Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction inlet, a motor, and an impeller connected to the motor and operable to generate suction through the suction inlet upon operation of the motor. The vacuum cleaner further includes a power connector mounted to the vacuum cleaner and selectively connectable to a direct current (DC) power source and an alternating current (AC) power source. The power connector includes external terminals accessible from an exterior of the vacuum cleaner. The external terminals are configured for removable mechanical connection to each of the DC power source and an AC power supply cord such that the DC power source and the AC power supply cord are selectively and mechanically connectable to the same external power connector terminals.

Abstract: Upright vacuum cleaners that include a switch that detects whether a removable filter assembly has been connected to the vacuum cleaner are disclosed. In some embodiments, the upright vacuum cleaner includes a capacitor for protecting the switch from voltage transients.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the productivity of a portable machine are provided. The method includes receiving motion data for at least one component of the portable machine from a multi-axis accelerometer, receiving position data for the at least one component from a process parameter sensor communicatively coupled to the at least one component, and determining, based on the received motion data and the received position data that the at least one component is oriented in a predetermined position for productive operation. The method also includes determining an area of productive operation using at least one physical dimension of the at least one component and the received motion data when the at least one component is oriented in the predetermined position for productive operation and incrementing a total area counter based on the determination.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction inlet, a motor, and an impeller connected to the motor and operable to generate suction through the suction inlet upon operation of the motor. The vacuum cleaner further includes a power connector mounted to the vacuum cleaner and selectively connectable to a direct current (DC) power source and an alternating current (AC) power source. The power connector includes external terminals accessible from an exterior of the vacuum cleaner. The external terminals are configured for removable mechanical connection to each of the DC power source and an AC power supply cord such that the DC power source and the AC power supply cord are selectively and mechanically connectable to the same external power connector terminals.

Abstract: Upright vacuum cleaners that include a switch that detects whether a removable filter assembly has been connected to the vacuum cleaner are disclosed. In some embodiments, the upright vacuum cleaner includes a capacitor for protecting the switch from voltage transients.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaning head having a suction opening defined along a bottom thereof, a handle assembly connected to the cleaning head, a motor, and a blower connected to the motor and operable to generate suction through the suction opening upon operation of the motor. The vacuum cleaner further includes an electrical connection interface selectively connectable to a direct current (DC) power source and an alternating current (AC) power source. The electrical connection interface is electrically connectable to the motor via an electrical path such that an AC current is supplied to the motor when the AC power source is connected to the electrical connection interface, and a DC current is supplied to the motor when the DC power source is connected to the electrical connection interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the productivity of a portable machine are provided. The method includes receiving motion data for at least one component of the portable machine from a multi-axis accelerometer, receiving position data for the at least one component from a process parameter sensor communicatively coupled to the at least one component, and determining, based on the received motion data and the received position data that the at least one component is oriented in a predetermined position for productive operation. The method also includes determining an area of productive operation using at least one physical dimension of the at least one component and the received motion data when the at least one component is oriented in the predetermined position for productive operation and incrementing a total area counter based on the determination.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the productivity of a portable machine are provided. The method includes receiving motion data for at least one component of the portable machine from a multi-axis accelerometer, receiving position data for the at least one component from a process parameter sensor communicatively coupled to the at least one component, and determining, based on the received motion data and the received position data that the at least one component is oriented in a predetermined position for productive operation. The method also includes determining an area of productive operation using at least one physical dimension of the at least one component and the received motion data when the at least one component is oriented in the predetermined position for productive operation and incrementing a total area counter based on the determination.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaning head having a suction opening defined along a bottom thereof, a handle assembly connected to the cleaning head, a motor, and a blower connected to the motor and operable to generate suction through the suction opening upon operation of the motor. The vacuum cleaner further includes an electrical connection interface selectively connectable to a direct current (DC) power source and an alternating current (AC) power source. The electrical connection interface is electrically connectable to the motor via an electrical path such that an AC current is supplied to the motor when the AC power source is connected to the electrical connection interface, and a DC current is supplied to the motor when the DC power source is connected to the electrical connection interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the productivity of a portable machine are provided. The method includes receiving motion data for at least one component of the portable machine from a multi-axis accelerometer, receiving position data for the at least one component from a process parameter sensor communicatively coupled to the at least one component, and determining, based on the received motion data and the received position data that the at least one component is oriented in a predetermined position for productive operation. The method also includes determining an area of productive operation using at least one physical dimension of the at least one component and the received motion data when the at least one component is oriented in the predetermined position for productive operation and incrementing a total area counter based on the determination.