Abstract: A drying device has been developed having a single electric motor configured to drive a drum and directly drive an air blower. The single electric motor is a non-line frequency electric motor. The drum is coupled to a support frame to enable rotation of the drum relative the support frame. The drum has an interior space for holding a load of articles, such as clothing. The motor includes a controller configured to increase gradually the angular velocity of the drum to provide a “soft start” for the dryer.

Abstract: A horizontal axis washing machine includes a clothing receptacle rotated by a 4 pole rotor. A 36 slot stator having an interior bore with an interior diameter receives the 4 pole rotor in magnetic coupling relation and capable of operating within a flux weakening range of at least 5:1. The stator has a ratio of an interior diameter to a minimum exterior diameter greater than or equal to 0.63:1.

Abstract: An interior permanent magnet machine has non-contiguous, non-magnetic radial slots between the magnets and the cylindrical periphery and the magnets have non-magnetic radial end slots.

Abstract: A horizontal axis washing machine includes a clothing receptacle rotated by a 4 pole rotor. A 36 slot stator having an interior bore with an interior diameter receives the 4 pole rotor in magnetic coupling relation and capable of operating within a flux weakening range of at least 5:1. The stator has a ratio of an interior diameter to a minimum exterior diameter greater than or equal to 0.63:1.

Abstract: An interior permanent magnet machine having angled slots.

Abstract: A horizontal axis washing machine includes a clothing receptacle rotated by a 4 pole rotor. A 36 slot stator having an interior bore with an interior diameter receives the 4 pole rotor in magnetic coupling relation and capable of operating within a flux weakening range of at least 5:1. The stator has a ratio of an interior diameter to a minimum exterior diameter greater than or equal to 0.63:1.

Abstract: A washing machine comprising a laundry receptacle, a variable speed induction motor driving the laundry receptacle at a wash speed and as spin speed, a drive for powering the motor, and a wye-delta switch for connecting the drive and the motor in a wye configuration during the wash cycle or a delta configuration during a spin cycle. A controller controls the speed of the motor and the switch.

Abstract: A horizontal axis washing machine includes a clothing receptacle rotated by a 4 pole rotor. A 36 slot stator having an interior bore with an interior diameter receives the 4 pole rotor in magnetic coupling relation and capable of operating within a flux weakening range of at least 5:1. The stator has a ratio of an interior diameter to a minimum exterior diameter greater than or equal to 0.63:1.

Abstract: A washing machine comprising a laundry receptacle, a variable speed induction motor driving the laundry receptacle at a wash speed and as spin speed, a drive for powering the motor, and a wye-delta switch for connecting the drive and the motor in a wye configuration during the wash cycle or a delta configuration during a spin cycle. A controller controls the speed of the motor and the switch.

Abstract: A brushless permanent magnet (BPM) electric machine including a segmented stator having interconnected stator segment assemblies defining M stator teeth. Each of said M stator teeth having substantially the same axially facing size and shape. N coil windings are individually wound about the stator teeth. N<M.

Abstract: An induction motor control system senses the zero-cross angle of a current waveform applied to the motor's phase windings and computes the difference between the sensed current zero-cross angle and a predetermined demand voltage angle to estimate a power factor angle. The estimated power factor angle is compared to a predetermined desired power factor angle, and the voltage applied to the phase windings is adjusted in response to the difference between the estimated power factor angle and the desired power factor angle.

Abstract: A brushless permanent magnet machine that includes a combination of a fractional stator slot/rotor pole and a winding configuration to reduce cogging during operation of the machine. The stator has a series of teeth (preferably eighteen) which are surrounded by a series of coils. The coils are wound around the teeth and connected to a three-phase power supply in a manner that reduces cogging. The rotor has a series of slots (preferably sixteen). In the first embodiment, the coils are wound around every tooth, and the teeth are divided into sections of three, wherein each section of three teeth is connected to one phase of the power supply. In this embodiment, the fractional stator slot/rotor pole ratio is 18/16. In a second embodiment, the coils are wound around every other tooth, which provides for more space for winding the coils. In this embodiment, the fractional stator slot/rotor pole ratio is 9/16.

Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor for an electric motor includes longitudinally extending main rotor field and sensor field sections, the sensor field section being substantially shorter than the main rotor field section and being disposed at one end thereof. The sensor field section is magnetized in circumferentially disposed parallel strips of alternating magnetic polarity around the rotor. The main rotor field section has longitudinally extending strips of alternating magnetic polarity which are skewed in a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern includes a first portion in which each longitudinally extending strip runs generally at a first predetermined non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotor, a second portion in which each longitudinally extending strip runs generally at a second predetermined non-zero angle with respect that axis, and a third portion in which each longitudinally extending strip runs generally at the first predetermined non-zero angle with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A capacitor motor and method is disclosed which utilizes one or more tap points within the auxiliary winding of the motor which can be selectively connectd to a source of AC power via a selector switch for multi-speed operation of the motor.

Abstract: A capacitor motor and method is disclosed which utilizes one or more tap points within the auxiliary winding of the motor which can be selectively connected to a source of AC power via a selector switch for multi-speed operation of the motor.

Abstract: A capacitor motor and method is disclosed which utilizes one or more tap points within the auxiliary winding of the motor which can be selectively connected to a source of AC power via a selector switch for multi-speed operation of the motor.