Abstract: A fan/motor assembly having an integrated brush support and bearing retainer is disclosed. The fan/motor assembly includes a rotatable shaft, a working air fan coupled to the shaft, and a motor bracket and baffle assembly interposed between the working air fan and the motor assembly. The motor bracket and baffle assembly retains a bearing which rotatably receives the shaft and provides integral brush boxes for the motor assembly.

Abstract: A fault detection circuit that includes a controllable switch coupling a power source to a load. Control circuitry is provided that determines if the switch is in the proper conduction state based on a switch control signal and a signal indicative of power delivered to the load. If the switch is determined as improperly closed (conducting), the control circuitry diverts energy delivered to the load through fuse circuitry, thereby blowing a fuse and decoupling the load from the power source. In preferred embodiments, logic circuitry determines the relative states of the control switch and the load and generates a control signal to divert energy away from the load and blow a fuse.

Abstract: A programmable limit switch includes output channels for receiving position data, each position value of the position data representing an incremental advance of a workpiece through a production field, and for producing actuation signals. The channels are connectable to respective output devices responsive to the respective actuation signals and located in the field. Each output channel has an output controller, which is individually programmable to change the state of respective actuation signals in response to reaching selected position values. Preferably, the PLS includes input connectors coupled to a respective channel and connectable to respective input devices located within the production field. Each channel operates its own inputs and outputs according to a variety of programmed functions depending upon system conditions seen by the output controller.

Abstract: A high-temperature connectorized thermocouple probe assembly for use in land gas turbine environments consistent with the present invention comprises a thermocouple junction having a plurality of conductors, a high temperature connector having at least one conductor, a length of cable having at least one conductor coupling at least one of the conductors of the thermocouple junction with at least one conductor of the high temperature connector; and a bushing disposed around the length of cable. In a further aspect, a land gas turbine system consistent with the present invention comprises a land gas turbine and a thermocouple probe assembly disposed at least partly within the land gas turbine, wherein the thermocouple probe assembly comprises a thermocouple junction and a high temperature connector coupled to the thermocouple junction, and wherein the thermocouple probe assembly is removably connected to, or is adapted for removable connection to, the land gas turbine via the high temperature connector.

Abstract: A temperature measuring device comprises a thermocouple junction having a plurality of conductors and a length of cable having at least one conductor coupling to at least one of the conductors of the thermocouple junction, wherein at least one the conductor in the length of cable comprises an iron, copper, constantan, or nickel-based alloy material having a grain size number of four or greater, measured by a grain size method defined by ASTM E112. The use of such a small grain size prevents fracture of the conductors. The length of cable may comprise mineral insulated cable, and the conductors in the length of cable may be of type K or type N.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for automatically setting a threshold for a point level device without having a user select whether a point level element is covered or uncovered. A first and second value is measured from a point level element. Whether the point level element is covered or uncovered is determined based on whether the second measured value has increased or decreased with respect to the first measured value. A threshold value is determined based on at least one of the first and second measured values.

Abstract: A level detection apparatus includes a wave guide or discrete sensors mounted in an outer flexible housing. A weight is attached to a distal end of the outer housing. A biasing spring is coupled to the opposite end of the outer housing for exerting a force on the outer housing to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the outer housing to maintain the weight in close proximity to the bottom surface of an enclosure in which the apparatus is mounted.

Abstract: A bypass motor fan assembly having an integral vent cover retention clip includes a motor assembly having a motor bracket which carries at least a pair of motor brushes. A vent cover is coupled to the motor assembly and is retained by the clip. The integral clip is secured to the motor bracket for slidably retaining a motor brush and for retaining the vent cover to the motor bracket. The vent cover includes a pair of brush caps having a ledge and a downwardly extending rim. The integral clip includes a deflectable finger which is engaged by the ledge. The integral clip further includes a brush clamp having a top member, wherein the deflectable finger extends from the top member. The deflectable finger has a deflection section, wherein the rim initially engages the deflection section and the deflection section engages the ledge after the rim clears the deflection section. A method for assembling the vent cover to the motor assembly using the clip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fan/motor assembly having an integrated brush support and bearing retainer is disclosed. The fan/motor assembly includes a rotatable shaft, a working air fan coupled to the shaft, and a motor bracket and baffle assembly interposed between the working air fan and the motor assembly. The motor bracket and baffle assembly retains a bearing which rotatably receives the shaft and provides integral brush boxes for the motor assembly.

Abstract: A thermocouple probe assembly is provided that includes at least one ball bushing placed along the length of the assembly to dampen vibrations and thereby reduce mechanical stress on the assembly. A rake thermocouple is provided that includes a plurality of probe tubes arranged parallel to one another, and each probe assembly is placed into an individual probe tube. Each probe tube has a window defined therein, and an air inlet port extending from the window generally perpendicular to the probe tube. The rake also includes a mated end cap and cup bushing with a defined gap between the inside diameter of the cup bushing and the outside diameter of the end cap to further dampen mechanical stress on the rake.

Abstract: A motor assembly having improved flux density includes a field assembly and an armature assembly rotatably received by the field assembly. The field assembly includes a plurality of like laminations stacked upon each other wherein each field lamination comprises a pair of substantially parallel bracket sides, and a pair of substantially parallel yoke sides which are substantially perpendicular to the pair of bracket sides. Corner pieces connect the yoke sides to the bracket sides wherein the corner pieces are angularly directed between about 40° to about 50° with respect to the yoke sides and the bracket sides. A yoke extends inwardly from each yoke side to form an armature opening therebetween for rotatably receiving the armature assembly.

Abstract: An encapsulated stator assembly includes a plurality of like laminations stacked in registration with one another. Each lamination contacts at least one adjacent lamination, but none of them are integrally connected in any way to any other lamination. A single covering layer partially encloses and maintains in registration the plurality of like laminations. At least one post with a deflectable head extends from the covering layer. A motor assembly having a rotor assembly coupled with the stator assembly partially encapsulated by a covering layer is mountable to a control circuit board by inserting the deflectable heads into an appropriate receptacle on the circuit board. The motor assembly is used to operate a fan assembly carried by a housing. The method of molding a covering layer over the plurality of laminations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A high-temperature connectorized thermocouple probe assembly for use in land gas turbine environments consistent with the present invention comprises a thermocouple junction having a plurality of conductors, a high temperature connector having at least one conductor, a length of cable having at least one conductor coupling at least one of the conductors of the thermocouple junction with at least one conductor of the high temperature connector; and a bushing disposed around the length of cable. In a further aspect, a land gas turbine system consistent with the present invention comprises a land gas turbine and a thermocouple probe assembly disposed at least partly within the land gas turbine, wherein the thermocouple probe assembly comprises a thermocouple junction and a high temperature connector coupled to the thermocouple junction, and wherein the thermocouple probe assembly is removably connected to, or is adapted for removable connection to, the land gas turbine via the high temperature connector.

Abstract: A fan/motor assembly having an integrated brush support and bearing retainer is disclosed. The fan/motor assembly includes a rotatable shaft, a working air fan coupled to the shaft, and a motor bracket and baffle assembly interposed between the working air fan and the motor assembly. The motor bracket and baffle assembly retains a bearing which rotatably receives the shaft and provides integral brush boxes for the motor assembly.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a motor-fan unit including a motor assembly having a shaft, a commutator supported on the shaft, and a pair of brushes in electrical contact with the commutator, a fan assembly having an impeller coupled to the shaft, an end plate assembly located between the impeller and the motor assembly, said end plate assembly including a plate portion defining an opening throughwhich the shaft passes, wherein said commutator is located near the opening, and a pair of brush retainers adapted to receive the brushes formed on the plate portion adjacent said commutator, the brush retainers opening toward the fan assembly.

Abstract: A motor assembly having improved flux density includes a field assembly and an armature assembly rotatably received by the field assembly. The field assembly includes a plurality of like laminations stacked upon each other wherein each field lamination comprises a pair of substantially parallel bracket sides, and a pair of substantially parallel yoke sides which are substantially perpendicular to the pair of bracket sides. Corner pieces connect the yoke sides to the bracket sides wherein the corner pieces are angularly directed between about 40° to about 50° with respect to the yoke sides and the bracket sides. A yoke extends inwardly from each yoke side to form an armature opening therebetween for rotatably receiving the armature assembly.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a motor-fan unit including a motor assembly having a shaft, a commutator supported on the shaft, and a pair of brushes in electrical contact with the commutator, a fan assembly having an impeller coupled to the shaft, an end plate assembly located between the impeller and the motor assembly, said end plate assembly including a plate portion defining an opening throughwhich the shaft passes, wherein said commutator is located near the opening, and a pair of brush retainers adapted to receive the brushes formed on the plate portion adjacent said commutator, the brush retainers opening toward the fan assembly.

Abstract: A bypass motor fan assembly having an integral vent cover retention clip includes a motor assembly having a motor bracket which carries at least a pair of motor brushes. A vent cover is coupled to the motor assembly and is retained by the clip. The integral clip is secured to the motor bracket for slidably retaining a motor brush and for retaining the vent cover to the motor bracket. The vent cover includes a pair of brush caps having a ledge and a downwardly extending rim. The integral clip includes a deflectable finger which is engaged by the ledge. The integral clip further includes a brush clamp having a top member, wherein the deflectable finger extends from the top member. The deflectable finger has a deflection section, wherein the rim initially engages the deflection section and the deflection section engages the ledge after the rim clears the deflection section. A method for assembling the vent cover to the motor assembly using the clip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bypass motor assembly includes a motor having a rotatable shaft, a working air fan secured to the rotatable shaft and a shroud having an intake eyelet and at least one exhaust apertures. The assembly includes an end bracket having a shaft hole through which the shaft extends. The end bracket and the shroud partially enclose the working air fan, wherein rotation of the working air fan draws air in through the intake eyelet and pushes the air through the plurality of exhaust apertures, the end bracket having a plurality of vanes that form a fan chamber that receives the working air fan such that air expelled by the working air fan is efficiently re-directed by the vanes toward the exhaust aperture. An air intake seal can be disposed between the shroud and the working air fan to further enhance the working air flow.

Abstract: A closed-loop blower includes a blower assembly having a motorized fan that draws ambient air in through an inlet and exhausts air out an outlet. A control circuit is coupled to the motorized fan and a pressure sensing device near the outlet measures pressure of the exhaust air and generates a pressure signal. The control circuit receives the pressure signal and adjusts the speed of the motorized fan to obtain a desired pressure at the outlet. Temperature and motor speed readings may also be detected and input to the control circuit to adjust the speed of the motor and thus the fan. An input device may be provided to adjust the desired pressure values or the control circuit may be programmed with the desired value.