Patent ID: 7598648

Claim:
A multi-speed single-phase induction motor comprising a stator, the stator including a main winding selectively adapted for 2n-pole operation and 6n-pole operation, where n is an integer, the main winding including at least a first winding portion and a second winding portion, the first winding portion and the second winding portion each including one or more coil sets, the motor being configured to electrically connect the first winding portion and the second winding portion in series during one of the 2n-pole operation and the 6n-pole operation, and to electrically connect the first winding portion and the second winding portion in parallel during the other of the 2n-pole operation and the 6n-pole operation, wherein current flows through all the coil sets of the first winding portion in a first direction when the first winding portion and the second winding portion are connected in series, and through all the coil sets of the first winding portion in a second direction opposite the first direction when the first winding portion and the second winding portion are connected in parallel.