Abstract: A blower comprises a blower housing, a fan, a motor and a support member. The blower housing has an air outlet opening. The fan is within the blower housing, the fan is adapted for rotation about a fan axis. The motor has a stator and a rotor. The rotor is rotatably coupled to the stator for rotation about the fan axis. The rotor and fan are coupled such that the fan rotates with the rotor. The support member is connected between the stator of the motor and the blower housing and extends generally radially from the fan axis. The support member supports both the motor and the fan.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling the output power of a permanent magnet electric motor (102) using a control means (106). The control means (106) includes a means (134) for measuring motor speed (134) and motor phase current (134), and a means for controlling motor phase current (110) to a desired level. A known relationship between motor phase current and motor torque is then employed by a torque controller so that motor shaft torque can be controlled. A power limiting means (128) then limits the output mechanical power of the motor by dividing a limit value of power by the motor speed to produce a maximum allowable torque setting for that speed.