THERETO

Be it known that I, Cesare Selmi, residing at 1 170 Benji Ridge Ct, Kissimmee, FL, 34747, a resident alien of the United States of America, have invented certain new and useful improvements in a MULTI-ROTOR VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINE AND METHODS RELATED THERETO of which the following is a specification.

CROSS-REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Application claims priority to United States Provisional patent application entitled "Multi-Rotor Vertical Axis Wind Turbine and Methods Related Thereto," filed on December 14, 2010, on behalf of inventor Cesare Selmi, and having assigned Serial No. 61/423,077, wherein the present application claims all priority and benefit to the fullest extent permitted by law.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wind turbines, and more parti to a multi-rotor vertical axis wind turbine and methods related thereto.

BACKGROUND

Since ancient times mankind has been trying and learning to control and use wind energy for practical purposes. From the old sailing ships and windmills, many types of devices have been designed, including recent attempts to create a modern electric generator that uses only wind energy.

Today, it is essential to develop new and better wind turbine or wind energy conversion systems to compete in cost and efficiency with traditional fossil fuel energy conversion systems, which are the major source of air pollution and a high factor in causing the greenhouse effect. New wind turbine or wind energy conversion systems are also needed to compete with nuclear plants which can be potentially dangerous, producing high-risk energy and also nuclear waste deposits, wherein an absence of side effects from such deposits cannot be guaranteed.

Presently, wind turbines are based on two configuration types: the Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) and Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT). Both have been described in numerous U.S. and foreign patents.

The popularized HAWTs that prevail today and that are considered the best HAWT option are so considered almost exclusively because of their efficiency in the conversion of wind energy (about 35-51 %), but they have known disadvantages, such as:

* HAWTs are mono-directional, which means that they must always be oriented to the wind, requiring complicated addressing systems that adversely impact efficiency and cost.

^* The minimum operational wind speed (cut-in-speed) is relatively high for HAWTs, and the maximum wind speed for safe operation (cut-out-speed) is relatively low. HAWT limitations therefore allow only a narrow range wind speed operation.

^* HAWT profitability depends entirely on the quality of the wind. The requirement of very specific locations, and with steady winds, reduces the possibility of sites.

^* HAWT maintenance is costly and complicated because of the high towers that are installed for all components.

* The installation and transportation costs are highly expensive for HAWTs, wherein many years of service is required for recovery of initial investment.

^* The rotation ratio between blades, rotor, and the generator is high for HAWTs, and requires complicated gearboxes, wherein efficiency and costs are negatively impacted thereby. These and other disadvantages for HAWTs are overcome by VAWTs, of which the following are exemplary but not all inclusive features:

^* VAWTs are omni-directional and do not require guidance.

^* The useful cut-in wind speed for VAWTs is lower than that of HAWTs, and the cut-out speed is higher, thus making the window of operation wider. This allows a wide range of wind speeds to work.

^* VAWTs work under variable wind conditions and use unstable winds, which allows installation in more places than HAWTs.

^* Many VAWT parts can be placed at ground level, making installation and maintenance costs less expensive than HAWTs.

^* The rotation ratio between rotor and the generator is closer than that of an HAWT, allowing simpler gearboxes.

The main disadvantage of VAWTs is their substantially lower efficiency, wherein this efficiency is defined as the ratio between kinetic energy in the wind and the actual power output of the turbine.

Known VAWTs are generally subdivided into three categories: DRAG-BASED DESIGN: In this design, wind energy is transformed into rotational energy using the dragging force applied by the wind through the turbine's rotor. An example of a drag-based design is the cupped anemometer where several (usually 3 or 4) cups are supported radially from a vertical rotation axis. The cups have a higher drag coefficient on one side than the other and the associated difference in force drives the rotor. A variation on this basic idea is the Savonius rotor (U.S. Pat. No. 1 ,766,765), which replaces the cup of the anemometer with hollow half cylinders. Figure 1A and Figure 2 depict known aspects of the Savonius rotor. Drag-based designs have the advantage of operating independently from wind direction, and have a simple design. The main disadvantage of drag-based designs is the relatively low efficiency of typically 15-20%, although some modern designs have achieved up 38%. LIFT-BASED DESIGN: In lift-based designs, wind energy is transformed into rotational energy by using the lifting force that results from the air current flow through the airfoils. VAWTs can also make use of a lift mechanism by using airfoils, such as, e.g., in Darrieus rotor (U.S. Pat. No. 1 ,835,018). In some aspects, the Darrieus rotor design uses several airfoils (typically 2 or 3) arranged into an egg-beater shape, such as in Figure 1 B. When the airfoils are rotating and a wind is present, a lift is generated that has a component in the direction of motion. This lift provides energy to the turbine. A variation on the Darrieus design is the H-rotor or Giromill which uses several (typically 2 or 3) vertically oriented airfoils and works with the same lift mechanism as the Darrieus design. Figure 1 C and Figure 3 depict known features of the Darrieus and H- rotor or Giromill designs, respectively. The H-rotor has the advantage that the full length of the airfoil is fully utilized, while the eggbeater shape of the Darrieus rotor does not effectively utilize the airfoil area near the top and bottom of the tower axis. The efficiency of the lift-type VAWTs is about 30-51 %. These lift-based designs have the advantage of having higher efficiency than their drag-based counterparts, but have the disadvantage of not being self-starting because the torque that is generated by lift is only effective when the airfoils are already moving. HAWTs can achieve high efficiency (about 40-51 %) when the blade speed exceeds the wind speed through a lift mechanism.

HYBRID DESIGN: Hybrid design is a combination of the two previously mentioned designs. This design has the advantages of both the drag-based and the lift- based designs, without having their disadvantages. Known hybrid designs, however, are disadvantageous in view of the presently disclosed device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present device, in its preferred embodiment, comprises a novel and efficient multi-rotor vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) with a hybrid design, comprising in a preferred arrangement of three secondary rotors (drag based), represented in Fig. 4A-2 and Fig. 4B-2, and three airfoils (lift based), Fig. 4A-3 and Fig. 4B-1 , vertically oriented and placed in parallel to each other and according to the main axis, Fig. 4A-4 and Fig. 4B-5. Each secondary rotor preferably consists of three blades with a novelty profile, Fig. 7B, that incorporates openings in strategic places within the aerodynamic curves, Fig. 5B-1 , thereby allowing air circulation inside the profile and offsetting pressures at windward and leeward sides, as needed to increase the rotor performance.

The goal of the arrangement is to improve the characteristics of each individual rotor, resulting in an equivalent swept area greater than the sum of the swept area of the three rotors individually. The arrangement allows operation in a wide range of operational wind speeds as well as in a wide range of different conditions of wind stability. Also, through the self-regulation system, the device is able to withstand high wind speeds while maintaining efficiency and energy production within an acceptable range. The previous is a notable difference from the systems known today, since there are wind turbines that are known to work with little wind, and others known to work with high winds. The presently described turbine works in both cases and can support winds that would break any other. Moreover, it also allows for placement in almost any place where the wind blows, regardless of the quality of the wind (gusts, instability, etc.)

The secondary rotors transmit their movement to the central axis through a system of gears, belts, hydraulic system or by a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). These rotors move the whole turbine creating a translational motion around the main axis.

Another important concept of the preferred design is that the system that transmits the movement of the secondary rotors to the main rotor does not allow the contrary to happen. It is understood that for maximum efficiency, the main rotor should not create a force on the secondary rotors, which will also be independent of each other regarding rpm. This concept of independent secondary rotors does not necessarily limit the device from other operating modes, such as with a dependence between the secondary rotors, and with the main axis. The idea behind the self-regulating system is to reduce the area of exposure to the wind of the turbine. This is achieved with two shells (flattened half spheres) placed at the top and bottom of the turbine, respectively. Mediated by a system activated by the centrifuge force produced by the turbine, the shells shift towards the central horizontal plane of the rotor, reducing the area exposed to the wind (swept area), and making the system less efficient. The system is configured such that when the rotors surpass the maximum cut-out-speed to operate safely, the shells begin to close, reducing the swept area in such a way that even with high wind speeds, the revolutions will not increase. When the wind speed decreases, so will the rpm, and the shells open up and allow for a greater swept area, taking better advantage of the efficiency of the system.

Regardless of the arrangement described above, each secondary rotor is itself a higher efficiency VAWT than known VAWT with traditional blade profiles, wherein the present VAWT improvement consists of a novel blade shape for increased torque output. These rotors can be individually used (Fig. 6) since they each are VAWT; this also being a novelty VAWT design.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1A shows a perspective view of a prior art conventional basic VAWT Savon ius rotor;

Fig. 1 B shows a perspective view of a prior art conventional basic Darrieus rotor; Fig. 1 C shows a perspective view of a prior art conventional basic Darrieus rotor Giromill;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic depiction of the Savonius rotor principle, according to the prior art;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic, perspective depiction of the Darrieus rotor principle, according to the prior art;

Fig. 4 is a partially exploded, perspective view of a first and preferred embodiment of multi-rotor vertical axis turbine, according to the present disclosure;

Fig. 5A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present disclosure, a single rotor turbine, according to an alternate embodiment;

Fig. 5B is a perspective view of the S-rotor of the turbine of Fig. 5A;

Fig. 5C is a perspective view of the S-rotor turbine of Fig. 5A, showing the turbine installed as a VAWT;

Fig. 6A is an overhead schematic view of the S-rotor of the turbine of Fig. 5A;

Fig. 6B is a partial and detailed view of an S-rotor blade, as selected from Fig.

6A;

Fig. 6C is an overhead schematic view of the S-rotor of the turbine of Fig. 5A, showing an example of air flow into an S-rotor;

Fig. 7 shows a detailed view of a prior art conventional blade;

Fig. 8 is an overhead schematic view of an array and a rotational example of the multi-rotor turbine of Fig. 4A, showing exemplary wind and air flow;

Fig. 9A is a perspective view of the multi-rotor turbine of Fig. 4, showing the turbine installed as a VAWT without an optional half-shell system;

Fig. 9B is a perspective view of a half-shell for optional use with a turbine;

Fig. 9C is a perspective view of the multi-rotor turbine of Fig. 4A, installed as a VAWT with a half-shell system, showing the half-shell system opened for maximum air flow;

Fig. 9D is a perspective view of the multi-rotor turbine installation of Fig. 9C, with showing the half-shell system partially closed for restricted air flow;

Fig. 10 is a perspective, partially exploded view of an S-rotor, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 1 1 is a perspective view of a multi-rotor vertical axis turbine without support plates, showing three rotors and an optional central gear system;

Fig. 12 is the multi-rotor vertical axis turbine of Fig. 1 1 with support plates;

Fig. 13A shows a schematic view of a classical standard turbine in a first wind condition/direction, showing maximized power output depicted on power bar, according to the prior art;

Fig. 13B shows a schematic view of a classical standard turbine in a second wind condition/direction, showing relatively lowered power output depicted on power bar, according to the prior art, demonstrating a negative impact of wind on an opposing side of the turbine blades;

Fig. 14A is a schematic view of a multi-rotor turbine of the present disclosure in a first wind condition/direction, showing a maximized power output depicted on power bar;

Fig. 14B shows a schematic view of a multi-rotor turbine of the present disclosure in a second wind condition/direction, showing a productive power output depicted on power bar and an absence of negative impact of wind on an opposing side of the turbine blades; and

Fig. 15 shows an exemplary installation of a plurality of multi-rotor vertical axis turbines, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

It is specifically noted that the drawings and figures shown are made for illustrative or reference purposes only, and by no means are intended to limit the actual design or performance of the device of the present disclosure, but are for exemplary purposes only, without limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Application claims priority to United States Provisional patent application entitled "Multi-Rotor Vertical Axis Wind Turbine and Methods Related Thereto," filed on December 14, 2010, on behalf of inventor Cesare Selmi, and having assigned Serial No. 61/423,077, wherein the present application claims all priority and benefit to the fullest extent permitted by law. The preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. Inventive embodiments may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the inventions herein described.

One preferred embodiment of the multi-rotor vertical axis wind turbine 10 is representatively shown in Fig. 4, and is described in this disclosure as TRIO Turbine (TRIO = Three Rotors In One). It should be noted that although this configuration is preferred, multi-rotor vertical axis wind turbine 10 could be constructed with fewer or greater than three rotors.

This preferred assembly of multi-rotor vertical axis wind turbine 10 is composed of longitudinal support member 12 defining a vertical rotational main axis; three vertical axis, secondary axis members, respectively, central longitudinal support members 14, 16, and 18, each respectively with preferred S-Rotor 20, 22, and 24 (so named because of "S" shaped blades 26a-c, 28a-c, and 30a-c, respectively); and preferably three vertical positioned airfoils 32, 34, and 36.

For ease of discussion of features regarding the preferred configuration and components of S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24, reference will be made to S-Rotor 20 only, and the components thereof; however, one skilled in the art should readily recognize that the other S-Rotors 22 and 24 are preferably configured in the same manner.

Therefore, representatively of the preferred S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24, and with reference to Fig. 10, S-Rotor 20 preferably consists of three blades 26a-c, radially and symmetrically attached to central longitudinal support member 14. These blades 26a-c have unique features; for example, referring representatively to blade 26b, on the side facing the wind (downwind side 38), blade 26b is formed with opposing double curves 40a and 40b, creating area of concave surface 42b, and another of convex surface 42a, thus producing a profile that resembles an "S", as seen, for example, in Figs. 6A-6C. This is a major difference from the traditional drag blades, such as shown in Fig. 7, which only have a concave surface C. With reference to Fig. 4, Fig. 6A and Fig. 10, and blade 26a, as an example of the preferred embodiment, has a profile with internal hollow area 44, with longitudinal vertical openings 46a, 46b, and 46c, seen in Fig. 6B, for example, so as to create chamber 48 that allows the passage of air, and which can make the effect of expansion and transfer. These chambers 48a, 48b, and 48c, seen for example in Figs. 6A and 6C, from each of blades 26a, 26b, and 26c, respectively, are interconnected through central longitudinal support member 14 and central chamber 50, which allows that entering air through openings 46a, 46b, and 46c of blade 26a, for example, to go to any of the other two blades 26b or 26c, for example, at any given time to compensate pressure between windward and leeward. This movement of air is schematically represented in Fig. 6C. The idea of this particular blade shape is therefore not only to allow the passage of air from high pressure areas to low pressure areas, but to present an airfoil that minimizes the negative draft produced in the traditional Savonius rotor type, thus improving performance in the movement of preferred S-Rotor 20. Fig. 6B and 7 enable an easy observation of the difference between a traditional rotor in Fig. 7 and the improvements made by the innovative S- rotor 20 found in the TRIO, the presently described preferred embodiment multi-rotor vertical axis wind turbine 10.

It should be understood, nonetheless, that although S-rotor blades 26a, 26b, and 26c are preferred, variations in blade shape which allow the movement of air according to the method described herein for S-rotor 20 are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. That is, although performance would be impacted, the unique concept of the longitudinal vertical openings 46a, 46b, and 46c, hollow area 44, chamber 48, and related elements, could be adapted to enhance functionality of other types of blades and rotors.

Referring now to Figs. 1 1 and 12, the preferred S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24 preferably transmit their rotational energy from their axles 14, 16, and 18, to main axis Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) 52, and/or such as but not limited to, NuVinci CVT (U.S. Pat. 6,241 ,636).

In a CVT embodiment, the mechanism controlling CVT 52 and thus the turning relationship between S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24, and TRIO 10, is preferably a mechanical inertial system calibrated so that the revolutions of TRIO 10 allow an increment or decrease of the ratio of rotation. This does not exclude the use of an electronic control system (not shown). That is, it should be recognized by one skilled in the art that although CVT system 52 is preferred, the transmission of rotational energy from the S- Rotors 20, 22, and 24 to main axis 12 of turbine 10 may be accomplished by any equivalent and suitable means that may accomplish the necessary function and purposes described, such as the engaged mechanical system 58.

The transmission discussed in the previous paragraphs is advantageous because it allows that, with little wind, S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24 rotate faster than the full arrangement of turbine 10, TRIO, increasing the torque of the system by acting as a reduction of movement, and gradually as the Tip Speed Ratio (TSR) of S-Rotor 20, for example, causes the turbine to approach maximum efficiency, the transmission acts as a multiplier of movement, thus the complete arrangement of turbine 10, TRIO, rotates with higher rpm than the rotation of S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24.

On the other hand, after TRIO turbine 10 has reached the minimum speed for the airfoils to begin to be efficient, it will also power the system. In the preferred configuration, referring to Fig. 4 and Fig. 12, for example, airfoils 32, 34, and 36 are radially and symmetrically positioned and parallel to the tangent at outer circular area of support members 54a and 54b that form TRIO turbine 10, and are thus preferably positioned as far away as possible from S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24. These preferred airfoils 32, 34, and 36 produce a thrust by "lift effect", like a Giromill, see Fig. 3. It may be possible that other alternate positions for airfoils 32, 34, and 36 may be utilized with some loss of efficiency, yet wherein turbine 10 may function nonetheless. It is in the preferred embodiment that S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24 can transfer their energy to TRIO main axis 12 without the opposite occurring; if the rotational speed of the TRIO 10 exceeds the rotational speed of S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24, the latter will not be dragged by TRIO 10. A similar example is found in the case of the helicopter rotor where the engine powers the rotor, but if the engine is shut down or lose RPM (revolutions per minute), the rotor remains free and will continue to rotate. In order to achieve this, the anti-reversal device (U.S. Pat. 4,350,235) could be used, as well as any other one-way bearing or spring clutch that fits the requirements.

In their movement around main axis 12, S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24 preferably go through periods of acceleration and deceleration, as they are for or against the wind. The preferred use of a one-way energy transfer system prevents the return of energy to S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24, and therefore the misuse and waste of energy. As noted, device 10 could be alternately created without the one-way energy transfer system, but recognizing that overall efficiency would be compromised.

In the preferred embodiment, it should be noted that the aim is not to keep a constant rpm for main rotor 10, but for secondary rotors 20, 22, and 24 which are the primary transformers of wind energy to be optimized, and therefore preferably consistently within the rpm range of greatest efficiency. This way, even though S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24 cannot reach a TSR (Tip Speed Ratio) much greater than 1 , the TRIO turbine 10 as a whole reaches a TSR significantly greater.

Also in the preferred embodiment, because the TRIO 10 is able to maintain high torque over a wide range of rpm, its maximum efficiency is obtained by connecting it to an inertial storage system which regulates the variations in rpm and is connected to the electric generator, thereby obtaining the effectiveness that no other turbine has offered so far.

Another different embodiment of TRIO 10 is adapted to keep the rpm within a narrow range of variation. This is achieved by making S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24 transfer their rotational energy to main axle 12 of TRIO 10 through CVT 52 which acts reversely from the previous explanation. In such an embodiment, with little wind, S-rotors 20, 22, and 24 rotate with a lower rpm than the rpm of the whole TRIO turbine 10, having the CVT 52 act as a multiplier of movement, and gradually as the TSR of S-Rotor 20, 22, and 24 approaches maximum efficiency, the ratio is reduced. The complete TRIO turbine 10 rotates at lower rpm than S-Rotors 20, 22, and 24, meaning that the transmission will reduce the movement. Therefore, the TRIO 10 can be directly connected to an electrical generator that operates within the TRIO'S rpm range. The idea behind the preferred self-regulating system 70 of the present disclosure is to enable reduction of the area of turbine 10 that is exposed to the wind. Referring now to Figs. 9B, 9C, and 9D, this is achieved with two shells 62, 64 (preferably shaped as flattened half spheres) placed respectively at the top and bottom of turbine 10. Mediated by a system (not shown in the drawings, but any known system capable of facilitating the described movement would be suitable) activated by the centrifugal force produced by turbine 10, shells 62 and 64 preferably shift towards the central horizontal plane of rotor turbine 10, reducing the area exposed to the wind (swept area), and making the system less efficient. The system 70 is preferably configured such that when rotors 20, 22, and 24 surpass the maximum cut-out-speed to operate safely, shells 62 and 64 begin to close, such as shown in Fig. 9D, reducing the swept area in such a way that even with high wind speeds, the revolutions will not increase. Conversely, when the wind speed decreases, so will the RPM, and preferably shells 62 and 64 open up, such as shown in Fig. 9C, allowing for a greater swept area and taking better advantage of the efficiency of the system. The self-regulating system 70 is optional, although recommended for use in extreme high wind conditions.

It is important to note that although self-regulation system 70 is preferred for optimized efficiency in varying wind conditions, S-rotors 20, 22, and 24 and the uniquely profiled blades 26a-c, 28a-c and 30a-c thereof may alternately be installed in a device without self-regulation, wherein wind speed would more directly impact system performance. Moreover, self-regulation system 70 may be alternately adapted for installation and performance enhancement of turbines and rotors having a different configuration than that described herein. That is, known turbine designs could be adapted to allow for operational enhancement via cooperative shell placement, as desired, although the presently described system, in its preferred form, offers the most efficient combination of beneficial components.

Finally, as previously noted, in another alternate embodiment, the total number of secondary rotors may be greater or less than three. For example, one such embodiment is shown in Figs. 5A-5C, wherein single S-rotor turbine 80 is formed from a single S-rotor 20. That is, although the preferred embodiment is optimized with three S- rotors, as described, other configurations may utilize fewer than three or greater than three, according to design and performance preferences.

In use, with reference to Figs. 14A and 14B, the presently described and preferred S-rotor configuration directs air flow in a manner that enables greater power output in a given wind, relative to the flow of a classical standard turbine, as contrasted in Figs. 13A and 13B, respectively. The beneficial air flow is directed and assisted by the preferred blade profile and S-rotor configuration, as discussed hereinabove. The operational association of three S-rotors 20, 22, and 24, according to the preferred embodiment, utilizes mechanical transfer 58 to relate the rotational energy of each S- rotor 20, 22, and 24 to central axis 12. One skilled in the art should readily recognize that although the preferred embodiment is described and depicted, other means for relating rotors 20, 22, and 24 could alternately be utilized.

According to the preferred use, a turbine housing 55 is provided, as seen for example in Fig. 12, to support the components. The housing 55 is preferably adapted, also, with the operational shells 62 and 64, as shown for example in Figs. 9A-9D, of the self-regulation system 70, wherein an open configuration allows for maximum wind intake, and self-regulation system 70 may cause the shells to move closer together in order to restrict wind intake, or airflow into the turbine.

In summary, the combination of preferred features such as blade 26a and rotor 20 designs, and self-regulation system 70, function to deliver an enhanced efficiency in a variety of conditions. By way of example, Fig. 13A depicts an example of a single air flow path of a given wind, and power output realized therefrom in a classical standard turbine, according to the prior art. Fig. 13B demonstrates the same prior art turbine, but with a changed air flow path of the same wind, wherein power output realized is diminished greatly by the failure of the air flow to follow the necessary path for turbine efficiency. Contrast the presently described device 10, wherein Figs. 14A and 14B demonstrate that the impact of changing air flow paths is relatively minimal, given the ability of the system to adapt thereto. Finally, it should be recognized that the presently described and efficient individual device is aptly suited for use, such as representatively depicted in Fig. 15, for efficient capture and transmission of wind energy as a large scale installation.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.