Abstract: A system for controlling thermal comfort in a space is provided with variable mode of operation. This system may include a conditioner for conditioning air in the space, and a sensor for measuring a temperature in the space. A controller is provided for controlling the conditioner based on the temperature sensed by the sensor, and a fan for circulating air within the space is regulated based on the temperature sensed by the sensor. A related system for controlling a fan based on height is also provided, as is a system and method for easily and efficiently determining the height of a fan using a simple camera, such as one on a “smart” phone. A further aspect pertains to a controller, such as for example a portable handheld device, having a user interface adapted for suggesting an increase in a set point temperature of a thermostat based on the selected speed of the fan.

Abstract: A ceiling fan includes a hub adapted to be rotated, such as by an onboard motor in a low-profile motor housing. One or more fan blades are adapted to extend radially from the hub. At least one magnet is provided for coupling at least one fan blade to the hub. A hinge may connect the at least one fan blade to the hub, and may be located radially outwardly of overlapping portions of the fan blade and hub. In this manner, the blade may be adapted to extend radially from the hub when deployed and generally vertically when stowed, but in a deployed configuration, the radial extension overlies and contacts at least a portion of the fan blade along an overlapping region, but does not contact the portion of the at least one stowable fan blade when stowed. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming an axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motor. The apparatus includes a stator assembly including a plurality of stator poles spaced about a stator shaft, each comprising a winding. Adjacent pairs of stator poles have a spacing in a circumferential direction approximately equal to or greater than a width of the stator pole. A rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor poles of alternating magnetic polarity arranged for electrically communicating with the windings of the stator assembly. The ratio of stator poles to rotor poles may be less than 4:6 or, more specifically, less than or equal to about 1:2.

Abstract: A system for controlling thermal comfort in a space is provided with variable mode of operation. This system may include a conditioner for conditioning air in the space, and a sensor for measuring a temperature in the space. A controller is provided for controlling the conditioner based on the temperature sensed by the sensor, and a fan for circulating air within the space is regulated based on the temperature sensed by the sensor. A related system for controlling a fan based on height is also provided, as is a system and method for easily and efficiently determining the height of a fan using a simple camera, such as one on a “smart” phone. A further aspect pertains to a controller, such as for example a portable handheld device, having a user interface adapted for suggesting an increase in a set point temperature of a thermostat based on the selected speed of the fan.

Abstract: A system for controlling thermal comfort in a space is provided with a variable mode of operation. The system may include a conditioner for conditioning air in the space, and a sensor for measuring a temperature in the space. A controller is provided for controlling the conditioner based on the temperature sensed by the sensor, and a fan for circulating air within the space is regulated based on the temperature sensed by the sensor. A related system for controlling a fan based on height is also provided, as is a system and method for easily and efficiently determining the height of a fan using a simple camera, such as one on a “smart” phone. A further aspect pertains to a controller, such as for example a portable handheld device, having a user interface adapted for suggesting an increase in a set point temperature of a thermostat based on the selected speed of the fan.

Abstract: A ceiling fan includes a hub adapted to be rotated, such as by an onboard motor in a low-profile motor housing. One or more fan blades are adapted to extend radially from the hub. At least one magnet is provided for coupling at least one fan blade to the hub. A hinge may connect the at least one fan blade to the hub, and may be located radially outwardly of overlapping portions of the fan blade and hub. In this manner, the blade may be adapted to extend radially from the hub when deployed and generally vertically when stowed, but in a deployed configuration, the radial extension overlies and contacts at least a portion of the fan blade along an overlapping region, but does not contact the portion of the at least one stowable fan blade when stowed. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A ceiling fan comprising: a fan motor and blade assembly, a mounting tube for suspending the fan motor and blade assembly from a ceiling, and a power supply mounted within the mounting tube configured to power the fan motor. Also a ceiling fan comprising a moulded stator frame, a raised turret integrally moulded within the frame configured to enclose and mount a motor controller, and an external user changeable auxiliary module. Also ceiling fan comprising: a totally enclosed safety extra low voltage fan motor assembly configured to be suspended from an upper side, and a sealing arrangement within the assembly providing a substantial degree of ingress protection against dust and water incident from at least an under side. Also a method comprising providing a ceiling fan comprising moulded stator frame, and mounting an external user changeable auxiliary module to a raised turret integrally moulded within the frame.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a silicon oligomer having a novel function that has not been achieved by a conventional condensation product of water and a tetraalkoxysilane. Provided are a silicon oligomer represented by the following formula (I) and a production method therefor: wherein R1 to R10 each independently is an alkyl group or a hydroxyalkyl group, each having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; X1 to X3 each independently is a group represented by the following formula (II); n is 0 or 1; and m is an integer of 1 to 3 when n is 0, and m is 1 when n is 1: wherein A is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms which may be branched, and 1 is an integer of 1 to 3.

Abstract: A ceiling fan comprising: a fan motor and blade assembly, a mounting tube for suspending the fan motor and blade assembly from a ceiling, and a power supply mounted within the mounting tube configured to power the fan motor. Also a ceiling fan comprising a moulded stator frame, a raised turret integrally moulded within the frame configured to enclose and mount a motor controller, and an external user changeable auxiliary module. Also ceiling fan comprising: a totally enclosed safety extra low voltage fan motor assembly configured to be suspended from an upper side, and a scaling arrangement within the assembly providing a substantial degree of ingress protection against dust and water incident from at least an under side. Also a method comprising providing a ceiling fan comprising moulded stator frame, and mounting an external user changeable auxiliary module to a raised turret integrally moulded within the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming an axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motor. The apparatus includes a stator assembly including a plurality of stator poles spaced about a stator shaft, each comprising a winding. Adjacent pairs of stator poles have a spacing in a circumferential direction approximately equal to or greater than a width of the stator pole. A rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor poles of alternating magnetic polarity arranged for electrically communicating with the windings of the stator assembly. The ratio of stator poles to rotor poles may be less than 4:6 or, more specifically, less than or equal to about 1:2.

Abstract: A device constructed of a lightweight plastic or similar material, in a precast molded form, that the user attaches to the shoulder segment of a clothes hanger; adjusting the device allows the hanger to be extended to varying lengths. The device, as designed, is a solution that will prevent an article of clothing, i.e. shirts, sweaters, and fine clothing from developing embarrassing shoulder horns, a.k.a. shoulder nipples, such as those, created by a typical wire hanger when an article of clothing remains hung for an extended time. The device is especially useful for people with wide and broad shoulders, whereby a pair of the device, when placed on a hanger, can be adjusted by sliding the device along the shoulder segment of the hanger, giving the user the option to extend and adjust the hanger to a desired length.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a silicon oligomer having a novel function that has not been achieved by a conventional condensation product of water and a tetraalkoxysilane. Provided are a silicon oligomer represented by the following formula (I) and a production method therefor: wherein R1 to R10 each independently is an alkyl group or a hydroxyalkyl group, each having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; X1 to X3 each independently is a group represented by the following formula (II); n is 0 or 1; and m is an integer of 1 to 3 when n is 0, and m is 1 when n is 1: wherein A is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms which may be branched, and 1 is an integer of 1 to 3.

Abstract: A system for controlling thermal comfort in a space is provided with a variable mode of operation. The system may include a conditioner for conditioning air in the space, and a sensor for measuring a temperature in the space. A controller is provided for controlling the conditioner based on the temperature sensed by the sensor, and a fan for circulating air within the space is regulated based on the temperature sensed by the sensor. A related system for controlling a fan based on height is also provided, as is a system and method for easily and efficiently determining the height of a fan using a simple camera, such as one on a “smart” phone. A further aspect pertains to a controller, such as for example a portable handheld device, having a user interface adapted for suggesting an increase in a set point temperature of a thermostat based on the selected speed of the fan.

Abstract: A method of coating a metallic article having an at least part-metallic surface comprising a first metal, with a surface having a pre-determined wettability, the method at least comprising the steps of: (a) coating at least a part of the metallic article with a layer of a second metal to provide a metal-metal bonded surface, said surface being rough either prior to or because of step (a); and (b) contacting the metal-metal bonded surface of step (a) with a material to provide the surface having the pre-determined wettability. The first metal may be one or more of the group comprising: iron, zinc, copper, tin, nickel and aluminum, and alloys thereof including steel, brass, bronze and nitinol for example. Preferably, the second metal is coated onto the first metal using electroless Galvanic deposition.