Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, at least one battery cell enclosed within the housing, a printed circuit board (PCBA) enclosed within the housing, a gauge electrically connected to the PCBA and including at least one light, and an actuator that, when actuated, activates the gauge to illuminate the at least one light to indicate a charge level of the at least one battery cell. The housing has a main body and a handle extending from the main body, and the handle defines an aperture sized and shaped to receive one or more of a user's fingers therein. The gauge is located on an outer surface of the handle.

Abstract: A vacuum attachment tool includes a hollow body extending from a first end to a second end and defining a flow path, and a conduit connector disposed at the second end of the hollow body. The conduit connector includes an inner collar having an inner diameter sized to receive a first vacuum conduit having a first diameter, and an outer collar having an inner diameter sized to receive a second vacuum conduit having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The outer collar is formed separately from the inner collar and is coupled to the inner collar.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery for powering a vacuum cleaner includes a casing, a latch for securing the rechargeable battery in the vacuum cleaner, an electrical connection interface, and a battery core disposed within the casing. The casing includes a cover plate, a sidewall extending from the cover plate, and first and second rails that extend longitudinally along the cover plate. Each rail is L-shaped and includes ribs for support. The latch is selectively releasable, and the electrical connection interface is disposed between the first and second rails.

Abstract: Applicant has created vacuum apparatuses with improved stability and methods for improving the stability of a wet/dry vacuum. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a motor, a removable drum adapted to store debris collected by the apparatus, and a base that can be adapted to receive the removable drum. The motor can be adapted to be interposed between the removable drum and the base. The methods can include the step of providing a base, the step of providing a removable drum adapted to be coupled to the base, and the step of coupling a vacuum motor to the base such that the vacuum motor is adapted to be disposed beneath the removable drum when the drum is coupled to the base. By relocating the motor of vacuum apparatus beneath the drum, the vacuum's center of gravity can be lowered significantly and, thus, its propensity to tip over is minimized.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a canister defining a debris chamber, a powerhead connected to a top of the canister, a hose, and a hose retainer removably connected to the canister. The canister includes a base and at least one sidewall extending therefrom. The powerhead includes a suction unit operable to generate airflow through the canister. The hose retainer includes a back plate defining an aperture therethrough, at least one hose retention clip defining a channel shaped and sized to receive the hose therein, and a dustpan defining a debris intake opening and including a hose end mount. When an inlet end of the hose is connected to the hose end mount, the inlet end of the hose is connected in fluid communication with the debris intake opening to generate airflow therethrough.

Abstract: An example HVAC system includes an HVAC component, and an HVAC control configured to control the HVAC component according to an HVAC system configuration parameter. The HVAC control includes a controller wireless interface and a memory. The system also includes a mobile device having a user interface and a mobile wireless interface in wireless communication with the controller wireless interface of the HVAC control. The mobile device is configured to display the HVAC system configuration parameter on the user interface, receive user input settings for the HVAC system configuration parameter, and wirelessly transmit the received user input settings to the controller wireless interface of the HVAC control. The HVAC control is configured to store the received user input settings in the memory of the HVAC control to control the HVAC component. Example methods of controlling an HVAC system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compressor assembly includes a compressor motor having a main winding coupled with a line terminal to receive power from a line voltage source, and an auxiliary winding. The assembly includes first and second capacitors each coupled between the line terminal and the auxiliary winding, a first relay to selectively couple the first capacitor and the second capacitor in parallel, a second relay coupled to selectively inhibit the supply of power from the line voltage source to the auxiliary winding via the first capacitor, and a control circuit configured to close the first relay in response detection of excess load condition criteria, and to subsequently open the first relay in response to detection of normal load condition criteria. The excess load condition criteria and the normal load condition criteria each include at least one of a voltage of the main winding and a voltage of the auxiliary winding.

Abstract: A motor cover includes a lattice structure defining a plurality of vent openings that provide ventilation of the motor cover. Each vent opening of the plurality of vent openings is defined by a first cross member, a second cross member, a first side member, and a second side member of the lattice structure. The second cross member is spaced vertically below the first cross member and the first side member is spaced horizontally forward from the second side member. Each of the first and second side members extend from the first cross member to the second cross member. The second cross member extends further outward from a central vertical axis of the motor cover than the first cross member, and the first side member extends further outward from the central longitudinal axis than the second side member.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a debris chamber defined within the housing, and a motor assembly connected to the housing and operable to generate airflow through the debris chamber. The motor assembly includes a motor, an impeller, an impeller housing, and a controller. The impeller is connected to the motor and operable to generate airflow upon operation of the motor. The impeller housing is constructed of an electrically-conductive material. The impeller is positioned within the impeller housing. The controller includes a circuit board assembly. The circuit board assembly including a common circuit, and the impeller housing is electrically connected to the common circuit.

Abstract: A gas powered water heater includes a storage tank, a main burner, a flame sensor assembly, and a controller communicatively coupled to the flame sensor assembly. The flame sensor assembly includes a probe positioned proximate the main burner to couple an electric current to the main burner through a flame on the main burner and not to couple an electric current to the main burner when the flame is not present on the main burner, and a detector that provides signals representative of the electric current provided through the probe. The controller is programmed to determine a length of time taken for a transition between a signal representative of no electric current and a signal representative of a steady state electric current, and determine, based at least in part on the determined length of time, a strength of the flame on the main burner.

Abstract: A controller for a vacuum cleaner includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that program the processor to operate a motor at a first power level, receive a temperature of a drive component associated with the motor from a temperature sensor, and compare the temperature of the drive component associated with the motor to a first threshold temperature. The processor operates the motor at a second power level lower than the first power level for a period of time when the temperature of the drive component associated with the motor is greater than or equal to the first temperature threshold, and continues operating the motor at the first power level when the temperature of the drive component associated with the motor is less than the first temperature threshold.

Abstract: A flame sensor assembly includes a flame sense rod and a flame sensor body. The flame sense rod includes a flame sensor end and a coupling end opposite the flame sensor. The flame sensor body defines a receptacle for receiving the coupling end of the flame sense rod, and includes an adjustable positioning bracket. The assembly also includes a wiring adapter for connecting the flame sensor body with a flame sense signal connector, and a mounting bracket adapted to mount the flame sensor body to a heating device with the flame sensor end of the flame sense rod positioned adjacent a flame of the heating device. Methods of replacing a flame sensor assembly for a heating device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a gas furnace system includes determining a first pressure in a conduit coupled to a draft inducer from signals output by a pressure transducer positioned to sense a pressure within the conduit with a motor of the draft inducer in a stopped condition. A first status of the pressure transducer is determined based at least in part on the first pressure. The motor of the draft inducer is controlled to increase a speed of the motor from the stopped condition in response to a call for heat when the first status does not indicate that the pressure transducer is unreliable, and the motor is maintained in a stopped condition when the first status indicates that the pressure transducer is unreliable.

Abstract: A valve includes a shaft having threads along at least a portion of a length of the shaft. A travel limit member (e.g., a coil spring, a washer, etc.) is disposed within one or more of the threads. The travel limit member may comprise a coil spring configured to be movable within the threads along the shaft when the shaft is rotated relative to the coil spring. The coil spring is configured to be operable for providing: a safety stall or hard stop for a fully open position of the valve when the coil spring is within the top thread and/or runs out of the threads after having traveled upwardly along the shaft within the threads; and a safety stall or hard stop for a fully closed position of the valve when the coil spring contacts a stop after having traveled downwardly along the shaft within the threads.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for controlling inducer motor speed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method includes changing stator voltage of an inducer motor (e.g., by changing a firing angle of a triac, using a transistor, a silicon controlled rectifier or semiconductor controlled rectifier (SCR), other switching device, etc.); determining actual inducer motor speed (e.g., by using a hall effect sensor or other speed sensor, etc.); and after determining the actual inducer motor speed, changing the motor stator voltage (e.g., by changing the firing angle of the triac, etc.) to a value at which the actual inducer motor speed is controllably regulated and/or maintained substantially at a set speed.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes an electrical plug connectable to an electrical outlet, an inner collar, and an outer collar disposed radially outward from the inner collar. The inner collar includes a plurality of jaws disposed circumferentially about the electrical plug. Each jaw of the plurality of jaws includes threads defined along an outer surface of each jaw. The outer collar includes at least one thread defined along an inner surface of the outer collar. Rotation of the outer collar relative to the inner collar causes the at least one outer collar thread to rotatably engage the inner collar threads and the plurality of jaws to deflect inward such that the plurality of jaws engages and compresses the electrical outlet when the electrical outlet is connected to the electrical plug.

Abstract: A method of controlling a gas furnace system includes controlling a motor of a draft inducer coupled to a conduit to increase a speed of the motor from a stopped condition in response to a call for heat, and receiving pressure signals output by a pressure transducer responsive to pressure in the conduit. Signals indicating whether a pressure switch responsive to pressure in the conduit is in a first state or a second state are received. A first status of the pressure transducer is determined based on the received pressure signals from the pressure transducer and the signals indicating whether the pressure switch is in the first state or the second state. The method includes continuing to operate the motor when the first status does not indicate that the pressure transducer is unreliable, and stopping the motor when the first status indicates that the pressure transducer is unreliable.

Abstract: A control unit is located under a kitchen sink. The control unit controls the timing of the power demand from each device so that they can all be run from a single electrical circuit coupled to the control unit. The control unit also accommodates sensors and other accessories such as flow meters, electronic faucets, leak detectors, shutoff valves, and state communication either wired or wireless which allows these sensors and other accessories to be added with little additional cost beyond the cost of the sensors and other accessories.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of methods for managing temperature overshoot. In an exemplary embodiment, a method includes determining a temperature delta between two sensor temperatures reported for a space at predetermined time intervals; determining a temperature rate of change by dividing the temperature delta with a time period that elapsed between the two sensor temperatures; determining a compensation by multiplying the temperature delta and the temperature rate of change; determining a compensated temperature by adding the compensation to a sensor temperature reported for the space; and using a controller and the compensated temperature to control operation of a heating system for the space.