Abstract: A fault protection circuit for a respiratory conduit heater element in a respirator humidification system is disclosed. The circuit includes a spark detector as well as overcurrent detector. Several variations are included for the spark detector including a two winding transformer, a centre tapped two winding transformer), and a high pass filtered inductor. A semiconductor switching configuration is also disclosed. Once the protection circuit detects a change in current over a certain level, or the average level raises above a threshold, then the current in the heater element is interrupted for a preset period.

Abstract: A pulp forming machine includes a forming head including a platen and plurality of mould carriers. The mould carriers are connected to the platen by mould carrier support means which allow the mould carrier and the platen to transmit forces perpendicular to the general plane of the platen but allow movement and expansion of each mould carrier in the general plane of the platen. Mould carrier to mould carrier locating means locate the mould carriers of opposing platens during the forming process to align moulds carried on the mould carriers with cooperating moulds of the cooperating platen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drain pump for a washing appliance. The pump includes a motor having a drive shaft, a drain pump impeller mounted on the shaft, and a pump casing having a side wall which is co-axial with the motor and the impeller, which is adapted to receive water from a wash chamber. The impeller pumps water from the casing when the motor is rotated in a first direction. The pump includes a disc, the periphery of which is adjacent to the wall of the casing to form a seal against fluid flow up a side of the casing. The disc has a hub portion and blades formed on a surface thereof with a root of each blade radially spaced from a periphery of the hub portion over the full height of the blade to form an unimpeded annular fluid passage between the hub portion and the blades.

Abstract: A water chamber has a horizontally orientated gas inlet with an elongate flow tube extending into the water chamber from the inner periphery of the gases inlet. An inlet end of the elongate flow tube covers the inlet and an outlet end of the flow tube is spaced from the wall of the chamber. In use the flow tube receives gases supplied to the gases inlet, the gases pass through the flow tube and exit the flow tube at the outlet end distant from the wall.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine has a cabinet 2 and a drum 1 suspended within the cabinet for rotation about a horizontal axis. The drum 1 includes a pair of drum ends with a pair of vanes 110, 111 extending between the drum ends 11, 12 rigidly connecting the drum ends together. The drum 1 has a substantially cylindrical perforated skin 22 having a main section 34 and a hatch section 35. The main section 34 and hatch section 35 connect along the edges to form the complete drum skin.

Abstract: A laundry appliance such as a washing machine (2, 300) or a clothes drier (200) where user access to the clothes containing vessel (1, 201, 301) is facilitated by supporting the vessel in a structure (105, 205, 305) which may be tilted or slid out of the front of the appliance cabinet. When the structure is withdrawn from the cabinet the vessel hatch (35) is accessed substantially from the top. The vessel is preferably mounted with its axis horizontal and oriented in a side to side or “east-west” direction. The appliance motor (44/45, 210) control system sets the rotational position of the clothes vessel (1, 201, 301) so that when the structure (105, 205, 305) is withdrawn from the cabinet the hatchway is upper most. The hatch (35) is slid back to allow access to the vessel interior as part of the rotational positioning process.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration system using a capillary as an expansion device has a liquid refrigerant subcooler between a condenser and the capillary which is controlled to vary the refrigerant flow.

Abstract: A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anaesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine has a cabinet 2 and a drum 1 suspended within the cabinet for rotation about a horizontal axis. The drum 1 includes a pair of drum ends with a pair of vanes 110, 111 extending between the drum ends 11, 12 rigidly connecting the drum ends together. The drum 1 has a substantially cylindrical perforated skin 22 having a main section 34 and a hatch section 35. The main section 34 and hatch section 35 connect along the edges to form the complete drum skin.

Abstract: A connector has a main body with a breathing gases passageway extending therethrough. A connection at one end of the passageway is configured to engage with the expiratory tube connection of a ventilator. The other end of the passageway is connected to the expiratory arm of a breathing circuit. A flow restricting valve member is associated with the connection to the ventilator for substantially closing off the breathing gases passageway on disconnection of the connector from the ventilator.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine has a cabinet 2 and a drum 1 suspended within the cabinet for rotation about a horizontal axis. The drum 1 includes a pair of drum ends with a pair of vanes 110, 111 extending between the drum ends 11, 12 rigidly connecting the drum ends together. The drum 1 has a substantially cylindrical perforated skin 22 having a main section 34 and a hatch section 35. The main section 34 and hatch section 35 connect along the edges to form the complete drum skin. In an opening operation the drum 1 is opened by disconnecting the edges of the main section 34 and hatch section 35 of the drum skin 22, retaining the hatch section 35 in a fixed position relative to the cabinet 2 and rotating the drum 1 such that the main section 34 of the drum skin 22 moves apart from the hatch section 35 to provide an opening into the drum. The opening is provided in conjunction with an opening into the cabinet, normally closed by a lockable lid 4.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a cabinet and wash chambers in the form of drawers which slide in and out of the cabinet. Rigid and flexible closures are disclosed for sealing off the wash chambers when retracted into the cabinet. A detergent dispenser for the dishwasher is provided in one wall of a wash chamber in the wash water discharge path into the wash chamber so that detergent powder is flushed out of the dispenser and mixed with the wash water prior to the latter being discharged into the wash chamber. A wash programme for a dual wash chamber dishwasher is also disclosed which minimizes total water consumption by transferring water from one chamber to the other.

Abstract: A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a cabinet and wash chambers is the form of drawers which slide in and out of the cabinet. Rigid and flexible closures are disclosed for sealing off the wash chambers when retracted into the cabinet. A detergent dispenser for the dishwasher is provided in one wall of a wash chamber in the wash water discharge path into the wash chamber so that detergent powder is flushed out of the dispenser and mixed with the wash water prior to the latter being discharged into the wash chamber. A wash programme for a dual wash chamber dishwasher is also disclosed which minimizes total water consumption by transferring water from one chamber to the other.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a cabinet and wash chambers in the form of drawers which slide in and out of the cabinet. Rigid and flexible closures are disclosed for sealing off the wash chambers when retracted into the cabinet. A detergent dispenser for the dishwasher is provided in one wall of a wash chamber in the wash water discharge path into the wash chamber so that detergent powder is flushed out of the dispenser and mixed with the wash water prior to the latter being discharged into the wash chamber. A wash programme for a dual wash chamber dishwasher is also disclosed which minimises total water consumption by transferring water from one chamber to the other.