Assembly, blower and associated method

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly adapted to advance the flow of fluid in a fluid now device, said assembly comprising:
 a body;   a member moveably secured to said body; and   a motion device secured to said body and adapted to move said member relative to said body.   
     
     
         2 . An assembly in accordance with  claim 1 :
 wherein said body comprises a blower housing; and   wherein said member comprises a wall of said blower housing.   
     
     
         3 . An assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for controlling said motion device. 
     
     
         4 . An assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said controller is adapted to move said member relative to said body in response to changing operating conditions including at least one of air flow, temperature, pressure and turbulence. 
     
     
         5 . An assembly in accordance with  claim 1 :
 wherein said body comprises a blower wheel; and   wherein said member comprises a blade.   
     
     
         6 . An assembly in accordance with  claim 1 :
 wherein said body comprises a fan body; and   wherein said member comprises a blade.   
     
     
         7 . An assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said motion device comprises a servo motor. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said motion device comprises a shape memory alloy wire. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly in accordance with  claim 1 :
 further comprising a second member moveably secured to said body and spaced from said first member, said first member and said member vane connected to an intermediate member.   
     
     
         10 . An assembly in accordance with  claim 1 :
 wherein said body comprises a housing; and   wherein said member comprises a dampener vane.   
     
     
         11 . A blower having a moveable member adapted to influence the flow of air through the blower, said blower comprising:
 a body;   a member moveably secured to said body; and   a motion device secured to said body and adapted to move said member relative to said body.   
     
     
         12 . A blower in accordance with  claim 11 :
 wherein said body comprises a blower housing; and   wherein said member comprises a wall of said blower housing.   
     
     
         13 . A blower in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the wall is made of a flexible material. 
     
     
         14 . A blower in accordance with  claim 11 :
 wherein said body comprises a blower wheel; and   wherein said member comprises a vane.   
     
     
         15 . A blower in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said motion device comprises a servo motor. 
     
     
         16 . A blower in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said motion device comprises a shape memory alloy wire. 
     
     
         17 . A blower in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising a controller for controlling said motion device. 
     
     
         18 . A blower in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said controller is adapted to move said member relative to said body in response to changing operating conditions including at least one of air flow, temperature, pressure and turbulence. 
     
     
         19 . A blower in accordance with  claim 11 :
 wherein said body comprises a blower wheel; and   wherein said member comprises a blade; and   further comprising a second vane moveably secured to said blower wheel and spaced from said first vane, said first vane and said second vane connected to an intermediate member, said intermediate member connected to said motion device.   
     
     
         20 . A method for altering the flow of air in a blower, comprising
 providing a body;   providing a member;   moveably securing the member to the body;   providing a motion device; and   moving the member relative to the body with the motion device.   
     
     
         21 . The method in accordance with  claim 20 , further comprising:
 providing a controller for controlling the motion device;   measuring at least one of temperature, air flow, turbulence and pressure; and   moving the member relative to the body with the motion device in response to changes in at least one of temperature, air flow, turbulence and pressure.