Abstract: A blower assembly for advancing the flow of air in an air flow device at a selected one of a plurality of air flow rates. The blower assembly includes a blower housing defining a body thereof and a wall of the blower housing moveably secured to the body, a blower wheel rotatably mounted to the blower housing and a motor for rotating the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. The blower assembly further includes a motion device secured to the body and to the wall. The motion device moves the wall relative to the body to a selected one of a plurality of distinct wall positions. The motor rotates the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. A controller calculates an optimum wall position and rotational speed to provide for minimal energy usage rate.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a motor assembly including a motor and a motor controller coupled to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor. The electric machine also includes a motor housing defining an interior space and enclosing the motor assembly within the interior space. The electric machine further includes an electric machine housing. The motor housing is enclosed within the electric machine housing. The electric machine also includes an NFC antenna communicatively coupled to the motor controller and mounted such that an antenna range of the NFC antenna extends on an exterior of the electric machine housing. The NFC antenna is configured to receive a signal relating to a user command from a handheld device and relay the signal to the motor controller. The motor controller is configured to adjust an operational parameter of the motor based at least partially on the user command.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a motor assembly including a motor and a motor controller coupled to the motor and configured to control operation of the motor. The electric machine also includes a motor housing defining an interior space and enclosing the motor assembly within the interior space. The electric machine further includes an electric machine housing. The motor housing is enclosed within the electric machine housing. The electric machine also includes an NFC antenna communicatively coupled to the motor controller and mounted such that an antenna range of the NFC antenna extends on an exterior of the electric machine housing. The NFC antenna is configured to receive a signal relating to a user command from a handheld device and relay the signal to the motor controller. The motor controller is configured to adjust an operational parameter of the motor based at least partially on the user command.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a motor assembly including a motor controller including an NFC tuned circuit. The electric machine also includes a motor housing defining an interior space and enclosing the motor assembly within the interior space. The electric machine further includes an electric machine housing. The motor housing is enclosed within the electric machine housing. The electric machine also includes an NFC antenna mounted within the electric machine housing and configured to emit a magnetic field at a selected frequency. The magnetic field is configured to induce an electric current in the NFC tuned circuit. The electric machine further includes a memory configured to store information included in signals transmitted between the NFC antenna and the NFC tuned circuit via the magnetic field.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a motor assembly including a motor controller including an NFC tuned circuit. The electric machine also includes a motor housing defining an interior space and enclosing the motor assembly within the interior space. The electric machine further includes an electric machine housing. The motor housing is enclosed within the electric machine housing. The electric machine also includes an NFC antenna mounted within the electric machine housing and configured to emit a magnetic field at a selected frequency. The magnetic field is configured to induce an electric current in the NFC tuned circuit. The electric machine further includes a memory configured to store information included in signals transmitted between the NFC antenna and the NFC tuned circuit via the magnetic field.

Abstract: A blower assembly for advancing the flow of air in an air flow device at a selected one of a plurality of air flow rates is provided. The blower assembly includes a blower housing defining a body thereof and a wall of the blower housing moveably secured to the body, a blower wheel rotatably mounted to the blower housing and a motor for rotating the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. The blower assembly further includes a motion device secured to the body and to the wall. The motion device moves the wall relative to the body to a selected one of a plurality of distinct wall positions. The motor rotates the blower wheel at a selected one of a plurality of rotational speeds. A controller calculates optimum wall position and rotational speed to provide for minimal energy usage rate.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a motor includes an NFC antenna coupled to a motor assembly and configured to receive signals from a motor controller. The NFC antenna is configured to emit a magnetic field at a selected frequency. The system also includes a communication interface configured to relay the signals from the NFC antenna to a handheld device.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes an electric motor, a casing configured to house the motor, and an electrical enclosure coupled to the motor casing. The electrical enclosure houses a control board including a microcontroller and a memory device therein. The microcontroller is configured to control the electric motor based at least in part on motor configuration data stored in the memory device. The assembly also includes a near field communications (NFC) antenna positioned adjacent to an opening defined in the motor casing or the electronics enclosure, and is communicatively coupled to the memory device. The NFC antenna is configured to: receive a radio signal transmitted by an external programming device, the radio signal including updated motor configuration data; convert the radio signal to an electrical signal that includes the updated motor configuration data; and transmit the electrical signal to the memory device to store the updated motor configuration data.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes an electric motor, a casing configured to house the motor, and an electrical enclosure coupled to the motor casing. The electrical enclosure houses a control board including a microcontroller and a memory device therein. The microcontroller is configured to control the electric motor based at least in part on motor configuration data stored in the memory device. The assembly also includes a near field communications (NFC) antenna positioned adjacent to an opening defined in the motor casing or the electronics enclosure, and is communicatively coupled to the memory device. The NFC antenna is configured to: receive a radio signal transmitted by an external programming device, the radio signal including updated motor configuration data; convert the radio signal to an electrical signal that includes the updated motor configuration data; and transmit the electrical signal to the memory device to store the updated motor configuration data.

Abstract: A system for communicating with a motor includes an NFC antenna coupled to a motor assembly and configured to receive signals from a motor controller. The NFC antenna is configured to emit a magnetic field at a selected frequency. The system also includes a communication interface configured to relay the signals from the NFC antenna to a handheld device.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an electric machine is provided. The machine includes a support structure, a stator secured to the support structure, and a rotor rotatably secured to the support structure. The machine also includes a circuit board positioned at least partially within the support structure. The circuit board is adapted for controlling an electromagnetic field produced by the stator. The machine also includes a potting material in contact with a first surface of the circuit board and a barrier for at least partially containing the potting material.