Abstract: A fan assembly includes a motor ring and an electric motor supported by the motor ring and including an output shaft defining a central axis, a brush assembly, and a motor end shield having at least one aperture and disposed adjacent the brush assembly. The fan assembly further includes a splash shield adjacent the motor end shield. The splash shield includes a rim having an inner surface in facing relationship with the motor end shield and configured to direct an airflow between the motor end shield and the splash shield in a substantially radial direction toward the central axis, and configured to redirect the substantially radial airflow through the aperture in a direction having both a radial and an axial component with respect to the central axis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides an electric motor including an armature, a stator, and brushes. The armature includes an armature winding and a commutator connected to the armature winding. The stator is disposed to magnetically interact with the armature. The brushes are disposed to engage with the commutator to controllably provide electric current to the windings via the commutator. The electric motor further includes an inductor (e.g., a wire-wound inductor) electrically connected in a series relationship with at least one of the brushes and a thermal cutoff device electrically connected in a series relationship with the inductor. The thermal cutoff device is disposed within at least a portion of the inductor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides an electric motor including an armature, a stator, and brushes. The armature includes an armature winding and a commutator connected to the armature winding. The stator is disposed to magnetically interact with the armature. The brushes are disposed to engage with the commutator to controllably provide electric current to the windings via the commutator. The electric motor further includes an inductor (e.g., a wire-wound inductor) electrically connected in a series relationship with at least one of the brushes and a thermal cutoff device electrically connected in a series relationship with the inductor. The thermal cutoff device is disposed within at least a portion of the inductor.