阅读说明：本技术 一种太阳能光伏板自动清洁系统及设备 (automatic cleaning system and equipment for solar photovoltaic panel ) 是由 刘栋 周利梅 于学良 张一豪 于霞 陈文佼 陈晓东 张勇 孙清 李恺 常彦超 于 2019-10-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种太阳能光伏板自动清洁系统及设备,包括：扫查机构,控制装置以及清洁机构；扫查机构,控制装置以及清洁机构分别设置在太阳能光伏板上；扫查机构和清洁机构分别与控制装置电连接；控制装置控制扫查机构对太阳能光伏板的表面进行扫查,并获取太阳能光伏板表面的扫查数据信息,当太阳能光伏板表面的扫查数据信息达到清洁条件时,控制装置控制清洁机构对太阳能光伏板的表面进行清洁。实现对太阳能光伏板自动清洁。而且还可以远程控制本系统的清洁过程,可以实现远程获取清洁信息。实现了自动清洁,不需要人员爬高,或者到太阳能光伏板上进行清洁,能够自动扫查,并触发,提升太阳能光伏的效率。(the invention provides a solar photovoltaic panel automatic cleaning system and equipment, comprising: the scanning mechanism, the control device and the cleaning mechanism; the scanning mechanism, the control device and the cleaning mechanism are respectively arranged on the solar photovoltaic panel; the scanning mechanism and the cleaning mechanism are respectively electrically connected with the control device; the control device controls the scanning mechanism to scan the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel and acquire scanning data information of the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel, and when the scanning data information of the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel reaches a cleaning condition, the control device controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel. The solar photovoltaic panel is automatically cleaned. But also can remotely control the cleaning process of the system, and can realize remote acquisition of cleaning information. Automatic cleaning is realized, personnel do not need to climb or clean on the solar photovoltaic panel, automatic scanning can be realized, and triggering is realized, so that the solar photovoltaic efficiency is improved.)

1. The utility model provides a solar photovoltaic board self-cleaning system which characterized in that includes: the scanning mechanism, the control device and the cleaning mechanism;

The scanning mechanism, the control device and the cleaning mechanism are respectively arranged on the solar photovoltaic panel;

The solar photovoltaic panel is provided with a transverse frame, and a first slide way and a second slide way are arranged on the transverse frame;

The scanning mechanism is connected with the first slideway in a sliding way;

the cleaning mechanism is connected with the second slideway in a sliding manner;

The setting height of the scanning mechanism is higher than that of the cleaning mechanism;

The scanning mechanism and the cleaning mechanism are respectively electrically connected with the control device;

the control device controls the scanning mechanism to scan the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel and acquire scanning data information of the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel, and when the scanning data information of the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel reaches a cleaning condition, the control device controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel.

2. the automatic cleaning system for solar photovoltaic panels according to claim 1,

The scanning mechanism is provided with an image shooting module, a scanning traveling wheel and a scanning traveling driving motor;

The scanning walking wheel and the scanning walking driving motor are respectively connected with the control device;

The control device acquires a surface image of the solar photovoltaic panel through the image pickup module, compares the surface image of the solar photovoltaic panel with preset image information, and controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel when the blocked accumulated area of the surface image of the solar photovoltaic panel is larger than the preset area;

the control device controls the scanning traveling wheels to move on the first slide way by controlling the scanning traveling driving motor.

3. the automatic cleaning system for solar photovoltaic panels according to claim 1 or 2,

The cleaning mechanism is provided with a cleaning device, a cleaning walking wheel and a cleaning walking driving motor;

The cleaning travelling wheel and the cleaning travelling driving motor are respectively connected with the control device, and the control device controls the cleaning travelling wheel to move on the second slideway by controlling the cleaning travelling driving motor;

the cleaning device adopts a brush, a scraper or an electric rolling brush.

4. the automatic cleaning system for solar photovoltaic panels according to claim 1 or 2,

further comprising: an environment information acquisition module;

the environment information acquisition module includes: the device comprises a climate information acquisition unit, an ice and snow sensor, a dust sensor and a photosensitive unit;

the climate information acquisition unit, the ice and snow sensor, the dust sensor and the photosensitive unit are respectively connected with the control device; the control device acquires climate information of the current environment through a climate information acquisition unit, wherein the climate information comprises temperature information and humidity information;

The control device acquires dust concentration information of the current environment through the dust sensor, and when the dust concentration information is larger than a preset threshold value, the control device controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel;

the control device acquires snow information of the current environment through the ice and snow sensor, and when the environment is in a snow state, the control device controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel at preset time intervals;

the control device obtains illuminance information of the current environment through the photosensitive unit, and when the illuminance information is lower than a preset threshold value, the control device controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for preset times.

5. the automatic cleaning system for solar photovoltaic panels according to claim 1 or 2,

Further comprising: a timing module;

the timing module is connected with the control device;

the control device acquires time information through the timing module, and controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel when the cleaning time point is reached;

The control device is also used for controlling the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel every time a preset time period passes.

6. The automatic cleaning system for solar photovoltaic panels according to claim 1 or 2,

further comprising: a direct current side generating power obtaining module;

the control device acquires the direct-current side generating power data of the solar photovoltaic power generation controller through the direct-current side generating power acquisition module, and controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for preset times when the direct-current side generating power data is lower than a preset threshold value; after cleaning for a preset number of times, when the direct current side power generation power data is still lower than a preset threshold value, an alarm prompt is sent.

7. The automatic cleaning system for solar photovoltaic panels according to claim 1 or 2,

further comprising: a direct current side current value obtaining module;

the control device acquires direct-current side current value data of the solar photovoltaic power generation controller through the direct-current side current value acquisition module, and controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for preset times when the direct-current side current value data is lower than a preset threshold value; after cleaning for a preset number of times, when the direct current side current value data is still lower than a preset threshold value, an alarm prompt is sent.

8. The automatic cleaning system for solar photovoltaic panels according to claim 1 or 2,

Further comprising: a ratio obtaining module of the output power and the input power of the inverter;

The control device obtains the ratio of the output power to the input power of the inverter through the ratio obtaining module of the output power to the input power of the inverter, and controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for a preset number of times when the ratio of the output power to the input power of the inverter is not within a preset threshold range; and after cleaning for a preset number of times, when the ratio of the output power to the input power of the inverter is still not within the preset threshold range, giving an alarm prompt.

9. The automatic cleaning system for solar photovoltaic panels according to claim 1 or 2,

further comprising: a wireless communication module;

the wireless communication module is connected with the control device, the control device is connected with the server through the wireless communication module, receives a cleaning control instruction sent by the server, and sends state data information to the server;

the control device is also connected with the user handheld terminal through the wireless communication module and the server, receives a cleaning control instruction sent by the user handheld terminal and sends state data information to the user handheld terminal.

10. the utility model provides a solar photovoltaic board self-cleaning equipment which characterized in that includes:

The storage is used for storing a computer program and the automatic cleaning system of the solar photovoltaic panel;

a processor for executing the computer program and the automatic solar photovoltaic panel cleaning system to realize the working steps of the automatic solar photovoltaic panel cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of solar photovoltaic panel cleaning, in particular to an automatic cleaning system and automatic cleaning equipment for a solar photovoltaic panel.

Background

At present, an assembly of a plurality of solar cells of a solar panel (also called a solar cell module) is a core part in a solar power generation system and is also the most important part in the solar power generation system.

the photoelectric direct conversion mode is to directly convert solar radiation energy into electric energy by using the photoelectric effect, and a basic device for photoelectric conversion is a solar cell. The solar cell is a device which directly converts solar energy into electric energy due to photovoltaic effect, and is a semiconductor photodiode. When a plurality of batteries are connected in series or in parallel, a solar battery matrix with larger output power can be formed.

The clean state on solar photovoltaic board surface is influencing solar photovoltaic's generating efficiency, because solar photovoltaic board installs for a long time outdoors, can receive the influence of environment, at surperficial attached dust, the rainwater, ice and snow and other impurities, solar photovoltaic board has been sheltered from like this and then the generating efficiency has been influenced, present clear mode adopts artifical cleanness usually, also adopt machine self-cleaning, but the cleaning process all is regularly clean, can't carry out self-cleaning according to the actual use condition, and most solar photovoltaic board sets up at the eminence, the need inconvenient part has been brought for the cleanness.

Disclosure of Invention

in order to overcome the defects in the prior art, the invention provides an automatic cleaning system for a solar photovoltaic panel, which comprises: the scanning mechanism, the control device and the cleaning mechanism;

The scanning mechanism, the control device and the cleaning mechanism are respectively arranged on the solar photovoltaic panel;

the solar photovoltaic panel is provided with a transverse frame, and a first slide way and a second slide way are arranged on the transverse frame;

the scanning mechanism is connected with the first slideway in a sliding way;

The cleaning mechanism is connected with the second slideway in a sliding manner;

the setting height of the scanning mechanism is higher than that of the cleaning mechanism;

The scanning mechanism and the cleaning mechanism are respectively electrically connected with the control device;

the control device controls the scanning mechanism to scan the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel and acquire scanning data information of the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel, and when the scanning data information of the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel reaches a cleaning condition, the control device controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel.

further, the scanning mechanism is provided with an image pickup module, a scanning traveling wheel and a scanning traveling driving motor;

the scanning walking wheel and the scanning walking driving motor are respectively connected with the control device;

The control device acquires a surface image of the solar photovoltaic panel through the image pickup module, compares the surface image of the solar photovoltaic panel with preset image information, and controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel when the blocked accumulated area of the surface image of the solar photovoltaic panel is larger than the preset area;

The control device controls the scanning traveling wheels to move on the first slide way by controlling the scanning traveling driving motor.

it should be further noted that the cleaning mechanism is provided with a cleaning device, a cleaning walking wheel and a cleaning walking driving motor;

The cleaning travelling wheel and the cleaning travelling driving motor are respectively connected with the control device, and the control device controls the cleaning travelling wheel to move on the second slideway by controlling the cleaning travelling driving motor;

the cleaning device adopts a brush, a scraper or an electric rolling brush.

further, it should be noted that the method further includes: an environment information acquisition module;

the environment information acquisition module includes: the device comprises a climate information acquisition unit, an ice and snow sensor, a dust sensor and a photosensitive unit;

the climate information acquisition unit, the ice and snow sensor, the dust sensor and the photosensitive unit are respectively connected with the control device; the control device acquires climate information of the current environment through a climate information acquisition unit, wherein the climate information comprises temperature information and humidity information;

The control device acquires dust concentration information of the current environment through the dust sensor, and when the dust concentration information is larger than a preset threshold value, the control device controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel;

the control device acquires snow information of the current environment through the ice and snow sensor, and when the environment is in a snow state, the control device controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel at preset time intervals;

the control device obtains illuminance information of the current environment through the photosensitive unit, and when the illuminance information is lower than a preset threshold value, the control device controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for preset times.

further, it should be noted that the method further includes: a timing module;

The timing module is connected with the control device;

the control device acquires time information through the timing module, and controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel when the cleaning time point is reached;

The control device is also used for controlling the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel every time a preset time period passes.

further, it should be noted that the method further includes: a direct current side generating power obtaining module;

The control device acquires the direct-current side generating power data of the solar photovoltaic power generation controller through the direct-current side generating power acquisition module, and controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for preset times when the direct-current side generating power data is lower than a preset threshold value; after cleaning for a preset number of times, when the direct current side power generation power data is still lower than a preset threshold value, an alarm prompt is sent.

further, it should be noted that the method further includes: a direct current side current value obtaining module;

The control device acquires direct-current side current value data of the solar photovoltaic power generation controller through the direct-current side current value acquisition module, and controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for preset times when the direct-current side current value data is lower than a preset threshold value; after cleaning for a preset number of times, when the direct current side current value data is still lower than a preset threshold value, an alarm prompt is sent.

Further, it should be noted that the method further includes: a ratio obtaining module of the output power and the input power of the inverter;

the control device obtains the ratio of the output power to the input power of the inverter through the ratio obtaining module of the output power to the input power of the inverter, and controls the cleaning mechanism to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for a preset number of times when the ratio of the output power to the input power of the inverter is not within a preset threshold range; and after cleaning for a preset number of times, when the ratio of the output power to the input power of the inverter is still not within the preset threshold range, giving an alarm prompt.

Further, it should be noted that the method further includes: a wireless communication module;

the wireless communication module is connected with the control device, the control device is connected with the server through the wireless communication module, receives a cleaning control instruction sent by the server, and sends state data information to the server;

the control device is also connected with the user handheld terminal through the wireless communication module and the server, receives a cleaning control instruction sent by the user handheld terminal and sends state data information to the user handheld terminal.

The invention also provides an automatic cleaning device for the solar photovoltaic panel, which comprises:

the storage is used for storing a computer program and the automatic cleaning system of the solar photovoltaic panel;

and the processor is used for executing the computer program and the automatic solar photovoltaic panel cleaning system so as to realize the working steps of the automatic solar photovoltaic panel cleaning system.

According to the technical scheme, the invention has the following advantages:

the automatic cleaning system and the automatic cleaning equipment for the solar photovoltaic panel can trigger a cleaning process according to comparison of the blocked accumulated area of the surface image of the solar photovoltaic panel, environment information, fixed-time and fixed-point information, direct-current side power generation power, direct-current side current value and the ratio of output power to input power of the inverter, so that the automatic cleaning of the solar photovoltaic panel is realized. But also can remotely control the cleaning process of the system, and can realize remote acquisition of cleaning information. Automatic cleaning is realized, personnel do not need to climb or clean on the solar photovoltaic panel, automatic scanning can be realized, and triggering is realized, so that the solar photovoltaic efficiency is improved.

Drawings

in order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the drawings used in the description will be briefly introduced, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art that other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an automatic cleaning system for a solar photovoltaic panel;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an automatic cleaning system for a solar photovoltaic panel;

fig. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an automatic cleaning system for a solar photovoltaic panel.

Detailed Description

those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements and algorithm steps of the examples described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both, and that the components and steps of the examples have been described in a functional general in the foregoing description for the purpose of illustrating clearly the interchangeability of hardware and software. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

the block diagrams shown in the figures are functional entities only and do not necessarily correspond to physically separate entities. I.e. these functional entities may be implemented in the form of software, or in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different networks and/or processor means and/or microcontroller means.

the invention provides an automatic cleaning system for a solar photovoltaic panel, as shown in fig. 1 to 3, comprising: a scanning mechanism 1, a control device 2 and a cleaning mechanism 3;

the scanning mechanism 1, the control device 2 and the cleaning mechanism 3 are respectively arranged on the solar photovoltaic panel 6; the solar photovoltaic panel 6 is provided with a transverse frame, and a first slideway 4 and a second slideway 5 are arranged on the transverse frame; the scanning mechanism 1 is connected with the first slideway 4 in a sliding way; the cleaning mechanism 3 is connected with the second slideway 5 in a sliding way; the setting height of the scanning mechanism 1 is higher than that of the cleaning mechanism 3; the scanning mechanism 1 and the cleaning mechanism 3 are respectively and electrically connected with the control device 2; the control device 2 controls the scanning mechanism 1 to scan the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel and acquire scanning data information of the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel 6, and when the scanning data information of the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel 6 reaches a cleaning condition, the control device 2 controls the cleaning mechanism 3 to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel 6.

the arrangement height of the scanning mechanism 1 is higher than that of the cleaning mechanism 3, so that the scanning mechanism 1 and the cleaning mechanism 3 can run at different heights, and mutual influence is avoided.

Further, specific cleaning conditions can be realized by image comparison. The scanning mechanism 1 is provided with an image shooting module 11, a scanning traveling wheel 13 and a scanning traveling driving motor 12; the image shooting module 11, the scanning traveling wheel 13 and the scanning traveling driving motor 12 are respectively connected with the control device 2; the control device 2 acquires a surface image of the solar photovoltaic panel through the image pickup module 11, compares the surface image of the solar photovoltaic panel with preset image information, and controls the cleaning mechanism 3 to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel when the blocked accumulated area of the surface image of the solar photovoltaic panel is larger than the preset area; the control device 2 controls the scanning traveling wheels 13 to move on the first slide 4 by controlling the scanning traveling driving motor 12. The preset image information is preset inside the control device 2 by an operator for comparison. Such comparison is based primarily on the fact that the cumulative area that is occluded is greater than a predetermined area to trigger the cleaning process.

For the cleaning mechanism 3, the cleaning mechanism 3 is provided with a cleaning device, a cleaning walking wheel 15 and a cleaning walking driving motor 14; the cleaning walking wheel 15 and the cleaning walking driving motor 14 are respectively connected with the control device 2, and the control device 2 controls the cleaning walking wheel 15 to move on the second slideway 5 by controlling the cleaning walking driving motor 14; the cleaning device adopts a brush, a scraper or an electric rolling brush. In the case of an electric roller brush, this can be controlled by means of the control device 2.

The scanning mechanism 1 can also be provided with a scraper blade or a scanning plate, so that the solar photovoltaic panel can be roughly cleaned in the scanning process.

the solar photovoltaic panel auto-cleaning system may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Various features are described as modules, units or components that may be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices or other hardware devices. In some cases, various features of an electronic circuit may be implemented as one or more integrated circuit devices, such as an integrated circuit chip or chipset.

The control device 2 may be implemented as a processor or as an integrated circuit device, such as an integrated circuit chip or chipset. Alternatively or additionally, if implemented in software or firmware, the techniques may implement a data storage medium readable at least in part by a computer, comprising instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform one or more of the above-described methods. For example, a computer-readable data storage medium may store instructions that are executed, such as by a processor.

the control device 2 includes one or more processors executing, for example, one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Thus, the term "processor," as used herein, may refer to any of the foregoing structure or any other structure more suitable for implementing the techniques described herein. In addition, in some aspects, the functionality described in this disclosure may be provided in software modules and hardware modules.

As another trigger sweeping condition, may include: an environmental information acquisition module 16;

the environment information acquisition module 16 includes: the device comprises a climate information acquisition unit, an ice and snow sensor, a dust sensor and a photosensitive unit; the climate information acquisition unit, the ice and snow sensor, the dust sensor and the photosensitive unit are respectively connected with the control device 2; the control device 2 acquires climate information of the current environment through a climate information acquisition unit, wherein the climate information comprises temperature information and humidity information; the control device 2 acquires dust concentration information of the current environment through the dust sensor, and when the dust concentration information is larger than a preset threshold value, the control device 2 controls the cleaning mechanism 3 to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel; the control device 2 acquires snow information of the current environment through the ice and snow sensor, and when the environment is in a snow state, the control device 2 controls the cleaning mechanism 3 to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel every preset time; the control device 2 acquires illuminance information of the current environment through the photosensitive unit, and when the illuminance information is lower than a preset threshold value, the control device 2 controls the cleaning mechanism 3 to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for a preset number of times.

As another trigger sweeping condition, may include: further comprising: a timing module 17; the timing module 17 is connected with the control device 2; the control device 2 acquires time information through the timing module 17, and controls the cleaning mechanism 3 to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel when the cleaning time point is reached; the control device 2 is also used for controlling the cleaning mechanism 3 to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel every time a preset time period passes.

as another trigger sweeping condition, may include: a direct current side generated power acquisition module 18; the direct current side generating power obtaining module 18 is connected with the control device 2, the control device 2 obtains the generating power data of the direct current side of the solar photovoltaic power generation controller through the direct current side generating power obtaining module 18, and when the generating power data of the direct current side is lower than a preset threshold value, the cleaning mechanism 3 is controlled to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for preset times; after cleaning for a preset number of times, when the direct current side power generation power data is still lower than a preset threshold value, an alarm prompt is sent.

As another trigger sweeping condition, may include: a direct current side current value acquisition module 19; the direct current side current value acquisition module 19 is connected with the control device 2, the control device 2 acquires direct current side current value data of the solar photovoltaic power generation controller through the direct current side current value acquisition module 19, and when the direct current side current value data is lower than a preset threshold value, the cleaning mechanism 3 is controlled to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for preset times; after cleaning for a preset number of times, when the direct current side current value data is still lower than a preset threshold value, an alarm prompt is sent.

As another trigger sweeping condition, may include: an inverter output/input power ratio acquisition module 21; the control device 2 acquires the ratio of the output power to the input power of the inverter through the ratio acquisition module 21 of the output power to the input power of the inverter, and controls the cleaning mechanism 3 to clean the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel for a preset number of times when the ratio of the output power to the input power of the inverter is not within a preset threshold range; and after cleaning for a preset number of times, when the ratio of the output power to the input power of the inverter is still not within the preset threshold range, giving an alarm prompt.

the trigger modes can be set simultaneously, and one or more of the trigger modes can be set independently.

in the invention, the device also comprises a wireless communication module 22; the wireless communication module 22 is connected with the control device 2, the control device 2 is connected with the server through the wireless communication module 22, receives a cleaning control instruction sent by the server, and also sends state data information to the server; the control device 2 is also connected with the user handheld terminal through the wireless communication module 22 and the server, receives the cleaning control command sent by the user handheld terminal, and also sends status data information to the user handheld terminal. Therefore, an operator can control the cleaning process based on the user holding the terminal, and can also acquire the state information of the system.

Based on the system, the invention also provides automatic cleaning equipment for the solar photovoltaic panel, which comprises: the storage is used for storing a computer program and the automatic cleaning system of the solar photovoltaic panel; and the processor is used for executing the computer program and the automatic solar photovoltaic panel cleaning system so as to realize the working steps of the automatic solar photovoltaic panel cleaning system.

The solar photovoltaic panel automatic cleaning apparatus is the elements and algorithm steps of the examples described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein, which can be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both, and the components and steps of the examples have been generally described in terms of functions in the foregoing description for clarity of illustrating interchangeability of hardware and software. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.