Abstract: A sealed, rotatable shaft assembly includes a housing that defines a bore that extends from an area exterior to the housing to an area interior to the housing. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the housing about an axis of the bore. The shaft extends through the bore between the interior area and the exterior area. An annular lip seal is disposed in the bore and is attached to one of the shaft and the housing. The lip seal extends from the one of the shaft and the housing to the other of the shaft and the housing in a contact seal so that rotation of the shaft with respect to the housing wears the lip seal to form a zero-clearance non-contacting seal. A labyrinth seal stage extends between the shaft and the housing. The labyrinth seal stage is disposed outward of the lip seal, with respect to the interior area and in communication with the lip seal.

Abstract: A tool for driving an annular seal into a cavity defined by a shaft assembly housing that surrounds a rotatable shaft includes an elongated body having an interior cavity that opens at a first end of the body for receiving the shaft. The body defines an annular surface at the first end. The annular surface has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the rotatable shaft and forming a removable frictional seal with the inner diameter of the cavity.

Abstract: A rotating shaft assembly includes a housing that defines a bore that extends from an area exterior to the housing to an area interior to the housing. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the housing about an axis of the bore. The shaft extends through the bore between the interior and exterior areas. A lubricant retention area is axially outward of, and sealed from, the interior area. The retention is configured to collect lubricant from the interior area. A sump is in fluid communication with the interior area. A drain extends between the retention area and the sump. A check valve is disposed in the drain. The check valve is oriented to permit lubricant flow from the retention area to the sump and to prevent lubricant flow from the sump to the retention area.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator having a plurality of conductive windings radially spaced about a central axis. A rotor is located radially inward up the stator and is rotationally fixed with respect to a shaft along the central axis. The rotor and the stator are disposed in a frame. A heater is in operative communication with the windings. A thermostat is in operative communication with the heater and is configured to activate and deactivate the heater responsively to a motor temperature.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling is provided having a first shaft and a second shaft. A plurality of first magnets is in rotationally driving engagement with the first shaft and defines alternating polarity magnetic surfaces. A plurality of second magnets is in rotationally driving engagement with the second shaft and defines alternating polarity magnetic surfaces. The first and second magnet surfaces are separated by a gap so that rotation of one of the first magnets and second magnets urges synchronous rotation of the other. An electrically conductive member is in rotationally driving engagement with the second shaft and is disposed proximate to the first magnet surfaces so that rotation of the conductive member or the first magnets relative to the other induces electric current in the conductive member and urges asynchronous rotation of the other of the conductive member and the first magnets in the same rotational direction.

Abstract: An electric motor comprises a stator having a plurality of conductive windings radially spaced about a central axis. The motor includes a rotor located radially inward of the stator and rotationally fixed with respect to a shaft disposed along the central axis. The rotor defines an area in which, upon rotation of the rotor, a low pressure vacuum is created drawing air radially outward, with respect to the rotor, from the area. The rotor also includes an annular plate disposed at a transverse end of the rotor coaxial with the shaft. The annular plate defines at least one hole extending axially through the annular plate and in pneumatic communication with the area. The hole is configured so air is drawn by the low pressure vacuum through the hole to the area.

Abstract: An improved speed reducer assembly is provided. The assembly comprises an input shaft, an output shaft and a gear train interfacing the input shaft and the output shaft to effect a desired angular velocity ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft. A housing defines an interior area in which the gear train is disposed, the housing being configured to hold lubricant within the interior area. A pressure sensing device is mounted on the housing in communication with the interior area. The pressure sensing device is configured to output a pressure signal responsively to fluid pressure within the interior area. A second housing may be provided to sealingly enclose a portion of the pressure sensing device outside the speed reducer housing.