Abstract: A condensation removal apparatus is disclosed. The condensation removal apparatus is used with a hot water heater wherein the hot water heater produces a fuel exhaust. The fuel exhaust from the hot water heater is provided to a draft inducer through an inlet which includes a thermally conductive plate having a hole through which the fuel exhaust flows. The draft inducer mixes ambient air with the fuel exhaust and reduces the temperature of the mixture as compared to the fuel exhaust. The mixture is directed to an outlet of the draft inducer and through piping into another environment. As the mixture cools, condensation forms within the piping. The condensation drips back down through the draft inducer. The condensation is then directed onto the thermally conductive plate. Since the thermally conductive plate maintains a high temperature, the condensation is turned from a liquid form into a gaseous form and is directed back through the draft inducer to the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid moving device having a plurality of blades on a core and a substantially spherical housing surrounding the blades, the housing having an inlet section with a plurality of inlet vanes, the inlet vanes configured to direct fluid in a rotational direction within the inlet section, and an outlet section adjacent to the inlet section. The present invention further relates to a method of moving a fluid which includes providing a fluid moving device having a substantially spherical housing surrounding a plurality of blades on a core, the housing having an inlet section and an outlet section, the inlet section having a plurality of inlet vanes, causing the blades to draw the fluid into the inlet section, and causing the inlet vanes to add further rotational movement to the fluid as the fluid enters the housing.

Abstract: A motor has a controller that controls the amount of power drawn by motor drive circuitry as a function of the light conversion panels in the system. To that end, the motor also has an input (operatively coupled with the controller) that is couplable with a set of light conversion panels (the set may range from no panels to a plurality of panels). The controller is configured to 1) determine the total number of light conversion panels in the set and 2) control the amount of power drawn by the drive circuitry as a function of the number of light conversion panels in the set.

Abstract: A magnetizing fixture is provided for connection to an electrical power supply. Electrically conductive elements fit within channels connecting top and bottom surfaces of an electrically conductive core. One end of each electrically conductive element connects to a power supply and the other end to an electrically conductive top. An electrically insulating layer coating the channels and top and bottom surfaces of the electrically conductive core electrically isolates the electrically conductive elements from the electrically conductive core.

Abstract: A draft inducer system has a voltage reducer capable of converting an input AC voltage to a reduced voltage, and an inducer unit capable of being coupled with the voltage reducer. The voltage reducer includes a reducer housing, a set of prongs extending from the reducer housing, and an output interface capable of delivering the reduced voltage. The set of prongs is capable of plugging into an AC outlet. The inducer unit has a unit housing, an air moving device within the unit housing, and a mixing chamber formed by the unit housing. The mixing chamber has an exhaust input to receive exhaust from a burning fuel, and an ambient air input for receiving ambient air. The ambient air mixes with the exhaust in the mixing chamber to produce mixed air. Accordingly, the mixing chamber also has a mix output capable of directing the mixed air from the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of starting an electric motor (having a rotor that rotates in a given direction during steady state operation from the at rest position) generates a preliminary signal that causes the rotor to rotate in an opposite direction to that of the given direction. The method and apparatus also begin rotation of the rotor in the given direction after the rotor rotates in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A draft inducer system has a voltage reducer capable of converting an input AC voltage to a reduced voltage, and an inducer unit capable of being coupled with the voltage reducer. The voltage reducer includes a reducer housing, a set of prongs extending from the reducer housing, and an output interface capable of delivering the reduced voltage. The set of prongs is capable of plugging into an AC outlet. The inducer unit has a unit housing, an air moving device within the unit housing, and a mixing chamber formed by the unit housing. The mixing chamber has an exhaust input to receive exhaust from a burning fuel, and an ambient air input for receiving ambient air. The ambient air mixes with the exhaust in the mixing chamber to produce mixed air. Accordingly, the mixing chamber also has a mix output capable of directing the mixed air from the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A condensation removal apparatus is disclosed. The condensation removal apparatus is used with a hot water heater wherein the hot water heater produces a fuel exhaust. The fuel exhaust from the hot water heater is provided to a draft inducer through an inlet which includes a thermally conductive plate having a hole through which the fuel exhaust flows. The draft inducer mixes ambient air with the fuel exhaust and reduces the temperature of the mixture as compared to the fuel exhaust. The mixture is directed to an outlet of the draft inducer and through piping into another environment. As the mixture cools, condensation forms within the piping. The condensation drips back down through the draft inducer. The condensation is then directed onto the thermally conductive plate. Since the thermally conductive plate maintains a high temperature, the condensation is turned from a liquid form into a gaseous form and is directed back through the draft inducer to the outlet.

Abstract: A draft inducer is disclosed. The draft inducer includes an impeller having one or more backward curved blades. The impeller is coupled to a motor which is preferably a DC motor. The DC motor resides at the center of the impeller and is housed within the impeller structure. The draft inducer may be mounted on a hot water heater between the hot and cold water pipes such that the impeller spins about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A motor has a stator, a rotor having a shaft, and a sleeve bearing in contact with the rotor shaft. The sleeve bearing also is fixedly secured to the stator. Additionally, the motor also has a movable support member axially supporting the shaft. The movable support member illustratively is movable relative to the shaft. The rotor center of gravity coincides approximately with the opening in the bearing-shaft interface.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for painting using a holder having a first loop portion configured to receive an edge of a paint container, and second loop configured to receive an edge of a paint container, and a clip for releasably receiving a paint applicator such as a paint brush. Each loop portion may be positioned at a different location on the holder, and may have an opening facing in a common or in an opposite direction to the opening of the other loop portion. Additional loop portions may also be provided, at different locations and/or having openings pointing in different directions.

Abstract: Processes for treating compositions comprising one or more alkanes (for example crude oils) to enhance volume of the compositions are disclosed. The processes comprise introducing into the composition one or more aerobic microorganisms, thereby forming an intermediate composition, and then introducing one or more anaerobic microorganisms into the intermediate composition to form a second composition, and repeating these steps at least once.

Abstract: An electric motor stator current controller. The inner surface of the motor rotor defines a bounded region. A circuit board containing a magnetic field detector for detecting a magnetic field produced by the rotor magnet is coupled to the arbor and lies, at least in part, within the bounded region.

Abstract: A magnetizing fixture is provided for connection to an electrical power supply. Electrically conductive elements fit within channels connecting top and bottom surfaces of an electrically conductive core. One end of each electrically conductive element connects to a power supply and the other end to an electrically conductive top. An electrically insulating layer coating the channels and top and bottom surfaces of the electrically conductive core electrically isolates the electrically conductive elements from the electrically conductive core.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a predetermined flow rate in a ventilation system having a motor driven blower. In one embodiment, the blower is a draft inducer. The apparatus contains a module for determining the impedance at the outlet of the blower. The impedance results from the length of pipe through which the blower blows the exhaust from a heating device, such as a hot water heater along with any obstructions. The impedance is determined by using a look-up table to compare the measured rotation rate (RPMs) of the motor shaft to values in the look-up table. The RPMs are measured by a sensor that is coupled to the rotating shaft of the motor. The sensor provides a sensor signal to the impedance module. Once a substantially matching value is found, the corresponding impedance is obtained from the look-up table. The impedance is then passed to a module for setting the motor speed. The motor speed module adjusts the speed of the motor based on the impedance to maintain a constant flow rate.

Abstract: A process for controlling the performance of a draft inducer. A desired carbon dioxide and a carbon monoxide level are selected and associated with a desired temperature of a mixed flow of exhaust fumes and ambient air. The temperature of the mixed flow is measured and the flow of ambient air is controlled to maintain the temperature of the mixed flow at substantially the desired temperature. The speed of the draft inducer blower will increase or decrease so as to maintain the desired temperature.

Abstract: An electric motor stator current controller. The inner surface of the motor rotor defines a bounded region. A circuit board containing a magnetic field detector for detecting a magnetic field produced by the rotor magnet is coupled to the arbor and lies, at least in part, within the bounded region.

Abstract: A flat pack blower utilizes surface mounting techniques for mounting the blower electronics on a thin laminated circuit board to reduce the blower profile. To that end, the blower includes a stator, and a rotor rotatably coupled to the stator. The stator includes a coil, a pole coupled with the coil, and a laminated circuit board having blower control circuitry and pads for electrically connecting the blower control circuitry to the coil. Use of surface mounting techniques on the laminated circuit board thus eliminates the discrete electronic components and the wires connecting such components.

Abstract: A method of producing a rotor positions a shaft in one of a first mold portion and a second mold portion, and positions a cup in one of the first mold portion and the second mold portion. The first and second mold portions are then mated to form a chamber. Molding material is injected into the chamber to produce a molded part that includes the cup and the shaft. The molded part has a part axis that substantially parallel with the part axis.

Abstract: A draft inducer system has a voltage reducer capable of converting an input AC voltage to a reduced voltage, and an inducer unit capable of being coupled with the voltage reducer. The voltage reducer includes a reducer housing, a set of prongs extending from the reducer housing, and an output interface capable of delivering the reduced voltage. The set of prongs is capable of plugging into an AC outlet. The inducer unit has a unit housing, an air moving device within the unit housing, and a mixing chamber formed by the unit housing. The mixing chamber has an exhaust input to receive exhaust from a burning fuel, and an ambient air input for receiving ambient air. The ambient air mixes with the exhaust in the mixing chamber to produce mixed air. Accordingly, the mixing chamber also has a mix output capable of directing the mixed air from the mixing chamber.