Abstract: A canister vacuum cleaner comprises a base, a recovery tank, and a clean solution tank. The vacuum cleaner can be used for dry vacuuming, wet vacuuming, and can distribute cleaning solution to a floor surface and has means for a fluid distribution system and a recovery system. The clean solution tank can be filled with a cleaning solution for distribution to a floor surface and the recovery tank is used for collecting dry or liquid matter recovered from vacuuming.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid delivery system including a supply of cleaning fluid and a fluid recovery system for drawing dirty cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned. The apparatus can comprise a passageway that passes heated motor cooling air in heat exchange with the cleaning fluid to heat the cleaning fluid. The apparatus can further comprise a mixing manifold that mixes first and second cleaning fluids at different concentrations for different cleaning modes. The apparatus can further comprise a fluid valve having a shape memory alloy actuator.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid delivery system including a supply of cleaning fluid and a fluid recovery system for drawing dirty cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned. The apparatus can comprise a passageway that passes heated motor cooling air in heat exchange with the cleaning fluid to heat the cleaning fluid. The apparatus can further comprise a mixing manifold that mixes first and second cleaning fluids at different concentrations for different cleaning modes. The apparatus can further comprise a fluid valve having a shape memory alloy actuator.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid delivery system including a supply of cleaning fluid and a fluid recovery system for drawing dirty cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned. The apparatus can comprise a passageway that passes heated motor cooling air in heat exchange with the cleaning fluid to heat the cleaning fluid. The apparatus can further comprise a mixing manifold that mixes first and second cleaning fluids at different concentrations for different cleaning modes. The apparatus can further comprise a fluid valve having a shape memory alloy actuator.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle connected to the fluid supply tank through a fluid supply conduit for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid, a suction nozzle, a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle, a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and to the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery tank, and a power drive mechanism for selectively propelling the portable cleaning apparatus over the surface to be cleaned

Abstract: The invention is directed to a thermodynamically activated flue damper for a gas water heater that includes a flue damper for controlling the passage of exhaust gases through the flue; and a thermally sensitive member that is capable of contracting when the exhaust gasses in the flue heat the thermally sensitive member to its transition temperature and expanding when the temperature of the thermally sensitive material falls below its transition temperature. The thermally sensitive member is connected between the flue damper and a support member in the flue to control the pivoting of the flue damper as the thermally sensitive metal expands or contracts at the transition temperature. The flue damper system may also include a counter-balancing member to provide a counter-balancing force to the said thermally sensitive metal, such as a coil spring. The thermally sensitive member may be formed in the shape such as a rod, a wire, and an elongated bar, and may be made from Nytinol or other similar metals.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle connected to the fluid supply tank through a fluid supply conduit for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid, a suction nozzle, a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle, a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and to the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery tank, and a power drive mechanism for selectively propelling the portable cleaning apparatus over the surface to be cleaned

Abstract: A water heater of the invention includes a water container; an element located to heat water in the water container; a sensor located to sense temperature; and a controller, the controller monitors the sensed temperature and compares the sensed temperature against a control temperature, with the controller further adjusting the control temperature a defined amount when the sensed temperature varies a desired amount from the control temperature.

Abstract: A water heater of the invention includes a water container; an element located to heat water in the water container; a sensor located to sense temperature; and a controller, the controller monitors the sensed temperature at termination of a defined time interval and compares the sensed temperature against a predetermined temperature, with the controller further identifying the element as defective when the sensed temperature is less than the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine constructed for speed and accuracy of manufacturing has a stator core constructed of 90° symmetrical stator laminations and the windings have differing numbers of poles which overlap in slots of the stator core are wound of the core formed by the laminations in unique fashion. The rotor bars of the machine are skewed to optimize performance of the machine when in the form of a single phase induction motor. Magnet wire leads of the windings are connected directly to terminals on a plug and terminal assembly which is formed for positive location on an end frame of the machine without welding or other fastening to the end frame. The end frames of the machine and stator laminations forming the stator core are formed so as to increase the precision of the final position of the stator relative to the rotor assembly of the dynamoelectric machine. The end frames are constructed for grounding without the use of fasteners or wire.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine constructed for speed and accuracy of manufacturing has a stator core constructed of 90.degree. symmetrical stator laminations and the windings have differing numbers of poles which overlap in slots of the stator core are wound of the core formed by the laminations in unique fashion. The rotor bars of the machine are skewed to optimize performance of the machine when in the form of a single phase induction motor. Magnet wire leads of the windings are connected directly to terminals on a plug and terminal assembly which is formed for positive location on an end frame of the machine without welding or other fastening to the end frame. The end frames of the machine and stator laminations forming the stator core are formed so as to increase the precision of the final position of the stator relative to the rotor assembly of the dynamoelectric machine. The end frames are constructed for grounding without the use of fasteners or wire.

Abstract: A control knob to shaft assembly including a rotatable, bifurcated shaft, the bifurcation spanning the diameter of the shaft and having a central cylindrical bore interconnecting two open slots, one of which has a width larger than the other. There is also provided an escutcheon plate in a plane that intersects the longitudinal axis of the shaft at an acute angle and has an opening therethrough. A knob is received in the escutcheon plate opening and has a first portion larger in diameter than the escutcheon plate opening, a second portion having two projecting spaced parallel legs with a yoke connecting and spanning the legs. The yoke has a central ball shaped portion with a diameter slightly smaller than the cylindrical bore in the shaft and is received in the cylindrical bore.

Abstract: An interlock switch comprises a standard snap action switch, provided with an actuating leaf, coiled at one end and fixed to the switch housing at the other end. In one application the switch is to be actuated by a door latch handle which passes between an open and a closed position by engaging the coiled actuating leaf. The leaf is initially coiled such that the coil is engaged by the latch handle early in its travel. When the latch handle is closed for the first time, the coil is unrolled to a closed coil position at the closed position of the latch handle. When the latch handle returns to the open positon, the coil re-rolls only slightly to a new open coil position displaced a short distance from the closed coil position. The coil is thus positioned so that in subsequent latch handle closings, the coil is not engaged until the latch handle approaches the closed position.