An) electric machine with variable torque generation having a tunable Halbach array configuration. The electric machine includes a magnet assembly for generating a magnetic field. The magnet assembly includes a plurality of fixed magnets disposed in a ring arrangement so that fixed magnets having a north pole faced toward the rotor or stator are alternated with fixed magnets having a south pole faced toward the rotor or stator, a plurality of rotatable magnets disposed within a respective slot formed between two adjacent fixed magnets, a drive assembly for turning the rotatable magnets within the slots to vary the magnetic field generated by the magnet assembly in the rotor or stator, the drive assembly configured to turn the rotatable magnets between a first position wherein the magnetic field in the rotor or stator is augmented and a second position wherein the magnetic field in the rotor or stator is cancelled.

A trigger assembly, for use with a power tool having an electric motor, includes a trigger, a conductor coupled for movement with the trigger, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has an inductive sensor thereon responsive to relative movement between the conductor and the inductive sensor caused by movement of the trigger. An output of the inductive sensor is used to activate the electric motor.

A trigger assembly, for use with a power tool having an electric motor, includes a trigger, a conductor coupled for movement with the trigger, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has an inductive sensor thereon responsive to relative movement between the conductor and the inductive sensor caused by movement of the trigger. An output of the inductive sensor is used to activate the electric motor.

Mechanisms are provided to control the operation of a motor. In particular, a variable frequency drive motor controller is described which resides within a motor housing. Additionally, the speed at which the motor operates is based on a signal received from a Hall Effect switch or from a communication device in communication with a remote interface. The Hall Effect switch is also described; in particular, the Hall Effect switch features a magnet rotatably connected with one side of a motor housing. A Hall Effect sensor, located on the opposite side of the motor housing, detects the position of the magnet and outputs a signal to the motor controller, located within the motor housing, indicating the detected magnet position. Additional operating features are described relating to the safe operation and control of the motor in potentially hazardous environments.

Mechanisms are provided to control the operation of a motor. In particular, a variable frequency drive motor controller is described which resides within a motor housing. Additionally, the speed at which the motor operates is based on a signal received from a Hall Effect switch or from a communication device in communication with a remote interface. The Hall Effect switch is also described; in particular, the Hall Effect switch features a magnet rotatably connected with one side of a motor housing. A Hall Effect sensor, located on the opposite side of the motor housing, detects the position of the magnet and outputs a signal to the motor controller, located within the motor housing, indicating the detected magnet position. Additional operating features are described relating to the safe operation and control of the motor in potentially hazardous environments.

A hand-held rotary power tool includes a housing that provides a manual grip zone that is grasped by the user during operation of the tool. The housing includes a switch opening that overlies an electrical switch that controls operation of a tool motor. The tool includes a switch actuator that is disposed in tool housing so as to be accessible to a user of the tool via the switch opening and is operable to control the position of the switch. The switch actuator is configured to damp tool noise and transmission of tool vibration to the tool housing.

A hand-held rotary power tool includes a housing that provides a manual grip zone that is grasped by the user during operation of the tool. The housing includes a switch opening that overlies an electrical switch that controls operation of a tool motor. The tool includes a switch actuator that is disposed in tool housing so as to be accessible to a user of the tool via the switch opening and is operable to control the position of the switch. The switch actuator is configured to damp tool noise and transmission of tool vibration to the tool housing.

A coupler between an activator mounted on an enclosure and an electronic protection device located within the enclosure facilitates alignment between the coupler and the electronic protection device during installation and requires no tool for installation. The coupler is positioned over an opening in the electronic protection device and oriented such that a first coupling portion is configured to engage a complementary coupling portion on the electronic protection device. The coupler may be manually mounted, engaging the complementary coupling portions on the door handle coupler and the electronic protection device without requiring a tool for installation. The coupler includes an upper sleeve configured to receive an axle, also connected to the activator, that rotates independently of a lower sleeve which is mounted to the electronic protection device, facilitating orientation of the activator on the outside of the enclosure. The coupler also provides for local lock-out of the electronic protection device.

A coupler between an activator mounted on an enclosure and an electronic protection device located within the enclosure facilitates alignment between the coupler and the electronic protection device during installation and requires no tool for installation. The coupler is positioned over an opening in the electronic protection device and oriented such that a first coupling portion is configured to engage a complementary coupling portion on the electronic protection device. The coupler may be manually mounted, engaging the complementary coupling portions on the door handle coupler and the electronic protection device without requiring a tool for installation. The coupler includes an upper sleeve configured to receive an axle, also connected to the activator, that rotates independently of a lower sleeve which is mounted to the electronic protection device, facilitating orientation of the activator on the outside of the enclosure. The coupler also provides for local lock-out of the electronic protection device.

A switching device for an electric motor provided with a plurality of phases includes a fixed body equipped with a plurality of connection portions and at least one moveable body that can be moved with respect to the fixed body between at least a first position, in which the phases are arranged in a first electrical configuration, and a second position, in which the phases are arranged in a second electrical configuration. The second electrical configuration is separate from the first one due to the connection between the phase fractions within each phase and/or due to the reciprocal connection between the phases.