Abstract:
An appliance comprises an electrically operated member; and, a power control system electrically connectable to a power source and the electrically operated member, the power control system reducing the voltage delivered to the electrically operated member to an essentially constant level less than the voltage delivered by the power source when the appliance is actuated. Methods of using the power control system are also provided.
Abstract:
A surface cleaning apparatus (60) comprises a dirty air inlet(64), a clean air outlet (12), an air flow passage extending between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet (12), the air flow passage in fluid communication with a motor and fan assembly (15) which is driven by at least one battery (5, 6) positioned in the vacuum cleaner external to the air flow passage, and at least one cooling fan (26, 27) positioned external to the air flow passage positioned to direct airflow at the at least one battery (5, 6).
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is provided which uses a plurality of batteries (38) that are sequentially used to power an appliance (10). While one or more batteries (38) are used to power the appliance, one or more spare batteries (38) are charged for subsequent use. The rate of charge of the batteries (38) is comparable to the rate of discharge of the batteries (38) by the appliance (10) or faster. Thus the appliance (10) may be essentially continuously used by the user removing the discharged battery (38) and inserting a charged battery (38).
Abstract:
A surface cleaning apparatus 60 has a surface cleaning head 3 with an upper casing 62 pivotally mounted to it. A dirty air inlet 2 is provided in the surface cleaning head and a clean air outlet 17 is provided in the surface cleaning apparatus. An air flow passage 9, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 extends between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet and has a portion 14 with a longitudinal axis and a substantial linear longitudinal extent. A motor and fan assembly 15 is positioned in said portion of the air flow passage, such that the axial flow direction of the motor and fan assembly is parallel and coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the portion of the air flow passage. The surface cleaning apparatus may also be provided with a filtration member 11 and may be in the form of an upright or stick vacuum cleaner.
Abstract:
A surface cleaning apparatus 60 has a surface cleaning head 3 with an upper casing 62 pivotally mounted to it. A dirty air inlet 2 is provided in the surface cleaning head and a clean air outlet 17 is provided in the surface cleaning apparatus. An air flow passage 9, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 extends between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet and has a portion 14 with a longitudinal axis and a substantial linear longitudinal extent. A motor and fan assembly 15 is positioned in said portion of the air flow passage, such that the axial flow direction of the motor and fan assembly is parallel and coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the portion of the air flow passage. The surface cleaning apparatus may also be provided with a filtration member 11 and may be in the form of an upright or stick vacuum cleaner.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is provided which uses a plurality of batteries that are sequentially used to power an appliance. While one or more batteries are used to power the appliance, one or more spar batteries are charged for subsequent use. The rate of charge of the batteries is comparable to the rate of discharge of the batteries by the appliance or faster. Thus the appliance may be essentially continuously used by the user removing the discharged battery and inserting a charged battery.
Abstract:
An appliance comprises a moving member, a drive motor, and a linkage drivingly connecting the drive motor to the moving member, the linkage including first and second magnetic coupling members The magnetic clutch may have first and second magnetic coupling members. Each magnetic coupling member has a first surface, which includes at least first and second magnets. Each of the first and second magnets have an outer pole and the outer poles of each of the first magnets and the outer poles of each of the second magnets are of reverse polarity, wherein at least one of the first and second magnetic coupling members is moveably mounted with respect to the other of the first and second magnetic coupling members in a direction perpendicular to the first faces.