Abstract: A control knob for controlling the operation of a component of a household appliance is disclosed. The control knob includes a body configured to be attached to a rotatable rod extending from the appliance. A locking element reversibly secures the body in at least one rotational position. The locking element is movable between a first position and a second position. The locking element is configured to engage with a notch to rotatably secure the body in the at least one rotational position when the locking element is in the first position, and to disengage from the notch to permit the body to be rotated when the locking element is in the second position.

Abstract: An induction rotor includes a rotor core having an axial end surface, an end ring proximate the axial end surface that provides electrical communication between respective ends of conductor bars extending through the rotor core, and an end ring support structure that includes a ring member at least partially embedded in the end ring. An end ring support structure may have at least one axially extending member coupled with the ring member, such axially extending member projecting axially inwardly of the axial end surface and engaging the rotor core. An end ring support structure may include a ring member having an axially extending portion embedded in the end ring between radially inner and outer surfaces of the end ring whereby the end ring includes an outer portion, radially outwardly of the axially extending portion, and an inner portion disposed radially inwardly of the axially extending portion of the ring member.

Abstract: A hinge for an aircraft power distribution system unit is provided. The unit has a housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part. The hinge comprises a first hinge member for connection to the first housing part of the unit; and a second hinge member for connection to the second housing part of the unit, wherein the first and the second hinge members comprise an electrically conductive material and wherein the first and the second hinge members are connectable to one another to establish an electrical connection between the first and the second hinge members and to allow relative rotation between the first and the second hinge members.

Abstract: An induction rotor includes a rotor core having an axial end surface, an end ring proximate the axial end surface that provides electrical communication between respective ends of conductor bars extending through the rotor core, and an end ring support structure that includes a ring member at least partially embedded in the end ring. An end ring support structure may have at least one axially extending member coupled with the ring member, such axially extending member projecting axially inwardly of the axial end surface and engaging the rotor core. An end ring support structure may include a ring member having an axially extending portion embedded in the end ring between radially inner and outer surfaces of the end ring whereby the end ring includes an outer portion, radially outwardly of the axially extending portion, and an inner portion disposed radially inwardly of the axially extending portion of the ring member.

Abstract: A mode shifting apparatus for a decoking tool, a decoking tool and method of operating same. The apparatus includes features to make it rotatably and translationally responsive to changes in pressure of a decoking fluid such that the apparatus is cooperative with the tool and the decoking fluid in a first operating condition to establish a drilling mode with one or more of the tool's drilling nozzles, and in a second operating condition to establish a cutting mode with one or more of the tool's cutting nozzles. In one form, the apparatus includes one or more sets of tandem seals disposed along a component interface within the apparatus or between the apparatus and the tool to help redundantly isolate seizure-sensitive components within the apparatus from the pressurized decoking fluid. In another form, the apparatus includes a gas spring to counteract the forces imposed by the pressurized decoking fluid. In another form, the apparatus includes a manual override connection.

Abstract: A hinge for an aircraft power distribution system unit is provided. The unit has a housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part. The hinge comprises a first hinge member for connection to the first housing part of the unit; and a second hinge member for connection to the second housing part of the unit, wherein the first and the second hinge members comprise an electrically conductive material and wherein the first and the second hinge members are connectable to one another to establish an electrical connection between the first and the second hinge members and to allow relative rotation between the first and the second hinge members.

Abstract: A mode shifting apparatus for a decoking tool, a decoking tool and method of operating same. The apparatus includes features to make it rotatably and translationally responsive to changes in pressure of a decoking fluid such that the apparatus is cooperative with the tool and the decoking fluid in a first operating condition to establish a drilling mode with one or more of the tool's drilling nozzles, and in a second operating condition to establish a cutting mode with one or more of the tool's cutting nozzles. In one form, the apparatus includes one or more sets of tandem seals disposed along a component interface within the apparatus or between the apparatus and the tool to help redundantly isolate seizure-sensitive components within the apparatus from the pressurized decoking fluid. In another form, the apparatus includes a gas spring to counteract the forces imposed by the pressurized decoking fluid. In another form, the apparatus includes a manual override connection.

Abstract: Difficulties in self-starting a permanent magnet motor are eliminated in a structure including a stator with a rotor journalled within the stator for rotation about an axis. The rotor includes a body of ferromagnetic material having a nominally cylindrical peripheral surface concentric with the axis. Permanent magnets are located on the peripheral surface to define equally angularly spaced magnetic poles with alternating ones of the poles being of opposite polarity. A thin, hollow cylinder formed of a good electrically conducting material is disposed on the body to sandwich the magnets against the peripheral surface of the body and provides a situs for the generation of localized induced electrical current which generates magnetic fields that react with rotating magnetic fields in the stator to start the motor from a dead stop without the need for position sensors or controlled electronics.