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.

Abstract: A single phase induction motor includes a stator core having a stator yoke and a plurality of teeth extending toward a central opening. The plurality of teeth are spaced apart from one another and define multiple slots between the teeth for receiving windings of the single phase induction motor. The stator core includes a high permeability low coreloss (HPLC) steel having a relative permeability of greater than or equal to 3000 at 1.5 Tesla and 60 Hertz, and a coreloss of less than or equal to 1.75 watts/lb at 1.5 Tesla and 60 Hertz. The motor also includes multiple windings located within the plurality of slots and wrapped around the plurality of teeth of the stator core. Each of the multiple windings include aluminum wire. The motor further includes a rotor body located concentrically within the stator core and including an external surface that faces the stator core.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction inlet, a motor, and an impeller connected to the motor and operable to generate suction through the suction inlet upon operation of the motor. The vacuum cleaner further includes a power connector mounted to the vacuum cleaner and selectively connectable to a direct current (DC) power source and an alternating current (AC) power source. The power connector includes external terminals accessible from an exterior of the vacuum cleaner. The external terminals are configured for removable mechanical connection to each of the DC power source and an AC power supply cord such that the DC power source and the AC power supply cord are selectively and mechanically connectable to the same external power connector terminals.

Abstract: A coaxial gas valve assembly includes a gas inlet, a gas outlet, a valve tube, and a shaft member. A main valve is movable between a closed position and an open position (broadly, openable and closable). A main spring is positioned to resiliently bias the main valve in its closed position. A redundant valve is movable between a closed position and an open position (broadly, openable and closable). A redundant spring is positioned to resiliently bias the redundant valve in its closed position. A solenoid coil is positioned to electromagnetically move the shaft member within the valve tube. A balance diaphragm is connected to the valve tube. A gas path through at least the valve tube allows gas flow from a first side of the balance diaphragm to a second side of the balance diaphragm to reduce a pressure difference between the first and second sides of the balance diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of operating an HVAC system including a motor having five taps, and an HVAC controller communicatively connected to a plurality of the five taps the motor includes storing, by a processor of the HVAC controller, selected speeds associated with a plurality of operating conditions in a memory of the HVAC control. The processor controls the motor according to the selected speeds and their associated operating conditions using a group of taps of the plurality of taps of the motor to which the HVAC controller is communicatively connected. Data is communicated between the motor and the HVAC controller using one of the plurality of taps of the motor to which the HVAC controller is communicatively connected.

Abstract: A method of charging a rechargeable battery includes positioning a rail of the rechargeable battery into a groove defined by a housing of a battery charger, and positioning a switch between an ON position and an OFF position. The switch is positioned in the ON position when the rechargeable battery is connected to the charger and in the OFF position when the rechargeable battery is disconnected from the charger. The housing includes a barrier extending across the groove to prevent movement of the switch to the ON position when the rechargeable battery is disconnected from the charger. The method further includes conducting electrical current to the rechargeable battery through an electrical connection interface.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaning head for removing debris from a floor, a debris tube connected to the cleaning head for receiving the debris, and a steering handle connected to the debris tube. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a hinge connecting the debris tube to the cleaning head such that the debris tube rotates relative to the cleaning head. The upright vacuum cleaner further includes braces to support the debris tube as the debris tube rotates relative to the cleaning head. The braces are disposed on opposite sides of the debris tube. Each brace includes a bearing connected to the cleaning head to allow the brace to rotate relative to the cleaning head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing power supplied to a portable electrical device includes an electrical connector configured to engage a complementary electrical connector of the respective battery. The portable battery-powered device also includes a selector switch configured to couple the electrical connectors of the plurality of power receptacles in at least one of a series configuration, a parallel configuration, and a combination of series and parallel configuration. The portable battery-powered device further includes an electrical load device including one or more electrical leads coupled to the selector switch. The selector switch is selectable during operation of the portable battery-powered device to provide power to the electrical device from a plurality of battery packs coupled in the at least one of a series configuration, a parallel configuration, and a combination of series and parallel configuration.

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 light-weight, high-strength insulating compressor component formed via additive manufacturing is provided. The component may have at least one interior region comprising a lattice structure that comprises a plurality of repeating cells. A solid surface is disposed over the lattice structure. The interior region comprising the lattice structure minimizes or reduces transmission of at least one of thermal energy, sound, or vibrational energy through the component. Methods of making such compressor components via additive manufacturing processes are also provided.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes a motor having a plurality of speeds at which it can operate, an HVAC control, and a mobile device. The HVAC control is configured to control the motor during a plurality of different operations, and includes a controller processor, a controller memory, and controller near field communication (NFC) wireless interface including an NFC processor, an NFC memory, and an antenna. The mobile device includes a user interface and a mobile NFC wireless interface configured. The mobile device is configured to display the plurality of different operations on the user interface, receive user input settings of speeds of the motor for each of the plurality of different operations, and wirelessly transmit the received user input settings to the controller NFC wireless interface of the HVAC control. The NFC processor is configured to store the received user input settings in the NFC memory.

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 system and method of operating a water heater controller that includes a powered vent electronic control circuit including a controller configured to control an operation of heating device having a powered draft inducer, a gas valve assembly configured to control a flow of a fuel gas to a burner of a heating device, and a switch assembly including a switch in each leg of a plurality of legs of a power supply to the gas valve assembly, the switch assembly configured to supply power and a return to the gas valve assembly in a first position and to open the plurality of legs of the power supply to the gas valve assembly in a second position, the switch assembly configured to indicate a position of the switch assembly to the controller.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a gas fuel valve control circuit are disclosed. The gas valve control circuit includes a gas valve assembly configured to control a flow of a fuel gas to a load and a switch assembly including a switch in each leg of a plurality of legs of a power supply to the gas valve assembly. The switch assembly is configured to supply power and a return to the gas valve assembly in a first position and to open the plurality of legs of the power supply to the gas valve assembly in a second position. The switch assembly is configured to indicate a position of the switch assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for remote testing of controllers such as thermostats, to detect incorrect climate control system configuration parameters. In an exemplary embodiment, a mobile device wirelessly connects with a remote thermostat and sends signal(s) to the thermostat instructing the thermostat to perform climate control function(s) in predefined sequence(s). The mobile device receives signal(s) from the thermostat indicating whether the thermostat is performing the climate control function(s) in accordance with the sent signal(s). Based on the signal(s) received from the thermostat, the mobile device determines whether the thermostat is configured with accurate climate control system configuration parameters.

Abstract: A gas flow controller for use with a gas powered water heater includes a first gas flow valve, and a first gas flow valve actuator assembly connected to the first gas flow valve and configured to hold the first gas flow valve in an open position. The first gas flow valve actuator assembly includes a first electromagnetic actuator, a corrosion resistant material encapsulating the first electromagnetic actuator, a first wire lead connected to the first electromagnetic actuator at a first solder joint, a corrosion resistant material encapsulating the first solder joint, a second wire lead connected to the first electromagnetic actuator at a second solder joint, and a corrosion resistant material encapsulating the second solder joint.

Abstract: Mounting systems for waste disposers such as food waste disposers, waste disposers employing such systems, and related methods, a mounting system includes a flange component having first and second ends and a tubular structure extending along a first axis between the ends. The mounting system also includes a mounting flange component having an inner edge defining at least in part an orifice extending through the mounting flange component and sized so that a first portion of the tubular structure including the second end can pass partly into or entirely through the orifice. When lugs of the mounting flange component are aligned with protrusions of the tubular structure and the tubular structure is positioned so that tips of the lugs are positioned between the protrusions and the first end, then the mounting flange component is secured in relation to the first flange component.

Abstract: A valve system includes a motor, a first valve, a second valve, and a controller. The first valve is connected to the motor shaft and is rotatable to an open position, in which fluid flows through a first channel, and a close position, in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the first channel. The second valve is connected to the motor shaft and is rotatable to an open position, in which fluid flows through a second channel from a first end to a second end, and to a close position, in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the second channel. The controller is connected to the motor and can sequentially actuate the first valve and the second valve to create at least a first, second, third, and fourth position.