Abstract: A motor has a stator, a rotor having a shaft, and a sleeve bearing in contact with the rotor shaft. The sleeve bearing also is fixedly secured to the stator. Additionally, the motor also has a movable support member axially supporting the shaft. The movable support member illustratively is movable relative to the shaft. The rotor center of gravity coincides approximately with the opening in the bearing-shaft interface.

Abstract: A rotor has a rim that diverges from its peripheral portion. Accordingly, the rim more securely couples with a shaft. More specifically, the rotor has a support member with a peripheral portion and an interior rim. The interior rim defines a central opening and, as noted above, diverges from the peripheral portion. The rotor also has a shaft coupled within the central opening of the support member.

Abstract: A magnetizing fixture is provided for connection to an electrical power supply. Electrically conductive elements fit within channels connecting top and bottom surfaces of an electrically conductive core. One end of each electrically conductive element connects to a power supply and the other end to an electrically conductive top. An electrically insulating layer coating the channels and top and bottom surfaces of the electrically conductive core electrically isolates the electrically conductive elements from the electrically conductive core.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of manufacture of a DC electric motor operable over a range of voltage by virtue of a DC-DC regulator having an inductance provided by one or more windings on the stator of the motor. A conductor is wound about an interpole of the stator and coupled, as an inductance, to a voltage regulator circuit, allowing operation of the DC motor over a substantial range of input voltage.

Abstract: A condensation removal apparatus is disclosed. The condensation removal apparatus is used with a hot water heater wherein the hot water heater produces a fuel exhaust. The fuel exhaust from the hot water heater is provided to a draft inducer through an inlet which includes a thermally conductive plate having a hole through which the fuel exhaust flows. The draft inducer mixes ambient air with the fuel exhaust and reduces the temperature of the mixture as compared to the fuel exhaust. The mixture is directed to an outlet of the draft inducer and through piping into another environment. As the mixture cools, condensation forms within the piping. The condensation drips back down through the draft inducer. The condensation is then directed onto the thermally conductive plate. Since the thermally conductive plate maintains a high temperature, the condensation is turned from a liquid form into a gaseous form and is directed back through the draft inducer to the outlet.

Abstract: A fan controller for controlling the rotation of a rotor (with a fan blade) has a current limiting element to control current flow to a capacitive storage apparatus. More specifically, the fan controller has an input for receiving an input voltage, the noted capacitive storage in electrical communication with both rotor circuitry (that controls rotor rotation) and the input, and the noted current limiting element coupled between the input and the capacitive storage. The rotor circuitry is energizable by the input voltage, while, in a similar manner, the capacitive storage is capable of charging by receiving current from the input. The current limiting element at least in part controls current flow from the input to the capacitive storage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of starting an electric motor (having a rotor that rotates in a given direction during steady state operation from the at rest position) generates a preliminary signal that causes the rotor to rotate in an opposite direction to that of the given direction. The method and apparatus also begin rotation of the rotor in the given direction after the rotor rotates in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the speed of a DC electric motor receives a periodic commutation signal having a fixed duration on cycle and an off cycle. The commutation signal then is modified to form a periodic modified commutation signal having substantially the same period duration as the commutation signal. The modified commutation signal has a single on cycle per period. The method and apparatus then determine a desired speed of the motor, and vary the duration of the on cycle of the commutation signal to form the on cycle of the modified commutation signal. The on cycle of the modified commutation signal has a duration that is less than the fixed duration. By varying in this manner, the rotor rotates at substantially the desired speed.

Abstract: A magnetizing fixture is provided for connection to an electrical power supply. Electrically conductive elements fit within channels connecting top and bottom surfaces of an electrically conductive core. One end of each electrically conductive element connects to a power supply and the other end to an electrically conductive top. An electrically insulating layer coating the channels and top and bottom surfaces of the electrically conductive core electrically isolates the electrically conductive elements from the electrically conductive core.

Abstract: A draft inducer system has a voltage reducer capable of converting an input AC voltage to a reduced voltage, and an inducer unit capable of being coupled with the voltage reducer. The voltage reducer includes a reducer housing, a set of prongs extending from the reducer housing, and an output interface capable of delivering the reduced voltage. The set of prongs is capable of plugging into an AC outlet. The inducer unit has a unit housing, an air moving device within the unit housing, and a mixing chamber formed by the unit housing. The mixing chamber has an exhaust input to receive exhaust from a burning fuel, and an ambient air input for receiving ambient air. The ambient air mixes with the exhaust in the mixing chamber to produce mixed air. Accordingly, the mixing chamber also has a mix output capable of directing the mixed air from the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An electric motor stator current controller. The inner surface of the motor rotor defines a bounded region. A circuit board containing a magnetic field detector for detecting a magnetic field produced by the rotor magnet is coupled to the arbor and lies, at least in part, within the bounded region.

Abstract: A flat pack blower utilizes surface mounting techniques for mounting the blower electronics on a thin laminated circuit board to reduce the blower profile. To that end, the blower includes a stator, and a rotor rotatably coupled to the stator. The stator includes a coil, a pole coupled with the coil, and a laminated circuit board having blower control circuitry and pads for electrically connecting the blower control circuitry to the coil. Use of surface mounting techniques on the laminated circuit board thus eliminates the discrete electronic components and the wires connecting such components.

Abstract: A method of producing a rotor positions a shaft in one of a first mold portion and a second mold portion, and positions a cup in one of the first mold portion and the second mold portion. The first and second mold portions are then mated to form a chamber. Molding material is injected into the chamber to produce a molded part that includes the cup and the shaft. The molded part has a part axis that substantially parallel with the part axis.

Abstract: A stator in a synchronous fan includes first and second main windings, and an auxiliary winding. Illustratively, the first and second main windings are wound in a bifilar arrangement. In addition, the stator has a switch to switch the stator between a plurality of configurations. One of those configurations is an induction configuration that permits the first main winding to induce a voltage in the auxiliary winding when a current (e.g., a time-varying current) is transmitted through the first main winding. Moreover, the first main winding is electrically isolated from the auxiliary winding when in the induction configuration.

Abstract: A DC electric motor includes an internal programmable element that permits it to be synchronized to an external reference signal. To that end, the motor includes a rotor capable of rotating at a rotational speed, rotor circuitry that controls the rotational speed of the rotor, and an input to receive the noted external reference signal, which indicates a preset speed. In addition, the motor also includes the noted programmable element, which is operatively coupled with the input and the rotor circuitry within the motor. The programmable element is capable of comparing the external reference signal with the rotational speed of the rotor and, consequently, controls the rotor circuitry based upon the comparison of the external reference signal and the rotational speed of the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a floating DC voltage source from an electric motor which may be a brushless DC motor. The apparatus includes a rectifier circuit for rectifying back electromotive force voltage from a winding of the motor and a clamping circuit for clamping the rectified voltage to produce a floating DC voltage which may be a TTL logic level voltage. A motor control circuit is disconnected from the winding to produce the back electromotive force voltage.

Abstract: A flat pack blower utilizes surface mounting techniques for mounting the blower electronics on a thin laminated circuit board to reduce the blower profile. To that end, the blower includes a stator, and a rotor rotatably coupled to the stator. The stator includes a coil, a pole coupled with the coil, and a laminated circuit board having blower control circuitry and pads for electrically connecting the blower control circuitry to the coil. Use of surface mounting techniques on the laminated circuit board thus eliminates the discrete electronic components and the wires connecting such components.

Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror is wiped by a flexible blade supported by a pivotal arm mounted on a carriage supported for linear movement on a track mounted on a housing attached to the mirror. A shuttle is supported within the housing for reciprocating vertical movement by a motor driven reversing lead screw, and a magnetic coupling connects the shuttle to the carriage with the housing extending therebetween. A cam and follower lift and reset the arm and blade relative to the mirror in response to movement of the carriage at the top of the mirror, and the track and housing are each formed from a non-magnetic material so that the shuttle moves the carriage by a magnetic field.

Abstract: First and second stator circuitry for respective use with first and second stators in a multi-stator motor are configured so that the first stator circuitry is substantially unaffected by a failure of the second stator circuitry to energize a second winding in the second stator. To that end, the motor includes a rotor that rotates through a plurality of rotational positions, the first stator having the first stator circuitry and a first winding, and the second stator having the second stator circuitry and a second winding. The first stator circuitry energizes the first winding in response to the rotational position of the rotor. In a similar manner, the second stator circuitry energizes the second winding in response to the rotational position of the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of fabricating an electric motor encapsulates the major assemblies of the motor in protective encapsulating material. The method begins by assembling a blade and housing, a motor stator, a motor rotor and associated control circuitry into a complete electric fan. The operational characteristics of the complete fan are then tested to verify proper operation. The blade and rotor assemblies are then removed from the complete fan so that a mold may be positioned onto the fan. Encapsulating material is injected into the mold so as to encase the fan in the encapsulating material. The mold is removed and the blade and rotor assemblies are reinserted. Embodiments may use various encapsulating materials such as urethanes, silicones, or epoxies.