Abstract: A method of fabricating a salient pole electronically commutated motor includes associating a plurality of bobbins between base and tip sections of a plurality of salient pole pieces, winding the bobbins with an insulated conductor, disposing the salient pole pieces on preselected pitch axes so as to extend generally outwardly from an outer circumferential surface of a yoke section for the motor, and securing the base sections of the salient pole pieces to the yoke section against displacement therefrom at least generally adjacent the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: A motor has a stationary assembly including three windings in magnetic coupling relation to a rotatable assembly, the position of which is sensed by a position sensor. A converter, adapted to be coupled to a power supply, energizes each of the windings with a voltage. The converter is responsive to the angular position and speed of the rotatable assembly for selectively energizing each of the windings according to a preselected sequence. The converter energizes each winding with the voltage throughout a commutation period when a back EMF induced in such winding has a polarity opposite to a polarity of the voltage energizing such winding, the commutation period for each winding overlapping the commutation period for another winding. Alternatively, the converter energizes each winding with the voltage throughout a commutation period of 180 electrical degrees, the commutation period for each winding overlapping the commutation period for another winding.

Abstract: A laundry machine having an electronically commutated motor which includes a plurality of salient pole pieces disposed on preselected pitch axes so as to extend generally outwardly from an outer circumferential surface of a yoke section, with base sections of the salient pole pieces secured to the yoke section against displacement therefrom at least generally adjacent the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: An impact start assist device for an electric motor comprises a driven member coupled to a load and a drive member coupled to the motor and to the driven member. The driven member and the drive member are rotatable, relative to each other, through at least a portion of a revolution. The device further comprises an arrangement for providing a substantially instantaneous transfer of angular momentum from the drive member to the driven member after relative rotation of the members through at least the portion of the revolution. A locking arrangement is provided for locking the drive member and the driven member together at high rotational speeds. At least a portion of the locking arrangement is centrifugally actuated, and a spring is provided to disengage the locking mechanism at low speeds, or at rest.

Abstract: An electronically commutated motor is disclosed including a stationary assembly having a plurality of winding stages adapted for commutation in at least one preselected sequence and a rotatable assembly having a plurality of permanent magnet elements in magnetic coupling relation with the stationary assembly. The permanent magnet elements are adapated to sequentially apply a magnetic field having a substantially constantly increasing magnetic flux to each respective winding stage during the period that current is supplied to the respective winding stage as the rotatable assembly rotates. The permanent magnet elements are also adapted to sequentially apply a magnetic field having a substantially constantly decreasing magnetic flux to each respective winding stage during a period that current is not supplied to the respective winding stage as the rotatable assembly rotates. A rotatable assembly, a method of operating the motor, and a method of rotating the rotatable assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A motor assembly for use in combination with an air handling system such as an automotive blower system for supplying cooling or heating air to a passenger compartment of an automobile. The assembly comprises a support member which is adapted to be mounted on the air handling system. Stationary and annular rotatable assemblies are mounted on one side of the support plate and a printed circuit board including a motor control circuit is mounted on the other side thereof. The stationary assembly has a plurality of winding stages adapted to be electrically energized to generate an electromagnetic field. The annular rotatable assembly has a plurality of permanent magnet elements surrounding the stationary assembly and is adapted to engage a squirrel cage fan for moving air in the air handling system.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a salient pole electronically commutated motor with the salient pole electronically commutated motor including a lanced strip of generally thin ferromagnetic material. The lanced strip is formed into a generally annular edgewise wound yoke section for the salient pole electronically commutated motor, and a set of salient poles are established on the edgewise wound yoke section being disposed about preselected pitch axes so as to extend generally outwardly from the edgewise wound yoke section, respectively.

Abstract: An inside-out salient pole core for a dynamo-electric machine. The core has an edgewise wound yoke including an edgewise and helically wound strip of generally thin ferromagnetic material having at least one edge defining an outer circumferential surface on the edgewise wound yoke and extending generally axially thereacross. A set of salient pole pieces is secured to the edgewise wound core at least generally adjacent its outer circumferential surface, and extends generally outwardly from the outer circumferential surface about a set of preselected pitch axes, respectively.