Abstract: In one embodiment, a permanent magnet rotor is provided. The permanent magnet rotor includes at least one permanent magnet and a substantially cylindrical rotor core including an outer edge and an inner edge defining a central opening. The rotor core includes a radius R, at least one pole, and at least one radial aperture extending radially though the rotor core from the outer edge to a predetermined depth less than the radius. The at least one radial aperture is configured to receive the at least one permanent magnet. The rotor further includes at least one protrusion extending into the at least one radial aperture, the at least one protrusion positioned substantially along a bottom of the at least one radial aperture and configured to facilitate retention of the at least one permanent magnet within the at least one radial aperture.

Abstract: A motor controller for a draft inducer motor that operates an inducer blower in a furnace is provided. The motor controller includes a communication interface operable to receive a signal from a system controller. The signal represents a command to operate the draft inducer motor. The motor controller includes a processor operable to operate the draft inducer motor in accordance with a predefined motor speed profile during at least one of an ignition stage and a combustion stage of the furnace.

Abstract: A dual stage blower assembly includes a first fan configured to rotate about the rotational axis and including a first plurality blades. The first plurality of blades include a plurality of backward curved blades. The dual stage blower assembly also includes a second fan circumscribing the first fan and configured to rotate about the rotational axis. The second fan includes a second plurality of blades, wherein the second plurality of blades include one of a plurality of forward curved blades, a plurality of a radial blades, or a plurality of backward curved blades. At least one motor is coupled to the first fan and the second fan and configured to rotate the first fan and the second fan about the rotational axis.

Abstract: A blower assembly includes a fan assembly configured to rotate about an axis and having a fan inlet ring that at least partially defines a fan inlet and a fan outlet. The blower assembly also includes a frame assembly coupled to the fan assembly and a recirculation damper coupled to the frame assembly. The recirculation damper and the fan inlet ring define an axial gap therebetween to reduce recirculation of an airflow discharged from the fan outlet.

Abstract: A blower assembly includes a housing including an inner shell and an outer shell that define a flow passage therebetween. The inner shell also at least partially defines a cavity. The blower assembly also includes a fan coupled within the housing such that the fan also at least partially defines the cavity. The blower assembly further includes a motor configured to rotate about an axis. The motor is coupled to the inner shell and is positioned within the cavity radially inward of the flow passage.

Abstract: A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A transfer module assembly includes a frame, a conveyor belt with internal rotating elements, where the conveyor belt is supported by the frame, conveyor drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the conveyor belt, a flat transfer belt mounted beneath the conveyor belt and configured to contact undersides of the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt in operation, and flat transfer belt drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the flat transfer belt. The conveyor drive rollers are friction-based and operate without use of a sprocket, and comprise depressions for receiving the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A motor controller having low standby power consumption is provided. The motor controller includes a direct current (DC) bus. The motor controller also includes a low-power supply. The motor controller also includes an inverter configured to control a supply of current to stator windings of a motor. The motor controller also includes a switch circuit coupled between the DC bus and the low-power supply. The motor controller also includes a switch controller coupled to the switch circuit and configured to be coupled to a system controller. The switch controller is configured to control the switch circuit to electrically decouple, in response to detecting an absence of a control signal from the system controller, the DC bus from the low-power supply.

Abstract: A fluid circulating assembly having a rotation axis is provided. The fluid circulating assembly includes a fan impeller including an inlet ring and a rear plate that together define a central fan chamber. The fluid circulating assembly also includes an electrical machine having a rotor assembly, a stator assembly, and at least one bearing assembly. The rotor assembly is coupled to the rear plate such that the electrical machine is located entirely outside the central fan chamber. The rotor assembly includes a hub portion having a radially inner wall that at least partially defines a central opening extending entirely through the electrical machine and oriented about the rotation axis such that the central opening does not include a shaft extending therethrough.

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 housing 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 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 combustion air blower includes a blower housing, an impeller fan within the blower housing, and an embossment to restrict airflow from the combustion air blower. The blower housing has a discharge conduit defining a discharge passageway. The discharge conduit is adapted and configured to receive a baffle such that, when the baffle is received, the baffle extends inwardly into the discharge passageway from a first wall towards a second wall opposite the first wall. The baffle restricts airflow within the discharge passageway. The embossment is in the discharge passageway and in the second wall and extends towards the first wall such that the embossment restricts airflow within the discharge passageway. The embossment cooperates with a baffle to provide a reduced cross sectional area of the discharge passageway in comparison to an upstream portion.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower assembly includes a scroll wall, a pair of opposing sidewalls, and an adjustable 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. The blower outlet defines a blower outlet area. The adjustable cutoff plate is adjustably positioned within the cutout to define a notch defining a notch area. The notch area and the blower outlet area define a total blower outlet area.

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 air handler blower assembly includes a blower housing containing a centrifugal fan and a motor mounted on the blower housing and connected to the fan. The blower housing has opposite first and second air inlet openings that are coaxial with the fan, and the first inlet opening is larger than the second inlet opening. The motor is mounted on the blower housing with the motor extending axially through the first inlet opening into the blower housing and into the interior of the fan. The positioning of the motor inside the blower housing and inside the fan reduces the overall axial dimension of the blower assembly. The larger first air inlet opening reduces the losses associated with placing the motor in the first air inlet opening while keeping the second air inlet opening at a smaller size than the first air inlet opening avoids creating buffeting noise and a power/efficiency loss from occurring.

Abstract: A fuse holder that includes a housing, which has a rotating fuse carrier that rotates about a pivot point between open and closed positions. The fuse carrier is configured to accept insertion of a fuse when in the open position, and configured to bring the fuse into electrical contact with a first and a second fuse clip when in the closed position. Additionally, the fuse carrier, when in the closed position, is further configured to orient the fuse so that the fuse is positioned more vertically than horizontally. In particular embodiments of the invention, the fuse carrier rotates about a pivot located in the housing.

Abstract: A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system that is repositionable along a track system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system that is repositionable along the track system between the infeed side and the pass-through side by attachment within one or more channels.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a motor assembly including a motor and a motor controller coupled to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor. The electric machine also includes a motor housing defining an interior space and enclosing the motor assembly within the interior space. The electric machine further includes an electric machine housing. The motor housing is enclosed within the electric machine housing. The electric machine also includes an NFC antenna communicatively coupled to the motor controller and mounted such that an antenna range of the NFC antenna extends on an exterior of the electric machine housing. The NFC antenna is configured to receive a signal relating to a user command from a handheld device and relay the signal to the motor controller. The motor controller is configured to adjust an operational parameter of the motor based at least partially on the user command.