sash. Some systems can automatically close the sash of a fume hood when not in use. However these systems typically use a motor to raise and lower the sash, and do so through use of a belt or a chain. These belts or chains may experience issues such as binding up, breaking, or coming loose. They also do not operate if there is a power failure.
Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a mechanism that can automatically lower the sash on a fume hood by providing a controlled lock and release, operate at a single point in a counter-balanced sash system, simplify both manufacturing and retro-fit installations, and/or provide automatic closing of a sash in the event of a power failure.
In one embodiment, the sash on a fume hood is attached to a counter-weight that weighs less than the sash. As such, the sash tends to lower under its own weight. A locking mechanism is placed at some point along the length of a coupling member (e.g., a cable, etc.), which connects the sash to the counter-weight. The locking mechanism provides a locking force that is sufficient to prevent the sash from closing under its own weight, but can be overcome if a person applies force to raise or lower the sash. The locking mechanism may release when force is detected, and only engage when the sash is detected to be closing under its own weight with no additional force. The locking mechanism may also release after a set period of time since a person was detected at the fume hood, and allow the sash to close under its own weight to conserve energy (e.g., in a system using a VAV fume hood), and to minimize the risk of contaminants escaping from the fume hood.
Turning now to
In some embodiments, the sash 108 is coupled to a first counter-weight 116 and a second counter-weight 126 by a first coupling member 102 (e.g., a first counter-weight cable, belt, rope, chain, wire, etc.) and a second coupling member 106 (e.g., a second counter-weight cable, belt, rope, chain, wire, etc.). The first coupling member 102 and the second coupling member 106 may be guided by a first pulley set 101 and a second pulley set 103 (e.g. guiding members, rings, wheels, sheaves, etc.), and enter through a top of the upper housing 110 through a first opening 107 and second opening 127. In some embodiments, the combined weight of the first counter-weight 116 and the second counter-weight 126 may exactly or substantially match the weight of the sash 108. Thus, the sash 108 may be manually raised and lowered with minimal effort, and the sash 108 remains in a static position after the sash 108 is manually moved. In other embodiments, the combined weight of the first counter-weight 116 and the second counter-weight 126 may be less than the weight of the sash 108. Thus, the sash 108 may lower due to gravity when the sash 108 is not manually or otherwise supported.
In some embodiments, the sash 108 may lower due to gravity without the presence of counter-weights, such as the first counter-weight 116 and the second counter-weight 126. The first coupling member 102 and the second coupling member 106 may be replaced by one or more suspension coupling members (e.g. suspension cables). The one or more suspension coupling members may be coupled at one end to the sash 108, and may be coupled to one or more winches (e.g. springs, spring-loaded pulleys, etc.). The one or more winches may be coiled at an appropriate tension, such that there is tension in the one or more suspension coupling members and the sash 108 lowers due to gravity when the sash 108 is not manually or otherwise supported.
In some embodiments, the first coupling member 102 and second coupling member 106 may be made of any suitable material(s), including, but not limited to, metal, synthetic, or natural fibers. The first coupling member 102 and second coupling member 106 may be made from any suitable method(s), including, but not limited to, woven, braided, or twisted. In some embodiments, the first coupling member 102, the second coupling member 106, the first counter-weight 116, and the second counter-weight 126 may be arranged wholly within the upper housing 110. In other embodiments, the first coupling member 102, the second coupling member 106, the first counter-weight 116, and/or the second counter-weight 126 may be arranged in other configurations. For example, the first coupling member 102 and the second coupling member 106 may be routed to exit at the rear of the upper housing 110 and the first counter-weight 116 and the second counter-weight 126 may be positioned behind the rear of the upper housing 110.
Referring now to
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Referring now to
In some embodiments, the counter-weight section 409 represents one or more secondary portions of the counter-weight 407 that may be removed or attached to the counter-weight 407 such that the total mass of the counter-weight section 409 and the counter-weight 407 is adjustable. The one or more secondary portions of the counter-weight 407 may be in the form of adhesive sections. The counter-weight section 409 may be representative of a reduction in mass of counter-weight 407. In other embodiments the counter-weight 407 may be manufactured to have the appropriate weight. In a retrofit installation, for example, counter-weights may be replaced with counter-weights that have the appropriate weight, or mass may be removed through other means, such as filing or drilling. In other embodiments still, additional mass may be added to the sash 405, for example, in the form of adhesive weights.
In some embodiments, to control the automatic closing of the sash 405 under the effect of gravity, a locking mechanism 401 may be added that locks and releases the coupling member 402. For example, the locking mechanism 401 may lock the coupling member 402 by being coupled to the coupling member 402 and moving from an unlocked state (e.g., an open configuration, a configuration where the locking mechanism 401 does not inhibit movement of the coupling member 402, etc.) to a locked state (e.g., a closed configuration, a configuration where the locking mechanism inhibits movement of the coupling member 402, etc.). The locking mechanism 401 is positioned on the top of the fume hood 410. In other embodiments, the locking mechanism 401 may be placed at any point along the length of coupling member 402. The locking mechanism 401 is further depicted as a locking mechanism 105 in
Referring now to
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the housing 601 is not required. The housing 601 may not be required, for example, if the locking mechanism 600 is placed within the housing of a fume hood, such as the fume hood 100 in
In some embodiments, the motor 606 is a stepper motor. In other embodiments, the motor 606 is another type of motor. Two or more independent motors may be used, where each motor drives an active wheel, such as the active wheel 605. Additional passive guide wheels, such as the passive wheel 603, may be used. The motor 606 may use electricity supplied by mains power. The mains power may be converted through use of a transformer and/or AC to DC converter to achieve the electrical supply that the motor 606 requires. The motor 606 may be powered by a battery, or a supplemental battery may be used in addition to mains power. Where the motor 606 is powered by a battery, the locking mechanism 600 is able to control the lowering of a sash, such as the sash 108 depicted in
In some embodiments, one or both of the active wheel 605 and the passive wheel 603 may be made of any suitable material(s), including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber, or some other material. In some embodiments, the active wheel 605 and the passive wheel 603 may be approximately or substantially identical in size. In other embodiments, one of the active wheel 605 or the passive wheel 603 may have a diameter that is substantially larger than the other. In some embodiments, one or both of the active wheel 605 and the passive wheel 603 may include teeth, ridges, bumps, and/or a central recess that receives the coupling member 604. In other embodiments, one or both of the active wheel 605 and the passive wheel 603 may include a smooth surface.
In some embodiments, both the active wheel 605 and the passive wheel 603 grip onto the coupling member 604. In other embodiments, only one of the active wheel 605 or the passive wheel 603 grips onto the coupling member 604, and the other wheel acts to force the coupling member 604 against the gripping wheel. In some embodiments, one or both of the active wheel 605 and the passive wheel 603 may include toothed cogs. All or part of the coupling member 604 may be a chain with which the toothed cogs of the active wheel 605 and/or the passive wheel 603 mesh. The active wheel 605 and the passive wheel 603 may include toothed cogs offset from the coupling member 604, where the toothed cogs mesh together so that the active wheel 605 drives the passive wheel 603. The active wheel 605 and the passive wheel 603 may include teeth to bite non-destructively into the coupling member 604, such that when the active wheel 605 locks, the coupling member 604 is prevented from moving.
Referring now to
In some embodiments the first coil 702 and the second coil 704 may be used to form a pair of electromagnets positioned on opposite sides of the motor core 703. The lock activator 701 may be commanded by the controller 706 to supply the first coil 702 with a constant electrical current. When the lock activator 701 supplies a constant current to the first coil 702, the constant current energizes the coil 702 and causes the motor core 703 to align with the coil 702 and remain locked in place. The motor core 703 may be coupled to a wheel, such as the active wheel 605 depicted in
In some embodiments, the locking force is determined by factors that include the strength of the permanent magnets in the motor core 703 (if present), the current applied to the first coil 702, the number of windings in the first coil 702, the material from which the first coil 702 is made, and/or the material which the first coil 702 is wrapped around. A locking force may be chosen such that it prevents a sash, such as the sash 108 depicted in
In some embodiments, the motor core 703 is rotated in a desired direction at a desired speed by controlling the sequence in which coils, such as the first coil 702 and/or the second coil 704, are energized and de-energized. A system of gears may be placed between the motor core 703 and the active wheel 605 to adjust torque and speed of rotation.
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 700 further includes a sensor assembly 708 coupled to the controller 706. The sensor assembly 708 includes a motion sensor 705 and/or a proximity sensor 707. The motion sensor 705 and the proximity sensor 707 are each communicably coupled to the controller 706. The sensor assembly 708 may be configured to sense condition data (e.g. position, movement, speed, etc.) associated with a sash and/or the surrounding environment, such as the sash 108 depicted in
In some embodiments, movement of the sash 108 results in the movement of a coupling member, such as the coupling member 604 depicted in
In some embodiments, a polarity of the voltage of the induced current in the second coil 704 may be used by the controller 706 to determine a direction in which the motor core 703 is being rotated. For example, this may be inferred from the induced current recorded when the lock activator 701 is engaged. The orientation of the motor core 703 is known from the polarity of the voltage applied to the first coil 702. The orientation of the motor core 703 can be inferred from the polarity of the voltage of the current induced in the second coil 704. The polarity of these two voltages can be used by the controller 706 to determine the initial direction of rotation in the motor core 703. The motion sensor 705 may monitor two or more coils and a sequence of induced current and/or polarities may be used by the controller 706 to determine a direction of rotation for the motor core 703.
In some embodiments, the controller 706 may determine when to lock and when to release a coupling member, such as the second coupling member 106 depicted in
In some embodiments, detection of motion (by the motion sensor 705, for example) while the lock activator 701 is currently engaged indicates that the sash 108 is being moved manually. This may represent a person moving the sash 108 to a new position while it is in a locked state. Under these conditions, the controller 706 commands the lock activator 701 to release, and enable a person to move the sash 108 freely.
In some embodiments, the controller 706 includes a timer to record the time elapsed after a transition to a locked or unlocked state in the locking mechanism 700. The controller 706 may be configured to automatically command the lock activator 701 to release after a set period of time has elapsed (e.g. a time since the last movement of the sash 108 exceeds a threshold time value). A person using a fume hood could reset the timer by manually raising the sash 108.
In some embodiments, the proximity sensor 707 is an infrared sensor that detects body heat, an ultrasonic or laser sensor that detects proximity, a sound sensor that detects noise in the vicinity of the fume hood 100, a Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) sensor that detects proximity of a BLE tag, or some other type of sensor. The controller 706 may start a timer when the proximity sensor 707 no longer reports the presence of a person at the fume hood 100, and may command the lock activator 701 to release if the timer exceeds a predetermined threshold time (e.g. no person is proximate to the sash 108, the time since a person was proximate to the sash 108 exceeds a threshold time value, etc.). Detection of a person in proximity to the fume hood 100 may reset the timer. The proximity sensor 707 is further depicted as a proximity sensor 520 in
In some embodiments, sash handles, such as the handles 109 depicted in
In some embodiments, the controller 706 uses information provided by the motion sensor 705 to determine the current position of the sash 108. This information is transmitted to a variable air volume (VAV) controller to adjust the flow rate in response to the position of the sash 108. In other embodiments, the controller 706 may use information provided by a VAV controller, or other sensors in the fume hood 100, to determine the position of the sash 108. If the lock activator 701 is currently released, then detecting no motion may indicate that descent of the sash 108 has been blocked. If the controller 706 determines that the sash 108 is not at its lowest possible position, then the blockage may be caused by an obstruction, such as a person's arm. In this situation, the controller 706 may command the lock activator 701 to engage.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the first gripper arm 804 includes a first distal segment 806, a first pivot 803, and a first gripping segment 814. The second gripper arm 812 includes a second distal segment 809, a second pivot 811, and a second gripping segment 815. The first gripper arm 804 and/or the second gripper arm 812 may feature curves or bends along their length(s), such that the first distal segment 806 and/or the second distal segment 809 are offset from the coupling member 807. The locking mechanism 800 further includes a spring 808 coupled at each distal end of the first distal segment 806 and the second distal segment 809.
In some embodiments, the first electromagnet 802 and/or the second electromagnet 813 are de-energized when the locking mechanism 800 is in an unlocked state. The spring 808 is under tension, and pulls the first distal segment 806 and the second distal segment 809 towards each other. This in turn rotates the first gripper arm 804 about the first pivot 803 and the second gripper arm 812 about the second pivot 811, and separates the first gripping segment 814 and the second gripping segment 815 from the coupling member 807. Thus, the first gripping segment 814 and the second gripping segment 815 release the coupling member 807 and do not inhibit the movement of the coupling member 807. The first roller 805 and/or the second roller 810 may be in contact with the coupling member 807, but offer minimal resistance.
In some embodiments, the first electromagnet 802 and/or the second electromagnet 813 are energized when the locking mechanism 800 is in a locked state. A magnetic force generated by the first electromagnet 802 attracts the first distal segment 806, and/or a magnetic force generated by the second electromagnet 813 attracts the second distal segment 809. The spring 808 is placed under increased tension. This in turn rotates the first gripper arm 804 about the first pivot 803 and/or the second gripper arm 812 about the second pivot 811, and engages the first gripping segment 814 and/or the second gripping segment 815 with the coupling member 807. The first gripping segment 814 and the second gripping segment 815 may feature teeth that are angled, such that motion of the coupling member 807 in one direction exerts a force on the first gripping segment 814 and the second gripping segment 815 that pulls them closer together. The first gripper arm 804 and the second gripper arm 812 may feature ridges or curved surfaces and may be made from any appropriate material(s), including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, or rubber.
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 800 is coupled to control components, such as the lock activator 701 depicted in
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 800 is coupled to sensing components, such the sensor assembly 708 depicted in
Referring now to
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the contact plate 1002 may be made from a low-friction material such as felt, that enables the sash frame 1001 to slide past the locking mechanism 1007 when the electromagnet 1003 is de-energized, but when the electromagnet 1003 is energized, the magnetic force is sufficient to prevent the sash frame 1001 and sash 905 from lowering under their combined weight. In other embodiments, the contact plate 1002 may be constructed from a high-friction material, such as rubber, and a narrow air-gap between the contact plate 1002 and the sash frame 1001 enables the sash frame 1001 and the sash 905 to move freely. When the electromagnet 1003 is energized, the attractive force between the electromagnet 1003 and the sash frame 1001 is sufficient to move one or both of the electromagnet 1003 and the sash frame 1001 to close the air-gap. In other embodiments still, the contact plate 1002 may not be used.
In some embodiments, the support arm 1004 may be attached to a fume hood housing only via the anchor point 1005. The support arm 1004 may be constructed from any appropriate material(s), including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, or any other material with sufficient rigidity to support the electromagnet 1003, but to enable a degree of flexing. The bend sensor 1006 may be used to measure the deformation of the support arm 1004. The bend sensor 1006 may measure both a direction and a degree of deformation.
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 1007 is coupled to control components, such as the lock activator 701 depicted in
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 1007 may be connected to sensing components, such as the sensor assembly 708 depicted in
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 1007 may be configured such that a sash, such as the sash 905 depicted in
Referring now to
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 1112 may be connected to sensing components, such as the sensor assembly 708 depicted in
Referring now to both
Referring now to
The valve set 1205 may include a plurality of valves that are connected to the first controlled descent cylinder 1203. The plurality of valves may include, but are not limited to, a one-way valve that allows air into the barrel 1204 so that the piston rod 1202 can be extended unimpeded, an electrically controlled release valve to allow air to escape from the barrel 1204 for automatic descent of the sash 1201, and an explosive release valve to allow air to escape from the barrel 1204 when the internal pressure exceeds a set threshold, to allow a person to manually close the sash 1201. The barrel 1204 and/or one or more valves in the valve set 1205 may be equipped with pressure sensors to monitor forces exerted on the sash 1201.
In some embodiments, the first controlled descent cylinder 1203 is connected to control components, such as the lock activator 701 depicted in
In some embodiments, the first controlled descent cylinder 1203 is connected to sensing components, such as the sensor assembly 708 depicted in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The sensor 1401 may be or include a variety of sensors, including a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, a bend sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.
Other input sources 1402 may be or include a variety of input sources, including a VAV controller, a building fire panel, a power status indicator, an occupancy monitoring system, etc.
In one embodiment, the sensor 1401, controller 1403, and locking mechanism 1405 may be co-located and/or provided within a common housing (e.g., as an integrated locking mechanism, etc.). In other embodiments, any of these components may be co-located and provided within a common housing (e.g., the sensor 1401 and the controller 1403, etc.) to provide an integrated locking mechanism, etc.
In operation, the sash 1407 is positioned in a first position. For example, a user may manually open the sash 1407 to the first position in order to perform work in the interior of the fume hood 1404. The controller 1403 receives data from the sensor 1401 and/or other input sources 1402. For example, the sensor 1401 may sense the absence of a user proximate the fume hood 1404 for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, the sensor 1401 may sense an abnormal speed/direction of movement of the sash 1407. In further embodiments, a VAV controller may provide a control signal to the controller 1403. In yet further embodiments, the controller 1403 may receive an alert from a fire panel, occupancy monitoring system, or other building system.
Based on the received data, the controller 1403 controls operation of the locking mechanism 1405. For example, the controller may transition the locking mechanism 1405 between a first configuration, where the locking mechanism inhibits movement of the sash 1407 and/or coupling member 1408, and a second configuration, where the locking mechanism 1405 allows generally free movement of the sash 1407 and coupling member 1408. The sash 1407, coupling member 1408, and counter-weight 1406 are configured such that when the locking mechanism 1405 is in the second configuration and the sash 1407 and coupling member 1408 are generally free to move, the sash tends to move toward a closed position due to the force of gravity.
It should be noted that the system 1400 shown in
The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps can be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
As utilized herein with respect to numerical ranges, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms generally mean +/−10% of the disclosed values, unless specified otherwise. As utilized herein with respect to structural features (e.g., to describe shape, size, orientation, direction, relative position, etc.), the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are meant to cover minor variations in structure that may result from, for example, the manufacturing or assembly process and are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.
It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or movable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein.
The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.
Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above.
It is important to note that any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. For example, the counter-weight 407 that includes a counter-weight section 409 of the embodiment depicted in at least
The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/124,947, filed on Dec. 14, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220184673 A1 | Jun 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63124947 | Dec 2020 | US |
