Abstract: A bearing lubricator for lubricating a plurality of device bearings in a device includes a solitary monitored bearing and at least one unmonitored bearing. The bearing lubricator includes a reservoir configured to contain lubricant, a plurality of conduits connecting the reservoir to the plurality of bearing, and a mechanism connected to the reservoir for advancing the lubricant from the reservoir to the plurality of device bearings when actuated. The bearing lubricator further includes a solitary sensor for sensing a variable of the monitored bearing and a controller. The controller stores a triggering value of the variable of the monitored bearing. The mechanism advances a substantially identical quantity of the lubricant from the reservoir to each of the plurality of bearings when a signal indicative of the variable is advanced to the controller and when that signal indicates the triggering value of the variable has been met.

Abstract: A stator assembly includes an annular body extending about a central axis and a plurality of stator teeth extending axially from the annular body and spaced circumferentially about the annular body. The stator assembly includes at least one conduction coil and at least one bobbin configured to support the at least one conduction coil. The at least one bobbin is coupled to a first stator tooth such that the at least one conduction coil extends about the first stator tooth. The stator assembly further includes at least one insulation member configured to couple to a second stator tooth and extend into a slot between the second stator tooth and the at least one conduction coil. The at least one insulation member includes an end wall configured to cover the distal end of the second stator tooth when the at least one insulation member is coupled to the second stator tooth.

Abstract: A motor controller for a burner system includes an inverter that supplies current to a motor that rotates a draft inducer fan. A processor is coupled to the inverter and receives a signal from a system controller, and in response instructs the inverter to supply a first current, during a first period, to the motor to rotate the fan to produce a first mass flow through the burner system, the first mass flow having a first mass flow rate greater than a threshold to actuate a vacuum switch. The processor then instructs the inverter to supply a second current, during a second period starting at an expiration of the first period, to the motor to rotate the fan to produce a second mass flow through the burner system, the second mass flow having a target mass flow rate for normal operation of the burner.

Abstract: A blower assembly for advancing the flow of air in an air flow device at a selected one of a plurality of air flow rates. The blower assembly includes a blower housing defining a body thereof and a wall of the blower housing moveably secured to the body, a blower wheel rotatably mounted to the blower housing and a motor for rotating the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. The blower assembly further includes a motion device secured to the body and to the wall. The motion device moves the wall relative to the body to a selected one of a plurality of distinct wall positions. The motor rotates the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. A controller calculates an optimum wall position and rotational speed to provide for minimal energy usage rate.

Abstract: An electric blower system is described. The blower system includes a blower, an airflow system, a sensor, and an electric motor. The electric motor includes a motor controller. The motor controller is configured to operate the motor at a first torque and a first speed to generate a first airflow, determine a first airflow value wherein the first airflow value, the first torque, and the first speed define a first benchmark data point. The motor controller is also configured to operate the motor at a second torque and a second speed to generate a second airflow and determine a second airflow value wherein the second airflow value, the second torque, and the second speed define a second benchmark data point. The motor controller is further configured to generate an operating profile for the blower system defining torque, speed, and airflow points for different system resistances.

Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor includes an enclosure and a processing device, memory device, and communication interface disposed within the enclosure. The processing device is configured to control the electric motor and collect operating information from the electric motor during operation of the electric motor. The memory device is communicatively coupled to the processing device. The memory device is configured to receive and store the operating information collected during operation of the electric motor. The communication interface is communicatively coupled to the processing device and the memory device, and is configured to enable access to the operating information stored on the memory device by a computing device disposed remotely from the electric motor.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower assembly includes a scroll wall, a pair of opposing sidewalls, and a cutoff plate. The scroll wall is positioned between the pair of opposing sidewalls such that the scroll wall and opposing sidewalls together define a blower chamber and a blower outlet. The scroll wall extends circumferentially between a cutoff point to an end point and defines a cutout extending circumferentially from the cutoff point. The scroll wall, the pair of opposing sidewalls, and the cutoff point define a blower outlet, wherein the blower outlet defines a blower outlet area. The cutoff plate extends circumferentially from the end point. The cutoff plate defines a notch defining a notch area, the notch area and the blower outlet area define a total blower outlet area, wherein the notch includes a center portion that defines a portion of an elliptical shape.

Abstract: A fuse holder for holding a fuse is provided that includes a body, a line side connector supported by the body, and a load side connector supported by the body. The fuse holder also includes a toggle switch supported by the body and capable of toggled engagement in a first position that provides electrical connection. The switch is also capable of toggled engagement in a second position that provides electrical isolation between the line side connector and the load side connector. The fuse holder also includes a fuse carrier. The fuse carrier is supported by the body and adapted for holding the fuse and the fuse carrier is adapted to be removed from the fuse holder. The fuse holder includes a blocking device blocking the toggled engagement of the switch from the second position to the first position when the fuse carrier is not within the fuse holder.

Abstract: A lamination for use in an electric machine stator includes a body having a generally circular outer periphery and a generally circular inner periphery, spaced from the outer periphery and a plurality of spaced apart teeth extending inwardly from the circular inner periphery. Each of said teeth define opposed inner edges thereof. The lamination includes a first pair of tips extending tangentially in opposed directions from the inner edge of one of said teeth and a second pair of tips extending tangentially in opposed directions from the inner edges of another one of said teeth. A tip of the first pair of tips and a tip of the second pair of tips define a first configuration having a first gap therebetween and defining a second configuration having a second gap therebetween. The first gap being substantially less than the second gap.

Abstract: A blower housing comprises first and second blower housing pieces for surrounding a blower fan. The first blower housing piece comprises a blower discharge section comprising an inner tubular portion, an outer tubular portion, and a drain hole. The inner tubular portion defines a blower discharge passage. The inner and outer tubular portions define an exhaust pipe cavity adapted to receive an end margin of an exhaust pipe. The tubular portions are adapted to enable condensate water that forms on the inner surface of the exhaust pipe to flow into the exhaust pipe cavity. The drain hole extends through the outer tubular portion. The drain hole is configured to enable condensate water flowing into the exhaust pipe cavity to drain from the blower housing. The first blower housing piece is a molded one-piece member.

Abstract: A DIN clip apparatus with a housing in which components are disposed. The housing has a bottom edge which abuts the DIN rail when the apparatus is mounted thereon. A DIN clip is attached to the bottom edge of the housing. The DIN clip includes a DIN clip body that is disposed to a first side of a DIN rail. The DIN clip body has a first end which is closest to the DIN rail, and a second end which is farthest from the DIN rail. A DIN clip arm is pivotally attached to the first end of the DIN clip body. The DIN clip arm is configured to span the width of the DIN rail and to pivotally transition between locked and unlocked positions. The DIN clip arm is configured to attach to a second side of the DIN rail opposite the first side, when in the locked position.

Abstract: An electric motor system is described. The electric motor system includes a drive circuit configured to supply variable frequency current and a contactor configured to supply line frequency current, wherein the drive circuit includes a three-phase inverter and an H-bridge including two phases of the inverter. The electric motor system also includes an electric motor and a controller. The controller is configured to control the inverter to supply variable frequency current to the electric motor over a first duration and determine to control the drive circuit to transition from supplying variable frequency current to supplying line frequency current. The controller is also configured to determine a polarity of a sensed alternating current (AC) voltage, disable at least two switches of the H-bridge, and control the contactor to close, thereby preventing the contactor and the inverter from energizing the electric motor at the same time once the contactor is closed.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes an electric motor, a fan assembly coupled to the electric motor and configured to rotate therewith about an axis. The fan assembly includes a hub including a cylindrical portion having an inlet end and an outlet end, the hub further including an inlet surface coupled to the inlet end. The fan assembly also includes a plurality of blades coupled to an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion, wherein the inlet surface is tapered to direct an inlet airflow toward the plurality of blades.

Abstract: A blower assembly includes a fan including a front plate that defines a fan inlet. The blower assembly also includes an inlet plate positioned adjacent the fan such that the inlet plate and the front plate define a cavity therebetween that extends circumferentially about the fan inlet. A motor is coupled to the fan and to the inlet plate and configured to rotate about the rotational axis. The motor is positioned within the cavity.

Abstract: A draft inducer blower assembly for use with a water heater has a housing, a motor, and a fan. The housing has an exhaust volute surrounding the fan and a base adapted to be mounted atop a water heater. The base has an inlet port adapted to receive exhaust gas from the water heater. The fan is connected to the motor for rotation about a rotation axis. The exhaust volute and the base are non-adjustably fixed relative to each other. The exhaust volute has a cut-off at a cut-off angle relative to the rotation axis. The exhaust volute has an exhaust outlet passageway that extends to an exhaust port. The exhaust port is lower than the top of the exhaust volute.

Abstract: A bearing assembly may include an integral sensor module retained within a bore in the bearing housing. The sensor module includes at least one strain gauge oriented to sense a compressive load acting on the bearing housing. The sensor module may be retained within the bore under an axial compressive load. The sensor module may include a power source and a wired or wireless communications module for transmitting information indicative of the compressive load to an external instrument or other system.

Abstract: Electric motors and drive circuits therefor are described herein. The drive circuit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The drive circuit includes an inverter configured to regulate current to a first winding and a second winding of the electric motor in the first mode of operation and to only the first winding in the second mode of operation. The drive circuit also includes a first switch coupled to the second winding and configured to supply line frequency current to the second winding at a first node in the second mode of operation, and a second switch coupled to the second winding and configured to enable selection of regulating current to the second winding using the inverter in the first mode of operation or supplying the line frequency current directly to the second winding in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A blower assembly having a blower housing, an impeller fan within the blower housing, the impeller fan being adapted for rotation about an axis and having a plurality of impeller blades and having an axial length, a motor having a stator and a rotor, the motor having an axial length, the rotor being configured to rotate relative to the stator for rotation about the axis, the rotor and the impeller fan being coupled so that the impeller fan rotates with the rotor about the axis, wherein a ratio of the axial length of the motor to the axial length of the impeller fan is less than 0.3, and a motor support bracket operatively securing the stator to one of the first and second side walls of the blower housing.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes a pump housing having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a fluid channel defined therebetween. The pump assembly also includes an impeller positioned within the fluid channel and configured to channel a fluid between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The pump assembly also includes a motor assembly having a shaft coupled to the rear plate, wherein the shaft defines a first fluid cavity coupled in flow communication with an opening in the rear plate to enable fluid flow into the shaft. The motor assembly also includes a motor housing having a back plate positioned relative to the impeller rear plate to define a second fluid cavity therebetween. The motor assembly further includes a stator assembly coupled to the back plate and positioned opposite the second fluid cavity such that the fluid facilitates cooling the stator assembly.