Abstract: A reconfigurable electric motor includes rotatable permanent magnets in a rotor, the magnets having a first position producing a weak magnetic field and a second position producing a strong magnetic field. The motor is reconfigurable from an asynchronous induction motor at startup into a synchronous motor for efficient operation. The motor includes a squirrel cage for induction motor operation at startup with the permanent magnets positioned to product the weak magnetic field to not interfere with the startup. When the motor reaches sufficient RPM, the permanent magnets rotate to produce a strong magnetic field for high efficiency synchronous operation. The permanent magnets are magnetically biased to come to rest in the weak magnetic field position and a centrifugal mechanism holds the magnets in the weak magnetic field position until sufficient RPM are reached for transition to synchronous operation.

Abstract: A reconfigurable electric motor includes a rotor containing rotatable permanent magnets or non-magnetically conducting shunting pieces. The magnets and/or shunting pieces have a first position producing a weak magnetic field for asynchronous induction motor operation at startup and a second position producing a strong magnetic field for efficient synchronous operation. The motor includes a squirrel cage for induction motor operation at startup with the permanent magnets and/or shunting pieces positioned to product the weak magnetic field to not interfere with the startup. When the motor approaches or reaches synchronous RPM, the permanent magnets and/or shunting pieces rotate to produce a strong magnetic field for high efficiency synchronous operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for tuning the magnetic field of brushless motors and alternators to obtain efficient operation over a broad RPM range. The motor or alternator includes fixed windings (or stator) around a rotating rotor carrying permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are cylindrical and have North (N) and South (S) poles formed longitudinally in the cylindrical magnets. The magnets reside in magnetic conducing pole pieces (for example, low carbon or soft steel, and/or laminated insulated layers, of non-magnetizable material). Rotating the cylindrical permanent magnets inside the pole pieces either strengthens or weakens the resulting magnetic field to adjust the motor or alternator for low RPM torque or for efficient high RPM efficiency. Varying the rotor magnetic field adjusts the voltage output of the alternators allowing, for example, a windmill generator, to maintain a fixed voltage output. Other material used in the rotor is generally non-magnetic, for example, stainless steel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for tuning the magnetic field of brushless motors and alternators to obtain efficient operation over a broad RPM range. The motor or alternator includes fixed windings (or stator) around a rotating rotor carrying permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are generally cylindrical and have North and South poles formed longitudinally in the magnets. Magnetically conducting circuits are formed by the magnets residing in magnetic conducting pole pieces (for example, low carbon or soft steel, and/or laminated insulated layers, of non-magnetizable material). Rotating the permanent magnets, or rotating non-magnetically conducting shunting pieces, inside the pole pieces, either strengthens or weakens the resulting magnetic field to adjust the motor or alternator for low RPM torque or for efficient high RPM efficiency. Varying the rotor magnetic field adjusts the voltage output of the alternators allowing, for example, a windmill generator, to maintain a fixed voltage output.

Abstract: A reconfigurable electric motor includes rotatable permanent magnets in a rotor, the magnets having a first position producing a weak magnetic field and a second position producing a strong magnetic field. The motor is reconfigurable from an asynchronous induction motor at startup into a synchronous motor for efficient operation. The motor includes a squirrel cage for induction motor operation at startup with the permanent magnets positioned to product the weak magnetic field to not interfere with the startup. When the motor reaches sufficient RPM, the permanent magnets rotate to produce a strong magnetic field for high efficiency synchronous operation. The permanent magnets are magnetically biased to come to rest in the weak magnetic field position and a centrifugal mechanism holds the magnets in the weak magnetic field position until sufficient RPM are reached for transition to synchronous operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for tuning the magnetic field of brushless motors and alternators to obtain efficient operation over a broad RPM range. The motor or alternator includes fixed windings (or stator) around a rotating rotor carrying permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are cylindrical and have North (N) and South (S) poles formed longitudinally in the cylindrical magnets. The magnets reside in magnetic conducing pole pieces (for example, low carbon or soft steel, and/or laminated insulated layers, of non-magnetizable material). Rotating the cylindrical permanent magnets inside the pole pieces either strengthens or weakens the resulting magnetic field to adjust the motor or alternator for low RPM torque or for efficient high RPM efficiency. Varying the rotor magnetic field adjusts the voltage output of the alternators allowing, for example, a windmill generator, to maintain a fixed voltage output. Other material used in the rotor is generally non-magnetic, for example, stainless steel.

Abstract: A reconfigurable electric motor includes a rotor containing rotatable permanent magnets or non-magnetically conducting shunting pieces. The magnets and/or shunting pieces have a first position producing a weak magnetic field for asynchronous induction motor operation at startup and a second position producing a strong magnetic field for efficient synchronous operation. The motor includes a squirrel cage for induction motor operation at startup with the permanent magnets and/or shunting pieces positioned to product the weak magnetic field to not interfere with the startup. When the motor approaches or reaches synchronous RPM, the permanent magnets and/or shunting pieces rotate to produce a strong magnetic field for high efficiency synchronous operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for tuning the magnetic field of brushless motors and alternators to obtain efficient operation over a broad RPM range. The motor or alternator includes fixed windings (or stator) around a rotating rotor carrying permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are generally cylindrical and have North and South poles formed longitudinally in the magnets. Magnetically conducting circuits are formed by the magnets residing in magnetic conducting pole pieces (for example, low carbon or soft steel, and/or laminated insulated layers, of non-magnetizable material). Rotating the permanent magnets, or rotating non-magnetically conducting shunting pieces, inside the pole pieces, either strengthens or weakens the resulting magnetic field to adjust the motor or alternator for low RPM torque or for efficient high RPM efficiency. Varying the rotor magnetic field adjusts the voltage output of the alternators allowing, for example, a windmill generator, to maintain a fixed voltage output.

Abstract: A fire alarm pull station includes a cover which must be opened to reach a fire alarm actuating handle, and an audio pull station alarm triggered by opening the cover. Once triggered, the pull station alarm remains on until reset, which reset requires using a tool in a first embodiment or a key in a second (or key lock) embodiment. The tool or key preferably allows the pull station to be opened to reset the pull station alarm. The cover may further be blocked from closing after being opened, and may only be closed after opening the pull station to reset a blocking mechanism. The pull station alarm is preferably an audio alarm residing in the pull station and the pull station may be hard wired to the fire alarm or wireless. The presence of the pull station alarm serves to deter false alarm setting.

Abstract: A fire alarm manual station includes an image capture device for capturing an image of a fingerprint and processing of the captured image. The image may be stored locally and be downloaded to a lap top computer or other storage device, or the image may be transmitted to a central station. The image may further be processed to validate that the image is an actual fingerprint image, and a fire alarm activated only for an actual fingerprint image. The image may also be compared to a list of authorized fingerprint images, and the image may be compared to a list of prohibited fingerprint images.

Abstract: A fire alarm pull station includes a cover which must be opened to reach a fire alarm actuating handle, and an audio pull station alarm triggered by opening the cover. Once triggered, the pull station alarm remains on until reset, which reset requires using a tool in a first embodiment or a key in a second (or key lock) embodiment. The tool or key preferably allows the pull station to be opened to reset the pull station alarm. The cover may further be blocked from closing after being opened, and may only be closed after opening the pull station to reset a blocking mechanism. The pull station alarm is preferably an audio alarm residing in the pull station and the pull station may be hard wired to the fire alarm or wireless. The presence of the pull station alarm serves to deter false alarm setting.

Abstract: A splash proof electromagnetic door holder is sealed to prevent failures caused by exposure to moisture. The electromagnetic door holder comprises a ground box, a main housing attached to the ground box, and a coil assembly attached to the main housing. The coil assembly includes a bobbin containing a wire coil. A sealant, preferably epoxy, covers the face of the bobbin to prevent moisture from entering the coil assembly. A seal is incorporated between a coil passage in the main housing and the coil assembly. Seals are included between the main housing and the ground box. The resulting the electromagnetic door holder resists the entry of moisture into the electromagnetic door holder and thereby improves the reliability of the electromagnetic door holder.

Abstract: An explosion proof electromagnetic door holder includes an explosion cover to protect internal door holder components. The explosion proof electromagnetic door holder comprises a wall box, the explosion cover attached to the wall box, a coil assembly attached to the explosion cover, and a face plate over the explosion cover. The explosion cover protects the coil assembly in the event of an explosion. The coil assembly includes a bobbin containing a wire coil. A sealant, preferably epoxy, may be used to cover the face of the bobbin to prevent moisture from entering the coil assembly. A coil seal may also be incorporated between a cover passage in the explosion cover and the coil assembly to resist the entry of moisture into the wall box. The resulting explosion proof electromagnetic door holder resists damage to the coil assembly in the event of an explosion.

Abstract: A moisture resistant electromagnetic door holder is sealed to avoid failures caused by exposure to moisture. The electromagnetic door holder comprises a wall box, a coil housing attached to the wall box, and a coil assembly attached to the coil housing. The coil assembly includes a bobbin containing a wire coil. A sealant, preferably epoxy, covers the face of the bobbin to prevent moisture from entering the coil assembly. A coil seal may be incorporated between a coil passage in the coil housing and the coil assembly. A gasket reside between the coil housing and the wall box. The resulting the electromagnetic door holder resists the entry of moisture into the electromagnetic door holder and thereby improves the reliability of the electromagnetic door holder.