Abstract: A process and system for purifying molten metal utilize a filter holder which has a spring-loaded clasp for releasably engaging a filter component. The filter holder is particularly well-suited to engaging and releasing a fabric filter having a frame surrounding its perimeter. The process involves releasing the filter component from the filter holder by inserting the filter component into a tapered recess of a mold composite. Another mold composite is mated over the filter component and forms a molten metal flow path, across which the filter is disposed. Then, a feed stream of molten metal is introduced to the flow path and through the filter. An advantage of the filter holder is that the spring tension within the filter holder can be adjusted to allow secure travel before insertion into the tapered recess and easy release of the filter component after insertion is complete.

Abstract: A sludge blanket level is determined in a waste water treatment clarifier using sonic pulse reflections. Additionally, using similar techniques, the clarity of the waste water is determined. A sonic pulse is directed into the waste water. Echos are generated as the pulse encounters the impedance mismatches indicative of changes in the density of the water. The echos are compensated for attenuation as a function of travel time through the water, energy lost due to prior peak reflections, and are processed to remove random signals using correlation techniques. A sludge blanket is selected from the compensated echo signal as a function of the size and location of echo peaks. Additionally, the clarity is determined as a function of the area under the echo signal between two points corresponding to predefined levels in the clarifier tank.

Abstract: An illumination source transmits light through a transmitting light pipe to an optical switch. A first receiving light pipe is aligned with and spaced from the first transmitting light pipe to form a first gap therebetween. The switch includes a switch cap adapted to be disposed in a first position and in a second position. A first light transmitting tower is coupled to the switch cap and extends from the switch cap into the first gap when the switch cap is disposed in at least one of the first position and the second position. A first opaque blade extends from the switch cap and adjacent to the first light transmitting tower and is adapted to extend into the first gap to prevent light from being transmitted to the first end of the first receiving light pipe in one of the first position or the second position. In other embodiments, a switch and a method for using the switch enable illumination of only a portion of the switch cap regardless of the switch position.

Abstract: A bypass motor/fan assembly for use in applications where moisture laden air is encountered. A motor with a motor cooling fan has a fan end bracket received at one end thereof to isolate the motor and motor cooling fan from a working air fan received on the opposite side of the fan end bracket. A diffuser matingly engages with the fan end bracket. The diffuser and fan end bracket have ramped surfaces thereon which are circumferentially aligned with the working air fan. The ramped surfaces define air flow paths of uniform cross section which pass to exhaust ports which are circumferentially spaced about a fan shell which is received over the fan end brackets, diffuser and working air fan. The fan shell has an air intake aperture at an end thereof. Air passes from the air intake aperture, into the eye of the work air fan, and out of the fan at the circumference thereof into the air paths of uniform cross section and to the exhaust ports.

Abstract: A molded through-flow motor assembly has a motor housing, including a cup portion and a flange portion. The flange portion includes a plurality of ramp surfaces extending outwardly therefrom. The cup portion has a field retaining wall and guide rib extending inwardly therefrom on opposite sides of the housing. A diffuser plate is provided having a plurality of scalloped ramp surfaces on a first side thereof adjacent to a plurality of air inlet apertures which open into air chambers on the second side thereof. The field and armature portions of a motor assembly are mounted in the motor housing and the diffuser plate is fitted to the flange portion of the housing such that the ramp surfaces abut one another to form a continuous ramp surface from each air inlet aperture into the air chambers. A rotating fan member is mounted to the armature shaft and is housed within a shroud cover fitted to the motor housing.

Abstract: A motor frame assembly includes a motor housing having an end, a fan end bracket having a bracket shiplap, and a blower assembly having a blower shiplap. The end, the bracket shiplap and the blower shiplap alignable with each other to form a nested connection that provides at least radial and axial alignment for the motor frame assembly to facilitate the manufacturing process and provide a long-lasting motor frame assembly.

Abstract: A combined commutator brush retainer clip and electrical connector includes a main body portion and a terminal portion. The main body portion has a recessed portion with a plurality of dimples therein. A commutator brush is electrically connected to a brush holder sleeve, and the brush holder sleeve is, in turn, clampingly engaged to the commutator housing with the retainer. The brush holder sleeve is disposed within the recessed portion of the retaining clip and is frictionally engaged by the dimples. The terminal portion of the retainer engages a corresponding terminal member on the motor stator such that an electrical connection is established between said commutator brush and said stator by way of said retainer.

Abstract: A motor fan bracket is molded of a fiber reinforced thermoset polyester. The motor/fan bracket has an annular frame and an annular bearing housing concentric with the frame and supported by inwardly extending arms. The annular bearing housing has a bearing-receiving cavity configured in cross section as an equilateral polygon such that each face of that cavity is tangential to a bearing received therein.

Abstract: A blower fan assembly for removing combusted by-products and flue gas from a furnace is presented. The blower fan assembly includes a housing with a cavity for receiving a blower fan. The housing is secured over an opening in a furnace so that when the blower fan rotates, flue gas is drawn from the furnace to an exhaust conduit outside the building in which the furnace is received. The blower fan includes a fan ring connected to a fan disc by a plurality of vanes which are parallel with the axis of rotation. A motor, mounted to the housing, rotates the fan disc. The blower fan draws air in through the fan ring, through the plurality of vanes and out through the exhaust conduit. A static pressure tap is located in the housing and is connected to a pressure sensor which measures the static pressure generated by the blower fan as it rotates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for introducing slack into a coil wire prior to termination. A stator having a volume of coil windings has a terminal board mounted thereon. Means for introducing slack in the coil wire includes a terminal receiving cavity located in the terminal board. A portion of the coil wire is passed across the cavity and a terminal is inserted therein, thereby crimpingly engaging the wire. The wire is simultaneously passed over a spacer which extends laterally across the cavity. When the spacer is subsequently removed a loop of slack remains in the wire.

Abstract: A rotating fan assembly is provided for use in single stage and multi-stage applications. The fan assembly includes a fan member having a tapered disk member, a flat annular ring member and a plurality of blade members interposed between the disk and the ring. The fan member may be housed in an enclosure shroud having a tapered case and a flat shell member thereby reducing case length from start of the shell to the inlet plane. The flat shell member doubles as a shroud for both the rotating fan member and for a stationary fan when used in multi-stage designs.

Abstract: A combined commutator brush retainer clip and electrical connector includes a main body portion and a terminal portion. The main body portion has a recessed portion with a plurality of dimples therein. A commutator brush is electrically connected to a brush holder sleeve, and the brush holder sleeve is, in turn, clampingly engaged to the commutator housing with the retainer. The brush holder sleeve is disposed within the recessed portion of the retaining clip and is frictionally engaged by the dimples. The terminal portion of the retainer engages a corresponding terminal member on the motor stator such that an electrical connection is established between said commutator brush and said stator by way of said retainer.

Abstract: A molded through-flow motor assembly has a motor housing, including a cup portion and a flange portion. The flange portion includes a plurality of ramp surfaces extending outwardly therefrom. The cup portion has a field retaining wall and guide rib extending inwardly therefrom on opposite sides of the housing. A diffuser plate is provided having a plurality of scalloped ramp surfaces on a first side thereof adjacent to a plurality of air inlet apertures which open into air chambers on the second side thereof. The field and armature portions of a motor assembly are mounted in the motor housing and the diffuser plate is fitted to the flange portion of the housing such that the ramp surfaces abut one another to form a continuous ramp surface from each air inlet aperture into the air chambers. A rotating fan member is mounted to the armature shaft and is housed within a shroud cover fitted to the motor housing.

Abstract: A fan end bracket for a motorized fan assembly has a plurality of curvilinear tapered air passages. Each air passage includes a flow port, such that air being moved by a rotating fan assembly is directed through the air passages and the flow ports. A skeletal motor assembly is affixed to one side of the end bracket such that the motor shaft is disposed through a shaft aperture in the end bracket. A rotating fan member is affixed to the motor shaft adjacent to the other side of the end bracket. A shroud member is provided to shroud the rotating fan member so as to cause the flow of air to be directed through the air passages. A baffle plate is interposed between the rotating fan member and the end bracket. The baffle plate includes a plurality of curvilinear scallops which correspond to the air passages in the end bracket.

Abstract: A rotor assembly is provided in which a permanent magnet rotor is used in conjunction with a wound stator member. A containment fixture or cup, receives one or more permanent magnets. The containment fixture has an annular end wall, a circumferential side wall and a circumferential lip. The lip serves to provide a high degree of rigidity and rotational stability to the containment fixture. The magnets abut both the lip and the side wall and the rigidity of the fixture prevents flexing and breaking of the magnets even at high rotational speeds.

Abstract: A brush holder clip and connector for motors and generators is provided in the form of an integral V-shaped spring steel member having an electrical connector extending from one of the legs thereof and opposite an apex of the clip and connector. The housing containing the commutator has a slot therein through which the brush holder passes. The V-shaped clip and connector is inserted into the slot and wedged between the brush holder and an edge of the slot. The clip and connector is electrically conductive and communicative with the brush holder 22 and is adapted for mating interconnection with a wire or other conductor.

Abstract: A high-performance, high efficiency dirty air motor/fan assembly for vacuum cleaners has a fan housing which includes an end bracket. The end bracket has a volute expansion chamber. A shroud/baffle unit mounts to the end bracket and serves to separate the exhaust plenum of the ventilating fan of the motor, from the intake plenum. A component mounting strap is mounted to the housing and the shroud/baffle unit to provide a mounting surface for vacuum cleaner interfaces.

Abstract: A flow manifold for high purity analyzers is described, in which all flow control valving is positioned downstream of the measurement device. Specifically, this new flow manifold is applied to a high purity moisture analyzer that utilizes a quartz crystal microbalance detector. The proposed flow design eliminates outgassing and contamination from upstream valving, deadlegs in the flow path, and significantly improves instrument response speed. Experimental data is provided to confirm the performance advantage of the new manifold design over existing designs.

Abstract: A low profile motorized impeller assembly is provided for use in an air moving blower product. The assembly has a motor mounting base onto which a stator is fixedly attached. An impeller having a plurality of vanes has a ring-magnet rotor integrated therein. A pair of bearings are received in a beating receiving boss in the impeller, and a shaft which is fixedly attached to the motor mounting base is received therein. A plurality of permanent magnets are mounted on the motor mounting base between the arms of the stator so that when the windings of the stator are de-energized the permanent magnets attract the poles of the ring magnet to an offset position.