Abstract: A fan comprises a hub and at least one blade coupled to the hub. The blade comprises an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The inlet portion is defined by a longitudinal axis, an inlet edge, and a portion of a distal edge. The outlet portion is defined by the longitudinal axis, an outlet edge, and another portion of the distal edge.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan assembly having an axis of rotation includes an inlet ring, a back plate, and a plurality of blades coupled between the inlet ring and the back plate. At least one blade of the plurality of blades includes a radially inner edge, a radially outer edge, and at least one flow channel extending obliquely therebetween. The at least one flow channel includes an inlet defined on the radially inner edge and an outlet defined on the radially outer edge, wherein the inlet and the outlet are positioned at different axial locations along a length of the blade.

Abstract: An electric machine is described. The electric machine includes a rotor comprising a rotor disk and a plurality of permanent magnets magnetically coupled to the rotor disk. The plurality of permanent magnets include a substantially flat profile and are aligned in a substantially planar array. The electric machine also includes a stator comprising a solid stator core and a plurality of coils each wound around a coil insulating member. The stator core includes a plurality of stator teeth extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: Protection of a motor controller from a transient voltage is described. A method for protecting a motor controller from a transient voltage includes providing an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter having at least a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first output terminal, and a second output terminal, the EMI filter configured to suppress electromagnetic interference. The method also includes coupling a first voltage clamping device and a second voltage clamping device in series between the first output terminal and the second output terminal. The method also includes coupling a spark gap device to a ground conductor and to a shared node between the first voltage clamping device and the second voltage clamping device.

Abstract: A method for supplying a plurality of capacitance values to a plurality of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) components is provided. The method includes configuring a first set of terminals of a connection device to couple a first capacitor to the connection device and configuring the connection device to couple the first capacitor to at least one of the plurality of HVAC/R components. The method further includes configuring a second set of terminals of the connection device to couple a second capacitor to the connection device and configuring the connection device to selectively couple the second capacitor to at least one of the plurality of HVAC/R components.

Abstract: A motor that includes a motor frame, an end-bell assembly, a stator assembly, and filling material is described. The stator assembly is placed within the frame such that at least one open area is defined between an inner diameter of the stator assembly and an inner diameter of the motor frame. The at least one end-bell assembly is attached to the motor frame, forming an inside area adjacent the motor frame and the stator assembly. The motor also includes a material configured to fill the at least one open area and the inside area of the at least one end-bell assembly for the purpose of sealing the stator assembly and the inside area associated with the at least one end-bell assembly. The material assists in a bonding and attachment between any two or more of the stator assembly, the motor frame, and the at least one end-bell assembly.

Abstract: A unit for recording operating information of an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The unit includes a system controller communicatively coupled to an ECM. The system controller includes a processing device configured to control the unit. The unit also includes a memory device communicatively coupled to the system controller. The memory device is configured to receive and store ECM operating information provided by the processing device.

Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.

Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.

Abstract: A method for resolving addressing conflicts between multiple electronically commutated motors communicatively coupled to a system controller is described. The method includes sending a command, from the system controller, to an address and determining, based on responses or lack of a response received at the system controller, a status of the address. The method further includes repeating the sending and determining steps to determine which addresses are not used and which addresses indicate existence of an addressing conflict and sending messages from the system controller to reassign the addresses of at least one of the plurality of motors to an unused address if the status indicates one or more of the addresses have a conflict.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an electronically commutated motor (ECM) with an ECM control assembly is described. The method includes applying a single pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to a plurality of inputs of a power output module. The method also includes controlling the state of input/output (I/O) circuits to allow the PWM signal to pass through a respective one of the power output module inputs and into a respective winding of the ECM at a desired interval.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The method includes providing a pulse width modulated signal to an ECM controller and adjusting a duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal to cause the ECM controller to regulate at least one of a maximum current drawn by the ECM and an average voltage applied to the ECM.

Abstract: A method for emulating induction motor operation using an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described herein. The method includes receiving, at the ECM, a desired operating torque, accessing induction motor operating characteristics stored within the ECM, and calculating a new torque demand if a speed associated with the desired operating torque is greater than a breakdown speed of the induction motor. The method also includes setting an output torque for the motor substantially equal to the torque demand for the motor if the speed associated with the desired operating torque is less than the breakdown speed of the induction motor, moving the output torque toward the demanded torque if not substantially equal, and operating the motor at the output torque.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a motor enclosure, a motor-bearing assembly, a motor control unit, a mid shield, and a bearing. The motor-bearing assembly is configured for placement within the motor enclosure and has a shaft extending therefrom. A portion of the motor control unit is configured for placement within the motor enclosure. The mid shield is configured for placement within the motor enclosure between the motor control unit and the motor-bearing assembly and further configured to engage the shaft. The bearing is configured to seat within the mid shield and provide at least a portion of the engagement between the shaft and the mid shield.

Abstract: A motor is described that includes a motor enclosure, a motor winding assembly, a motor control unit, and a mid shield. The motor enclosure includes a plurality of protrusions into the motor enclosure in a substantially configuration around its perimeter and the motor winding assembly is configured for placement within the motor enclosure. A portion of the motor control unit is configured for placement within the motor enclosure and the mid shield is configured for placement within the motor enclosure between the motor control unit and the motor winding assembly where it engages the protrusions upon insertion into the enclosure.

Abstract: A method for reducing a length of a motor is described. The method includes engaging a motor enclosure at a first end with a motor winding assembly, inserting a mid shield into the motor enclosure from a second end of the enclosure, and fastening the mid shield to the motor winding assembly. The method further includes engaging the second end of the motor enclosure with a motor control unit, at least a portion of the motor control unit within the motor enclosure, and fastening the motor control unit to the mid shield.

Abstract: A motor is described that includes a motor enclosure, a mid shield, and a motor control unit having a chassis and a plurality of components mounted on the chassis. The motor enclosure includes a plurality of protrusions extending into the motor enclosure. The mid shield is configured for placement within the motor enclosure and configured to engage the protrusions. The mid shield is configured with a plurality of open spaces. The chassis of the motor control unit is configured to engage an end of the motor enclosure and the motor control unit is configured such that at least a portion of the components extend into the motor enclosure and the spaces in the mid shield.

Abstract: A motor is described that includes a motor enclosure, a motor-bearing assembly, a motor control unit, and a mid shield. The motor-bearing assembly is configured for placement within the motor enclosure, and a portion of the motor control unit is configured for placement within the motor enclosure. The mid shield is configured for placement within the motor enclosure between the motor control unit and the motor-bearing assembly. The mid shield is further configured to allow removal of the motor control unit without disturbance of the motor-bearing assembly.

Abstract: A spline lubrication apparatus is disclosed for lubricating a spline of a pump drive. The apparatus includes a housing and a rotatable spline disposed within the housing. The spline includes a shaft having a first and a second end and an external surface extending between the first and second ends of the spline, the external surface defining a plurality of longitudinally extending splines. A gear is rotatably supported within the housing, the gear including an internally splined bore for the rotatable reception therein of the rotatable spline. The arrangement is such that the rotatable spline extends through the bore with the plurality of splines intermeshing with the internally splined bore. A bearing has a first and a second extremity, the bearing being disposed between the gear and the housing for bearingly supporting the gear for rotation within the housing.

Abstract: A serial interface circuit electrically connected to a controller to control an electric motor. The interface circuit includes a controller circuit and a motor circuit. The controller circuit includes a transmitter and a receiver circuit, and the motor circuit includes a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit. The interface interrogates the motor to acquire status and diagnostic information by receiving commands from the controller, adjusts a voltage level to a desired level, outputs the voltage signal to command and control the motor, and receives a voltage response from the motor.