Abstract: A power tool having an electronically commutated DC motor capable of providing various operating modes ranging from a maximum efficiency operating mode to a maximum power operating mode. The motor has a rotor having permanent magnets mounted in recesses in a back iron of the rotor. In one embodiment the motor has three phase windings, each having at least a pair of coils. The phase windings are connected in either a delta or a wye configuration via electromechancial or electronic switching components, or a combination of both, by a controller within the tool. The coils in each phase winding can also be switched between series and parallel configurations to configure the motor to provide its various operating modes. In one embodiment a dual wound motor is disclosed that has its phase coils dynamically or statically switchable between series and parallel configurations.

Abstract: An electric motor has a stator in which an armature is disposed. The armature has a lamination stack having slots in which magnet wires are wound. An armature shaft extends coaxially through the lamination stack and a commutator is disposed on the armature shaft to which ends of the magnet wires are electrically coupled. An insulative sleeve is disposed on the armature shaft between the lamination stack and the armature shaft and between the commutator and the armature shaft. The magnet wires are at least partially encased in thermally conductive plastic. In an aspect, an electrically insulative seal is disposed around the insulative sleeve and abutting the commutator to seal any gap between an end of the insulative sleeve and the commutator. In an aspect, a power tool is made with such an electric motor.

Abstract: An armature for an electric motor has a lamination stack having slots in which magnet wires are wound. An armature shaft extends coaxially through the lamination stack and a commutator is disposed on the armature shaft to which ends of the magnet wires are electrically coupled. Plastic is molded around the magnet wires and the armature shaft to increase the stiffness of the armature shaft, which increases the critical frequency of the armature shaft. In an aspect, an electric motor has such an armature. In an aspect, a power tool has an electric motor having such an armature.

Abstract: An armature for an electric motor has a lamination stack on a shaft with a commutator mounted on one end of the shaft. Magnet wires wound in slots in the lamination stack, the commutator and armature shaft are at least partially encapsulated in a first plastic, such as by insert molding. The commutator has a commutator ring divided into a plurality of segments with slots between the segments that are filled with a second plastic when the commutator is made by molding a core of the second plastic, such as phenolic, in the commutator ring before the commutator ring is mounted on the armature shaft. Where the commutator is a tang type commutator, the commutator ring has notches at axial ends of the slots which is filled with the second plastic when the second plastic is molded. The mold used to mold the first plastic includes projections that extend between the tangs of the commutator and against the notches at axial ends of the slots of the commuter.

Abstract: A power tool accessory identification system includes a power tool which has a motor, an output spindle actuatable by the motor, and a tool holder connected to the spindle and configured to hold an accessory therein. The power tool includes an accessory reader to decoding an identification device on the accessory. In a method of controlling the power tool with an accessory operatively coupled thereto, the accessory is inserted in the tool and a communication interface between the accessory and tool is read. An accessory identification is decoded via an accessory reader of the tool. A tool setting for the power tool is accessed based on the decoded accessory identification.

Abstract: A brush assembly may include a support member, a conductive arm having a first end portion and a second end portion, where the first end portion is coupled to the support member, a brush coupled to the second end portion of the conductive arm, and a biasing member configured to apply a force to the conductive arm.

Abstract: A control system is provided for use in a power tool. The control system includes: a rotational rate sensor having a resonating mass and a controller electrically connected to the rotational rate sensor. The rotational rate sensor detects lateral displacement of the resonating mass and generates a signal indicative of the detected lateral displacement, such that the lateral displacement is directly proportional to a rotational speed at which the power tool rotates about an axis of the rotary shaft. Based on the generated signal, the controller initiates a protective operation to avoid further undesirable rotation of the power tool. The control scheme employed by the power tool may initiate different protective operations for different tool conditions.

Abstract: An electric motor has an armature and a stators. The armature has a lamination stack having slots therein. An internal shaft extends coaxially through the lamination stack. A plurality of magnet wires are wound in the slots of the lamination stack. A commutator is disposed on the armature shaft to which ends of the magnet wires are electrically coupled. The internal is shaft coupled to an external pinion and bearing journal by an insulated coupling. The magnet wires are at least partially encased in thermally conductive plastic. 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. A power tool has the electric motor.

Abstract: A method for forming an armature for an electric motor includes securing a lamination stack having slots therein on an armature shaft. A commutator is secured on one end of the armature shaft. Magnet wires are wound in the slots in the lamination stack and ends of the magnet wires are secured to the commutator. Plastic is molded around the lamination stack, commutator and magnet wires. Excess plastic is machined off. 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: The invention provides fabF polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding fabF polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing fabF polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides fabF polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding fabF polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing fabF polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.