Abstract: A cooling system is provided for an electric motor having control circuitry and including a motor housing surrounding the motor. The motor drives at least one radial fan at one end thereof for directing airflow through the motor housing across the motor. A fan housing encloses the cooling fan and defines a diverter chamber radially outboard of the fan that is sized to divert a portion of the airflow away from the electric motor. A control box contains the control circuitry and includes a base having a heat sink for contacting the control circuitry. The base defines a plenum in communication with the diverter chamber and a channel in communication with the plenum and the heat sink to direct the diverted airflow across the heat sink.

Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting a device to an electric motor having an output shaft has a body including an opening for receiving the output shaft through the body. A plurality of connector elements are supported by the body. The mounting structure includes a plurality of threaded inserts. Each of these inserts is inserted in one of the connector elements for receiving a fastener to connect the body to the motor. Each connector element is sized and shaped for alternatively receiving an insert in at least two, non-coincident locations. The mounting structure can be combined with an electric motor to produce an electric motor assembly that can be mounted on a pump or other device so the device is powered by the motor.

Abstract: A switch for an electric motor has a switch arm comprising a lever and an arc barrier formed integrally with the lever. The switch has first and second electrical contacts. The switch arm and second electrical contact are moveable relative to the first contact between an open position and a closed position. The arc barrier is positioned adjacent the first contact in the closed position. The arc barrier limits the risk of electrical arcing associated with the electrical contacts. The switch is suitable for use in an electric induction motor. For example, the switch can be adapted to de-energize auxiliary start windings when an electric induction motor is up to speed and/or to provide a signal indicating the motor is operating.

Abstract: A motor drive for an electric motor of a variable fluid circulating system includes a processing module and a power module. The processing module receives a signal profile and generates a control signal based on the signal profile. A power module generates a carrier signal based on the control signal and a direct current (DC) voltage. The power module pulse width modulates the carrier signal to generate a drive signal in the electric motor that matches the signal profile. The power module powers the electric motor based on the drive signal to adjust injection of a fluid into a reservoir.

Abstract: Pump assemblies, controllers and methods of controlling fluid pumps based on air temperatures are disclosed. One example method of controlling a fluid pump includes determining an air temperature, determining a run time of the fluid pump based on the determined air temperature, and running the fluid pump for a duration corresponding to the determined run time. One example controller for a fluid pump includes a temperature sensor for measuring an air temperature and a processor for controlling a run time of the fluid pump. The processor is operably coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to adjust the run time of the fluid pump based on a predetermined run time and the air temperature measured by the temperature sensor. The pump assemblies, controllers and methods may be used in swimming pools and various other applications.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for an electric motor having control circuitry and including a motor housing surrounding the motor. The motor drives at least one radial fan at one end thereof for directing airflow through the motor housing across the motor. A fan housing encloses the cooling fan and defines a diverter chamber radially outboard of the fan that is sized to divert a portion of the airflow away from the electric motor. A control box contains the control circuitry and includes a base having a heat sink for contacting the control circuitry. The base defines a plenum in communication with the diverter chamber and a channel in communication with the plenum and the heat sink to direct the diverted airflow across the heat sink.

Abstract: A switch for an electric motor has a switch arm comprising a lever and an arc barrier formed integrally with the lever. The switch has first and second electrical contacts. The switch arm and second electrical contact are moveable relative to the first contact between an open position and a closed position. The arc barrier is positioned adjacent the first contact in the closed position. The arc barrier limits the risk of electrical arcing associated with the electrical contacts. The switch is suitable for use in an electric induction motor. For example, the switch can be adapted to de-energize auxiliary start windings when an electric induction motor is up to speed and/or to provide a signal indicating the motor is operating.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for an electric motor having control circuitry and including a motor housing surrounding the motor. The motor drives at least one radial fan at one end thereof for directing airflow through the motor housing across the motor. A fan housing encloses the cooling fan and defines a diverter chamber radially outboard of the fan that is sized to divert a portion of the airflow away from the electric motor. A control box contains the control circuitry and includes a base having a heat sink for contacting the control circuitry. The base defines a plenum in communication with the diverter chamber and a channel in communication with the plenum and the heat sink to direct the diverted airflow across the heat sink.

Abstract: A motor drive for an electric motor of a variable fluid circulating system includes a processing module and a power module. The processing module receives a signal profile and generates a control signal based on the signal profile. A power module generates a carrier signal based on the control signal and a direct current (DC) voltage. The power module pulse width modulates the carrier signal to generate a drive signal in the electric motor that matches the signal profile. The power module powers the electric motor based on the drive signal to adjust injection of a fluid into a reservoir.

Abstract: A compressible liner for impact protection, which may be installed in a helmet worn by a person. The compressible liner may also be applied to other impact protection situations, for example to baby capsules and child safety seats, as well as offering customized zones of impact protection. The compressible liner may have a relatively low density foam inner layer fused to a relatively high density foam outer layer. The inner layer may have many cone shaped protuberances which project into matching recesses of the outer layer. The compressible liner provides an initial low resistance to the impact for a desired part of the human body. As the impact progresses the level of resistance provided by the compressible liner increases in a controlled manner so that controlled deceleration of the part of the body is occurring throughout the impact for a desired impact protection zone of the compressible liner.

Abstract: A thermal conductor for a heat-generating liquid pump system of a pool containing liquid and including a pipe. The conductor is adapted for conducting heat from the pump system to liquid circulated by the pump system. The conductor includes a body in thermal communication with a heat generating portion of the pump system and in thermal communication with only an outside surface of the pipe and not in direct contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for an electric motor having control circuitry and including a motor housing surrounding the motor. The motor drives at least one radial fan at one end thereof for directing airflow through the motor housing across the motor. A fan housing encloses the cooling fan and defines a diverter chamber radially outboard of the fan that is sized to divert a portion of the airflow away from the electric motor. A control box contains the control circuitry and includes a base having a heat sink for contacting the control circuitry. The base defines a plenum in communication with the diverter chamber and a channel in communication with the plenum and the heat sink to direct the diverted airflow across the heat sink.

Abstract: A motor end bell assembly includes an end bell having an opening in a face of the end bell for accessing terminals of the motor. An additional aperture in the end bell facilitates passage of a power cord through the end bell. A cover at least partially closes the opening and is formed as a single piece of material. The cover includes a tab for at least partially closing the aperture.

Abstract: An impeller assembly includes a molded impeller and an insert within the impeller. The insert includes an unthreaded sleeve and a shoulder adjacent the sleeve for locating the impeller and the insert during manufacturing and installation. Methods of manufacturing and installing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting a device to an electric motor having an output shaft, the mounting structure comprising: a body including an opening for receiving the output shaft through the body, a plurality of connector elements supported by the body; and a plurality of threaded inserts, each of said inserts being inserted in one of said plurality of connector elements for receiving a fastener to connect the body to the motor; wherein each connector element is sized and shaped for alternatively receiving an insert in at least two, non-coincident locations within the connector element.

Abstract: A motor end bell assembly includes an end bell having an opening in a face of the end bell for accessing terminals of the motor. An additional aperture in the end bell facilitates passage of a power cord through the end bell. A cover at least partially closes the opening and is formed as a single piece of material. The cover includes a tab for at least partially closing the aperture.

Abstract: A circuit inhibits power to a motor driving a pump when a vacuum condition is detected by a vacuum switch associated with the pump. The circuit is only responsive to an actuator for selectively supplying power to the motor after inhibiting power to the motor.

Abstract: A thermal conductor for a heat-generating liquid pump system of a pool containing liquid and including a pipe. The conductor is adapted for conducting heat from the pump system to liquid circulated by the pump system. The conductor includes a body in thermal communication with a heat generating portion of the pump system and in thermal communication with only an outside surface of the pipe and not in direct contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A deep well submersible pump has a pump housing containing an electric motor. The motor is radially spaced from the pump housing interior surface defining an annular channel through the pump housing from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the housing. The motor is mounted on a cowling that has an exterior surface. A plurality of deswirler blades extend between the pump housing interior surface and the cowling exterior surface. As the deswirler blades extend through the housing interior, a spacing between the cowling exterior surface and the housing interior surface expands radially. The cowling exterior surface and the pump housing interior surface define an annular liquid flow path that is first directed radially outward from the inlet opening and then curves around the cowling and is directed axially through the deswirler blades to the annular channel between the motor and the pump housing interior surface.

Abstract: A deep well submersible pump has a pump housing containing an electric motor. The motor is radially spaced from the pump housing interior surface defining an annular channel through the pump housing from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the housing. The motor is mounted on a cowling that has an exterior surface. A plurality of deswirler blades extend between the pump housing interior surface and the cowling exterior surface. As the deswirler blades extend through the housing interior, a spacing between the-cowling exterior surface and the housing interior surface expands radially. The cowling exterior surface and the pump housing interior surface define an annular liquid flow path that is first directed radially outward from the inlet opening and then curves around the cowling and is directed axially through the deswirler blades to the annular channel between the motor and the pump housing interior surface.