Abstract: A brushless direct-current motor is provided includes an inner stator and an outer rotor. The rotor includes a rotor core disposed around the stator, an inner annular member mounted on a rotor shaft, and a plurality of radial blades extending angularly from the rotor core to the inner annular member forming a fan. A first end cap is provided including a radial back plate proximate the fan and a center opening in the radial back plate through which the rotor shaft extends. A second end cap is provided including a main body disposed adjacent the stator opposite the fan. The radial back plate of the first end cap includes at least one sloped surface forming at least one air gap such that the airflow generated by the fan is centrifugally guided within the first end cap by the sloped surface and caused to exit through the air gap.

Abstract: An adjustable bed base has a subframe which may be raised and lowered relative to a stationary frame by primary linear actuators. A deck is attached to the subframe. The deck may be flat or fully articulated depending upon the position of secondary linear actuators which are a part of a subframe module. The subframe module may be secured to the stationary frame of the adjustable bed base. The deck may be inclined by extending one of the primary linear actuators more than the other regardless of the positions of the deck members.

Abstract: Control of an amplitude of a signal applied to rods of a quadrupole is described. In one aspect, a mass spectrometer includes an amplifier circuit that causes a radio frequency (RF) signal to be applied to the rods of the quadrupole. A controller circuit can determine that the actual amplitude of the RF signal differs than the expected amplitude and, in response, identify current and past environmental and performance parameters to adjust the amplitude.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine with a flowpath. This assembly includes a fuel source and an engine component. The engine component forms a peripheral boundary of the flowpath. The engine component includes a component internal passage. The engine component is configured to receive fuel from the fuel source. The engine component is configured to crack at least some of the fuel within the component internal passage thereby cooling the engine component and providing at least partially cracked fuel. The assembly is configured to direct the at least partially cracked fuel into the flowpath for combustion.

Abstract: An adjustable bed base has a subframe which may be raised and lowered relative to a stationary frame by primary linear actuators. A deck is attached to the subframe. The deck may be flat or fully articulated depending upon the position of secondary linear actuators which are a part of a subframe module. The subframe module may be secured to the stationary frame of the adjustable bed base. The deck may be inclined by extending one of the primary linear actuators more than the other regardless of the positions of the deck members.

Abstract: A machine for closing an open end of a cover encasing a mattress core in order to form a mattress is provided. A frame is adapted to support at least an edge portion of the mattress core encased in the cover. A mattress core press is mounted on the frame for vertical movement and is adapted to compress an edge of the mattress core to a desired height. A mattress cover clamp is mounted on the frame for vertical movement and is adapted to clamp free edges of the open end of the mattress cover together. A sewing head carriage is mounted on the frame for horizontal movement. A sewing head is mounted on the carriage, and a sewing head motor is mounted on the carriage for driving the sewing head. The sewing head is adapted to stitch the free edges of the open end of the mattress cover closed as the sewing head carriage traverses from one side of the mattress to the other side of the mattress.

Abstract: A machine for closing an open end of a cover encasing a mattress core in order to form a mattress is provided. A frame is adapted to support at least an edge portion of the mattress core encased in the cover. A mattress core press is mounted on the frame for vertical movement and is adapted to compress an edge of the mattress core to a desired height. A mattress cover clamp is mounted on the frame for vertical movement and is adapted to clamp free edges of the open end of the mattress cover together. A sewing head carriage is mounted on the frame for horizontal movement. A sewing head is mounted on the carriage, and a sewing head motor is mounted on the carriage for driving the sewing head. The sewing head is adapted to stitch the free edges of the open end of the mattress cover closed as the sewing head carriage traverses from one side of the mattress to the other side of the mattress.

Abstract: An automated flanging machine is provided. More specifically, a machine for automatically sewing a flange onto a work panel having a consistent corner radius and a straight edge is provided. The machine has a table adapted to support a work panel, a sewing head mounted directly adjacent to the table for performing a sewing operation on the work panel, a turning arm mounted adjacent to the table, and a rear conveyor for selectively moving the work panel on the table. The table may include a corner pivot mechanism for stabilizing the panel while the turning arm turns the panel 90 degree relative to an initial position, and for maintaining a consistent corner radius for sewing. The machine may also include a rear material guide and encoding arm for measuring the progression of the work panel as it is sewn along a side by the sewing head.

Abstract: An automated flanging machine is provided. More specifically, a machine for automatically sewing a flange onto a work panel having a consistent corner radius and a straight edge is provided. The machine has a table adapted to support a work panel, a sewing head mounted directly adjacent to the table for performing a sewing operation on the work panel, a turning arm mounted adjacent to the table, and a rear conveyor for selectively moving the work panel on the table. The table may include a corner pivot mechanism for stabilizing the panel while the turning arm turns the panel 90 degree relative to an initial position, and for maintaining a consistent corner radius for sewing. The machine may also include a rear material guide and encoding arm for measuring the progression of the work panel as it is sewn along a side by the sewing head.

Abstract: A system (10) for manufacturing a mattress (300) comprises multiple modules or stations (12, 132, 188, 200) used to sew together multiple components into a casing (252). A spring or other core (270) is inserted into the casing (252) before a top (274) is secured to the casing (252) to complete the mattress (300). One or more flanges (261, 266) may be incorporated into the casing (252) for securing the core (270) inside the casing (252). The system (10) provides an operator flexibility to manufacture different types of mattress with minimal changes.

Abstract: A system (10) for manufacturing a mattress (300) comprises multiple modules or stations (12, 132, 188, 200) used to sew together multiple components into a casing (252). A spring or other core (270) is inserted into the casing (252) before a top (274) is secured to the casing (252) to complete the mattress (300). Two or more flanges (261, 266) may be incorporated into the casing (252) for securing the core (270) inside the casing (252), The system (10) provides an operator flexibility to manufacture different types of mattress with minimal changes.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a mattress comprises multiple modules or stations used to sew together multiple components into a casing. A spring or other core is inserted into the casing before a top is secured to the casing to complete the mattress. More or more flanges may be incorporated into the casing for securing the core inside the casing. The system provides an operator flexibility to manufacture different types of mattress with minimal changes.

Abstract: A block attacher for attaching blocks to slats as stringers for pallets includes a slat dispenser disposed to dispense individual slats to a slat driver, the slat driver being selectively positionable. A first block dispenser dispenses a block to an assembly station where a position fixture is disposed to operatively cooperate with the slat driver and the block dispenser to position the dispensed block abutting the individual slat when the slat driver is in a first selected position. At least one other position fixture is disposed to operatively cooperate with the slat driver to position a second dispensed block abutting the individual slat when the slat driver is in a second selected position. The subsequent blocks may be dispensed by the same block dispenser as the first block, or by different dispensers.

Abstract: A block attacher for attaching blocks to slats as stringers for pallets includes a slat dispenser disposed to dispense individual slats to a slat driver, the slat driver being selectively positionable. A first block dispenser dispenses a block to an assembly station where a position fixture is disposed to operatively cooperate with the slat driver and the block dispenser to position the dispensed block abutting the individual slat when the slat driver is in a first selected position. At least one other position fixture is disposed to operatively cooperate with the slat driver to position a second dispensed block abutting the individual slat when the slat driver is in a second selected position. The subsequent blocks may be dispensed by the same block dispenser as the first block, or by different dispensers.

Abstract: A pallet assembly device is disclosed that is configured to automatically position pallet components together and to automatically secure such components to each other. Furthermore, the pallet assembly device of the invention is preferably fed stacks of pallet components, and thereby eliminates the need for an assembly operator to manually position various pallet components in a jig or carriage. Yet further, the device preferably comprises a plurality of wheels that are positioned to simultaneously engage opposite sides of a pallet component and comprises a drive motor. The drive motor is preferably operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels in a manner allowing the drive motor to rotationally drive and rotationally stop at least one of the plurality of wheels so as to move the component along an assembly path. A method of assembling pallet components using a pallet assembly device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pallet assembly device is disclosed that is configured to automatically position pallet components together and to automatically secure such components to each other. Furthermore, the pallet assembly device of the invention is preferably fed stacks of pallet components, and thereby eliminates the need for an assembly operator to manually position various pallet components in a jig or carriage. Yet further, the device preferably comprises a plurality of wheels that are positioned to simultaneously engage opposite sides of a pallet component and comprises a drive motor. The drive motor is preferably operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels in a manner allowing the drive motor to rotationally drive and rotationally stop at least one of the plurality of wheels so as to move the component along an assembly path. A method of assembling pallet components using a pallet assembly device is also disclosed.