A power adapter is provided to supply electric power from an alternating current from an alternating current (AC) power supply to a powered apparatus. It includes a switchable capacitor circuit housed within a housing and including: a first switch path associated with a positive half cycle of the alternating current and a second switch path associated with a negative half cycle of the alternating current, both coupled across the AC power supply. Each switch path includes a switchable capacitor in series with a switch.

A power adapter is provided to supply electric power from an alternating current from an alternating current (AC) power supply to a powered apparatus. It includes a switchable capacitor circuit housed within a housing and including a switchable capacitor switchably coupled across the AC power supply and a H-bridge circuit including four switches. An OFF-state of the four switches creates a charging path for the switchable capacitor, an ON-state of a first pair of the four switches creates a discharge path for the switchable capacitor during a positive half cycle of the alternating current, and an ON-state of a second pair of the four switches creates a discharge path for the switchable capacitor during a negative half cycle of the alternating current.

A power adapter is provided to supply electric power from an alternating current from an alternating current (AC) power supply to a powered apparatus. It includes a switchable capacitor circuit housed within a housing and including a switchable capacitor switchably coupled across the AC power supply and a H-bridge circuit including four switches. An OFF-state of the four switches creates a charging path for the switchable capacitor, an ON-state of a first pair of the four switches creates a discharge path for the switchable capacitor during a positive half cycle of the alternating current, and an ON-state of a second pair of the four switches creates a discharge path for the switchable capacitor during a negative half cycle of the alternating current.

A battery pack and charger system includes a first battery pack having a first set of battery cells and configured to provide only a first operating voltage and a second battery pack having a second set of battery cells and configured to provide the first operating voltage and a second operating voltage that is different from the first operating voltage and a battery pack charger configured to be able to charge the first battery pack and the second battery pack.

A battery pack and charger system includes a first battery pack having a first set of battery cells and configured to provide only a first operating voltage and a second battery pack having a second set of battery cells and configured to provide the first operating voltage and a second operating voltage that is different from the first operating voltage and a battery pack charger configured to be able to charge the first battery pack and the second battery pack.

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.

A power tool is provided including a brushless motor having a rotor and a stator. A power supply interface is arranged to selectively receive a first power input from a first power supply having a first nominal voltage and a second power input from a second power supply having a second nominal voltage, where the second nominal voltage is less than the first nominal voltage. A motor control circuit is provided including a power switch circuit having a power switches disposed between the power supply interface and the motor, and a controller outputting drive signals to the power switches within each phase of the motor to control power supplied to the brushless motor from the power supplies. Each phase is associated with a conduction band (CB). The controller sets the conduction band for each phase to a first CB value when receiving power from the first power supply and to a second CB value that is less that the first CB value when receiving power from the second power supply.

A power tool is provided including a brushless motor having a rotor and a stator. A power supply interface is arranged to selectively receive a first power input from a first power supply having a first nominal voltage and a second power input from a second power supply having a second nominal voltage, where the second nominal voltage is less than the first nominal voltage. A motor control circuit is provided including a power switch circuit having a power switches disposed between the power supply interface and the motor, and a controller outputting drive signals to the power switches within each phase of the motor to control power supplied to the brushless motor from the power supplies. Each phase is associated with a conduction band (CB). The controller sets the conduction band for each phase to a first CB value when receiving power from the first power supply and to a second CB value that is less that the first CB value when receiving power from the second power supply.

A power tool is provided with a multi-phase brushless motor including a rotor and a stator having stator windings corresponding to at least three phases of the motor. A power switch circuit is provided including high-side and low-side power switches. A power supply interface receives alternating-current (AC) power from an AC power supply or battery direct-current (DC) power from one or more battery packs. A rectifier converts the AC power to a rectified DC voltage on a bus line. A capacitor is disposed across the bus line such that, within each half cycle of the AC power voltage waveform, the power switch circuit draws current from the AC power supply within a first time period and from the capacitor within a second time period, the capacitor having a capacitance value such that the first time period is greater than the second time period.

A power tool is provided with a multi-phase brushless motor including a rotor and a stator having stator windings corresponding to at least three phases of the motor. A power switch circuit is provided including high-side and low-side power switches. A power supply interface receives alternating-current (AC) power from an AC power supply or battery direct-current (DC) power from one or more battery packs. A rectifier converts the AC power to a rectified DC voltage on a bus line. A capacitor is disposed across the bus line such that, within each half cycle of the AC power voltage waveform, the power switch circuit draws current from the AC power supply within a first time period and from the capacitor within a second time period, the capacitor having a capacitance value such that the first time period is greater than the second time period.