阅读说明：本技术 用于发动机中的固定链轮的系统和方法 (System and method for fixing a sprocket in an engine ) 是由 J·A·多德斯 M·J·库珀 P·A·莱戈特 G·道森 于 2019-05-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供了一种用于发动机的固定链轮系统,该固定链轮系统包括：链轮,其包括第一链轮齿轮、第二链轮齿轮以及具有直径和厚度的保持盘；气缸体,其具有带中心开口的孔和多个螺纹凸台,所述多个螺纹凸台一起形成轴向支撑表面和径向定位表面,所述轴向支撑表面和所述径向定位表面被确定大小以接纳所述链轮的所述保持盘来支撑和定位所述链轮；以及多个固定螺杆,其被配置为被所述多个螺纹凸台接纳,每个固定螺杆具有带下表面的头部,当所述固定螺杆被螺纹凸台接纳时,所述下表面覆盖所述保持盘并将所述链轮保持在所述孔中。(The present disclosure provides a fixed sprocket system for an engine, the fixed sprocket system comprising: a sprocket comprising a first sprocket gear, a second sprocket gear, and a retaining disk having a diameter and a thickness; a cylinder block having a bore with a central opening and a plurality of threaded bosses that together form an axial support surface and a radial locating surface sized to receive the retaining disc of the sprocket to support and locate the sprocket; and a plurality of set screws configured to be received by the plurality of threaded bosses, each set screw having a head with a lower surface that covers the retention disc and retains the sprocket in the bore when the set screw is received by a threaded boss.)

1. A fixed sprocket system for an engine, the fixed sprocket system comprising:

a sprocket comprising a first sprocket gear, a second sprocket gear, and a retaining disk having a diameter and a thickness;

a cylinder block having a plurality of threaded bosses and a bore with a central opening, the plurality of threaded bosses together forming an axial support surface and a radial locating surface sized to receive the retaining disc of the sprocket to support and locate the sprocket; and

a plurality of set screws configured to be received by the plurality of threaded bosses, each set screw having a head with a lower surface that covers the retaining disk and retains the sprocket in the bore when the set screw is received by a threaded boss;

wherein the thickness of the retaining disc is less than the distance between the lower surface of the head of the set screw and the axial support surface formed by the plurality of threaded bosses, and the diameter of the retaining disc is less than the diameter of the radial locating surface formed by the plurality of threaded bosses, thereby permitting rotation of the sprocket within the bore.

2. The fixed sprocket system of claim 1, wherein the sprocket comprises a central opening, the central opening of the sprocket having a diameter sized to receive a drive shaft of an engine component, the engine component being one of a fuel pump or an air compressor.

3. The fixed sprocket system of claim 2, further comprising a retaining nut configured to be threaded onto a threaded end of the drive shaft, the retaining nut having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the central opening of the sprocket.

4. The fixed sprocket system of claim 1, wherein the first sprocket gear is configured to mesh with a first chain assembly coupled to a camshaft of the engine.

5. The fixed sprocket system of claim 4, wherein the second sprocket gear is configured to mesh with a second chain assembly driven by a crankshaft of the engine.

6. The fixed sprocket system of claim 3, further comprising a freewheel housing having an access opening that provides access to the retaining nut when the sprocket is retained in the bore.

7. The fixed sprocket system of claim 6, wherein the freewheel housing further comprises an access cover that removably covers the access opening.

8. The fixed sprocket system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sprocket gear, the second sprocket gear and the retaining disc is made from a first piece of material and at least another of the first sprocket gear, the second sprocket gear and the retaining disc is formed from a second sheet of material that is separate from the first piece of material.

9. A method of removing a fuel pump from an engine, the method comprising the steps of:

removing an access cover of the flywheel shell;

removing a retaining nut coupled to a drive shaft of the fuel pump, the drive shaft extending through a central opening in a sprocket coupled to a first chain assembly that drives a camshaft of the engine; and

removing the fuel pump from the engine without removing the flywheel housing, the first chain assembly, or the sprocket.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the retaining nut has an outer diameter that is greater than a diameter of the central opening in the sprocket.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the sprocket includes a first sprocket gear and a second sprocket gear, the first sprocket gear meshing with the first chain assembly and the second sprocket gear being configured to mesh with a second chain assembly driven by a crankshaft of the engine.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the sprocket comprises a retaining disk, at least one of the first sprocket gear, the second sprocket gear, and the retaining disk is formed from a first piece of material, and at least another one of the first sprocket gear, the second sprocket gear, and the retaining disk is formed from a second piece of material that is separate from the first piece of material.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the sprocket comprises a retaining disc having a diameter and a thickness, the diameter of the retaining disc being less than a diameter of a radial locating surface formed by a plurality of threaded bosses formed on the engine, and the thickness of the retaining disc being less than a distance between a lower surface of a plurality of set screws coupled with the plurality of threaded bosses and an axial support surface formed by the plurality of threaded bosses.

14. An engine, comprising:

a sprocket comprising a retaining disc having a diameter and a thickness;

a bore having a central opening;

a plurality of threaded bosses disposed adjacent the bore, the plurality of threaded bosses together forming an axial support surface and a radial locating surface sized to receive the retaining disk of the sprocket to support and locate the sprocket; and

a plurality of set screws configured to be received by the plurality of threaded bosses, each set screw having a head with a lower surface that covers the retaining disk and retains the sprocket in the bore when the set screw is received by a threaded boss;

wherein the thickness of the retaining disc is less than the distance between the lower surface of the head of the set screw and the axial support surface formed by the plurality of threaded bosses, and the diameter of the retaining disc is less than the diameter of the radial locating surface formed by the plurality of threaded bosses, thereby permitting rotation of the sprocket within the bore.

15. The engine of claim 14, further comprising a camshaft and a first chain assembly coupled to the camshaft, the sprocket comprising a first sprocket gear configured to mesh with the first chain assembly to drive rotation of the camshaft.

16. The engine of claim 15, further comprising a crankshaft and a second chain assembly coupled to the crankshaft, the sprocket comprising a second sprocket gear configured to mesh with the second chain assembly, the crankshaft driving rotation of the sprocket via the second chain assembly.

17. The engine of claim 14, further comprising a cylinder block, the bore and the plurality of threaded bosses being formed on the cylinder block.

18. The engine of claim 14, further comprising an engine component having a drive shaft, the sprocket comprising a central opening, the central opening of the sprocket having a diameter sized to receive the drive shaft.

19. The engine of claim 18, further comprising a retaining nut configured to be threaded onto a threaded end of the drive shaft, the retaining nut having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the central opening of the sprocket.

20. The engine of claim 19, further comprising a flywheel housing having an access opening that provides access to the retaining nut when the sprocket is retained in the bore.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to sprockets that drive engine components, and more particularly to a system and method for mounting a sprocket on an engine to permit removal of engine components driven by the sprocket.

Background

In many engine manufacturing processes, engine components such as a fuel pump or an air compressor powered by a sprocket driven by a crankshaft must be installed before installing the chain system and flywheel housing connected to the engine components. This results in a sub-optimal assembly sequence. In many engine repair and maintenance situations, it is not possible to remove the engine components without first removing the engine from the vehicle and then removing the flywheel housing and chain assembly coupled to the sprocket. This process results in substantial expense in labor and engine down time. It is therefore desirable to provide a system and method for addressing these issues.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fixed sprocket system (positive sprocket system) for an engine, comprising: a sprocket comprising a first sprocket gear, a second sprocket gear, and a retaining disk having a diameter and a thickness; a cylinder block having a plurality of threaded bosses and a bore with a central opening, the plurality of threaded bosses together forming an axial support surface and a radial locating surface sized to receive the retaining disc of the sprocket to support and locate the sprocket; and a plurality of set screws configured to be received by the plurality of threaded bosses, each set screw having a head with a lower surface that covers the retention disc and retains the sprocket in the bore when the set screw is received by a threaded boss; wherein the thickness of the retaining disc is less than the distance between the lower surface of the head of the set screw and the axial support surface formed by the plurality of threaded bosses, and the diameter of the retaining disc is less than the diameter of the radial locating surface formed by the plurality of threaded bosses, thereby permitting rotation of the sprocket within the bore. In one aspect of this embodiment, the sprocket includes a central opening having a diameter sized to receive a drive shaft of an engine component, the engine component being one of a fuel pump or an air compressor. A variation of this aspect further includes a retaining nut configured to be threaded onto a threaded end of the drive shaft, the retaining nut having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the central opening of the sprocket. In another aspect, the first sprocket gear is configured to engage with a first chain assembly coupled to a camshaft of the engine. In a variation of this aspect, the second sprocket gear is configured to mesh with a second chain assembly driven by a crankshaft of the engine. Another variation further includes a freewheel housing having an access opening that provides access to the retaining nut when the sprocket is retained in the bore. In other variations, the flywheel housing further comprises an access cover that removably covers the access opening. In another aspect of this embodiment, at least one of the first sprocket gear, the second sprocket gear and the retaining disk is made from a first piece of material and at least another one of the first sprocket gear, the second sprocket gear and the retaining disk is formed from a second piece of material that is separate from the first piece of material.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of removing a fuel pump from an engine, the method comprising the steps of: removing an access cover of the flywheel shell; removing a retaining nut coupled to a drive shaft of the fuel pump, the drive shaft extending through a central opening in a sprocket coupled to a first chain assembly that drives a camshaft of the engine; and removing the fuel pump from the engine without removing the flywheel housing, the first chain assembly, or the sprocket. In one aspect of this embodiment, the retaining nut has an outer diameter that is greater than a diameter of the central opening in the sprocket. In another aspect, the sprocket includes a first sprocket gear for meshing with the first chain assembly and a second sprocket gear configured to mesh with a second chain assembly driven by a crankshaft of the engine. In a variation of this aspect, the sprocket includes a retaining disk, at least one of the first sprocket gear, the second sprocket gear, and the retaining disk is formed from a first piece of material, and at least another one of the first sprocket gear, the second sprocket gear, and the retaining disk is formed from a second piece of material that is separate from the first piece of material. In another variation, the sprocket includes a retaining disc having a diameter and a thickness, the diameter of the retaining disc being less than a diameter of a radial locating surface formed by a plurality of threaded bosses formed on the engine, and the thickness of the retaining disc being less than a distance between a lower surface of a plurality of set screws coupled with the plurality of threaded bosses and an axial support surface formed by the plurality of threaded bosses.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an engine comprising: a sprocket comprising a retaining disc having a diameter and a thickness; a bore having a central opening; a plurality of threaded bosses disposed adjacent the bore, the plurality of threaded bosses together forming an axial support surface and a radial locating surface sized to receive the retaining disk of the sprocket to support and locate the sprocket; and a plurality of set screws configured to be received by the plurality of threaded bosses, each of the set screws having a head with a lower surface that covers the retention disc and retains the sprocket in the bore when the set screw is received by the threaded boss; wherein the thickness of the retaining disc is less than the distance between the lower surface of the head of the set screw and the axial support surface formed by the plurality of threaded bosses, and the diameter of the retaining disc is less than the diameter of the radial locating surface formed by the plurality of threaded bosses, thereby permitting rotation of the sprocket within the bore. An aspect of this embodiment also includes a camshaft and a first chain assembly coupled to the camshaft, the sprocket including a first sprocket gear configured to mesh with the first chain assembly to drive rotation of the camshaft. A variation of this aspect further includes a crankshaft and a second chain assembly coupled to the crankshaft, the sprocket including a second sprocket gear configured to mesh with the second chain assembly, the crankshaft driving rotation of the sprocket via the second chain assembly. Another aspect further includes a cylinder block, the bore and the plurality of threaded bosses being formed on the cylinder block. Yet another aspect of this embodiment further includes an engine component having a drive shaft, the sprocket including a central opening, the central opening of the sprocket having a diameter sized to receive the drive shaft. A variation of this aspect further includes a retaining nut configured to be threaded onto a threaded end of the drive shaft, the retaining nut having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the central opening of the sprocket. Another variation further includes a freewheel housing having an access opening that provides access to the retaining nut when the sprocket is retained in the bore.

Drawings

The above-mentioned and other features of this disclosure and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sprocket according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the cylinder block;

fig. 3A is a perspective view of a threaded boss according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the threaded boss of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sprocket of FIG. 1 supported within the bore of the cylinder block of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the sprocket of FIG. 1 supported within the bore of the cylinder block of FIG. 2 with the chain assembly installed;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sprocket of FIG. 1 supported within the bore of the cylinder block of FIG. 2 with the chain assembly installed;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the fuel pump mounted in the cylinder block;

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9A is a side cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8;

FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of a flywheel housing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a side plan view of the flywheel housing of FIG. 10 with the access cover removed;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 11 with the fuel pump mounted in the cylinder block; and

fig. 13 is a view similar to fig. 12 with the fuel pump removed.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. However, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

The terms "coupled," "coupled," and variations thereof are used to encompass both arrangements in which two or more components are in direct physical contact, and arrangements in which two or more components are not in direct contact with each other (e.g., components are "coupled" via at least a third component), but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. Further, the terms "couple," "coupled," and variations thereof refer to any connection of mechanical parts known in the art, including, but not limited to, connections made with bolts, screws, threads, magnets, electromagnets, adhesives, friction clamps, welds, snaps, clamps, and the like.

Throughout this disclosure and in the claims, numerical terms such as "first" and "second" are used with reference to various components or features. Such usage is not intended to imply an ordering of components or features. Rather, the numerical terms are used to aid the reader in discerning the components or features being referenced and should not be construed narrowly as providing a particular sequence of components or features.

Fig. 1 depicts a sprocket according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Sprocket 10 generally includes a first sprocket gear 12, a second sprocket gear 14, and a retaining disk 16. The first sprocket gear 12 includes a generally cylindrical body 13 having an upper surface 18 and a plurality of teeth 20 formed about its periphery, the generally cylindrical body 13. The second sprocket 14 is disposed axially between the first sprocket gear 12 and the retaining disk 16 and includes a generally cylindrical body 22 having an upper surface 24 and a plurality of teeth 26 formed about its periphery 22. The teeth 26 of the second sprocket gear 14 are formed with a larger diameter than the diameter formed by the teeth 20 of the first sprocket gear 12. The second sprocket gear 14 further comprises a plurality of openings 28, the plurality of openings 28 being configured to cooperate with an extractor for separating the sprocket 10 from a connectable pump, as described below. The retention tray 16 includes an upper surface 30, an outer surface 32 defining a diameter of the retention tray 16, and a lower surface 34. The distance between the upper surface 30 and the lower surface 34 defines the thickness of the retention tray 16. The diameter of the retaining disc 16 is larger than the diameter formed by the teeth 26 of the second sprocket gear 14. The first and second sprocket gears 12, 14 include inner surfaces 36 that define a central bore 38. The central bore 38 communicates with a central opening 40 of the sprocket 10 and includes a shoulder 42 surrounding the central opening 40.

It should be understood that in various embodiments, the sprocket 10 can be formed from one piece of material or can be made up of two or more pieces. For example, in one embodiment, the retaining disk 16 may be manufactured separately from the first and second sprocket gears 12, 14. This configuration may have the benefit of preventing the retaining disc 16 from interfering with the tooth hardening process of the sprocket teeth. In another example, the retention disk 16 may be manufactured separately to permit careful control of the thickness and diameter of the retention disk. In yet another embodiment, the retaining disk 16 may be hard-mounted to the cylinder block with running clearance at the permanent assembly interface between the retaining disk and the sprocket gear. In this example, the retaining disk 16 may be clamped in place (by a set screw described below) and the sprocket gear may be free to rotate relative to the retaining disk. In other examples, the retaining disk 16, the first sprocket gear 12, and the second sprocket gear 14 are separately manufactured and assembled together for use.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the sprocket 10 is configured to be disposed within a bore 44 formed in a cylinder block 46 of an engine. The bore 44 forms a central opening 48. A plurality of threaded bosses 50 are disposed within the bore 44 and spaced about the periphery of the central opening 48. The thread boss 50 is shown in detail in fig. 3A and 3B.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, each thread boss 50 includes a generally cylindrical body 52 with a screw opening 54. The screw opening 54 includes a counterbore 56 in communication with a threaded bore 58, the threaded bore 58 being sized to receive a set screw, as described further below. Each thread boss 50 also includes an axial support wall 60 and a radial positioning wall 62. As best shown in fig. 2, the axial support walls 60 of the plurality of threaded bosses 50 lie in a common plane and together form an axial support surface for the sprocket 10. The radial locating walls 62 of the plurality of thread bosses 50 define a diameter larger than the central opening 48 and concentric with the central opening 48 and together form a radial locating surface.

FIG. 4 shows sprocket 10 installed in bore 44 of cylinder block 46. As shown, a plurality of set screws 64 are mounted in the plurality of threaded bosses 50. In this manner, sprocket 10 is retained within bore 44, as described further below.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of sprocket 10 installed in bore 44 of cylinder block 46 is shown. A set screw 64 is shown mounted in a threaded boss 50. A chain assembly 66 is shown operatively engaged with the teeth 26 of the second sprocket gear 14. Additionally, an adapter 68 is shown, the adapter 68 being mounted to the cylinder block 46 for permitting installation of any of a number of different engine components, such as a fuel pump (described herein) or an air compressor. The adapter 68 includes a central opening 70, the central opening 70 permitting a drive shaft of an engine component (described below) to pass through the adapter 68, the central opening 48 of the bore 44, and the central opening 40 of the sprocket 10. As described further below, the drive shaft of the engine component is fixed to the sprocket 10 and is provided with power for rotation (to drive operation of the engine component) as a result of rotation of the sprocket 10.

Fig. 6 is another view of the sprocket 10 mounted on the cylinder block 46 with the chain assembly 66 coupled between the drive gear assembly 72 of the engine crankshaft (not shown) and the second sprocket gear 14 of the sprocket 10. As shown, the chain assembly 66 includes a first chain guide element 74, a second chain guide element 76 and a chain tensioner 78, as is known in the art. When the engine is assembled for operation, these components are normally covered by a flywheel housing (described below). It should be noted that the fuel pump mounted into the cylinder block 46 (i.e., in this example, the engine component driven by the rotation of the sprocket 10) is not shown in fig. 5 and 6.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to that of fig. 6, but with a fuel pump 80 installed. As shown, a drive shaft 82 of the fuel pump 80 extends through the central opening 40 of the sprocket 10 and is coupled for rotation with the sprocket 10 by a retaining nut 84, as further described below with reference to fig. 8, 9A, and 9B. As is known in the art, rotation of the crankshaft of the engine causes rotation of the drive gear assembly 72, which drive gear assembly 72 powers rotation of the sprocket 10 through the chain assembly 66. When sprocket 10 is connected to drive shaft 82 of fuel pump 80 by retaining nut 84, rotation of sprocket 10 causes rotation of drive shaft 82 to power the operation of fuel pump 80.

Referring now to fig. 8, 9A and 9B, the drive shaft 82 of the fuel pump 80 is shown extending through the central opening 40 of the sprocket 10 into the central bore 38. The drive shaft 82 includes a threaded end that mates with the internal threads of the retaining nut 84. When the retaining nut 84 is tightened onto the drive shaft 82, the retaining nut 84 presses the washer 86 against the shoulder 42 of the central bore 38, thereby coupling the drive shaft 82 to the sprocket 10. In some embodiments, the gasket 86 is omitted.

As best shown in fig. 9B, when the sprocket 10 is supported by the drive shaft 82 of the fuel pump 80, the sprocket is positioned to rotate freely in the bore 44 of the cylinder block 46. The set screw 64 includes a head 88, the head 88 having a radial flange 90 extending therefrom. The flange 90 has a lower surface 92. The set screw 64 also includes a threaded body 94, the threaded body 94 being received by the threaded bore 58 (fig. 3B) of the screw opening 54 of the threaded boss 50. As shown, when the set screw 64 is fully seated in the threaded boss 50, the thickness of the retention disc 16 between the upper surface 30 and the lower surface 34 is less than the distance between the lower surface 92 of the flange 90 and the axial support wall 60 of the threaded boss 50. In addition, the diameter of the retaining disk 16 defined by the outer surface 32 is smaller than the diameter of the radially positioned surface formed by the radially positioned wall 62 of the threaded bore 50.

Referring now to fig. 10 and 11, a flywheel housing 100 having a main body 102 and an access cover 104 is shown. By removing the fastener 106, the access cover 104 can be removed, exposing the cavity 108. The flywheel housing 100 is shown mounted on the cylinder block 46 in fig. 10 and 11. In fig. 11, access cover 104 is removed from flywheel housing 100. Removal of the access cover 104 exposes the sprocket 10 to permit removal of the fuel pump 80 as described below. By providing access to sprocket 10 (and in particular, retaining nut 84), access cover 104 enables removal of fuel pump 80 without requiring removal of freewheel housing 100 or a second chain assembly 110 disposed within cavity 108 and extending between first sprocket gear 12 and a camshaft gear 112, camshaft gear 112 driving a camshaft (not shown) as a result of rotation of sprocket 10. In prior art designs, the fuel pump 80 could be removed by removing the flywheel, flywheel housing, chain assembly driving the camshaft, sprocket and then removing the fuel pump. This results in substantial cost and downtime of the engine.

In fig. 12, the access cover 104 of the flywheel housing 100 is removed, and the fuel pump 80 is mounted in the cylinder block 46. The retaining nut 84 is attached to the drive shaft 82 of the fuel pump 80. To remove the fuel pump 80, the chain assembly 110 and the chain assembly 66 may be held in place and the retaining nut 84 may be unscrewed from the drive shaft 82 using a wrench or other suitable tool. Then, the fuel pump 80 may be removed from the cylinder block 46, as shown in fig. 13.

While this disclosure has been described as having an exemplary design, the present disclosure may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

As used herein, the modifier "about" used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes at least the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity). The modifier "about" when used in the context of a range should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, a range of "about 2 to about 4" also discloses a range of "2 to 4".

The connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent example functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element. Thus, the scope is limited only by the claims that follow, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more. Furthermore, where a phrase similar to "A, B or at least one of C" is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that a alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or any combination of elements A, B or C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, a and B, A and C, B and C or a and B and C.

In the detailed description herein, references to "one embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the specification, it will become apparent to one skilled in the relevant art how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein should be construed in accordance with the definition of 35 u.s.c 112(f), unless the phrase "means for. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.