Abstract: A first battery pack that is switchable between a first configuration having a first rated output voltage that corresponds to a first power tool rated operating voltage such that the first battery pack enables operation of the first power tool, and a second configuration having a second rated output voltage that corresponds to a second power tool rated operating voltage such that the first battery pack enables operation of the second power tool.

Abstract: A first battery pack that is switchable between a first configuration having a first rated output voltage that corresponds to a first power tool rated operating voltage such that the first battery pack enables operation of the first power tool, and a second configuration having a second rated output voltage that corresponds to a second power tool rated operating voltage such that the first battery pack enables operation of the second power tool.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a first power tool having a first power tool rated voltage, a second power tool having a second power tool rated voltage that is different from the first power tool rated voltage, and a first battery pack coupleable to the first power tool and to the second power tool. The first battery pack is switchable between a first configuration having a first battery pack rated voltage that corresponds to the first power tool rated voltage such that the first battery pack enables operation of the first power tool, and a second configuration having a convertible battery pack rated voltage that corresponds to the second power tool rated voltage such that the battery pack enables operation of the second power tool.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a first power tool having a first power tool rated voltage, a second power tool having a second power tool rated voltage that is different from the first power tool rated voltage, and a first battery pack coupleable to the first power tool and to the second power tool. The first battery pack is switchable between a first configuration having a first battery pack rated voltage that corresponds to the first power tool rated voltage such that the first battery pack enables operation of the first power tool, and a second configuration having a convertible battery pack rated voltage that corresponds to the second power tool rated voltage such that the battery pack enables operation of the second power tool.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a first power tool having a first power tool rated voltage, a second power tool having a second power tool rated voltage that is different from the first power tool rated voltage, and a first battery pack coupleable to the first power tool and to the second power tool. The first battery pack is switchable between a first configuration having a first battery pack rated voltage that corresponds to the first power tool rated voltage such that the first battery pack enables operation of the first power tool, and a second configuration having a convertible battery pack rated voltage that corresponds to the second power tool rated voltage such that the battery pack enables operation of the second power tool.

Abstract: A power tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention has a motor driving a member, a switch coupled across windings of the motor that dynamically brakes the motor, and a mechanical brake that brakes speed of the member. In an aspect, the combined dynamic and mechanical braking brakes speed of the member to a desired speed in no more than about two second. In an aspect, the motor is an electronically commutated motor and the power tool includes a controller that electronically commutates the motor by switching switches that switch power to the motor in an electronic commutation sequence and switches the switches to electronically brake the motor.

Abstract: A power tool having an electronically commutated DC motor capable of providing various operating modes ranging from a maximum efficiency operating mode to a maximum power operating mode. The motor has a rotor having permanent magnets mounted in recesses in a back iron of the rotor. In one embodiment the motor has three phase windings, each having at least a pair of coils. The phase windings are connected in either a delta or a wye configuration via electromechancial or electronic switching components, or a combination of both, by a controller within the tool. The coils in each phase winding can also be switched between series and parallel configurations to configure the motor to provide its various operating modes. In one embodiment a dual wound motor is disclosed that has its phase coils dynamically or statically switchable between series and parallel configurations.

Abstract: A hand held orbital sander has a housing having an electronically commutated motor disposed therein and an orbit mechanism disposed beneath the housing. A motor controller is coupled to the motor. The motor controller changes the speed of at which it runs the motor from an idle speed to a sanding speed upon the motor speed dropping from idle speed to an idle speed threshold value and changes the speed at which it runs the motor from sanding speed to idle speed upon the motor speed increasing from sanding speed to a sanding speed threshold value. The sander may have a mechanical brake that brakes the orbit mechanism and the motor controller also dynamically brakes the motor.

Abstract: A charger including a power supply connectable to an outside power source, first and second battery power sources connected to the power supply for providing power to a battery pack, and a controller connected to the first and second battery power sources for controlling the first and second battery power sources. The first and second battery power sources are preferably connected in parallel to the battery.

Abstract: A hand held orbital sander has a housing having an electronically commutated motor disposed therein and an orbit mechanism disposed beneath the housing. A motor controller is coupled to the motor. The motor controller changes the speed of at which it runs the motor from an idle speed to a sanding speed upon the motor speed dropping from idle speed to an idle speed threshold value and changes the speed at which it runs the motor from sanding speed to idle speed upon the motor speed increasing from sanding speed to a sanding speed threshold value. The sander may have a mechanical brake that brakes the orbit mechanism and the motor controller also dynamically brakes the motor.

Abstract: A power tool is a “low profile” power tool, that is the overall height of the power tool is sufficiently small that a user can grasp the top of the power tool with the user's hand and the hand will be positioned relative close to the bottom of the power tool compared with existing power tools. The low profile power tool uses a low profile motor having a diameter to lamination height ratio of at least 2:1. In an aspect of the invention, the motor is an electronically commutated “pancake” style motor. In an aspect of the invention, the power tool is a random orbital sander or an orbital sander having a motor that provides at least 40 watts of power. In an aspect of the invention, the sander has a mechanical brake that brakes the orbital mechanism and the motor is dynamically braked.

Abstract: A driving tool, such as a fastening tool, with a driver, a motor, a flywheel driven by the motor, an actuator, an actuator member that is movable by the actuator, a trigger switch that is moveable by a trigger between an unactuated state and an actuated state, and a contact trip switch that is moveable by a contact trip between an unactuated state and an actuated state. The controller does not include power switches for controlling the operation of the motor and the actuator, but rather employs microswitches and control logic to determine when to activate the motor assembly and the actuator.

Abstract: A method for operating a driving tool, such as a fastening tool, that has a driver, a motor assembly with a motor and an output member, and an electrical power source. The methodology includes transmitting electrical power to the motor to rotate the output member and thereafter adjusting one or more control parameters if a rotational speed of the output member is not within a predetermined operating range.

Abstract: In a cordless power tool system, a battery pack which may removably attachable to a cordless power tool and to a charger may include at least one battery cell and a power limiting device. The power limiting device may be arranged in series with the at least one battery cell for limiting power output of the battery pack based on the component that is connected to the pack. Current and hence power out of the battery pack may be controlled as a function of total internal impedance in the battery pack, which may be adjusted depending on the component that is connected to the pack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for braking a motor has a braking circuit that intermittently shorts the windings of the motor to brake the motor. The braking circuit is powered by back EMF generated by the motor when power is disconnected from the motor.