Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system for a vehicle includes a debris collection unit, a fluid conduit connected to an outlet of the debris collection unit, and a vacuum suction unit fluidly connected to the debris collection unit by the fluid conduit. The debris collection unit defines a storage cavity for storing debris collected by the vacuum cleaning system, and is positionable in a first compartment of the vehicle. The vacuum suction unit is located remote from the debris collection unit, and is positionable in a second compartment of the vehicle separate from the first compartment.

Abstract: A PFC circuit is provided. A bridge rectification circuit receives an AC voltage and generates a rectified AC voltage. A power converter converts the rectified AC voltage to a first DC voltage, where the power converter includes a switch and supplies the first DC voltage to a DC bus to power a compressor. A current sensor detects an amount of current. A control module, while operating in a correction mode: based on the rectified AC voltage, a phase angle of the rectified AC voltage, a second DC voltage of the DC bus, or the detected amount of current, control operation of the switch to transition between operating in a high activity mode and an inactive or low activity mode; transition the switch between open and closed states while in the high and low activity modes; and maintain the power converter in an OFF state while in the inactive mode.

Abstract: A circulator blower controller for a circulator blower of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building includes an interface configured to receive a demand signal with an operating mode from a thermostat. A switching circuit selectively connects power to a tap of a motor of the circulator blower. A data store configured to store a mapping from a speed to the tap. For each tap, a processor observes power consumed by the circulator blower while power is connected to the tap by the switching circuit. The processor determines the mapping by sorting the taps based on observed power consumption. The processor selects a first speed based on the demand signal from the thermostat. The processor identifies a first tap from the mapping based on the first speed and generates the tap selection signal to control the switching circuit to connect power to the first tap.

Abstract: An attachment tool for a vacuum cleaning system includes a hollow body that extends from a first end to a second end and defines a flow path, and a conduit connector disposed at the second end of the body. The first end of the hollow body defines an inlet for receiving debris therethrough. The conduit connector includes an outer collar that defines a first inner engagement surface for connection to an outer diameter of a first vacuum conduit, and an inner collar that is concentric with the outer collar and defines a second inner engagement surface for connection to an outer diameter of a second vacuum conduit smaller than the outer diameter of the first vacuum conduit. The inner collar is axially offset from the outer collar towards the first end of the body.

Abstract: A system is disclosed comprising a DC power supply for supplying DC power to a device having a universal electric motor configured to operate on AC power. The system is configured to have a first authorization component associated with the device and second authorization component associated with the DC power supply so that DC power is supplied to device, or is continued to be supplied to the device, only when the first and second authorization components operatively engage.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an HVAC system of a building includes a monitoring server located remotely from the building. The monitoring server receives, from a device installed at the building, (i) time-domain current data based on a measured aggregate current supplied to a plurality of components of the HVAC system, and (ii) data based on frequency-domain current data of the measured aggregate current. Based on the received data, the monitoring server accesses (i) whether a failure has occurred in a first component of the plurality of components and (ii) generates a preliminary advisory in response to determining that the failure has occurred. The monitoring server compares the preliminary advisory to a threshold value based on data stored from prior advisories. If the preliminary advisory is on a first side of the threshold value, the monitoring server provides the preliminary advisory as a first advisory to a technician for review.

Abstract: Described are swivel systems and swivel assemblies for connecting a vacuum appliance to a vacuum accessory. The assembly can be adapted to be coupled to the accessory to permit the appliance to pivot relative to the accessory offset from a center of the accessory. The swivel system can include a vacuum adapter and a connector adapted to permit the vacuum adapter to pivot about a vacuum accessory. A plenum chamber can be formed in the adapter that is in fluid communication with one or more vacuum hoses to balance the airflow within the adapter.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory having an elongated axis, the accessory comprising an adapter configured to provide fluid communication with a vacuum appliance, at least first and second air outlet ports spaced along the elongated axis of the accessory. The ports are configured to balance airflow along the elongated axis of the accessory.

Abstract: According to some aspects of the present disclosure, example stator assemblies for three phase dynamoelectric machines and related winding methods are disclosed. An example stator assembly generally includes a non-segmented stator core including a stator yoke and a plurality of teeth. The stator assembly also includes a plurality of coil portions electrically coupled in a delta winding pattern, with each coil portion extending around a different one of the plurality of teeth. The stator assembly further includes a plurality of connection portions each extending between two adjacent ones of the plurality of coil portions. A first set of consecutive ones of the plurality of coil portions is defined by a first continuous length of winding wire having two wire ends. Second and third sets of consecutive ones of the plurality of coil portions are each defined by respective continuous lengths of winding wire each having two ends.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, wiring harness assemblies for electrical equipment and related methods are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a wiring harness assembly for electrical equipment generally includes a first connector configured for connecting to a wiring harness, a second connector configured for mounting to a panel, and one or more conductors connecting the first connector with the second connector.

Abstract: A device and associated system for threading, cutting, and reaming pipe ends are described. The device and system utilizes a brushless DC electric motor. The devices also include on-board electronics and operator interface(s) to provide sophisticated control and information as to the various operations. Also described are methods of operating the devices and several different modes for performing various operations.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool that includes a nozzle body having a first end and a second, spaced apart end and at least one light emitting element that emits light that will illuminate a surface to be cleaned by the accessory tool is described. The light emitting element is protected by a protective housing that protects the element when the tool is inserted into areas during cleaning, yet still allows the light to illuminate surfaces during operation.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a residence includes a monitoring device installed at the residence and a server located remotely from the residence. The monitoring device measures an aggregate current supplied to a plurality of components of the HVAC system and transmits current data based on the measured aggregate current. The server receives the transmitted current data and, based on the received current, assesses whether a failure has occurred in a first component of the plurality of components of the HVAC system and assesses whether a failure has occurred in a second component of the plurality of components of the HVAC system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the productivity of a portable machine are provided. The method includes receiving motion data for at least one component of the portable machine from a multi-axis accelerometer, receiving position data for the at least one component from a process parameter sensor communicatively coupled to the at least one component, and determining, based on the received motion data and the received position data that the at least one component is oriented in a predetermined position for productive operation. The method also includes determining an area of productive operation using at least one physical dimension of the at least one component and the received motion data when the at least one component is oriented in the predetermined position for productive operation and incrementing a total area counter based on the determination.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a relay switch control configured for connection between a power source and a load. The control includes a processor having a clock upon which an operating frequency of the processor is based, and a sealed relay operable by the processor to electrically connect or disconnect the power source and the load. The relay switch control can start power to the load through the relay after a randomized time delay determined by the processor using a value of a counter of the processor. The counter is updated as a function of cycles of the clock.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of controllers and methods for controlling a climate control system. In an exemplary embodiment, a climate control system controller for controlling operation of a climate control system of a structure generally includes a processor, memory, and network interface configured to provide the climate control system controller with wireless network connectivity. The climate control system controller is selectively connectable, in response to user input, with each of a plurality of destination servers remote from the structure.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a power stealing circuit selectively configured to provide power to the thermostat and to circuit(s) ancillary to the thermostat from power source(s) external to the thermostat, without requiring a common or neutral connection between the thermostat and the power source(s). Exemplary embodiments also are disclosed of a climate control system that includes such a thermostat. This thermostat can power-steal off of existing load wires (e.g., a W and/or Y terminal, etc.) and can provide power for a continuous backlight and/or other device (e.g., a remote sensor and/or low-power transceiver, etc.).

Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of an appliance includes a first signal source configured to produce an alternating current (AC) signal, a second signal source configured to produce a second signal, and a controller. The controller includes a processor, a memory device, a first input pin coupled to the first signal source to receive the AC signal, a second input pin coupled to the second signal source to receive the second signal, and an analog to digital (A/D) converter. The A/D converter is coupled to the first input pin and the memory device storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to sample the second signal at the second input pin only when the first signal has a value of about zero volts at the first input pin.