Abstract: An impact tool of the present disclosure provides an impact mechanism having a hammer and an anvil, the hammer being rotatable about a first axis and to periodically impact the anvil to drive rotation of the anvil about the first axis. The electric motor includes a plurality of pole pairs of windings and a rotor that is rotatable with respect to consecutively energized pole pairs of windings. No encoder or sensor is electronically coupled to the electric motor to detect a position of at least one magnet attached to the rotor with respect to at least one pole pair when the rotor is in a stopped condition. When the rotor is in the stopped condition, the motor controller energizes the at least one pole pair to initiate rotation and detect a back EMF generated by movement of the rotor without a sensor or encoder to indicate the predetermined location of the at least one magnet attached to the rotor with respect to the at least one pole pair.

Abstract: An impact wrench is provided with a battery to power the motor. The impact wrench provides improved portability since the impact wrench does not need to be connected to an electrical extension cord or a pneumatic hose. The output drive, motor, batteries and main handle may be aligned along the axial direction of the tool. The batteries may be located between the motor and the main handle.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides hand-held power tool which includes a housing, a motor, and an output spindle. The housing supports a motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The housing also supports at least one electrical accessory that is connectable to an external power connector located on the housing.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven tool (e.g., an impact tool) includes a pneumatically driven motor; an electric generator generating electrical power from movement of the pneumatically driven motor, or an impact mechanism connected thereto; and an on-board light that is powered by the generated electrical power. The pneumatically driven motor is rotated by compressed air or gas and drives an impact mechanism with one or more hammers and an anvil. Impact of the hammer(s) with the anvil, in turn, move an output shaft of the pneumatically driven tool. The electric generator harnesses the rotational movement of the pneumatically driven motor and/or the impact mechanism to electrically power the on-board light.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool comprises a motor including an output shaft configured to rotate about a first axis and a drive train configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor and to drive rotation of an output drive about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis, wherein the drive train includes an impact mechanism comprising a hammer configured to rotate about a third axis to periodically deliver an impact load to an anvil, the third axis being parallel to and spaced apart from the second axis.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump having a crankshaft that is rotatable about a rotational axis and coupled to a piston. The piston is reciprocally displaceable within a piston cylinder along an axis of motion between suction and discharge strokes. A diaphragm housing coupled to the piston cylinder at least partially defines a pumping chamber through which fluid is pumped as the piston reciprocates. The axis of motion, which intersects a connection between the piston and the connecting rod, may not intersect the rotational axis of the crankshaft such that, relative to an arrangement in which the axis of motion does intersect the rotational axis, a peak magnitude of piston side load forces during the discharge stroke is reduced and a peak magnitude of piston side load forces during the suction stroke is increased so as to attain an improved balance between the peak magnitudes of piston side load forces of the discharge and suction strokes.

Abstract: A powered tool is depicted which includes a transmission that permits an input shaft to rotate in a single rotational direction during operation of the powered tool, but otherwise allowing the rotation of an output shaft to change direction depending on the arrangement of the transmission. In one form a first shaft is coupled with a planetary gearing arrangement which includes planetary gears and a ring gear. A second shaft is coupled with a moveable clutch. When the clutch is moved to a first position it is coupled to bypass the ring gear which provides rotation of the second shaft in the same direction as the first shaft. When the clutch is moved to a second position to engage the ring gear the direction of rotation of the second shaft is opposite the first shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems an impact wrench having dynamically tuned drive components, such as an anvil/socket combination, and related methodology for dynamically tuning the drive components in view of inertia displacement, as well as stiffness between coupled components, and with regard to impact timing associated with clearance gaps between the component parts.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems an impact wrench having dynamically tuned drive components, such as an anvil/socket combination, and related methodology for dynamically tuning the drive components in view of inertia displacement, as well as stiffness between coupled components, and with regard to impact timing associated with clearance gaps between the component parts.

Abstract: An impact tool of the present disclosure provides an impact mechanism having a hammer and an anvil, the hammer being rotatable about a first axis and to periodically impact the anvil to drive rotation of the anvil about the first axis. The electric motor includes a plurality of pole pairs of windings and a rotor that is rotatable with respect to consecutively energized pole pairs of windings. No encoder or sensor is electronically coupled to the electric motor to detect a position of at least one magnet attached to the rotor with respect to at least one pole pair when the rotor is in a stopped condition. When the rotor is in the stopped condition, the motor controller energizes the at least one pole pair to initiate rotation and detect a back EMF generated by movement of the rotor without a sensor or encoder to indicate the predetermined location of the at least one magnet attached to the rotor with respect to the at least one pole pair.

Abstract: A powered tool is depicted which includes a transmission that permits an input shaft to rotate in a single rotational direction during operation of the powered tool, but otherwise allowing the rotation of an output shaft to change direction depending on the arrangement of the transmission. In one form a first shaft is coupled with a planetary gearing arrangement which includes planetary gears and a ring gear. A second shaft is coupled with a moveable clutch. When the clutch is moved to a first position it is coupled to bypass the ring gear which provides rotation of the second shaft in the same direction as the first shaft. When the clutch is moved to a second position to engage the ring gear the direction of rotation of the second shaft is opposite the first shaft.

Abstract: A power tool is provided that includes a motor housing, an output head, a pinion, at least one pin, and at least first and second rings. The output head includes a rotatable output spindle and extends from the motor housing which extends longitudinally along a first axis. The pinion is located in the output head, is coupled to a drive force, and rotates about the first axis to rotate the rotatable output shaft. The at least one pin is located in the output head. The first ring is coupled to the pinion and rotatable about the first axis with the pinion. The second ring engages, and is movable longitudinally along the first axis relative to, the at least one pin. The second ring is not rotatable about the first axis. Rather, the second ring is movable toward and away from the first ring along the first axis, and selectively engagable with the first ring.

Abstract: An impact tool is provided which includes a drive source configured to rotate an output drive. A hammer is movable in a first direction to apply a rotational impact force on an anvil which rotates the output drive. A first hammer angle sensor set to a first signal channel and located proximate to a surface of the hammer. A plurality of regularly spaced targets are located on the surface of the hammer. Each of the plurality of regularly spaced targets are detectable by the first hammer sensor. And detection of one or more of the plurality of regularly spaced targets by the first hammer sensor indicates movement of the hammer.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a power tool is provided. The power tools include a housing that extends along a longitudinally extending axis; an outrunner motor located within the housing; the outrunner motor includes an outboard rotating rotor that rotates around a stator portion of the outrunner motor; and a rotating shaft that is attached to the outboard rotating rotor and disposed through the stator portion; wherein the rotating shaft attaches to rotating structures that rotate an output drive.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides hand-held power tool which includes a housing, a motor, and an output spindle. The housing supports a motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The housing also supports at least one electrical accessory that is connectable to an external power connector located on the housing.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of diaphragm pumps having an automatic priming function, as well as related systems and methods, are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a method of priming a diaphragm pump includes sensing, with a pressure sensor disposed at a fluid outlet of the diaphragm pump, a pressure of a fluid being pumped by the diaphragm pump, transmitting a pressure signal associated with the sensed pressure from the pressure sensor to a controller of the diaphragm pump, and identifying, on the controller, whether the diaphragm pump is primed by determining whether a characteristic of the pressure signal has reached a threshold.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides hand-held power tool which includes a housing, a motor, and an output spindle. The housing supports a motor having a rotor configured to rotate when the motor is supplied with power. The output spindle protrudes from an output end of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the rotor such that the output spindle rotates in response to a rotation of the rotor. The housing also supports at least one electrical accessory that is connectable to an external power connector located on the housing.

Abstract: A system for starting an engine is disclosed herein. The system includes a fluid powered turbine with a variable geometry stator. The variable geometry stator includes moveable members operable to selectively block fluid flow to the turbine.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool comprises a motor including an output shaft configured to rotate about a first axis and a drive train configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor and to drive rotation of an output drive about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis, wherein the drive train includes an impact mechanism comprising a hammer configured to rotate about a third axis to periodically deliver an impact load to an anvil, the third axis being parallel to and spaced apart from the second axis.

Abstract: A power tool is provided that includes a motor housing, an output head, a pinion, at least one pin, and at least first and second rings. The output head includes a rotatable output spindle and extends from the motor housing which extends longitudinally along a first axis. The pinion is located in the output head, is coupled to a drive force, and rotates about the first axis to rotate the rotatable output shaft. The at least one pin is located in the output head. The first ring is coupled to the pinion and rotatable about the first axis with the pinion. The second ring engages, and is movable longitudinally along the first axis relative to, the at least one pin. The second ring is not rotatable about the first axis. Rather, the second ring is movable toward and away from the first ring along the first axis, and selectively engagable with the first ring.