Abstract: A blower assembly includes a fan including a front plate that defines a fan inlet. The blower assembly also includes an inlet plate positioned adjacent the fan such that the inlet plate and the front plate define a cavity therebetween that extends circumferentially about the fan inlet. A motor is coupled to the fan and to the inlet plate and configured to rotate about the rotational axis. The motor is positioned within the cavity.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly positioned adjacent the stator assembly to define an axial gap therebetween. The stator assembly is configured to induce a first axial force on the rotor assembly. The electric motor assembly also includes an impeller directly coupled to the rotor assembly opposite the stator assembly such that the rotor assembly and the impeller are configured to rotate about an axis. A fluid channeled by the impeller induces a second axial force on the impeller. The electric motor assembly further includes a hydrodynamic bearing assembly including a rotating member coupled to the rotor assembly and stationary member at least partially circumscribing the rotating member such that rotation of the rotating member with respect to the stationary member is configured to induce a third axial force on the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A fluid circulating assembly includes a fan impeller having an inlet ring and a rear plate that together define a central fan chamber. The fluid circulating assembly also includes an electrical machine having a rotor assembly, a stator assembly, and a housing. The rotor assembly is attached to the fan impeller rear plate such that the electrical machine is located entirely outside the central fan chamber. The housing includes an annular center section and at least two extension portions extending radially outward from the annular center section.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a first member including a first engaging surface. The first member is stationary in a non-operating mode of the bearing assembly and rotates about an axis in an operational mode of the bearing assembly. The first member includes a first bore and a shaft positioned within the first bore and including an end surface. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly also includes a second member including a second bore and a second engaging surface positioned adjacent the first engaging surface. The second member is stationary in both the non-operating mode and the operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly further includes a spacer member positioned within the second bore and is configured to engage the first member to define a first gap between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface in the non-operational mode.

Abstract: A pump includes a housing including a first portion thereof defining opposed parallel spaced apart internal and exterior generally planar surfaces. The pump also includes a first impeller rotatably secured to the housing and positioned within the housing. The pump also includes a first axial flux motor connected to the first impeller and at least partially positioned within the housing. The first axial flux motor includes a first motor rotor fixedly secured to the first impeller. The first motor rotor has a generally planar surface thereof positioned adjacent to and parallel to the internal generally planar surface of the first portion of the housing. The first axial flux motor includes a first motor stator fixedly secured to the housing. The first motor stator has a generally planar surface thereof positioned adjacent to and parallel to the external generally planar surface of the first portion of the housing.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a first member including a first engaging surface. The first member is stationary in a non-operating mode of the bearing assembly and rotates about an axis in an operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly also includes a second member including a bore and a second engaging surface positioned adjacent the first engaging surface. The second member is stationary in both the non-operating mode and the operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly further includes a spacer member positioned within the bore and is configured to engage the first member to define a first gap between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface in the non-operational mode.

Abstract: A pumping device for pumping a fluid is provided. The pumping device includes a pump and a power housing. At least a portion of the pump is positioned within the power housing. The pumping device also includes a first motor and a second motor. The first motor is operably connected to the pump and adapted to provide energy to the pump. At least a portion of the first motor is positioned within the power housing. The second motor is operably connected to the pump and adapted to provide energy to the pump. At least a portion of the second motor is positioned within the power housing.

Abstract: A method for making a component for use in an electric machine is provided. The method includes applying first and second portions of a first material to a first surface, applying a second material to the first portion of first material; bonding the second material to the first portion of the first material, removing the second portion of the first material to form a void defined by the first portion of the first material, applying a conductive material in the void, and applying an insulating layer to the second material, wherein the process for preparing the component further comprising the steps of: applying first and second portions of a third material to the insulating layer; applying a fourth material to the first portion of third material, and bonding the fourth material to the first portion of the third material.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a first member including a first engaging surface. The first member is stationary in a non-operating mode of the bearing assembly and rotates about an axis in an operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly also includes a second member including a bore and a second engaging surface positioned adjacent the first engaging surface. The second member is stationary in both the non-operating mode and the operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly further includes a spacer member positioned within the bore and is configured to engage the first member to define a first gap between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface in the non-operational mode.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a first stationary component, a shaft coupled to the first stationary component, and a second stationary component coupled to the shaft opposite the first stationary component. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly also includes a rotating component coupled to the shaft between the first stationary component and the second stationary component. The rotating component includes a first end surface including a first diameter and an opposing second end surface including a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a bearing assembly including a rotating component and at least one stationary component. The electric motor assembly also includes an impeller coupled to the rotating component. The impeller includes an inlet and an outlet and is configured to direct a fluid between the inlet and the outlet. The electric motor assembly also includes a rotor assembly directly coupled to the impeller. A fluid flow channel is defined between the rotating component and the at least one stationary component. The flow channel includes a first end proximate the impeller outlet and a second end proximate the impeller inlet.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly for pumping a fluid through a fluid cavity includes a stator assembly including a plurality of conduction coils configured to transmit heat energy to the fluid within the fluid cavity. The electric motor assembly also includes a rotor assembly positioned adjacent the stator assembly to define an axial gap therebetween. The electric motor assembly also includes an impeller directly coupled to the rotor assembly opposite the stator assembly such that the rotor assembly and the impeller are configured to rotate about an axis. The rotor assembly and the impeller are configured to be submerged in the fluid within the fluid cavity.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly for pumping a fluid through a fluid cavity includes a stator assembly including a plurality of conduction coils configured to transmit heat energy to the fluid within the fluid cavity and a rotor assembly positioned adjacent the stator assembly to define an axial gap therebetween. The stator assembly is configured to impart a first axial force on the rotor assembly. The electric motor assembly also includes an impeller directly coupled to the rotor assembly opposite the stator assembly such that the rotor assembly and the impeller are configured to rotate about an axis. A fluid channeled by the impeller imparts a second axial force on the impeller. The rotor assembly and the impeller are configured to be submerged in the fluid within the fluid cavity.

Abstract: A fluid circulating assembly includes a fan impeller having an inlet ring and a rear plate that define a central chamber. The fluid circulating assembly includes an electrical machine having a rotor assembly, a stator assembly, and a housing. The electrical machine is coupled to the rear plate of the impeller such that the electrical machine is positioned entirely outside the central chamber. The housing includes a plurality of fins on a side of the housing opposite the rear plate. The fins extend axially away from the stator assembly. The assembly includes a duct attached to the housing. The duct covers a portion of the fins and extends radially outward from the housing towards an outer edge of the rear plate. The duct is configured to channel air over the portion of the fins to facilitate cooling the electrical machine.

Abstract: A fluid circulating assembly includes an electrical machine having a rotor assembly, a stator assembly, and a housing. The housing includes an annular center section and at least two extension portions extending radially outward from the annular center section of the housing. The fluid circulating assembly also includes a controller assembly coupled to the housing. The said controller assembly is positioned radially outward from the stator assembly and located in at least one of the at least two extension portions.

Abstract: A method for making a component for use in an electric machine is provided. The method includes applying first and second portions of a first material to a first surface, applying a second material to the first portion of first material; bonding the second material to the first portion of the first material, removing the second portion of the first material to form a void defined by the first portion of the first material, applying a conductive material in the void, and applying an insulating layer to the second material, wherein the process for preparing the component further comprising the steps of: applying first and second portions of a third material to the insulating layer; applying a fourth material to the first portion of third material, and bonding the fourth material to the first portion of the third material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a permanent magnet rotor is provided. The permanent magnet rotor includes a shaft comprising an outer diameter, a first hub coupled about the shaft outer diameter, and a first plurality of pole pieces positioned radially about the hub. The rotor further includes a plurality of permanent magnets positioned radially about the hub. The plurality of pole pieces and the plurality of permanent magnets define a rotor outer diameter, and the rotor outer diameter is magnetically isolated from shaft.

Abstract: A motor controller coupled to a motor for a pump is described. The motor controller is configured to determine a first mode of operation for the motor, based on at least one of a predefined schedule stored by the motor controller and an input signal received by the motor controller from at least one ancillary device. The motor controller is additionally configured to transmit a first control signal to the motor to operate the motor in the first mode, and to transmit a second control signal to change an operation of the at least one ancillary device, wherein the at least one ancillary device includes one or more of a heater, a chlorine generator, and an ozone generator.

Abstract: An end cap for use with a stator assembly is provided. The end cap includes a tooth portion, a yoke portion, and a lip. The tooth portion includes a first end and an opposite second end and the yoke portion is formed at the first end of the tooth portion. The yoke portion includes at least one arm that extends from the tooth portion. The lip is defined along at least one of the tooth portion and the at least one arm portion.

Abstract: An axial flux electric machine has a rotatable shaft, a fixed stator core comprising a ferromagnetic material and defining an axis of rotation, and a rotor assembly comprising a plurality of permanent magnets. The rotor assembly is rotatable about the axis of rotation. An axial air gap is defined between the stator core and the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly is axially displaceable towards and away from the stator core. The rotor assembly has a first position wherein the axial gap is a predetermined width greater than zero, and a second position wherein the axial gap is zero, such that the rotor assembly and the stator core contact each other.