Abstract: A steam chamber has enhanced planarity of its cooking surface, and a method for making the same via friction welding is provided. An array of stays within the steam chamber are friction welded to the undersurface of the upper plate, opposite the cooking surface, thus minimizing the heat affected zone and distortion of the cooking surface as compared, for example, to arc welding. A lower plate includes an array of holes sized and configured to be engaged by the array of stays, and is then welded to the array of stays via plug welds or rosette welds at the hole/stay junction. The resulting steam chamber preserves a high level of planarity in the cooking surface, while allowing the use of a relatively thin top plate for thermal and cooking efficiency.

Abstract: An improved fluid level sensor includes a radially magnetized magnet integrated into a float, and a Hall sensor adapted to monitor the magnet field emitted from the magnet. This arrangement provides a continuously variable signal across a range of travel, such that a controller receiving the signal can produce precise fluid level measurements and detect operational states of an associated device based on fluid behavior. In addition, the present fluid level sensor is suitable for use in harsh service environments, both because it is physically resilient to fouling, and because the controller is capable of detecting fouling by sensor behavior. In the context of a steam cooker, the present fluid level sensor can also sense low-water, overfill and fouling conditions, while remaining relatively insensitive to food residue, water scale buildup, corrosion and foaming.

Abstract: An improved fluid level sensor includes a radially magnetized magnet integrated into a float, and a Hall sensor adapted to monitor the magnet field emitted from the magnet. This arrangement provides a continuously variable signal across a range of travel, such that a controller receiving the signal can produce precise fluid level measurements and detect operational states of an associated device based on fluid behavior. In addition, the present fluid level sensor is suitable for use in harsh service environments, both because it is physically resilient to fouling, and because the controller is capable of detecting fouling by sensor behavior. In the context of a steam cooker, the present fluid level sensor can also sense low-water, overfill and fouling conditions, while remaining relatively insensitive to food residue, water scale buildup, corrosion and foaming.

Abstract: An improved fluid level sensor includes a radially magnetized magnet integrated into a float, and a Hall sensor adapted to monitor the magnet field emitted from the magnet. This arrangement provides a continuously variable signal across a range of travel, such that a controller receiving the signal can produce precise fluid level measurements and detect operational states of an associated device based on fluid behavior. In addition, the present fluid level sensor is suitable for use in harsh service environments, both because it is physically resilient to fouling, and because the controller is capable of detecting fouling by sensor behavior. In the context of a steam cooker, the present fluid level sensor can also sense low-water, overfill and fouling conditions, while remaining relatively insensitive to food residue, water scale buildup, corrosion and foaming.

Abstract: A permanent magnet motor/generator that includes a stator, a rotor provided with a plurality of permanent magnets at a peripheral surface thereof and having a central axis which coincides with the central axis of the stator, a rotatable shaft upon which the rotor is coupled, and an actuator for moving the rotor with respect to the stator axially along the rotatable shaft a sufficient distance to completely decouple the rotor from the stator so as to eliminate magnet induced torque drag. When the permanent magnet/generator is used in parallel hybrid vehicles, the ability to completely decouple the rotor from the stator greatly improves range and efficiency. In addition, by progressively engaging the rotor with the stator a desired voltage output can be obtained upon deceleration.

Abstract: A brushless permanent magnet electric machine with a fixed radial air gap is operated to a much higher speed than normal maximum speed by the reduction in effective magnet pole strength. Permanent magnets are supported on the inner surface of an axially movable cylindrical shell. A plurality of magnetic poles provided with wire coils are supported on a stationary cylindrical member cooperate with the permanent magnets on the axially movable cylindrical shell to either cause, or react to, rotation of the axially movable cylindrical shell. The axially movable cylindrical shell and cylindrical member are coaxial. The cylindrical shell is axially movable with respect to the cylindrical member.

Abstract: An electrical machine using a plurality of separate teeth that can be axially inserted into a stator ring or armature after receiving a bobbin or form wound coil. Each tooth contains a primary locating structure and a secondary locating structure which respectively set the radial position and the angular position of the teeth in a stator ring. This construction can also be used with internal motor armatures. The primary and secondary locating structures have a size equal to or smaller than the portion of the tooth that holds the coil. This allows insertion of a pre-wound coil over these features without interference. The use of separate stator or armature teeth that are press fitted into the stator ring or armature allows the use of coil types that could not be inserted into a one piece stator or armature and tooth materials with optimum magnetic properties.

Abstract: A brushless permanent magnet electric machine with a fixed radial air gap is operated to a much higher speed than normal maximum speed by the reduction in effective magnet pole strength. Permanent magnets are supported on the inner surface of an axially movable cylindrical shell. A plurality of magnetic poles provided with wire coils are supported on a stationary cylindrical member cooperate with the permanent magnets on the axially movable cylindrical shell to either cause, or react to, rotation of the axially movable cylindrical shell. The axially movable cylindrical shell and cylindrical member are coaxial. The cylindrical shell is axially movable with respect to the cylindrical member.

Abstract: An electrical machine using a plurality of separate teeth that can be axially inserted into a stator ring or armature after receiving a bobbin or form wound coil. Each tooth contains a primary locating structure and a secondary locating structure which respectively set the radial position and the angular position of the teeth in a stator ring. This construction can also be used with internal motor armatures. The primary and secondary locating structures have a size equal to or smaller than the portion of the tooth that holds the coil. This allows insertion of a pre-wound coil over these features without interference. The use of separate stator or armature teeth that are press fitted into the stator ring or armature allows the use of coil types that could not be inserted into a one piece stator or armature and tooth materials with optimum magnetic properties.

Abstract: An electrical machine using a plurality of separate teeth that can be axially inserted into a stator ring or armature after receiving a bobbin or form wound coil. Each tooth contains a primary locating structure and a secondary locating structure which respectively set the radial position and the angular position of the teeth in a stator ring. This construction can also be used with internal motor armatures. The primary and secondary locating structures have a size equal to or smaller than the portion of the tooth that holds the coil. This allows insertion of a pre-wound coil over these features without interference. The use of separate stator or armature teeth that are press fitted into the stator ring or armature allows the use of coil types that could not be inserted into a one piece stator or armature and tooth materials with optimum magnetic properties.

Abstract: A brushless permanent magnet electric machine with a fixed radial air gap is operated to a much higher speed than normal maximum speed by the reduction in effective magnet pole strength. Increasing the amount of axial misalignment of the permanent magnet rotor and constant velocity bearing proportionally increases the speed and reduces the torque. The permanent magnet rotor is offset axially to provide axial misalignment between the rotor magnet poles and the stator, reducing the effective magnet pole strength or flux to the stator. An integral constant velocity linear bearing is used to couple the movable rotor and the fixed position motor shaft. A thrust bearing is actuated to offset the magnetic rotor against the attractive magnetic forces toward the stator. The use of a constant velocity linear bearing allows the motor shaft, radial support bearings, position encoder, cooling fan, and output coupling to remain in a constant position while rotor position is offset.

Abstract: A brushless permanent magnet electric motor with a fixed radial air gap is operated to a much higher speed than normal maximum speed by the reduction in effective magnet pole strength. Increasing the amount of axial misalignment of the permanent magnet rotor and stator proportionally increases the speed and reduces the torque. The permanent magnet rotor is offset axially to provide axial misalignment between the rotor magnet poles and the stator, reducing the effective magnet pole strength or flux to the stator. An integral constant velocity linear bearing is used to couple the movable rotor and the fixed position motor shaft. A thrust bearing is actuated to offset the magnetic rotor against the attractive magnetic forces toward the stator. The use of a constant velocity linear bearing allows the motor shaft, radial support bearings, position encoder, cooling fan, and output coupling to remain in a constant position while rotor position is offset.

Abstract: A brushless permanent magnet electric motor with a fixed radial air gap is operated to a much higher speed than normal maximum speed by the reduction in effective magnet pole strength. Increasing the amount of axial misalignment of the permanent magnet rotor and stator proportionally increases the speed and reduces the torque. The permanent magnet rotor is offset axially to provide axial misalignment between the rotor magnet poles and the stator, reducing the effective magnet pole strength or flux to the stator. An integral constant velocity linear bearing is used to couple the movable rotor and the fixed position motor shaft. A thrust bearing is actuated to offset the magnetic rotor against the attractive magnetic forces toward the stator. The use of a constant velocity linear bearing allows the motor shaft, radial support bearings, position encoder, cooling fan, and output coupling to remain in a constant position while rotor position is offset.

Abstract: A pump assembly which includes a pump head which is driven by a rotor that is located in a housing to which the pump head is attached. The pump head includes a drive gear and a driven gear. The drive gear is coupled to the rotor by a shaft which is received at opposite ends by a bearing located in a closed end of the rotor housing and a bearing which is located in the pump head.

Abstract: A pump assembly which includes a prop head which is driven by a rotor that is located in a housing to which the pump head is attached. The pump head includes a drive gear and a driven gear. The drive gear is coupled to the rotor by a shaft which is received at opposite ends by a bearing located in a closed end of the rotor housing and a bearing which is located in the pump head.

Abstract: An oval gear pump for shear-sensitive fluids particularly suited for use in dispensing metered amounts of food syrups, condiments, or other thick or viscous liquids. The viscosity of some of such materials tends to degrade when excessive agitation is incurred. The gear pump minimizes such agitation by sweeping integrated masses of substantial volume between the inlet and the outlet. The pumping system also provides a flow-sensing device including a tubular magnet movable against spring pressure by fluid flow to an operated position. When the magnet is in the operated position, an adjacent external switch is operated to produce a signal indicating flow. The pumping system is particularly adapted for use in connection with ice cream dispensing machines.

Abstract: An oval gear pump for shear-sensitive fluids particularly suited for use in dispensing metered amounts of food syrups, condiments, or other thick or viscous liquids. The viscosity of some of such materials tends to degrade when excessive agitation is incurred. The gear pump minimizes such agitation by sweeping integrated masses of substantial volume between the inlet and the outlet. The pumping system also provides a flow-sensing device including a tubular magnet movable against spring pressure by fluid flow to an operated position. When the magnet is in the operated position, an adjacent external switch is operated to produce a signal indicating flow. The pumping system is particularly adapted for use in connection with ice cream dispensing machines.

Abstract: A ratio device for dispensing first and second liquids in a preselected ratio, which comprises a housing assembly having two gear pumps interconnected for concurrent operation. One of the gear pumps is configured also to act as a liquid powered motor operative in response to the pressure and flow of the first liquid.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a hollow socket and hollow plug therefor and a specific snap clip for locking the plug in the socket by normally bridging radially aligned cooperating grooves in said plug and socket. The plug and socket may include cooperating surfaces between which a gasket or O-ring may be seated for sealing the coupling. The clip primarily comprises a pair of cooperating semicircular diametrically oppositely movable semiannuli or ring sections connected at one of their adjacent parallel ends by an integral spring loop extending substantially axially from the plane of the semiannuli or ring sections. This loop is provided with a pair of parallel legs joined at one end to the adjacent parallel ends of said semiannuli and at their other ends to a more than semi-circular ring. This loop normally urges said semiannuli outwardly into the groove in the socket.