Abstract: An electric motor has a field assembly, such as a stator, for a dynamoelectric machine has field coils that are wound to a net shape. Lead wires are brought out from the ends of each field coil. The field coils are insulated with insulating sleeves or insulating slot liners. The field coils are assembled with stator core pieces, such as pole pieces and return path pieces, into the stator. The stator core pieces are formed prior to being assembled with the field coils. In an aspect of the invention, the pole pieces and return path pieces are separately formed and then assembled together with the field coils, which have also been separately formed.

Abstract: Magnet wires wound in slots in a lamination stack of a dynamoelectric machine are encapsulated, in whole or in part, with plastic. The plastic may be thermally conductive and have features molded therein that enhance heat transfer. The plastic may stiffen the armature and increase its critical speed. Characteristics of the plastic, its geometry and its distribution may be varied to adjust spinning inertia and resonant frequency of the armature. The magnet wires may be compressed into the slots, by application of iso-static pressure or by the pressure of the plastic being molded around them. Larger magnet wire can then be used which increases the power of the electric motor using the armature having the larger magnet wire. A two or three plate mold may be used to mold the plastic around the armature. Balancing features can be molded in place. The plastic can have a base polymer that is a blend of two or more polymers and various thermally conductive fillings.

Abstract: An electric motor, power tool using the electric motor, and method of making the electric motor includes making a stator by separately forming pole pieces, return path pieces and field coils. The field coils are placed over necks of the pole path pieces and the return path pieces are affixed to the pole pieces. An armature having an outside diameter of at least 0.625 the outside diameter of the stator is placed in the stator. In an aspect, the field coils are formed so that they extend beyond pole tips of the pole pieces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for braking a motor has a braking power switching device coupled across windings of the motor. To brake the motor, the braking power switching device is cycled on and off.

Abstract: An electric motor having an armature which includes a coating of thermally conductive plastic applied in a conventional injection molding process. The armature also includes a fan which is integrally formed from the thermally conductive plastic applied to the armature. This completely eliminates the need to apply one or more coatings of a trickle resin to the armature. It also eliminates the need to separately form and secure a fan by a suitable adhesive to the armature, which together significantly simplifies the manufacturing and cost of the armature. The plastic coating also better fills the spaces between the magnet wires, thus promoting even more efficient cooling and better holding of the magnet wires stationary relative to one another. The thermally conductive plastic coating may be mixed with other suitable materials to provide a density approximately equal to the magnet wires. This eliminates the need to balance the armature after the injection molding step.

Abstract: Magnet wires wound in slots in a lamination stack of a dynamoelectric machine are encapsulated, in whole or in part, with thermally conductive plastic. Pre-formed features having a thermal conductivity higher than the thermally conductive plastic are insert molded when the plastic is molded. The pre-formed features may include a finned end cap and a fan. Alternatively, end domes of the plastic over end coils of the wound magnet wires have a metallic layer on them, such as by being metallized. The end domes can be formed with features which are also metallized. The thermally conductive plastic can have a phase change additive in it. The magnet wires can have a layer of heat activated adhesive that is activated when the plastic is molded. Slots in the lamination stack can include slot liners formed of thermally conductive plastic. A fan can be formed when the thermally conductive plastic is molded to encapsulate the magnet wires.

Abstract: A flux ring for a motor of a power tool has an annular housing which fits inside the motor can of the motor. At least one magnet is on the ring. The at least one magnet includes a portion formed from an isotropic magnetic material and a portion formed from an anisotropic magnetic material. Preferably, the isotropic magnetic materials is sandwiched by the anisotropic magnetic material. The magnets being molded onto the flux ring in a two shot process.

Abstract: A power tool has a motor with end caps secured by cold forming to the motor. The end caps include bearings retained in the end cap by deformation of the end cap. The motor includes an armature shaft which is staked to retain laminates as well as a retainer on the shaft. Also, a pinion gear with a shoulder which limits movement of the shaft in the motor. A fan is on the motor armature which is secured by an adhesive which changes color during assembly. The motor also includes a demagnetization member which increases resistance to demagnetization due to elevated temperature, as well as armature reaction field.

Abstract: A flux ring for a motor of a power tool has an annular housing which fits inside the motor can of the motor. At least one magnet is on the ring. The at least one magnet includes a portion formed from an isotropic magnetic material and a portion formed from an anisotropic magnetic material. Preferably, the isotropic magnetic material is sandwiched by the anisotropic magnetic material. The magnets being molded onto the flux ring in a two shot process.

Abstract: A brush assembly for an electric motor has a base which secures the brush assembly to a motor spider. A brush housing is associated with the base and has first and second open ends. A brush defining an axis is movably positioned in the housing between the first and second open ends. The brush extends from one of the open ends of the housing. The brush includes a surface which is at a desired angle with respect to the brush axis. A biasing member exerts a force on the brush to bias the brush into an electrical connection with a commutator. An electrical connector electrically couples the brush to provide an electrical connection between the commutator and a power supply.

Abstract: A method for forming an electric motor includes providing a stator and an armature having a lamination stack with slots therein in which magnet wires are wound. Thermally conductive plastic is molded over at least a portion of the armature to at least partially encase the magnet wires and to mold a fan. The fan is molded without any portion of the fan extending into the slots in the lamination stack of the armature to increase the volume in the slots in which the magnet wires can be wound and the magnet wires are wound in this increased volume when they are wound in the slots in the lamination stack to increase a power rating of the electric motor beyond what is normally attainable with a fan component having portions extending into the slots in the lamination stack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for braking a motor has a braking power switching device coupled across windings of the motor. To brake the motor, the braking power switching device is cycled on and off.

Abstract: Magnet wires wound in slots in a lamination stack of a dynamoelectric machine are encapsulated, in whole or in part, with plastic. The plastic may be thermally conductive and have features molded therein that enhance heat transfer. The plastic may stiffen the armature and increase its critical speed. Characteristics of the plastic, its geometry and its distribution may be varied to adjust spinning inertia and resonant frequency of the armature. The magnet wires may be compressed into the slots, by application of iso-static pressure or by the pressure of the plastic being molded around them. Larger magnet wire can then be used which increases the power of the electric motor using the armature having the larger magnet wire. A two or three plate mold may be used to mold the plastic around the armature. Balancing features can be molded in place. The plastic can have a base polymer that is a blend of two or more polymers and various thermally conductive fillings.

Abstract: An electric motor having an armature which includes a coating of thermally conductive plastic applied in a conventional injection molding process. The armature also includes a fan which is integrally formed from the thermally conductive plastic applied to the armature. This completely eliminates the need to apply one or more coatings of a trickle resin to the armature. It also eliminates the need to separately form and secure a fan by a suitable adhesive to the armature, which together significantly simplifies the manufacturing and cost of the armature. The plastic coating also better fills the spaces between the magnet wires, thus promoting even more efficient cooling and better holding of the magnet wires stationary relative to one another. The thermally conductive plastic coating may be mixed with other suitable materials to provide a density approximately equal to the magnet wires. This eliminates the need to balance the armature after the injection molding step.

Abstract: Magnet wires wound in slots in a lamination stack of a dynamoelectric machine are encapsulated, in whole or in part, with thermally conductive plastic. Pre-formed features having a thermal conductivity higher than the thermally conductive plastic are insert molded when the plastic is molded. The pre-formed features may include a finned end cap and a fan. Alternatively, end domes of the plastic over end coils of the wound magnet wires have a metallic layer on them, such as by being metallized. The end domes can be formed with features which are also metallized. The thermally conductive plastic can have a phase change additive in it. The magnet wires can have a layer of heat activated adhesive that is activated when the plastic is molded. Slots in the lamination stack can include slot liners formed of thermally conductive plastic. A fan can be formed when the thermally conductive plastic is molded to encapsulate the magnet wires.

Abstract: A flux ring for a motor of a power tool has an annular housing which fits inside the motor can of the motor. At least one magnet is on the ring. The at least one magnet includes a portion formed from an isotropic magnetic material and a portion formed from an anisotropic magnetic material. Preferably, the isotropic magnetic materials is sandwiched by the anisotropic magnetic material. The magnets being molded onto the flux ring in a two shot process.

Abstract: An electric motor having an armature which includes a coating of thermally conductive plastic applied in a conventional injection molding process. The armature also includes a fan which is integrally formed from the thermally conductive plastic applied to the armature. This completely eliminates the need to apply one or more coatings of a trickle resin to the armature. It also eliminates the need to separately form and secure a fan by a suitable adhesive to the armature, which together significantly simplifies the manufacturing and cost of the armature. The plastic coating also better fills the spaces between the magnet wires, thus promoting even more efficient cooling and better holding of the magnet wires stationary relative to one another. The thermally conductive plastic coating may be mixed with other suitable materials to provide a density approximately equal to the magnet wires. This eliminates the need to balance the armature after the injection molding step.

Abstract: A power tool includes a flux ring with an annular member. At least one molded magnet is received on the annular member. An anchor is on the annular member to retain the at least one magnet on the annular member. The anchor is unitarily formed with the annular member to receive the magnet.

Abstract: A flux ring for a motor of a power tool has an annular housing which fits inside the motor can of the motor. At least one magnet is on the ring. The at least one magnet includes a portion formed from an isotropic magnetic material and a portion formed from an anisotropic magnetic material. Preferably, the isotropic magnetic material is sandwiched by the anisotropic magnetic material. The magnets being molded onto the flux ring in a two shot process.

Abstract: A power tool has a motor with end caps secured by cold forming to the motor. The end caps include bearings retained in the end cap by deformation of the end cap. The motor includes an armature shaft which is staked to retain laminates as well as a retainer on the shaft. Also, a pinion gear with a shoulder which limits movement of the shaft in the motor. A fan is on the motor armature which is secured by an adhesive which changes color during assembly. The motor also includes a demagnetization member which increases resistance to demagnetization due to elevated temperature, as well as armature reaction field.