Abstract: A hermetic terminal assembly including a body member with a bottom portion and a surrounding boundary or flange portion with at least one current conducting pin sealed in an opening in the bottom portion and an over-surface stratum or disk disposed in close fit relation in said body member in facing relation with said bottom and flange portions and having disk retention means therefore, and preselectively sized and positioned fuse-like burn-off apertures in the current conducting pin to interrupt current conductivity at selected times, temperatures and amperage density.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus to support an electrical heating element installed in an oven and extending generally horizontally therethrough from one side of the oven to the opposite side thereof for heating an oven cavity to bake or broil food set inside the oven cavity. The oven cavity has side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall. The apparatus and heating element are located below the bottom wall of the oven cavity. The apparatus includes at least one support bracket extending horizontally in the oven and has a plurality of openings formed therein each of which is generally presented in the upward vertical direction and sized to receive the heating element. The support bracket also has a plurality of standoffs generally presented in the upward vertical direction and having a height sufficient to prevent the bottom wall of the oven cavity from coming in contact with the heating element.

Abstract: The construction of an electromagnetic device, such as an electric motor, has a segmented stator with a plurality of stator teeth held in a circular pattern solely by a shell of the motor that has been hot dropped over the stator teeth.

Abstract: A single-blade fan apparatus includes a blade assembly having a hub presenting a longitudinal aperture adapted for receipt on the fan apparatus, a single blade protruding radially from the hub in a first direction, and a counterweight body protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction. The hub, blade and counterweight body are formed of a unitary piece of aluminum, zinc or synthetic resin material. A method of constructing the blade assembly includes providing a mold including a hub cavity, a blade cavity protruding from the hub cavity in a first direction, and a counterweight-body cavity protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction, and fitting a removable mold insert in the blade cavity. The first mold insert fills a portion of the blade cavity remote from the hub cavity.

Abstract: A drain system for a wet/dry vacuum, including: a generally U-shaped dolly having wheels mounted thereon for rotation; a collection drum having an inside bottom surface defining a plane, the collection drum adapted to be mounted to the dolly; a drain opening defined by the collection drum, the drain opening defines an inside lower surface, the inside lower surface generally in line with the plane defined by the inside bottom surface of the collection drum and the drain opening being positioned generally opposite the closed end of the U-shaped dolly; and a cap having first and second ends, the first end adapted to mate with the drain opening in a sealed manner, the second end defines a member adapted to extend out from the collection drum, the member has a length sufficient to prevent the collection drum from completely tipping over.

Abstract: An induction motor system operable in a wet environment comprises an induction motor and an apparatus for controlling the speed of the motor. The motor is adapted to be coupled to an AC source for supplying an AC signal. The motor includes a rotor having rotor laminations. The reflected rotor resistance over reflected rotor reactance ratio of the motor is adjusted to be greater than one. The controlling apparatus includes a switching device, user controls, controller means and isolation means. The switching device is connected in series with the motor and is operative in either a high impedance state wherein significant current flow through the motor is prevented or a low impedance state wherein current flow through the motor is substantially undisturbed. The user controls provide motor speed input signals.

Abstract: A portable battery operated tube electrical conduit processing tool is disclosed. The tool has a housing includes a body portion and a handle portion connected in transverse relationship. A battery is connected to the handle portion. A motor is carried by the body portion and a switch controlled circuit connects the battery to the motor. The body portion delineates a work station with a station access opening. A motor driven workpiece drive is mounted adjacent the station. A gear train drivingly interconnects the motor and the drive whereby a workpiece may be drivingly rotated on actuation of the switch to energize the motor. A cutter support and cutter are movingly carried by the body portion. A manually actuatable trigger mechanism is operably connected to the switch and the support for actuating the switch to energize the motor and for pressing the cutter against a workpiece. The gear train further includes an accessory drive shaft for driving burnishing brushes and a disclosed novel reamer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and device for detecting an imbalance condition in a rotating washing machine tub. An indication of a power level required to maintain a given washing machine rotation speed is compared to a predefined standard power level associated with the given rotation speed, and a tub imbalance condition is detected in response to the comparison. The predefined standard power level may be stored in a memory device accessible by a processor that is programmed to calculate the power level required to achieve the given washing machine rotation speed and compare the required power level to the predefined standard power level to detect the tub imbalance condition.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a number of innovations in the design of self-adjusting pliers. A self-adjusting pliers tool formed of laminated sheet metal construction is provided with separately fabricated cast steel jaws that provide improved strength and durability relative to laminated jaws. Techniques are also disclosed for casting the steel jaws and for treating them to achieve improved surface hardness and corrosion resistance. In certain embodiments, the jaw and the jaw end of the laminated handle are designed to interlock to prevent the jaw from sliding out of position. In certain other embodiments, a “self-energizing” feature is provided in which the shape and tooth configuration of the jaw, and the angle of the jaw end of the pliers, cooperate to keep the tool secured to a workpiece even after the upward squeezing force on the lower handle is released.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a rotating machine includes a substantially cylindrical main rotor body having an outer surface. A plurality of longitudinal ribs project from the outer surface of the main rotor body. A plurality of primary recesses are defined by adjacent ribs and a secondary recess is defined in the outer surface within at least one primary recess. A magnet is positioned within at least one primary recess, and a layer of adhesive between the magnet and the outer surface of the main rotor body fills the secondary recess. Magnet retaining elements. in the form of either an encapsulation layer, star-shaped retainer or elongated retaining members may also be used. The magnet retaining elements may be used alone or in combination with the adhesive layer between the magnets and the main rotor body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively controlling the energization of the stator windings of a rotating electromagnetic machine to actively overcome any tendency of the rotor of the machine to prefer certain angular positions with respect to the stator over other angular positions.

Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum appliance having a lid and a collection canister is disclosed. A latching mechanism is provided for detachably affixing the lid atop the collection canister. In one embodiment, the latching mechanism comprises a pair of opposing latch members rotatably coupled to the lid. The latching members each have an upper, end adapted to engage journals formed on the lid. Each upper end is provided with retaining means for preventing the latch member from becoming disengaged from the journals. A lower end of each latching member is adapted to engage a latching element such as a rib formed on said collection canister.

Abstract: An electronic programmable thermostat having different modes of fan operation, including an automatic mode, a time mode, and a continuous mode, preferably includes a temporary fan-on mode for selecting a predetermined period of time for enabling operation of a climate control system including an air circulating fan. The period of time for operation of the temporary fan on mode is selected from a plurality of predetermined periods of time. The temporary mode of operation preferably can be selected during any other mode of operation and after the expiration of the selected period of time for temporary fan on operation, the thermostat returns to the mode of operation of the fan that it should be in based on a programmed schedule of the thermostat. Selection of a predetermined period of time and activation of the temporary mode results in operation of the air circulating fan for that selected period of time.

Abstract: An electronic digital thermostat adapted for installation in locations with or without an external power supply preferably includes a compartment for receiving a replaceable internal power supply, such as a batteries, for powering the thermostat if an external power supply is not available, and a connector for connecting the thermostat to an external power supply for powering the thermostat when the external power supply is available. The thermostat is configured to preferentially draw power from an external power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from an external power supply is available, and draw power from an internal power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from an external power supply is not available. An additional power backup, such as a capacitor, may be provided to maintain power to the thermostat for short durations when power is unavailable from both the internal power supply and the external power supply.

Abstract: A humidifier with a stacked reservoir system includes a first wettable wick adapted to humidify an air stream and a first reservoir for holding water. The first reservoir is located in a position adapted to wet the first wick by capillary action and shaped to accommodate sufficient air flow through the humidifier. The humidifier includes a second wettable wick adapted to humidify the air stream and a second reservoir for holding water. The second reservoir is located in a position adapted to wet the second wick by capillary action and adapted to capture water overflowing from the first reservoir.