Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system includes a housing, a motor connected to the housing, a debris container, a filter assembly, and a stop. The housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and a receptacle. The motor is adapted to generate air flow through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The debris container is slidable into and out of the housing receptacle. The stop is connected to the housing and adapted to inhibit mounting the debris container when the filter assembly is absent from the debris container.

Abstract: A system and methods of controlling a powered anode are disclosed. The method includes varying an electrical power input driving the powered anode through a range of values of a first electrical parameter, the range defined by an upper range limit and a lower range limit and measuring a current value of a second electrical parameter of the electrical power input during the varying. The method also includes determining a slope between the measured current values of the first and corresponding second electrical parameters and measured previous values of the first and second electrical parameters and comparing the determined slope to a predetermined slope threshold range and applying the current value of a first electrical parameter to the electrical power input when a discontinuity in the slope is determined.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building is provided. A monitoring server, located remotely from the building, is configured to receive power consumption data and control signal data from a monitoring device at the building and to receive energy pricing data from a customer device associated with the HVAC system or a database that stores energy pricing data. The monitoring server is configured to determine energy cost data for segments of a selected time period based on the power consumption data, the control signal data, and the energy pricing data. The monitoring server is also configured to communicate the energy cost data to the customer device for display on the customer device.

Abstract: A control system for managing operation of a plurality of thermostats includes a server comprising a processor, a memory, and a communication interface. The memory device stores instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to display, on a display device of a computing device, a visual representation for each thermostat of the plurality of thermostats and one or more groups into which each of the plurality of thermostats is grouped, and further to assign an operating schedule to a group, apply the assigned operating schedule to each thermostat of the plurality of thermostats located in the group, and move one thermostat of the plurality of thermostats from a first group to a second group in response to a user dragging and dropping a visual representation of the thermostat on the display device from the first group to the second group.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system includes an upright vacuum cleaner operable in a cordless mode and a corded mode. The upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaning head for removing debris from a floor, a debris tube connected to the cleaning head for receiving the debris, and an electrical connection interface. The vacuum cleaning system also includes a battery and a power cord adapted for connection to the electrical connection interface. The upright vacuum cleaner operates in the cordless mode when the battery is connected to the electrical connection interface. The vacuum cleaner operates in the corded mode when the power cord is connected to the electrical connection interface.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for connecting vacuum cleaner accessories includes a plurality of teeth arranged axially along an outer surface of an outer attachment tube of a first vacuum cleaner accessory, and a locking tab positioned on an outer surface of an inner attachment tube of a second vacuum cleaner accessory. The locking tab includes a pivot extension extending radially outward from the outer surface of the second vacuum cleaner accessory, and a latch pivotably connected to the pivot extension. The latch includes a finger engagement portion and a latching portion located on opposite sides of the pivot extension. The latching portion includes a latch tooth that extends from a bottom surface of the latching portion. The latch tooth is positioned to engage the teeth upon insertion of the inner attachment tube into the outer attachment tube to secure the first vacuum cleaner accessory to the second vacuum cleaner accessory.

Abstract: A power system includes a rechargeable battery removably connected to a vacuum cleaner. The power system also includes a charger including an electrical connection interface to conduct electrical current to the rechargeable battery. The charger also includes a switch to detect when the rechargeable battery is connected to the charger. The switch is movable between an ON position and an OFF position. The switch is positioned in the ON position when the rechargeable battery is connected to the charger and in the OFF position when the rechargeable battery is disconnected from the charger. The charger further includes a housing supporting the electrical connection interface. The housing defines a groove and includes a barrier extending across the groove. The barrier prevents movement of the switch to the ON position when the rechargeable battery is disconnected from the charger.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaning head for removing debris from a floor, a debris tube connected to the cleaning head for receiving the debris, and a steering handle connected to the debris tube. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a hinge connecting the debris tube to the cleaning head such that the debris tube rotates relative to the cleaning head. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes braces to support the debris tube as the debris tube rotates relative to the cleaning head. The braces are disposed on opposite sides of the debris tube. Each brace includes a bearing connected to the cleaning head to allow the brace to rotate relative to the cleaning head.

Abstract: A power generation system for use with a gas fired appliance including a main burner and a gas supply line includes a pilot burner assembly for igniting gas supplied to the main burner and a controller. The pilot burner assembly includes a thermo-electric device configured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, and a pilot guard. The pilot guard has a first end defining a gas inlet and a second end defining a gas outlet. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the thermo-electric device, and control the supply of gas to the main burner based on the signal. The controller is powered by electrical energy generated by the thermo-electric device. The thermo-electric device has an internal resistance matched to a load resistance of the controller to facilitate maximum power transfer between the thermo-electric device and the controller.

Abstract: A control unit for a food waste disposer has a controller that determines operational status of the food waste disposer based on motor loading of an induction motor of the food waste disposer.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner assembly designed for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment such as those with at least one row of seats and a cargo area. The vacuum cleaner assembly preferably includes a power head, a collection drum or other container, and a hose. The powerhead of the present invention is powered by the vehicle's electrical system and is preferably mounted between exterior body panels and interior compartment panels of the vehicle. For example, the power head may be mounted between the exterior body panels and the interior compartment panels adjacent to, but not in the cargo area.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building includes a monitoring server. The monitoring server is configured to receive an aggregate control line current value from a monitoring device. The aggregate control line current value represents a total current flowing through control lines used by a thermostat to command the HVAC system. The monitoring server is configured to determine a commanded operating mode of the HVAC system in response to the aggregate control line current value. Operating modes of the HVAC system include at least one of an idle mode and an ON mode. The monitoring server is configured to analyze a system condition of the HVAC system based on the determined commanded operating mode.

Abstract: A device and associated system for threading, cutting, and reaming pipe ends. The device and system utilize a brushless DC electric motor. The devices also include on-board electronics and operator interface(s) to provide sophisticated control and information as to the various operations. Methods of operating the devices and several different modes for performing various operations.

Abstract: Upright vacuum cleaners that include a switch that detects whether a removable filter assembly has been connected to the vacuum cleaner are disclosed. In some embodiments, the upright vacuum cleaner includes a capacitor for protecting the switch from voltage transients.

Abstract: A circulator blower controller for a circulator blower of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building includes an interface configured to receive a demand signal with an operating mode from a thermostat. A switching circuit selectively connects power to a tap of a motor of the circulator blower. A data store configured to store a mapping from a speed to the tap. For each tap, a processor observes power consumed by the circulator blower while power is connected to the tap by the switching circuit. The processor determines the mapping by sorting the taps based on observed power consumption. The processor selects a first speed based on the demand signal from the thermostat. The processor identifies a first tap from the mapping based on the first speed and generates the tap selection signal to control the switching circuit to connect power to the first tap.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a gas fuel valve control circuit are disclosed. The gas valve control circuit includes a gas valve assembly configured to control a flow of a fuel gas to a load and a switch assembly including a switch in each leg of a plurality of legs of a power supply to the gas valve assembly. The switch assembly is configured to supply power and a return to the gas valve assembly in a first position and to open the plurality of legs of the power supply to the gas valve assembly in a second position. The switch assembly is configured to indicate a position of the switch assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a canister, a power head connected to a top of the canister, an inlet defined by one of the canister and the power head, an outlet defined by one of the canister and the power head, and a pre-filter bag disposed within the canister and fluidly connected between the inlet and the outlet. The power head includes an impeller assembly operable to generate airflow through the canister from the inlet to the outlet. The pre-filter bag includes an inlet port connected to the inlet, a radial inner wall, and a radial outer wall. The radial inner wall and the radial outer wall at least partially define an internal cavity and extend circumferentially about a central axis of the pre-filter bag such that the internal cavity forms a continuous, closed loop.

Abstract: According to some aspects of the present disclosure, example stator assemblies for three phase dynamoelectric machines and related winding methods are disclosed. An example stator assembly generally includes a non-segmented stator core including a stator yoke and a plurality of teeth. The stator assembly also includes a plurality of coil portions electrically coupled in a delta winding pattern, and including a first coil portion extending around a first one of the plurality of teeth and a second coil portion extending around a second one of the plurality of teeth. The stator assembly further includes a plurality of connection portions including a first connection portion extending between the first coil portion and the second coil portion and electrically coupling the first coil portion and the second coil portion. The first coil portion, the second coil portion and the first connection portion are defined by a continuous length of winding wire.