Claims:

1. An apparatus (100) for measuring pressure exerted on wall (105) of a stamping unit (201) configured to hold a material (202) for stamping, the apparatus (100) comprising:
a housing (101), connectable to the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201);
at least one plug (102) movably disposed within the housing (101) and co-operating with the wall (105), wherein the at least one plug (102) is configured to displace relative to the pressure exerted on the wall (203), during stamping process; and
at least one sensor (103), positioned between a wall (105) of the housing (101) and the at least one plug (102), wherein the at least one sensor (103) is configured to generate a signal corresponding to pressure exerted on the wall (203), based on the displacement of the at least one plug (102).
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of bearings (104) between the walls (105) of the housing (101), and the at least one plug (102).
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of bearings (104) are configured to frictionlessly support the at least one plug (102) in the housing (101), for displacement of the at least one plug (102).
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure exerted by the material on the wall (105) of the stamping unit (201) during stamping process, corresponds to bulk-density of a material (202) subjected to the stamping.
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor (103) is a pressure sensor and a load cell.
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one plug (102) is a solid block.
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one plug (102) displaces to transmit the pressure exerted on the wall (105) of the stamping unit (201) by the material (202) to the at least one sensor (103), during stamping process.

8. A system (200) for stamping a material (202), the system (200) comprising:
a stamping unit (201) defined with a cavity (204), to receive the material (202) to be compacted;
a plurality of stamping members, configured to compact the material (202) dispensed within the stamping unit (201); and
at least one apparatus (100), configured to measure pressure exerted on a wall (105) of the stamping unit (201), the apparatus (100) comprising:
a housing (101) connectable to the wall (105) of the stamping unit (201);
at least one plug (102) movably disposed within the housing (101) and co-operating with an opening defined in the wall (105), wherein the at least one plug (102) is configured to displace relative to the pressure exerted on the wall (203), during stamping process; and
at least one sensor (103), positioned between a wall (105) of the housing (101) and the at least one plug (102), wherein the at least one sensor (103) is configured to generate a signal corresponding to pressure exerted on the wall (203), based on the displacement of the at least one plug (102).

9. The system (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor (103) is a pressure sensor such as load cell.

10. The system (200) as claimed in claim 8, comprising a plurality of bearings (104) between the walls (105) of the housing (101), and the at least one plug (102).

11. The system (200) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of bearings (104) are configured to frictionlessly support the at least one plug (102) in the housing (101) for displacement of the at least one plug (102).

12. The system (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pressure exerted by the material on the wall (105) of the stamping unit (201) during stamping process, corresponds to bulk-density of the material (202) subjected to stamping.

, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure in general relates to a field of manufacturing. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates a system for compacting a material. Further embodiments of the disclosure disclose the apparatus for measuring pressure exerted on wall of a stamping unit during a stamping process, for determining bulk density of a material compacted in the stamping unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Stamping is a process which may be employed to produce wide variety of products. Stamping also referred as sintering involves compaction of material in a substantially powdered form in a stamping unit, using stamping members such as mechanical hammers. The stamping may be performed with or without the application of heat. The stamping process results in a compacted product of the material. Generally, coke is used as a fuel and a reducing agent in blast furnaces, as coke includes less percentage of impurities and high calorific value in comparison with coal, which aids in generating more heat in the blast furnace and, aids in reduction process. Usually, coal blend is compacted by a stamping process, which is performed in a stamping unit. In the stamping process, the coal blend, which is disposed within the stamping unit, is subjected to stamping or compacting i.e. a desired pressure is applied by a plurality of stamping members such as mechanical hammers, till an optimum bulk density of the coal blend is obtained. Further, the stamped coal blend having optimum bulk density is coked i.e. baked in coke ovens to obtain coke. As operational or campaign life and efficiency of the produced coke majorly depends on bulk density of the coal blend, it is crucial in producing the coal blend having optimum bulk density. If the bulk density of the coal blend is greater than the optimum value, the coal blend may swell resulting in damage to the blast furnace and, if the bulk density of the coal blend is lesser than the optimum value, the blast furnace may not operate at its efficiency.

Considering the above, it is inevitable to measure the bulk density of the coal blend during compaction, for producing a good quality coke for efficient operation of the blast furnace. Several attempts have been made in the art to measure the bulk density. One such attempt includes, weighing the coal blend by placing it on a weighing machine and then measuring volume of the coal blend by utilizing dimensions (length, breadth and height) of the stamping unit, in which the coal blend is disposed. However, this attempt does not provide data about local variation and inhomogeneity in the bulk density of the coal blend at different locations within the stamping unit. Further, with the advancements in technology, ultrasonic testing is adapted to measure bulk density of the coal blend. In ultrasonic testing, ultrasonic probes (transmitter and receiver) are positioned in contact with the coal blend disposed in the stamping unit. The transmitter probe generates ultrasonic waves, which travels through the stamped coal blend and is received by the receiver positioned at the other end of the stamping unit. Based on the travel time and velocity of the ultrasonic waves, bulk density of the coal blend is determined.

These conventional techniques demands for stopping or halting of the stamping process, to determine the bulk density, which is time consuming. Also, the stamping process has to be continued to attain desired bulk density, if the bulk density is lesser than the optimum value, which is tedious. Further, these techniques may not facilitate in determining the bulk density on dynamic basis, which may lead to excessive stamping, which is undesired. Also, the conventional techniques are prone to vibrations, which leads to energy losses and, thus resulting in inaccurate values.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by method as disclosed and additional advantages are provided through the apparatus and system as described in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the technique of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment, an apparatus for measuring pressure exerted on wall of a stamping unit, which is configured to hold a material for stamping, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing, which is connectable to the wall of the stamping unit. Further, the apparatus comprises at least one plug, which is movably disposed within the housing and co-operating with the wall of the stamping unit. The at least one plug is configured to displace relative to the pressure exerted on the wall of the stamping unit, during stamping process; Furthermore, the apparatus comprises at least one sensor, which is positioned between a wall of the housing and the at least one plug. The at least one sensor wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate a signal corresponding to pressure exerted on the wall of the stamping unit, based on the displacement of the at least one plug.

In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of bearings between the wall of the housing and the at least one plug. The plurality of bearings are configured to frictionlessly support the at least one plug in the housing, for displacement of the at least one plug.
In an embodiment, the pressure exerted on the wall of the stamping unit during stamping process by the material, corresponds to bulk-density of a material subjected to stamping in the stamping unit.
In an embodiment, the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor such as a load cell or the like.
In an embodiment, the at least one plug is a solid block.
In an embodiment, the at least one plug displaces to transmit the pressure exerted on the wall of the stamping unit by the material to the sensor.
In another exemplary embodiment, a system for stamping a material is disclosed. The system comprises a stamping unit, which is defined with a cavity to receive the material to be compacted. Further, the system comprises a plurality of stamping members, configured to compact the material dispensed within the stamping unit. Additionally, the system comprises at least one apparatus, which is configured to measure pressure exerted by a wall of the stamping unit. The apparatus comprises a housing, which is connectable to the wall of the stamping unit. Further, the apparatus comprises of at least one plug, which is movably disposed within the housing and co-operating with the wall of the stamping unit. The at least one plug is configured to displace relative to the pressure exerted on the wall, of the stamping unit during stamping process. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises at least one sensor, which is positioned between a wall of the housing and the at least one plug. The at least one sensor wherein the at least one sensor is configured to generate a signal corresponding to pressure exerted on the wall of the stamping unit, based on the displacement of the at least one plug.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for measuring pressure exerted on wall of a stamping unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a system for stamping a material employed with the apparatus of Figure. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a system for stamping a material employed with the apparatus of Figure. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the system of Figure. 2, subjected to stamping process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 5 is a graphical representation of pressure versus bulk density, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the apparatus and system illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the description of the disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent apparatus and systems depart from the scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to operation of the apparatus and system, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an apparatus for measuring pressure exerted on wall of a stamping unit, in order to determine bulk density of the material disposed within the stamping unit. In an embodiment, the pressure exerted on wall of the stamping unit may correspond to the bulk-density of the material compacted within the stamping unit.

Conventionally, different techniques are employed for measuring the bulk density, and one such technique involves weighing the coal blend by placing it on a weighing machine, and measuring volume of the coal blend by utilizing dimensions of the stamping unit, in which the coal blend is disposed. Further, in some techniques, ultrasonic testing has been adapted to measure bulk density of the coal blend. In ultrasonic testing, ultrasonic probes (transmitter and receiver) are kept in contact with the coal blend, disposed in the stamping unit. The transmitter probe generates ultrasonic waves, which travel through the coal blend and, is received by the receiver at the other side of the stamping unit. Based on the travel time and velocity of the ultrasonic waves, bulk density of the coal blend is determined. However, these techniques do not provide any information about local variation in bulk density of the coal blend and inhomogeneity in the bulk density of the coal blend at different locations in the stamping unit. Further, these techniques demand for stopping the stamping process, for determining the bulk density, which is time consuming. Further, these techniques may not facilitate in determining the bulk density on dynamic basis, which may lead to excessive stamping, which is undesired. Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses an apparatus for measuring pressure exerted on the wall of the stamping unit during stamping process, in order to determine the bulk density of the material subjected to stamping process on a dynamic basis i.e. in real time stamping process.

The apparatus for measuring pressure exerted on wall of a stamping unit, may include a housing, which is connectable to the wall of the stamping unit. Further, the apparatus may include at least one plug, which may be positioned in the housing co-operating with an opening, configured in the wall of the stamping unit. The at least one plug may be movably disposed on a plurality of bearings, which are positioned between the wall of the housing and the at least one plug. The at least one plug may be configured to displace relative to the pressure exerted on the wall by the material, during the stamping process. Furthermore, the apparatus may include at least one sensor, which is positioned between the wall of the housing and the at least one plug. The at least one sensor may be configured to generate a signal corresponding to pressure exerted on the wall, based on the displacement of the at least one plug.

During stamping process, a plurality of stamping members may apply desired pressure onto the material disposed within the stamping unit. Due to the applied pressure, the material may undergo compaction. Since the material is confined within the stamping unit, the material may exert pressure on to the wall of the stamping unit. In an embodiment, due to compaction of the material, the material may squeeze through the opening defined in the wall of the stamping unit. This may result in exerting the pressure on to the at least one plug, which is positioned at the opening defined in the wall of the stamping unit. This results in the at least one plug to displace linearly within the housing. This displacement of the at least one plug may facilitate in transferring the pressure exerted by the compacted material on the wall of the stamping unit to at least one sensor, which is positioned adjacent to the at least one plug. The at least one sensor may generate a signal, which corresponds to the pressure exerted by the material on to the wall of the stamping unit, based on displacement of the at least one plug. Further, based on the measured pressure at different levels of the wall, bulk density of the material may be determined.

In the following detailed description, embodiments of the disclosure are explained with reference of accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Figure. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating an apparatus (100) for measuring pressure exerted on wall (203) of the stamping unit (201), during stamping process. The apparatus (100) may include a housing (101). The housing (101) may be configured, such that a brim portion or flange portion of the housing (101) is connectable to a wall (203) of the stamping unit (201) (as seen in Figures. 2 and 3). In an embodiment, the brim portion or flange portion the housing (101), may be defined with a plurality of provisions or through holes (not shown in figures) for receiving fasteners for connecting the housing (101) to the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201). In an embodiment, the housing may be designed to resemble geometrical configurations such as but not limiting to square, rectangular, cylindrical and the like. Further, the apparatus (100) may include at least one plug (102). The at least one plug (102) may be a solid block, which may resemble any geometrical shapes but not limiting to rectangular, square, cylindrical and the like. The at least one plug (102) may be movably disposed within the housing (101), i.e. the at least one plug (102) is configured to linearly displace within the housing (101), corresponding to the pressure exerted on the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201). In an embodiment, the at least one plug (102) may be supported in the housing (101) by a plurality of bearings (104). The plurality of bearings (104) may be supported on the stamping unit (201) (105) of the housing (101), and may be configured to rotate about their axis, to facilitate linear displacement of the at least one plug (102) in the housing (101).
In an embodiment, the plurality of bearings (104) may be configured to frictionlessly support the at least one plug (102) in the housing (101), and thus mitigates frictional energy losses during displacement. As an example, the plurality of bearings (104) may be but not limiting to roller bearings, ball bearings and the like. As apparent from Figure. 1, the apparatus (100) may further, include at least one sensor (103). The at least one sensor (103) may be positioned between the wall (105) of the housing (101). In other words, the at least one sensor (103) may be positioned adjacent to one end of the at least one plug (102) [i.e. an end opposite to the end of the at least one plug (102), which co-operates with the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201)]. In an embodiment, the at least one sensor (103) may be a pressure sensor such as but not limiting to a load cell and the like. Further, working of the apparatus (100) will be explained in relation to the system (200).
Moving now to Figures. 2 and 3, which illustrates a system (200) for stamping a material (202), to attain a desired bulk-density of the material (202). In an embodiment, the material (202) may be but not limiting to coal, pharmaceutical materials, metallurgical materials and the like. As apparent from Figures. 2 and 3, the system (200) may include the stamping unit (201), which may be defined with a cavity (204), for receiving the material (202) to be compacted. In an illustrated embodiment, the stamping unit (201) is defined in a rectangular shape, which may not be considered as a limitation, as the stamping unit (201) may include any other geometrical shapes such as but not limiting to square, cylindrical and the like. Further, the system (200) may include a plurality of stamping members (not shown in figures). The plurality of stamping members may be configured to apply pressure on to the material (202) for compacting the material (202). As an example, each of the plurality of stamping members may be but not limiting to mechanical hammers, pneumatic hammers, hydraulic hammers or presses and the like. Additionally, the system (200) may include the apparatus (100), for determining the pressure exerted on wall (203) of the stamping unit (201), which corresponds to the bulk density of the material (202).
As apparent from Figure. 2, the apparatus (100) may be coupled to a wall (203) of the stamping unit (201). In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) may be coupled to the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201) covering an opening defined in the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201), such that one end of the at least one plug (102) co-operates with the opening and linearly displaces into and out of the stamping unit (201) by contacting a portion of the material (202) disposed within the stamping unit (201). In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) may be coupled to the stamping unit (200) using mechanical joining process such as fastening, press fit, and the like or by thermal joining process such as but not limiting to welding, brazing and the like.
In an embodiment, during stamping process, the plurality of stamping members may apply pressure on to the material (202) within the stamping unit (201). Due to the application of pressure onto the material (202) in the stamping unit (201), the material (202) may undergo compaction, as the material (202) is confined within the stamping unit (201). Upon further stamping of the material (202), due to compaction of the material (202), the material (202) may exert pressure onto the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201). In an embodiment, the pressure exerted by the compacted material (202) onto the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201) may correspond to the bulk density of the material (202) in the stamping unit (201). Thus, measuring the pressure exerted by the compacted material (202) on the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201) may facilitate in determining the bulk-density of the material (202).
Now referring to Figure. 4, it is evident that during the stamping process, the compacted material (202) in the stamping unit (201) exerts pressure on to the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201). As apparent from Figure. 4, due to pressure exerted by the compacted material (202) on to the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201), a portion of the compacted material (202) may squeeze through the opening defined in the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201), i.e. at portion where the apparatus (100) is connected. This squeezing of the compacted material (202) may exert pressure on to an end of the at least one plug (102) of the apparatus (100), which is positioned co-operatively with the opening configured in the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201). This may result in the at least one plug (102) to displace linearly within the housing (101), which may be aided by the rotation of the plurality of the bearings (104), which are supporting the at least one plug (102). Such displacement of the at least one plug (102) may facilitate in transferring the pressure exerted by the compacted material (202) on the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201) to the at least one sensor (103), which is positioned adjacent or proximate to the end of the at least one plug (102). In an embodiment, the plurality of bearings (104) may facilitate in mitigating the contact of the at least one plug (102) with the wall (105) of the housing (101), such that the entire pressure exerted by the compacted material (202) to the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201), is transferred to the at least one sensor (103), without energy loss. Thus, the displacement of the at least one plug (102) on the plurality of bearings (104) may facilitate in transferring the equivalent pressure exerted on the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201), to the at least one sensor (103). In an embodiment, the plurality of bearings (104) may facilitate the at least one plug (102) to reorient, in order to convert the inclined pressures exerted on to the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201) into a horizontal direction, such that the entire pressure exerted on the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201) may be transferred to the at least one sensor (103), thus resulting in accurate measurement of the pressure exerted on the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201). In an embodiment, the at least one sensor (103) may be configured to generate a signal, based on the displacement of the at least one plug (102) within the housing (101). The signal generated by the at least one sensor (103), corresponds to the pressure exerted by the compacted material (202) on the wall (105) of the stamping unit (201).
As apparent from Figure. 4, the at least one sensor (103) may be communicatively coupled to a computing unit (205), which in turn may be coupled to a display unit (206). The computing unit (205) may be configured to receive a signal generated by the at least one sensor (103) and may compute the input signal from the at least one sensor (103), to generate a signal which corresponds to bulk density of the material (202). The signal generated by the computing unit (205) may be fed to a display unit (206), which may be configured to display the bulk density of the material (202) subjected to stamping in human understanding form. In an embodiment, the at least one sensor (103) may continuously generate pressure signals, which may be fed into the computing unit (205), to generate corresponding bulk density signals, which may be displayed to an operator in real time during stamping operation. This may facilitate the operator to halt the stamping process upon attaining the desired bulk density of the material (202).

Turning now to Figure. 5, which is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that illustrates a graph plotted for pressure versus bulk density, which is obtained as result of series of experiments. In an embodiment, the experiments were carried out by preparing a number of samples with known bulk density in a stamping unit (201) of desired dimensions. As an example, the dimension of the stamping unit (201) may be 150mm x 150mm. Further, the prepared samples are subjected to stamping process in the stamping unit (201). Due to the stamping process, the compacted sample exerts pressure on the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201), due to which the at least one plug (102) displaces within the housing (101). This displacement of the at least one plug (102) transfers the pressure exerted to the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201) to the at least one sensor (103). The at least one sensor (103) may generate a signal, based on the displacement of the at least one plug (102). This signal may correspond to the pressure exerted to the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201). Similarly, the experiment may be repeated for samples having different bulk densities to obtain a relation between the pressure exerted on the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201) and bulk density of the material (202). As apparent from Figure. 5, it is evident that the bulk density of the material (202) within the stamping unit (200) increases with the increase in the pressure exerted by the material (202) on to the wall (203) of the stamping unit (200).
In an embodiment, the relation between the bulk density of the compacted material (202) and the pressure exerted by the plurality of stamping members, may facilitate in determining the bulk density of the material (202) subjected to stamping online i.e. during dynamic process. In other words, the bulk density of the material (202) may be determined instantaneously and the stamping process may be stopped, once the desired bulk density of the material (202) is obtained.
In an embodiment, the system (200) for stamping the material (202) including one apparatus (100) for measuring the pressure exerted on wall (203) of the stamping unit (201), may not be construed as a limitation, as a number of apparatus (100) may be coupled to the stamping unit (201) based on the requirement. This may facilitate to determine entire bulk density profile of the material (202) in the entire stamping unit (201), without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the plurality of bearings (104) may be fluid bearings which may be positioned within the housing. The fluid bearings may facilitate no contact between the sliding surface, which results in zero sliding friction and, thus mitigating frictional energy losses occurring during displacement of the at least one plug (103). This may facilitate in transferring the entire pressure exerted on to the wall (203) of the stamping unit (201) to the at least one sensor (103).
In an embodiment, the system (200) of the present disclosure may facilitate in mitigating downtime due to halting of the stamping process each time for determining bulk density of the material subjected to compaction.

In an embodiment, the at least one plug (102) may be movably disposed on one or more railings within the housing (101). The one or more railings may be positioned between the wall (105) of the housing (101) and the at least one plug (102).

EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Referral Numerals Description
100 Apparatus
101 Housing
102 Plug
103 Sensor
104 Plurality of bearings
105 Wall of the housing
200 System
201 Stamping unit
202 Material
203 Wall of the stamping unit
204 Cavity of the stamping unit
205 Computing unit
206 Display unit