Abstract: An electric motor control system includes a power inverter and control circuitry configured to control the power inverter either according to a target voltage in a voltage-based control mode or according to a target current in a current-based control mode. A controller is operable to switch operation of the control circuitry between the voltage-based control mode and the current-based control mode. The controller may be configured to operate the control circuitry in the current-based control mode at lower motor operating speeds where stator current margin is of greater significance, and to operate the control circuitry in the voltage-based control mode at higher motor operating speeds where stator voltage margin is of greater significance.

Abstract: A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for replacing a PSC motor in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. The blower motor assembly includes a variable speed motor and motor controller; a first power input for receiving a plurality of AC power signals from a control device for use in determining an operating parameter for the motor; and a second power input for receiving AC power from an AC power source for powering the motor controller even when no AC power signals are received by the first power input.

Abstract: Indicator circuit having a backlight and an indicator light associated with a graphical element. The graphical element is adapted to be illuminated by the indicator light for indicating an active vehicle function as well as backlit by the backlight. A switch coupled to the backlight selectively turns OFF the backlight in response to a drive signal supplied by the indicator light. In this manner, the backlight is OFF when the graphical element is illuminated by the indicator light.

Abstract: A rotating element for a dynamo-electric machine such as an electric induction motor. The rotating element includes a plurality of axially stacked laminations cooperatively defining a plurality of arcuately spaced bar slots. The rotating element also includes a plurality of bars, with each bar extending through one of the bar slots. Each of the bars comprises copper-impregnated polymer.

Abstract: A system for detecting a decrease in or loss of an input phase to a motor. A power rectifier rectifies and combines three input voltages to produce an output voltage to power the motor. A PFC circuit manages the power flowing to the motor. A sensing circuit located between the power rectifier and the PFC senses a voltage level of the power rectifier's output voltage. Alternatively, a sensing rectifier is connected before the power rectifier, and the sensing circuit senses the voltage level of the sensing rectifier's output voltage. A microprocessor compares the sensed voltage level to a threshold voltage level which is indicative of the decrease in or loss of one of the three input voltages, and if the former drops below the latter, then the microprocessor sends a signal to either shut off the motor or cause the PFC circuit to reduce the power flowing to the motor.

Abstract: Electric motors are disclosed. The motors are preferably for use in an automated vehicle, although any one or more of a variety of motor uses are suitable. The motors include lift, turntable, and locomotion motors.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a stator and a rotor. The stator has a plurality of low speed windings and a plurality of separate high speed windings. A first type of thermal overload protector is coupled with at least one of the low speed windings and a second type of thermal overload protector is coupled with at least one of the high speed windings.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a rotor, a stator, and a gear assembly. The gear assembly includes a drive gear, a ring gear, and an intermediate gear disposed between and engaging each of the drive gear and the ring gear. The gear assembly further includes a carrier supporting the intermediate gear and being fixed relative to the stator so as to be stationary relative thereto. The ring gear is rotatable relative to the carrier and the stator.

Abstract: A centrifugal actuator switch includes a sleeve having a collar on which two protuberances are formed. Each protuberance engages a biasing member to limit movement of the biasing member when weighted lever arms of the switch are extended by centrifugal force as they rotate at a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: An electric motor system having substantially independent hardware-based and software-based pathways for detecting and initiating responses to fault conditions, such as over-current conditions, in an electric motor which is powered by a power inverter which is controlled by a power module and a microprocessor. Each pathway involves comparing a voltage, which is representative of an electric current flowing to the motor, to a predetermined maximum voltage, and if the former exceeds the latter using hardware or software to initiate shutting off the motor, such as by shutting off the power inverter. When one pathway detects a fault condition it may notify the other pathway, and the notified pathway may also initiate shutting off the motor.

Abstract: A vibration dampening brace for a motor enables altering the stiffness and reed critical frequency of a combined system of the motor and driven equipment without removal of the motor from a motor stand or support structure. The vibration dampening brace includes a first member configured to engage a portion of a housing of an electrical motor and a second member operatively connected to the first member to stiffen the bending moment of the electrical motor housing, resulting in the housing moving less with the vibrations generated by the combined system of the motor and the driven equipment. The vibration dampening brace alters the RCF of the motor system by a predetermined amount to modify the RCF of the combined system and ensure that the RCF of the combined system is outside a range of vibration frequencies that would amplify the motor vibrations.

Abstract: A motor assembly is provided for powering a blower operable to generate fluid flow. The motor assembly includes a motor, a controller assembly, and a flow director. The motor includes a rotor rotatable about an axis. The rotor includes a rotatable support body, a plurality of arcuately spaced apart magnets, and a magnet retention ring at least in part securing the magnets relative to the support body. The controller assembly includes a controller and a controller case at least substantially housing the controller. The controller extends lengthwise to present opposite first and second sides at least in part spaced from the controller case. The flow director and the controller case cooperatively direct fluid received from the blower along a flow path that at least in part extends along each of the first and second sides of the controller.

Abstract: A motor assembly is provided for powering a blower operable to generate fluid flow. The motor assembly includes a motor, a controller assembly, and a flow director. The motor includes a rotor rotatable about an axis. The rotor includes a rotatable support body, a plurality of arcuately spaced apart magnets, and a magnet retention ring at least in part securing the magnets relative to the support body. The controller assembly includes a controller and a controller case at least substantially housing the controller. The controller extends lengthwise to present opposite first and second sides at least in part spaced from the controller case. The flow director and the controller case cooperatively direct fluid received from the blower along a flow path that at least in part extends along each of the first and second sides of the controller.

Abstract: A tool for programming a controller of an electric motor by engaging a connection block of the motor and providing high voltage power and communicating programming signals to the controller. The tool includes a body having an interface for engaging the connection block, and internal wiring presenting tool terminals at the interface for making contact with corresponding motor terminals to allow for providing power and communicating signals between the tool and the controller. An energy-limited transformer having an isolated high impedance secondary winding provides both electrical isolation to protect against shock and low energy output to protect against arc flash. Redundant interlocks include a software interlock which allows the power to be present at the interface only during actual programming of the controller. A light ring encircling the body indicates the presence of high voltage and is visible from multiple directions.

Abstract: A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for replacing a PSC motor in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. The blower motor assembly includes a variable speed motor and motor controller; a first power input for receiving a plurality of AC power signals from a control device for use in determining an operating parameter for the motor; and a second power input for receiving AC power from an AC power source for powering the motor controller even when no AC power signals are received by the first power input.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a housing, a rotor rotatable about an axis, a stator including a core and a plurality of coils wound about the core, a commutator, and a fluid-driving element configured to drive a fluid. The housing defines an internal chamber including a stator-receiving space at least substantially receiving the stator, a commutator-receiving space at least substantially receiving the commutator, and an element-receiving space at least substantially receiving the fluid-driving element. The housing further defines a cooling pathway fluidly interconnected with the internal motor chamber and disposed at least in part radially outside the stator. The fluid-driving element and the housing are cooperatively configured to direct the fluid through each of the stator-receiving space, the commutator-receiving space, the element-receiving space, and the cooling pathway.

Abstract: A system in which the operation of an electric motor is controlled by electronically controlled switches. The system includes the motor having a run winding and a start winding, a heating component, and a motor control subsystem. A control unit closes a first switch to energize the run winding, closes a second switch to energize the start winding, determines based on an amplitude and a lag time of a current flowing through the motor whether the motor has started and is running normally, and if so, opens the second switch to de-energize the start winding and closes a third switch to activate the heating component. The control unit determines whether the motor has started and is running normally by comparing the real time amplitude and lag time of the current to a plurality of stored amplitudes and lag times associated with different operating conditions.

Abstract: A motorized pump assembly includes a pump and a motor for driving the pump. The pump includes a pump housing that at least in part defines a pump chamber. The motor includes a stator, a rotor rotatable about an axis, a motor housing, and a bearing assembly. The rotor includes a motor shaft extending along the axis. The motor housing includes an endshield that at least in part defines a motor chamber in which the stator and the rotor are at least substantially received. The bearing assembly rotatably supports the motor shaft on the endshield. The pump housing and the endshield are fixed to one another and cooperatively at least in part define an overflow chamber adjacent the pump chamber. The endshield defines a drainage channel fluidly interconnected with the overflow chamber and configured to direct fluid from the overflow chamber away from the bearing assembly.

Abstract: An outer rotor motor includes a stator, an end cap for use with the stator, and a stator mount operable to facilitate mounting of the stator to a machine. The end cap includes wire-routing structure facilitating routing of the stator wiring. The structure includes a wire-routing trough that defines a wiring pathway though which the wiring is routed. The trough is positioned at least in part radially inside the core and includes a bottom located between the core margins. The trough further includes a side that is spaced radially inward from the core and projects at least in part axially relative to the bottom. The stator mount is radially located within the wiring pathway.

Abstract: A motor includes a shaft rotatable about an axis, an engaged component engaged by the shaft, a sleeve fixed to the shaft to rotate therewith, and a seal at least partly circumscribing the shaft. The shaft includes an engagement region presenting a substantially variable outer shaft surface that at least in part engages the engaged component. The sleeve includes a first section that at least partly circumscribes and engages the engagement region of the shaft. The first section of the sleeve presents an outer seal-engaging surface and an outer bearing-engaging surface. The seal and the bearing each at least partly circumscribe the engagement region of the shaft and the first section of the sleeve to engage the seal-engaging surface and the bearing-engaging surfaces, respectively, of the sleeve.