Abstract: A throughflow motor assembly includes a motor assembly having a rotatable shaft and a housing with a motor assembly mounted to one end and a housing opening therethrough. A fan assembly is rotated by the rotatable shaft and received in the housing at an end opposite the motor assembly. The housing includes a partition which partitions the fan assembly and the motor assembly from one another, and includes at least one centrally located flow passage extending therethrough. The fan assembly draws air over the motor assembly, through the housing opening and at least one centrally located flow passage, and then into the fan assembly which exhausts the air.

Abstract: A throughflow motor assembly includes a motor assembly having a rotatable shaft and a housing with a motor assembly mounted to one end and a housing opening therethrough. A fan assembly is rotated by the rotatable shaft and received in the housing at an end opposite the motor assembly. The housing includes a partition which partitions the fan assembly and the motor assembly from one another, and includes at least one centrally located flow passage extending therethrough. The fan assembly draws air over the motor assembly, through the housing opening and at least one centrally located flow passage, and then into the fan assembly which exhausts the air.

Abstract: An appliance provides a platform having a platform bottom and a platform base which supports a main base. A motor is carried by the platform base and rotates a ventilation fan which has a plurality of radial vanes with a fan aperture centrally positioned therein, such that the ventilation fan draws air in through an intake port provided by the platform. A fan shroud encloses the ventilation fan and has a shroud opening. The fan shroud extends from the platform base toward the platform bottom, wherein the main base surrounds the motor. The main base has an outer housing with at least one housing port, wherein rotation of the ventilation fan draws air into the fan aperture from the intake port, through the shroud opening, and expels the air radially from the plurality of radial vanes so that the air flows through the motor and out the housing port.

Abstract: An appliance provides a platform having a platform bottom and a platform base which supports a main base. A motor is carried by the platform base and rotates a ventilation fan which has a plurality of radial vanes with a fan aperture centrally positioned therein, such that the ventilation fan draws air in through an intake port provided by the platform. A fan shroud encloses the ventilation fan and has a shroud opening. The fan shroud extends from the platform base toward the platform bottom, wherein the main base surrounds the motor. The main base has an outer housing with at least one housing port, wherein rotation of the ventilation fan draws air into the fan aperture from the intake port, through the shroud opening, and expels the air radially from the plurality of radial vanes so that the air flows through the motor and out the housing port.

Abstract: An appliance includes a reverse air flow motor housing. A casing carries and supports a motor, and a ventilation fan is rotated by a rotatable shaft driven by the motor. A lower platform with an air intake port carries a ventilation shroud that partially encloses the ventilation fan. An inner support is mounted between the lower platform and the casing. An outer housing has a sidewall that substantially encloses the motor and is supported by the lower platform. Rotation of the ventilation fan draws in ambient air through the air intake port which then proceeds between the casing and the motor and subsequently through the sidewall port.

Abstract: An appliance includes a reverse air flow motor housing. A casing carries and supports a motor, and a ventilation fan is rotated by a rotatable shaft driven by the motor. A lower platform with an air intake port carries a ventilation shroud that partially encloses the ventilation fan. An inner support is mounted between the lower platform and the casing. An outer housing has a sidewall that substantially encloses the motor and is supported by the lower platform. Rotation of the ventilation fan draws in ambient air through the air intake port which then proceeds between the casing and the motor and subsequently through the sidewall port.

Abstract: A motor-fan unit includes an end plate assembly, a motor assembly supported by the end plate assembly, and a shaft rotated by the motor assembly and extending through the end plate assembly. The fan assembly further includes a discharge shell, a tapered stationary fan which has a concave underside, and a rotating fan secured to the rotatable shaft and disposed between the discharge shell and the stationary fan. The tapered stationary fan includes a fan side which is substantially parallel and aligned with the frusto-conical shape of the fan disc of the rotating fan. A tapered fan shell is supported by the discharge shell and held in place by the stationary fan. A fan shroud secures the stationary fan and the fan shell to the discharge shell to prevent damage to a rotating fan secured to the shaft and positioned between the fan shroud and the stationary fan.

Abstract: A motor-fan unit includes an end plate assembly, a motor assembly supported by the end plate assembly, and a shaft rotated by the motor assembly and extending through the end plate assembly. The fan assembly further includes a fan secured to the rotatable shaft which is supported by the end plate assembly. The fan includes a fan disc having a substantially frusto-conical shape, a fan ring having a substantially frusto-conical shape, and a plurality of vanes connecting the fan disc to the fan ring such that the frusto-conical shapes are substantially parallel to one another. A diffuser with a tapered fan side is also provided between the fan and the end plate assembly, wherein the tapered fan side is substantially parallel with the fan disc.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal for a bypass discharge-type motor-fan unit includes a motor unit from which extends a rotating shaft that passes through an aperture in an end plate to drive a fan unit. Disposed within the aperture is a labyrinth seal configured to prevent liquid entrained in a working airflow from entering the motor unit. The rotating shaft also includes a vacuum bore, such that the negative pressure generated by the operation of the fan unit draws any liquid out of an evacuation zone maintained between the motor unit and the end plate. As such, the components of the motor unit are protected from being exposed to the liquid, thereby extending the operating life motor-fan unit.

Abstract: A motor-fan unit includes an end plate assembly, a motor assembly supported by the end plate assembly, and a shaft rotated by the motor assembly and extending through the end plate assembly. The fan assembly further includes a discharge shell, a tapered stationary fan which has a concave underside, and a rotating fan secured to the rotatable shaft and disposed between the discharge shell and the stationary fan. The tapered stationary fan includes a fan side which is substantially parallel and aligned with the frusto-conical shape of the fan disc of the rotating fan. A tapered fan shell is supported by the discharge shell and held in place by the stationary fan. A fan shroud secures the stationary fan and the fan shell to the discharge shell to prevent damage to a rotating fan secured to the shaft and positioned between the fan shroud and the stationary fan.

Abstract: A motor-fan unit includes an end plate assembly, a motor assembly supported by the end plate assembly, and a shaft rotated by the motor assembly and extending through the end plate assembly. The fan assembly further includes a fan secured to the rotatable shaft which is supported by the end plate assembly. The fan includes a fan disc having a substantially frusto-conical shape, a fan ring having a substantially frusto-conical shape, and a plurality of vanes connecting the fan disc to the fan ring such that the frusto-conical shapes are substantially parallel to one another. A diffuser with a tapered fan side is also provided between the fan and the end plate assembly, wherein the tapered fan side is substantially parallel with the fan disc.

Abstract: A curvilinear brush retainer and brushes for an electric motor assembly provides an end plate upon which is disposed a pair of curvilinear brush retainers. The brush retainers are configured to retain and support a pair of curvilinear brushes as they are biased against the commutator of the electric motor along a curvilinear path. Brush liners are disposed within the curvilinear path maintained by the brush retainers, serving to reduce the stiction or frictional force imparted to the brushes as they move, thereby reducing the temperature of the brush and extending their operating life.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal for a bypass discharge-type motor-fan unit includes a motor unit from which extends a rotating shaft that passes through an aperture in an end plate to drive a fan unit. Disposed within the aperture is a labyrinth seal configured to prevent liquid entrained in a working airflow from entering the motor unit. The rotating shaft also includes a vacuum bore, such that the negative pressure generated by the operation of the fan unit draws any liquid out of an evacuation zone maintained between the motor unit and the end plate. As such, the components of the motor unit are protected from being exposed to the liquid, thereby extending the operating life motor-fan unit.

Abstract: A curvilinear brush retainer and brushes for an electric motor assembly comprises an end plate upon which is disposed a pair of curvilinear brush retainers. The brush retainers are configured to retain and support a pair of curvilinear brushes as they are biased against the commutator of the electric motor. The curvilinear profile or shape of the brushes allows them to have an extended physical length, thereby allowing the electric motor to have an extended operational life.

Abstract: A curvilinear brush retainer and brushes for an electric motor assembly comprises an end plate upon which is disposed a pair of curvilinear brush retainers. The brush retainers are configured to retain and support a pair of curvilinear brushes as they are biased against the commutator of the electric motor along a curvilinear path. Brush liners are disposed within the curvilinear path maintained by the brush retainers, serving to reduce the stiction or frictional force imparted to the brushes as they move, thereby reducing the temperature of the brush and extending their operating life.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a motor-fan unit including a motor assembly having a shaft, a commutator supported on the shaft, and a pair of brushes in electrical contact with the commutator, a fan assembly having an impeller coupled to the shaft, an end plate assembly located between the impeller and the motor assembly said end plate assembly including a plate portion defining an opening throughwhich the shaft passes, wherein said commutator is located near the opening, and a pair of brush retainers adapted to receive the brushes formed on the plate portion adjacent said commutator, the brush retainers opening toward the fan assembly.

Abstract: A motor-driven fan assembly includes a bracket which couples to a motor assembly and includes an outlet port. A shroud assembly defines a chamber and includes an inlet port. The shroud assembly is received on a bracket and a bearing-supported shaft is driven by the motor assembly and extends through the bracket and into the shroud assembly. At least one fan is coupled to the shaft and received in the chamber. The fan includes a plurality of curved blades positioned between a frustoconical lower cap and an opposed frustoconical upper cap. Rotation of the fan by the shaft results in turbulent air flow through the fan assembly. Dust is generally prevented from settling on the fan blades during operation, thereby preventing non-uniform dust buildup or breakup which may cause excessive vibration and reduce bearing and brush life.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a base which couples to a motor assembly. A shroud couples to the base and encloses a fan therebetween. An airflow conduit is formed between the base and the shroud and is positioned circumferentially around the fan. The airflow conduit terminates at a horn and includes a cross-sectional area which varies circumferentially. The airflow conduit includes a width that varies circumferentially and is largest at the horn.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes an end bracket which is coupled to a motor assembly. The end bracket includes a circumferential channel which is interrupted by an opening. A fan is provided which includes a plurality of blades. A shroud at least partially encloses the fan and defines a chamber. An insert, which may or may not be an integral part of the end bracket, is received in the chamber and includes a circumferential ramp. The circumferential ramp is configured to provide the chamber with an internal cross-sectional area which varies circumferentially so as to improve airflow efficiency.

Abstract: A motor assembly having improved flux properties comprises a rotor lamination rotatably disposed within a field lamination. The field lamination comprises a constant cross-sectional dimension, and is configured to provide a pair of opposed, tapered yokes that provide constant impedance to the rotor lamination. The rotor lamination includes a plurality of spaced teeth that are dimensioned so that taper of the yokes changes by a factor of the width of one of the teeth, thereby reducing the material needed to adequately carry the magnetic flux of the rotor lamination.