Abstract: An engine cooling module includes a shroud structure 12 having a shroud hub 46 constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a motor 16. A DC electric motor 16 has first and second ends and a rotatable shaft 40. The second end of the motor is received by the shroud hub. A fan 70 is provided that has a fan hub 72. The fan is coupled with the shaft for rotation therewith. The shroud hub 46 defines a protective cover covering the second end of the motor, and the fan hub 70 defines a protective cover covering the first end of the motor. Thus, no motor housing is required.

Abstract: A fan shroud structure (10) is constructed and arranged to carry a fan and motor. The fan shroud structure includes a base (12) and an annular rim (24) extending from the base. The rim defines a generally central opening (26) sized to accommodate blades of a fan. Motor mounting structure (28) is coupled with the rim (24) and is disposed generally adjacent to the central opening (26). The motor mounting structure (28) is constructed and arranged to support a motor for driving a fan. The fan shroud structure (10) includes a first pair of opposing sides (14, 16) and a second pair of opposing sides (17, 18) coupled to the base to form a box-like configuration defining a perimeter of the fan shroud structure raised with respect to the base such that the sides are discontinuous with respect to the base (12) to shift resonance of the shroud structure.

Abstract: A fan shroud structure 10 is constructed and arranged to carry a fan and motor. The fan shroud structure includes a base 12 and an annular rim 24 extending from the base. The rim defines a generally central opening 26 sized to accommodate blades of a fan. Motor mounting structure 28 is coupled with the rim 24 and is disposed generally adjacent to the central opening 26. The motor mounting structure 28 is constructed and arranged to support a motor for driving a fan. The fan shroud structure 10 includes a first pair of opposing sides 14, 16 and a second pair of opposing sides 17, 18 coupled to the base to form a box-like configuration defining a perimeter of the fan shroud structure raised with respect to the base such that the sides are discontinuous with respect to the base 12 to shift resonance of the shroud structure.

Abstract: A fan shroud structure 10 is constructed and arranged to carry a fan. The fan shroud structure includes a body 12 having a periphery, a main surface, and an annular rim 26 defining a generally central opening 28. The opening 28 is sized to accommodate blades of a fan. Fan mounting structure 30 is coupled with the body and is disposed generally adjacent to the central opening. The fan mounting structure is constructed and arranged to support a motor of a fan. The body includes a plurality of surfaces features 34 constructed and arranged to affect resonance of the shroud structure with each feature having a surface 36 that is discontinuous with respect to the main surface 38 of the body. Each feature 34 also extends from the annular rim to the periphery of the body.

Abstract: An engine cooling module includes a shroud structure 12 having a shroud hub 46 constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a motor 16. A DC electric motor 16 has first and second ends and a rotatable shaft 40. The second end of the motor is received by the shroud hub. A fan 70 is provided that has a fan hub 72. The fan is coupled with the shaft for rotation therewith. The shroud hub 46 defines a protective cover covering the second end of the motor, and the fan hub 70 defines a protective cover covering the first end of the motor. Thus, no motor housing is required.

Abstract: A fan shroud structure 10 is constructed and arranged to carry a fan. The fan shroud structure includes a body 12 having a periphery, a main surface, and an annular rim 26 defining a generally central opening 28. The opening 28 is sized to accommodate blades of a fan. Fan mounting structure 30 is coupled with the body and is disposed generally adjacent to the central opening. The fan mounting structure is constructed and arranged to support a motor of a fan. The body includes a plurality of surfaces features 34 constructed and arranged to affect resonance of the shroud structure with each feature having a surface 36 that is discontinuous with respect to the main surface 38 of the body. Each feature 34 also extends from the annular rim to the periphery of the body.

Abstract: An engine cooling module includes a shroud structure 12. A housing 20 of a d.c. electric motor is formed integrally with the shroud structure 12. The housing has an open end 21. The motor has a drive shaft 26. A heat sink 22 is disposed opposite the open end and is insert molded with respect to the housing 20. The heat sink 22 defines a seat for a bearing 24 supporting the shaft 26. A flux ring assembly 48 is insert molded with respect to the housing. The flux ring assembly includes permanent magnets 33. An armature assembly 28 is disposed in the housing and fixed to the shaft for rotation in response to a magnetic field generated by the magnets 33. A commutator 32 is disposed in the housing and electrically connected with the armature assembly 28 and mounted for movement with the armature assembly. A brush card assembly 36 is coupled to the open end 21 of the housing to define an end cap covering the open end. The brush card assembly 36 has brushes 42 associated with the commutator 32.

Abstract: A shroud 100 is provided for carrying an electric motor 118 of an engine cooling assembly. The motor 118 has a lead wire assembly 128 to control the operation of the motor. The shroud includes a frame 112 defining an opening 114 there through. A motor mount structure 116 is provided in the opening. A plurality of struts 124 extends in the opening from the frame to the motor mount structure thereby coupling the motor mount structure to the frame. At least one of the struts 124′ defines a lead trough 127 constructed and arranged to receive the lead wire assembly of the motor. A resilient locator 130 is associated with the lead trough and is constructed and arranged to guide the lead wire assembly into the lead trough and to maintain the lead wire assembly within the lead trough without applying constant pressure on the lead wire assembly.

Abstract: An engine cooling module includes a shroud structure 12. A housing 20 of a d.c. electric motor is formed integrally with the shroud structure 12. The housing has an open end 21. The motor has a drive shaft 26. A heat sink 22 is disposed opposite the open end and is insert molded with respect to the housing 20. The heat sink 22 defines a seat for a bearing 24 supporting the shaft 26. A flux ring assembly 48 is insert molded with respect to the housing. The flux ring assembly includes permanent magnets 33. An armature assembly 28 is disposed in the housing and fixed to the shaft for rotation in response to a magnetic field generated by the magnets 33. A commutator 32 is disposed in the housing and electrically connected with the armature assembly 28 and mounted for movement with the armature assembly. A brush card assembly 36 is coupled to the open end 21 of the housing to define an end cap covering the open end. The brush card assembly 36 has brushes 42 associated with the commutator 32.

Abstract: An engine cooling module includes a shroud structure 12. A housing 20 of a d.c. electric motor is formed integrally with the shroud structure 12. The housing has an open end 21. The motor has a drive shaft 26. A heat sink 22 is disposed opposite the open end and is insert molded with respect to the housing 20. The heat sink. 22 defines a seat for a bearing 24 supporting the shaft 26. A flux ring assembly 48 is insert molded with respect to the housing. The flux ring assembly includes permanent magnets 33. An armature assembly 28 is disposed in the housing and fixed to the shaft for rotation in response to a magnetic field generated by the magnets 33. A commutator 32 is disposed in the housing and electrically connected with the armature assembly 28 and mounted for movement with the armature assembly. A brush card assembly 36 is coupled to the open end 21 of the housing to define an end cap covering the open end. The brush card assembly 36 has brushes 42 associated with the commutator 32.

Abstract: An electric motor 10 includes a motor housing 12 defining an internal cavity 15. A brush card assembly 24, a commutator 26 and an armature assembly 18 are provided in the cavity 15. The commutator 26 cooperates with the brush card assembly 24 to resupply electric current to the armature assembly 18. Permanent magnet structure 44 is provided in the housing 12 to generate a magnetic field to cause rotation of the armature assembly 18. A FET 52 is mounted with respect to the housing 16 so as to be in heat exchange relation therewith. A gate terminal G of the FET is constructed and arranged to receive pulse width modulation output from an electronic control unit 64 which is remote from the motor so as to enable able the motor to operate at more than one speed. A method of integrating a FET in a motor is also provided.

Abstract: An engine cooling module includes a shroud structure, and a brushless dc electric motor having an armature assembly and a rotor carrying permanent magnets. Mounting structure is provided having first and second opposing surfaces. The armature assembly is fixedly coupled with respect to the first surface. The mounting structure is fixed to the shroud structure. A fan has a plurality of blades and a hub. The rotor is fixed with respect to the hub. A shaft is associated with the rotor and the armature assembly permitting rotation of the rotor with resect to the armature assembly. An electronic control unit is coupled to the second surface of the mounting structure and is electrically connected with the armature assembly to control operation of the motor.

Abstract: A cooling structure 10 for cooling an engine includes an axial flow fan 16 having a plurality of blades 14. A shroud 12 is spaced from and is generally adjacent to the blades 14. A plurality of Helmholtz resonators 24 and 24′ is carried by the shroud 12. Each of the resonators 24 and 24′ has an opening disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to a direction of air flow resulting from rotation of the fan 16. The resonators 24 and 24′ are disposed at locations on the shroud 12 which are generally adjacent to tips 32 of the blades 14. The resonators 24 and 24′ are tuned to reduce blade passing tone of the fan 14.

Abstract: A computer workstation stand has a platform having a generally horizontal support surface large enough to support a monitor. A table is disposed frontally of the platform and has a flat support surface with a center expanse large enough to support a computer keyboard and wings extending from laterally opposite sides of the center expanse that are themselves sufficiently expansive to support auxiliary computer equipment that requires manual manipulation by a user while allowing a user who is situated frontally of the table and facing a monitor supported on the horizontal support surface of the platform to rest his or her forearms on the wings while manipulating auxiliary equipment supported on the wings. A mechanism operatively relates the table to the platform to allow the table to be positioned in a desired spatial relationship to the platform. Specifically the mechanism allows the table to be tilted and elevated.

Abstract: A cooling module 10 of short axial length includes a fan 18 having a plurality of blades 16. A shroud structure 12 is spaced from and generally adjacent to the blades 16. A brushless electric motor 22 rotates the blades 16. The motor 22 includes a heat sink structure 24 coupled to the shroud structure 12 and defines a base of the motor 22. A shaft 32 is fixed to the heat sink structure 24. A rotor 34 is mounted for rotation with respect to the shaft 32. The fan 18 is coupled to the rotor 34. Magnets 48 are fixed in relation to the rotor 34. A lamination core 56 is fixed to the heat sink structure 24. A winding is wound about the lamination core 56 and is operatively associated with the magnets 48.

Abstract: A brushless electric motor 26 includes a stator assembly 32 defining an interior chamber 38. The stator assembly includes a stator core 34 and windings 36. The windings and at least a portion 44 of the stator core are in open communication with the interior chamber. A rotor assembly 42 is provided in the interior chamber. An electronic control unit 60 is coupled to the stator assembly and has an upper surface 62 in communication with the interior chamber. A fluid flow path structure 64 is constructed and arranged to permit fluid to pass from an inlet in the stator assembly and enter the interior chamber so that the rotor assembly, the windings, and the portion of said stator core are submerged in the fluid for cooling the rotor assembly, the windings, and the portion of the stator core. Fluid also contacts the upper surface of the electronic control unit to cool the electronic control unit. Fluid isolating structure 74′ prevents fluid from contacting an end 81 of the windings.

Abstract: A brushless pump-motor has a pump housing having an impeller chamber with an impeller in the impeller chamber. A motor assembly is coupled to the pump housing. The motor assembly includes a stator assembly having a plurality of core members. A connecting structure couples the plurality of core members with respect to each other to form a generally annular core assembly such that adjacent core members are disposed in non-contacting relation. Windings are operatively associated with the core members. The stator assembly has an interior portion defining a rotor chamber and a rotor assembly is disposed in the rotor chamber. The connecting structure has a partition portion constructed and arranged to isolate the windings from the rotor chamber. A shaft is provided on which the rotor assembly and impeller are mounted. The shaft includes a hollow portion in open communication with the rotor chamber.

Abstract: A brushless water pump motor includes a pump housing having an impeller chamber with an impeller disposed therein, and a motor assembly coupled at a first end thereof to the pump housing. The motor assembly includes a stator assembly having laminations and windings, the stator having an interior portion defining a rotor chamber in which a rotor assembly is disposed. There is a partition structure provided between the rotor assembly and the stator assembly for isolating the stator assembly from the rotor chamber, and the partition structure has a wall in communication with the rotor chamber. The pump/motor assembly further includes a hollow shaft in communication with the rotor chamber, such that the rotor assembly and impeller are mounted on the hollow shaft. A bearing structure is operatively associated with the hollow portion of the shaft for supporting the shaft for rotational movement.

Abstract: A vehicle engine cooling system includes a coupling assembly to be connected to and rotated by a vehicle engine output shaft. An electric motor includes a motor shaft having first and second ends. An impeller is coupled to the first end of the motor shaft. A clutch structure is integral with the electric motor and includes an input member carried by the second end of the motor shaft for rotation therewith. An end of the coupling structure is operatively associated with the input member to cause rotation of the input member upon rotation of the coupling assembly. An electro-magnet structure is disposed about the input member. The clutch structure also includes output structure having a mounting member fixed to the motor shaft. A movable element, including magnetically permeable material, is mounted with respect to the mounting member for rotational movement therewith and for movement between a non-engaging position and an engaging position. A spring biases the movable element towards the non-engaging position.

Abstract: An ultra quiet electric motor includes a drive shaft, bearing structure rotatably supporting the drive shaft, and an armature assembly and commutator each fixed on the drive shaft. A motor housing is disposed around the armature assembly and has an open end portion. A permanent magnet structure is disposed between the motor housing and the armature. Brush structure is provided having a pair of brush support arms each guiding a generally crescent-shaped brush. Each of the brushes contacts the commutator. A noise absorbing housing is defined by a plurality of walls and is disposed generally around the brush structure. Noise absorption material covers at least a portion of at least one of the walls of the noise absorbing housing. An end cap is fixed to the motor housing to close the open end portion thereof. The structure of the motor is such that during operation, a decibel rating of approximately 32 dbA is generated.