Abstract: A method for controlling stray electromagnetic fields for a vehicle with an inductive charging system and a method for providing feedback to a vehicle operator for an inductive charging system is characterized by the addition of alignment coils to a vehicle mounted secondary coil. The methods provide sensors to detect the relative positions of the primary coil and secondary coil by determining voltages induced in the alignment coils by a magnetic field generated by the primary coil. The methods include providing feedback to the vehicle operator to guide the alignment of the secondary coil relative to the primary coil and directing the vehicle operator to position the secondary coil within an alignment zone so as to control stray electromagnetic fields.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a vehicle with an inductive charging system is characterized by the addition of alignment coils to a secondary coil on the vehicle. For efficient inductive charging, it is necessary that the vehicle mounted secondary coil be aligned with a stationary primary coil of a transformer of the inductive charging system. When the primary coil is energized, it produces a magnetic field which induces a voltage in the alignment coils as a function of the proximity of the alignment coils to the central axis of the primary coil. The voltage differential between opposed pairs of alignment coils is determined by a comparator which then generates a directional signal which can be used by the operator of the vehicle to position the vehicle for closer alignment of the vehicle secondary coil with the primary coil and more efficient charging.

Abstract: A method for aligning a vehicle with an inductive charging system is characterized by the addition of alignment coils to a secondary coil on the vehicle. For efficient inductive charging, it is necessary that the vehicle mounted secondary coil be aligned with a stationary primary coil of a transformer of the inductive charging system. When the primary coil is energized, it produces a magnetic field which induces a voltage in the alignment coils as a function of the proximity of the alignment coils to the central axis of the primary coil. The voltage differential between opposed pairs of alignment coils is determined by a comparator which then generates a directional signal which can be used by the operator of the vehicle to position the vehicle for closer alignment of the vehicle secondary coil with the primary coil and more efficient charging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a vehicle with an inductive charging system is characterized by the addition of alignment coils to a secondary coil on the vehicle. For efficient inductive charging, it is necessary that the vehicle mounted secondary coil be aligned with a stationary primary coil of a transformer of the inductive charging system. When the primary coil is energized, it produces a magnetic field which induces a voltage in the alignment coils as a function of the proximity of the alignment coils to the central axis of the primary coil. The voltage differential between opposed pairs of alignment coils is determined by a comparator which then generates a directional signal which can be used by the operator of the vehicle to position the vehicle for closer alignment of the vehicle secondary coil with the primary coil and more efficient charging.

Abstract: A device for drying hair includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet spaced from the air inlet to define an airflow path through the housing. The device also includes a fan disposed within the housing along the airflow path, a hairstyling implement disposed at the air outlet, and an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The transducer is coupled to the hairstyling implement to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the hair.

Abstract: A radially adjustable barrel, a barrel-adjustment assembly, a radially adjustable heater assembly, and a radially adjustable distal-tip assembly. The barrel is radially adjustable between expanded and contracted positions having different diameters. The barrel-adjustment assembly includes a rotary ring defining a spiral cam guide and includes a cam follower attached to the barrel. The heater assembly includes a post, at least one heater, and at least one spring mounting the heater to the post and biasing the heater radially outward. In use, rotating the ring rotates the spiral cam guide, which displaces the cam follower radially inward or outward, which in turn displaces the outer end of the barrel radially inward or outward to decrease or increase the diameter of the barrel. As the diameter of the barrel is adjusted, the heaters remain in contact with the barrel due to the outwardly biasing influence of the spring.

Abstract: A device for styling hair includes a handle and a barrel extending from the handle. The barrel has a styling surface spaced from the handle, and the styling surface is configured for winding the hair around the barrel. The device further includes a heating element in thermal communication with the barrel to transfer heat to the hair via the styling surface of the barrel, and an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic transducer is disposed within the barrel to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the hair via the styling surface of the barrel.

Abstract: A device for styling hair includes a wand defining a handle grip surface and a first styling surface spaced from the handle grip surface and a plate defining a second styling surface, the plate being pivotally coupled to the wand to clamp the hair between the first styling surface and the second styling surface. The device further includes a heating element in thermal communication with the first styling surface or the second styling surface to transfer heat to the hair via the first styling surface or the second styling surface, respectively, and an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic transducer includes a horn in contact with the wand or the plate to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the hair via the first styling surface or the second styling surface, respectively.

Abstract: An adjustable barrel, a barrel-adjustment assembly, and an adjustable distal tip assembly. The barrel is radially adjustable between an expanded position and a contracted position having different diameters. The barrel-adjustment assembly includes a barrel cam, a gear-set, and a rotary adjustment ring. The barrel cam rotates to unwrap and wrap the barrel thereabout between the expanded and contracted positions. The gear-set rotationally drives the barrel cam. The adjustment ring can be longitudinally translated from a disengaged position to an engaged position. In the disengaged position the gear-set is disengaged (but an anti-rotation assembly is engaged) and in the engaged position the gear-set is engaged (and the anti-rotation assembly is disengaged). Once in the disengaged position, the adjustment ring can be rotated, which causes the engaged gear-set to rotate the barrel cam, which in turn wraps and unwraps the barrel about the cam into increased or decreased diameters.

Abstract: An electronically commutated brushless motor including a motor housing, a bulge formed in a sidewall of the motor housing, and a capacitor assembly housed in the bulge. The capacitor assembly includes a capacitor printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of longitudinal edges and at least one capacitor mounted on the capacitor PCB. The bulge includes a plurality of channels located along an inside surface of a sidewall of the bulge, in which the longitudinal edges of the capacitor assembly are slideably inserted.

Abstract: An electronically commutated brushless motor including a housing for accurately angularly aligning a position sensor relative to a position of a stator. The housing includes an integrally formed bridge for precisely situating the position sensor within the bridge, and a plurality of integrally formed locating ribs formed on an internal surface of a circumferential wall portion of the housing for precisely angularly situating the stator within the housing. Since the locating ribs and the bridge are all integrally formed on the housing, this eliminates the possibility of angular misalignment of the position sensor relative the stator during assembly of the motor.

Abstract: An electronically commutated brushless motor including a housing for accurately angularly aligning a position sensor relative to a position of a stator. The housing includes an integrally formed bridge for precisely situating the position sensor within the bridge, and a plurality of integrally formed locating ribs formed on an internal surface of a circumferential wall portion of the housing for precisely angularly situating the stator within the housing. Since the locating ribs and the bridge are all integrally formed on the housing, this eliminates the possibility of angular misalignment of the position sensor relative the stator during assembly of the motor.

Abstract: An electronically commutated brushless motor including a motor housing, a bulge formed in a sidewall of the motor housing, and a capacitor assembly housed in the bulge. The capacitor assembly includes a capacitor printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of longitudinal edges and at least one capacitor mounted on the capacitor PCB. The bulge includes a plurality of channels located along an inside surface of a sidewall of the bulge, in which the longitudinal edges of the capacitor assembly are slideably inserted.

Abstract: A double insulated electronically commutated brushless motor for coupling to a gearbox of a motor driven product. The motor includes a first layer of electrical insulation that includes a plurality of insulating strips formed in the shape of stator slots and inserted into the stator slots before windings are wound in the stator slots. Additionally, the first layer of electrical insulation includes a plurality of insulating strips wedged between the winding and a mouth of the winding slots after the windings are inserted. The motor further includes a second layer of electrical insulation made up of an insulating tube pressed onto a shaft between the shaft and a rotor stack.

Abstract: A double insulated electronically commutated brushless motor for coupling to a gearbox of a motor driven product. The motor includes a first layer of electrical insulation that includes a plurality of insulating strips formed in the shape of stator slots and inserted into the stator slots before windings are wound in the stator slots. Additionally, the first layer of electrical insulation includes a plurality of insulating strips wedged between the winding and a mouth of the winding slots after the windings are inserted. The motor further includes a second layer of electrical insulation made up of an insulating tube pressed onto a shaft between the shaft and a rotor stack.