Abstract: A generator is provided along a conduit that carries a man-made fluid flow. The generator generates electrical power that can be, e.g., used to charge a battery, rotate a reel, or to directly control a fluid flow control valve associated with the fluid flow. In the garden hose context, neither AC power nor frequent battery replacement is required because power from the generator can recharge the battery powering the valve and the reel.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, and a regenerative electric motor includes a plurality of independent energizable electromagnetic assemblies. Each independent electromagnetic assembly has an associated one-piece magnetic core formed from thin film soft magnetic material. Each independent electromagnetic assembly defines two stator poles located at opposite ends of the one-piece magnetic core. Each one-piece magnetic core provides the entire magnetic return path for the two opposite magnetic stator poles associated with each independent electromagnetic assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and components thereof for intelligently watering an environment. The system comprises at least one sensor for monitoring particular environmental conditions, and at least one electrically powered valve that receives wireless information signals from the sensor and controls a watering device based on the signals. Power control units repeatedly toggle the sensor and valve between powered and unpowered states to conserve energy. The power control units are configured so that the powered states of the sensor and valve overlap in time to make it possible for the valve to receive the wireless information signals from the sensor.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material.

Abstract: A generator is provided along a conduit that carries a man-made fluid flow. The generator generates electrical power that can be, e.g., used to charge a battery, rotate a reel, or to directly control a fluid flow control valve associated with the fluid flow. In the garden hose context, neither AC power nor frequent battery replacement is required because power from the generator can recharge the battery powering the valve and the reel.

Abstract: A hand crank assembly system for spooling linear material onto a reel includes a reel drum onto which the linear material can be spooled and a lever pivotable about an axis. A torque transfer mechanism of the system has an engagement clutch that engages and transfers a torque when it is operated in a first rotational direction, but that does not operate nor transfer a torque when it is operated in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The torque transfer mechanism converts the pivoting of the lever into the rotation of the reel drum in the first rotational direction regardless of the direction in which the lever is pivoted.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, and a regenerative electric motor includes a plurality of independent energizable electromagnetic assemblies. Each independent electromagnetic assembly has an associated one-piece magnetic core formed from thin film soft magnetic material. Each independent electromagnetic assembly defines two stator poles located at opposite ends of the one-piece magnetic core. Each one-piece magnetic core provides the entire magnetic return path for the two opposite magnetic stator poles associated with each independent electromagnetic assembly.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, and a regenerative electric motor includes a plurality of independent energizable electromagnetic assemblies. Each independent electromagnetic assembly has an associated one-piece magnetic core formed from thin film soft magnetic material. Each independent electromagnetic assembly defines two stator poles located at opposite ends of the one-piece magnetic core. Each one-piece magnetic core provides the entire magnetic return path for the two opposite magnetic stator poles associated with each independent electromagnetic assembly.

Abstract: A fluid system has a fluid control device that can receive a gas hose and fluid hose. The fluid control device can also have a gas source and can be configured to receive the liquid hose. The fluid control device is provided to output a fluid flow into an output hose. The fluid control device can be positioned near a liquid source or a nozzle of the output hose. In another arrangement, the fluid control device can receive low pressure fluid and deliver high pressure fluid to a high pressure device. The fluid system can have a hose reel apparatus for spooling a hose connected to the fluid control device and the high pressure device.

Abstract: A hose control system comprising a receiver and a transmitter by which one can remotely control both the flow of water through a hose and the winding or unwinding of the hose onto a reel. The system preferably has power saving advantages, for example, by the use of a power control unit that reduces the power consumed by the electronics of the devices, but does not unreasonably disrupt the use of the devices. The receiver may be used with different aspects or all of the hose control system.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes at least one stator arrangement having a plurality of electromagnetic assemblies with each electromagnetic assembly including at least a portion of a magnetic core that is formed from thin film soft magnetic material. The electromagnetic assemblies define a plurality of stator poles. The device also includes at least one rotor arrangement supported for rotation about a given rotational axis at a certain range of normal operating rotational speeds. The rotor arrangement has a plurality of rotor poles for magnetically interacting with the stator poles. The rotor poles are supported for rotation about the rotational axis along a circular path.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, and a regenerative electric motor includes a plurality of independent energizable electromagnetic assemblies. Each independent electromagnetic assembly has an associated one-piece magnetic core formed from thin film soft magnetic material. Each independent electromagnetic assembly defines two stator poles located at opposite ends of the one-piece magnetic core. Each one-piece magnetic core provides the entire magnetic return path for the two opposite magnetic stator poles associated with each independent electromagnetic assembly.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes at least one stator arrangement having a plurality of electromagnetic assemblies with each electromagnetic assembly including at least a portion of a magnetic core that is formed from thin film soft magnetic material. The electromagnetic assemblies define a plurality of stator poles. The device also includes at least one rotor arrangement supported for rotation about a given rotational axis at a certain range of normal operating rotational speeds. The rotor arrangement has a plurality of rotor poles for magnetically interacting with the stator poles. The rotor poles are supported for rotation about the rotational axis along a circular path.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a rotor arrangement and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.

Abstract: A device such as an electric motor, an electric generator, or a regenerative electric motor includes a plurality of rotor arrangements and a stator arrangement. The stator arrangement has a dielectric electromagnet housing and at least one energizable electromagnet assembly including an overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The overall amorphous metal magnetic core is made up of a plurality of individually formed amorphous metal core pieces. The dielectric electromagnet housing has core piece openings formed into the electromagnet housing for holding the individually formed amorphous metal core pieces in positions adjacent to one another so as to form the overall amorphous metal magnetic core. The device further includes a control arrangement that is able to variably control the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet using any combination of a plurality of activation and deactivation parameters in order to control the speed, efficiency, torque, and power of the device.