BURST

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This patent document relates to systems, devices, and methods that use corona discharge.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A corona discharge is an electrical discharge that can occur if the field strength of an electric field emanating from a conductor material, e.g., such as from a protruding structure or point of the conductor, exceeds the breakdown field strength of a fluid medium (e.g., such as air). In some examples, the corona discharge can occur if a high voltage is applied to the conductor with protrusions, depending on other parameters including the geometric conditions surrounding the conductor, e.g., like the distance to an electrical ground-like source. In other examples, the corona discharge can occur if a protrusion structure of an electrically grounded conductor (e.g., at zero voltage) is brought near a charged object with a high field enough strength to exceed the breakdown field strength of the medium. For example, in a combustion chamber of an engine, a corona can be produced by applying a large voltage to a central electrode that causes the surrounding gas to become locally ionized due to a non-uniform electric field gradient that exists based on the orientation of the central electrode within geometry of the chamber, forming a conductive envelope. The conductive boundary is determined by the electric field intensity and represents the corona formed in the chamber, in which the field intensity decreases the farther it is from the central electrode. The generated corona can exhibit luminous charge flows.

SUMMARY

[0003] Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for producing and controlling a corona discharge to affect a reaction of chemical species.

[0004] In one aspect, a method to utilize a corona in a reaction includes producing an initial corona plasma (e.g., using a nanosecond positive or negative DC field) in a time less than that which would produce a spark, and applying an electromagnetic field (e.g., RF or microwave) to expand the corona plasma in a pattern that initiates and/or accelerates a reaction between chemical species.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary method to generate and expand a corona plasma to affect a reaction of chemical species.

[0006] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary device to generate and expand a corona plasma in a volume to effectuate a chemical reaction of species in the volume.

[0007] FIG. 3A shows a diagram of an exemplary multifunctional gasket assembly capable of producing Lorentz force and corona discharge for implementing the disclosed methods.

[0008] FIG. 3B shows a diagram of the exemplary multifunctional gasket assembly of FIG. 3A implemented in a combustion chamber including an exemplary injector and/or ignition device of the disclosed technology.

[0009] Like reference symbols and designations in the various drawings may indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for injecting and igniting a fuel using Lorentz forces and/or Lorentz-assisted corona discharges.

[0011] In one aspect, a method to utilize a corona in a reaction includes producing an initial corona plasma (e.g., using a nanosecond positive or negative DC field) in a time less than that which would produce a spark, and applying an electromagnetic field (e.g., RF or microwave field) to expand the corona plasma in a pattern that initiates and/or accelerates a reaction between chemical species.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a method 100 to generate and expand a corona plasma to affect a reaction of chemical species. The method 100 includes a process 1 10 to generate a corona plasma at a predetermined location in a volume by applying a DC field (e.g., positive or negative DC field) over a predetermined time duration (e.g., nanoseconds) to not produce a spark. For example, the positive or negative DC field can be applied at an electrode antenna configuration that is interfaced with the volume to produce the corona plasma discharge in the volume. For example, the applied DC field can be applied for one to a few nanoseconds or other time duration sufficiently less than the time to produce a spark from the corona antenna. In the process 1 10, the corona plasma is generated in a predetermined location based on activated zones within the volume. For example, the activated zones include regions of the volume where the conditions have been primed for a corona plasma discharge. Exemplary primed conditions can include (i) the presence of constituents having low activation energies, e.g., such as Argon, to create a plasma; (ii) a path of ionized particles in the volume, e.g., where the ionized particle path can be created via application of a Lorentz thrust of ionized particles into the volume; (iii) the presence of radicals and/or chemically active agents that are energetically less stable than chemical compounds (e.g., like fuel substances); and (iv) an upstream swirl into the volume of ionized particles, e.g., where such upstream swirl can be produced by a speed of sound event that facilitates the generation of a low energy corona using the process 1 10.

[0013] The method 100 includes a process 120 to apply an electromagnetic field (e.g., pulsed positive or negative, RF or microwave field) to expand the corona plasma in a predetermined pattern to cause an initiation and/or accelerate completion of a reaction between chemical species in the volume. For example, implementations of the process 120 can expand the activation of the corona plasma discharge, in which the applied RF or microwave field effectively pushes this existing corona plasma along a path in the predetermined pattern to the activated zones.

[0014] In an illustrative example of the method 100 in a combustion chamber, e.g., such as in an engine, an exemplary corona antenna can be interfaced in a port of the combustion chamber and stimulate an initial corona plasma by application of a nanosecond positive or negative DC field, e.g., in which the field application time is less than the time to produce a spark from the corona antenna. Subsequent application of a RF field such as pulsed positive and/or negative, AC, or microwave field is then utilized to expand the initial corona plasma pattern to accelerate initiation and/or completion of combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber. For example, stimulation of the initial corona plasma in the combustion chamber can be by application of an electric field in about a 5 to 50 nanosecond duration at a sufficient DC positive or DC negative voltage, e.g., such as 20 to 60 KV. Subsequent application of the microwave or RF field of suitable polarity, frequency and voltage can expand the pattern of the first corona plasma to initiate and/or accelerate completion of combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber.

[0015] Implementations of the method 100 can include one or more of the following exemplary features. For example, in some implementations of the method, the process 1 10 to generate the corona plasma includes applying an electric field at an electrode antenna comprising a high work function material configured at a location proximate to the volume. For example, the electrode antenna can be structured to include a coating formed of the high work function material (e.g., such as platinum (Pt), gold (Au), tungsten (W), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), beryllium (Be), osmium (Os), tellurium (Te), and/or selenium (Se)) coated over an underlying electrically conductive material (e.g., such as tungsten (W), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and/or tantalum (Ta)). In some embodiments, for example, the electrode antenna can be structured to include a circular, curvilinear, or pointed terminal end projected toward the volume, e.g., capable to generate a negative corona. Whereas in other embodiments, for example, the electrode antenna can be structured to include a substantially blunt terminal end projected toward the volume, e.g., capable to generate a positive corona (e.g., in which the generated positive corona discharge is characterized by a smaller and/or slower-emanating field). In some implementations, for example, the method, can further include producing a Lorentz force to form a pattern of ionized particles in the volume that produce the predetermined pattern, in which the producing the Lorentz force includes generating a current of ionized particles of a fluidic substance in a region between two electrodes proximate the interface of the device with the volume by applying an electric field between the electrodes to ionize at least some of the fluidic substance, and applying a magnetic field to interact with the generated current of the ionized particles. For example, in such implementations, the magnetic field can be applied by an electromagnet and/or a permanent located at a position proximate the chamber, or by a permanent magnet material included as part of at least one of the electrodes that generates the current of the ionized particles. Also, for example, the pattern of ionized particles formed by the Lorentz force can include a striated pattern. [0016] Various methods, systems and devices are described in related U.S. Application No. 14/273,479, filed May 8, 2014, and entitled FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMS WITH ENHANCED CORONA BURST that can be utilized to implement the disclosed method, e.g., illustrating examples of electrode antenna configurations, techniques of producing and utilizing corona discharges and Lorentz force, and other applications of disclosed method. U.S. Application No. 14/273,479 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0017] In another aspect, a device to generate and expand a corona to affect a reaction includes a housing interfaced with a volume containing chemical species, an electrode antenna configured at one end of the housing proximate the volume to generate a corona plasma at a predetermined location in the volume based on an applied DC field on the electrode antenna that is applied over a predetermined time duration so as to not produce a spark; an electromagnetic field generator to produce an electromagnetic field (e.g., RF and/or microwave field) to expand the corona plasma in a predetermined pattern to cause initiation of and/or to accelerate completion of a reaction between chemical species in the volume; and a control unit contained in the housing and in communication with the electrode antenna and the electromagnetic field generator to regulate application of the DC electric field at the electrode antenna and the electromagnetic field at the electromagnetic field generator using control signals, such that the device generates the corona plasma and subsequently expands the corona plasma in the volume to effectuate a reaction of the chemical species in the volume.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a device 200 to generate and expand a corona plasma in a volume to effectuate a chemical reaction of species in the volume. The device 200 includes a housing 210 to contain the components and units of the device 200 and interface the device 200 with a volume. In some implementations, the housing 210 can be configured to securely attach to a chamber containing the volume. For example, the chamber containing the volume can include a combustion chamber in an engine, or can include a reaction chamber, e.g., such as a thermochemical regeneration (TCR) reaction chamber. Examples of TCR systems including reaction chambers that the device 200 can interface are described in related U.S. Application No. 14/279,237, filed May 15, 2014 and entitled CHEMICAL FUEL CONDITIONING AND ACTIVATION. U.S. Application No. 14/279,237 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0019] The device 200 includes a corona generation unit 220 configured at one end of the device 200 that is interfaced with the volume. The corona generation unit 220 includes electrode antenna and one or more electronic circuits. The electrode antenna are configured at the one end of the housing 210 proximate the volume and capable of generating a corona plasma at a predetermined location in the volume based on an applied DC field (e.g., positive or negative DC field) on the electrode antenna produced by the one or more electronic circuits, in which the DC field is applied over a predetermined time duration (e.g., nanoseconds) so as to not produce a spark. For example, the electronic circuits of the corona generation unit 220 can produce a low voltage (e.g., 20 to 60 KV voltage) to create the DC field that causes the corona without producing a spark in the volume. Examples of the electrode antenna and the electronic circuits are shown in related U.S. Application 14/273,479. U.S. Application 14/273,479 is hereby incorporated by reference its entirety.

[0020] The device 200 includes an electromagnetic field generation unit 230 configured in the housing 210 so as to produce and project an electromagnetic field into the volume. The electromagnetic field generation unit 230 can include a radio frequency (RF) oscillator and/or a microwave oscillator coupled to a coaxial resonator interfaced with the volume to produce an RF and/or microwave field into the volume, respectively. In some implementations, the electromagnetic field generation unit 230 can include an amplifier to amplify the signal supplied to the coaxial resonator. In some implementations, for example, the electromagnetic field generation unit 230 can include an electrical power supply, or in other implementations, a power supply can be utilized from another system to which the device 200 is employed. For example, in applications where the device 200 is interfaced to a combustion chamber, the power supplied to the electromagnetic field generator unit 230 may include a battery of an automobile, truck, or other vehicle or machine that includes the combustion chamber.

[0021] The device 200 includes a control unit 240 configured in the housing and in communication with the corona generation unit 220 and the electromagnetic field generation unit 230 to (i) regulate application of the DC electric field at the electrode antenna of the unit 220 to generate the initial corona plasma in the volume, and (ii) regulate the application of the electromagnetic field from the electromagnetic field generation unit 230, by using control signals communicated to the corona generation unit 220 and the electromagnetic field generation unit 230. In some implementations, the control unit can also be configured to: (i) monitor conditions of the electrode antenna and/or conditions of the volume (e.g., including temperature, pressure, or electrical field conditions), (ii) determine a state of the volume, and (iii) control application of electrical signals to the electrode antenna and the electromagnetic field generator based on the determined state.

[0022] For example, the device 200 can be implemented such that the corona plasma is generated in a predetermined location based on the activated zones within the volume. For example, the activated zones include regions of the volume where the conditions have been primed for a corona plasma discharge, such as (i) the presence of constituents having low activation energies, e.g., such as Argon, to create a plasma; (ii) a path of ionized particles in the volume, e.g., where the ionized particle path can be created via application of a Lorentz thrust of ionized particles into the volume; (iii) the presence of radicals and/or chemically active agents that are energetically less stable than chemical compounds (e.g., like fuel substances); and (iv) an upstream swirl into the volume of ionized particles.

[0023] Implementations of the device 200 can include one or more of the following exemplary features. For example, in some implementations of the device 200, the electrode antenna of the corona generation unit 220 include a high work function material configured at a location proximate to the volume. For example, the electrode antenna can be structured to include a coating formed of the high work function material (e.g., such as platinum (Pt), gold (Au), tungsten (W), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), beryllium (Be), osmium (Os), tellurium (Te), and/or selenium (Se)) coated over an underlying electrically conductive material (e.g., such as tungsten (W), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and/or tantalum (Ta)). In some embodiments, for example, the electrode antenna can be structured to include a circular, curvilinear, or pointed terminal end projected toward the volume, e.g., capable to generate a negative corona. Whereas in other embodiments, for example, the electrode antenna can be structured to include a substantially blunt terminal end projected toward the volume, e.g., capable to generate a positive corona (e.g., in which the generated positive corona discharge is characterized by a smaller and/or slower-emanating field). [0024] In some implementations, the corona generation unit 220 can include multiple electrode antenna to produce multiple initial corona plasma to be subsequently expanded (e.g., pushed, swept) into the volume. In one example to produce a staggered group of initial corona plasma, the corona generation unit 220 can include a first electrode antenna and a second electrode antenna, both having a high work function material coating over an underlying electrically conductive material, wherein the first electrode antenna is structured to include a circular, curvilinear, or pointed terminal end projected toward the volume to generate a negative corona, and wherein the second electrode antenna is structured to include a substantially blunt terminal end projected toward the volume to generate a positive corona.

[0025] In some implementations of the device 200, for example, the volume can be enclosed within a chamber, and the housing 210 is attached at a port of the chamber. In such implementations, for example, the chamber can include a combustion chamber in an engine, or a reaction chamber of a thermochemical regeneration (TCR) system, or other chamber that facilitates a reaction of chemical species.

[0026] In some implementations, for example, the device 200 can further include a flow channel to provide a fluid path for a fluidic substance (e.g., such as a fuel) to be injected from the device 200 into the volume (e.g., the chamber, such as a combustion chamber or TCR reactor) with which the device 200 is interfaced. In such implementations, for example, the device 200 is operable to inject the fluidic substance into a combustion chamber or other reaction chamber, and to generate the corona plasma at the predetermined location and expand the corona plasma in the predetermined pattern within the chamber to cause a chemical reaction of the fluidic substance, e.g., such as combustion of the fluidic substance with other species present in the chamber. For example, the fluidic substance can include a fuel, and in which the chemical reaction includes a combustion process of the fuel with oxidant compounds present in the combustion chamber. Examples of the fuel fluidic substance can include methane, natural gas, an alcohol fuel including at least one of methanol or ethanol, butane, propane, gasoline, diesel fuel, ammonia, urea, nitrogen, and/or hydrogen. Similarly, for example, the fluidic substance can include oxidant particles, and in which the chemical reaction includes a combustion process of the oxidant with fuel present in the combustion chamber. For example, the oxidant can include, but is not limited to, oxygen molecules (O ₂ ), ozone (O ₃ ), oxygen atoms (O), hydroxide (OH ^" ), carbon monoxide (CO), and/or nitrous oxygen (NO _x ).

[0027] Further Embodiments of the Disclosed Technology

[0028] The disclosed technology includes devices for injecting and/or igniting a fluidic substance using Lorentz-assisted corona discharges based on techniques of the present technology that utilize follow-up electromagnetic fields to expand the corona discharges into desired locations in desired patterns within the volume of application.

[0029] In one example, FIG. 3A shows a diagram of an exemplary multifunctional gasket assembly 16250 capable of producing Lorentz force and corona discharge for implementing the disclosed methods of affecting a reaction by generating an initial corona and subsequently expanding the corona into a volume (e.g., such as a chamber) using an electromagnetic field. FIG. 3B shows a diagram of the exemplary multifunctional gasket assembly 16250 implemented in a combustion chamber including an exemplary injector and/or ignition device of the disclosed technology.

[0030] In some applications, for example, the gasket assembly 16250 can be implemented in an engine, e.g., including, but not limited to a two- or four-cycle piston engine with direct injection of fuel, to implement the various combinations of Lorentz and/or Corona ignition and/or acceleration of combustion processes. In some examples, fuel may be injected with or without Lorentz ion current thrust and ignition may be produced by positive or negative corona that is induced by an injector that includes corona production antenna 16262, which may be negative or positive or alternating polarity at a suitable frequency. In some embodiments, for example, fuel and/or Lorentz thrust fuel ions can be injected into the combustion chamber, and ignition is provided by corona plasma that is generated in the penetrating fuel pattern as a result of a high voltage electric field that is applied by antenna of the gasket assembly 16250 interfaced in a chamber 16239 (e.g., a combustion chamber), in which the corona discharge can include a duration such as one to a few nanoseconds including a period up to about 60 nanoseconds. [0031] Whereas, in some applications, for example, the gasket assembly 16250 can be implemented in a chemical reactor such as a TCR reactor.

[0032] The electrode antenna of the gasket assembly 16250 can be implemented to generate an initial corona plasma (e.g., positive or negative corona, or both, based on the particular antenna implemented) at a predetermined location in the volume based on an applied DC field on the electrode antenna that is applied over a predetermined time duration so as to not produce a spark. The gasket assembly 16250 includes an electromagnetic field generator unit 16231 to produce an electromagnetic field (e.g., RF and/or microwave field) to expand the initial corona plasma in a predetermined pattern in the volume to cause initiation of and/or to accelerate completion of a reaction between chemical species in the volume.

[0033] In an exemplary operation, the exemplary antenna of the gasket assembly 16250 (e.g., which can be configured as insulated antenna) can be implemented to apply a negative field to produce ozone and/or oxides of nitrogen from the air in the combustion chamber and a field that also ionizes injected fuel particles. Such exemplary negative antenna electrode structures of the gasket 16250 may be configured to have sharp edges, rods, needles, relatively small wire loops or toroids or other field concentrating features. Positive field production from another exemplary antenna electrode structure that can be implemented at selected times and at applied frequencies, where the positive field is generated by one or more positive corona production antenna 16266. The antenna 16266 can be configured as a blunt edged wire or a ring structure that is embedded within an insulative casing 16270 of the gasket assembly 16250, e.g., ceramic or other dielectric material, e.g., such as boron nitride, aluminum oxide or mica.

[0034] An exemplary engine may utilize the multifunctional gasket assembly 16250 to increase, decrease, or maintain the effective compression ratio of the engine, e.g., which can depend upon the selection of dimensions 16280 for the thickness of the gasket assembly 16250, as well as selection of an interior-protruding inset dimension 16228 into the chamber 16239C, as compared to the original cylinder bore dimension 16284 of the chamber 16239C. The multifunctional gasket assembly 16250 may also be configured to receive gases and/or inject fluid such as fuel from the combustion chamber 16239C by transfer through a valve 16264 from a passageway, conduit, and/or accumulator 16243, e.g., shown in cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A as valve 16264A and 16264B to/from passageway 16243A and 16243B. In embodiments of the gasket assembly 16250, the valve 16264 can include a slit valve or a piezoelectric valve.

[0035] Exemplary fluid selections that may be dispensed into combustion chamber 16239C from one or more passageways 16243 include fuels such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, ammonia, methane, ethane, propane etc., and combustion promoters such as dimethylether (DME) and diethylether (DEE). Similarly oxidants such as oxygen, oxides of nitrogen, and hydrogen peroxide may be dispensed at selected times to participate in cleaning and/or combustion events.

[0036] In some embodiments, for example, an engine such as a two- or fourcycle piston engine can be converted to unthrottled air entry operation with direct injection of fuel. Fuel may be injected with or without Lorentz ion current thrust and ignition may be produced by positive or negative corona that is induced by an injector that includes corona production antenna electrode(s), illustrated in FIG. 3B as an exemplary injection and/or ignition device 16500.

[0037] In some embodiments, for example, fuel and/or Lorentz thrust fuel ions are injected into the combustion chamber, and ignition is provided by corona discharge that is generated in a predetermined penetrating fuel pattern, e.g., as a result of a high voltage electric field that is applied, e.g., for a duration of a few nanoseconds, by one or more of the exemplary corona-generating spaced antenna 16262A, 16262B, 16262x that can be arranged on the inner region of the gasket 16250 interfaced into the chamber 16239. In an illustrative operation, for example, application of a negative field from the exemplary insulated corona-generating antenna 16262A - 16262x of the gasket 16250 can produce ozone and/or oxides of nitrogen from the air in the combustion chamber 16239C and a field that also ionizes fuel particles in the injected fuel penetration pattern, e.g., such as hydrogen and/or other fuels such as methane, propane or nitrogenous substances, to accelerate ignition and/or completion of combustion. The positive corona antenna 16266, e.g., such as a wire, ring, or rounded plate, may be mounted to the surface of, protrude from, or be recessed within the exemplary ceramic or dielectric material of the body 16270, as shown in the inset diagram of FIG. 3A. [0038] As shown in FIG. 3B, various combinations of oxidation activation by Lorentz ion thrusting, fuel injection, fuel ion current thrusting in predetermined penetration patterns 16254, along with positive or negative corona production, can be implemented by the exemplary multifunctional injection and/or ignition device 16500 interfaced with the exemplary combustion chamber 16239C containing an exemplary multifunctional gasket 16250 at the top or upper portion of the combustion cylinder. Such configuration of the device16500 and gasket assembly 16250 with a combustion chamber can be implemented to meet a wide range of operating conditions. For example, an exemplary operation can include positive or negative corona production in the chamber 16239C by the exemplary corona-generating antenna 16262A, 16262B, etc. of the gasket 16250, by one or more other combustion chamber electrode inserts in locations configured on the piston 16278 for positive corona production (e.g., via a ring, circular plate, or wire antenna 16282 on the piston 16278) or negative corona production (e.g., via protruding, sharp- ended antenna 16283 on the piston 16278), and/or by the valve 16276A for negative corona production (e.g., via protruding, sharp-ended antenna 16285 on the valve 16276A) or positive corona production (e.g., via a ring, circular plate, or wire antenna 16286 on the valve 16276B). Illustratively, for example, the electrodes may Lorentz thrust and/or corona generate combustion chamber penetration patterns of positive or negative ions, and the electrodes 16582 may induce positive or negative corona production in such patterns, as well as electrodes 16262 and 16266 of the gasket assembly 16250 may induce positive or negative corona production in such patterns. In another example a corona can be produced by application of a sufficient positive, negative or alternating voltage to a semiconductor or conductor region that can be substantially within a more insulative or dielectric material region to cause surrounding gas to become ionized as a consequence of a non-uniform electric field gradient that corresponds to the shape and orientation of the semiconductive or conductive region. In another example a corona can be produced by application of a sufficient voltage to a semiconductor or conductor region that can be substantially within a more insulative or dielectric material region to cause surrounding gas to become ionized as a consequence of a non-uniform electric field gradient that corresponds to the shape and orientation of the semiconductive or conductive region wherein the corona is expanded by additional pulses of positive or negative or alternating voltage. One or more such semiconductor or conductor regions can be provided substantially within more insulative or dielectric material such as heat and oxidation resistant materials that comprise combustion chamber inserts 16250, 16500, 16285, 16386, 16282, 16283.

[0039] In some instances, for example, radiant, thermal or pressure energy produced in the combustion chamber can be converted into electrical energy for such operations. Adaptive combinational selections, timing, duration, and magnitude of such operational events is provided by a controller and may be utilized in combination with other controllers that are co-located with gasket assembly 16250 to optimize fuel efficiency, power production and engine life.

[0040] The disclosed technology includes devices for producing activation zones in the volume by imparting upstream swirl. For example, exemplary devices of the disclosed technology can include a coaxial electrode configuration where the coaxial electrodes impart swirl of high velocity (e.g., yet subsonic) fuel tangents are capable to produce appropriate stratified coniform(s) or patterns for a combustion chamber. For example, in some implementations, generation of corona is more efficiently provided in one or both of the patterns of ions launched by the Lorentz electrodes and/or in the intercept zone to accelerate initiation and/or completion of the reaction. And, in some implementations, for example, it is highly favorable to utilize adaptively adjusted magnetic lens to produce coaxial cones of Lorentz launched ions and swirl tangents to increase air-utilization efficiency in events including multi-burst stratified reactions (e.g., such as combustion), expansive work production by surplus air that is heated in some exemplary chambers such as engine combustion chambers or TCR reactors, and/or insulation of hot gases by surplus air to reduce heat transfer to the engine cooling system.

[0041] In some exemplary applications, positive or negative corona discharges are stimulated in one or more patterns produced by an acoustic shock wave caused by injection of a fluid at a velocity that exceeds the speed of sound of at least some of the gaseous contents in the combustion chamber.

[0042] While this patent document and the attached appendices contain many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this patent document and the attached appendices in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

[0043] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described in this patent document and the attached appendices should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments.

[0044] Only a few implementations and examples are described and other implementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on what is described and illustrated in this patent document and the attached appendices.