Abstract: An electrodynamic position transducer has a casing in which a membrane is clamped, the membrane with a portion of the casing defining at least one chamber of variable volume, a coil having at least one conductive track formed on a coil support, and an interaction element configured to interact magnetically with the coil as a result of a movement of the membrane, in such a way that self-inductance of the coil is variable depending on a relative position of the interaction element with respect to the coil. A circuit, coupled to the coil, provides electrical signals, a parameter of the electrical signals being indicative of the self-inductance of the coil. A hole or recess is formed in the coil support and is configured to receive the interaction element in such a way that one end of the interaction element is positionable flush with or beyond a turn of the coil.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine having an outer casing, a washing tub, a rotatable drum, a detergent dispenser, a fresh-water supply circuit, an internal water softening device filled with a water softening agent capable of reducing the hardness degree of the fresh water directed towards the detergent dispenser or the washing tub, a regeneration-agent reservoir located/recessed inside the outer casing and structured for being manually fillable with consumable salt or other regeneration agent, a first water-supply line for channeling fresh water into said regeneration-agent reservoir so as to form brine, a brine reservoir fluidically connected to said regeneration-agent reservoir for receiving and accumulating the brine arriving from said regeneration-agent reservoir, and a detector assembly for detecting when the salinity degree of the brine stored into brine reservoir exceeds a predetermined minimum salinity value.

Abstract: A vessel contains a quantity of liquid and has a duct connected to an outlet of the vessel. A dispensing device can be actuated in order to cause the quantity of liquid to flow out of the vessel through the duct. A color sensor is also included, which faces towards a monitoring region situated in one of the vessel, the duct and the dispensing device. The color sensor is configured for providing a color signal indicative of the color of the quantity of liquid arriving at the monitoring region. A control device is configured for receiving the color signal from the color sensor and for actuating the dispensing device as a function of the color signal. A method is for dispensing the quantity of liquid from the vessel.

Abstract: An assembly includes a transducer and anti-flood device. The transducer receives, as an input, a pressure signal taken by a liquid held in a main container and includes a circuit, for providing, as an output, an electric control signal having a variable parameter representing the pressure signal. The anti-flood device includes a receptacle, a float and a sensor. The receptacle is arranged to receive and hold a part of liquid coming from the secondary container. The float is movably mounted in the receptacle and moves up to a height representing the level reached by the part of liquid. The sensor is configured to detect the height reached by the float and to transmit an electric level-indicating signal representing the height to the circuit. The circuit is designed to apply, to the variable parameter, a correction that is determined as a function of the level-indicating signal according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, including a bladed impeller mounted in the conduit to be driven in rotation by the flow of the fluid, and to which at least one magnet is fixed, and a magnetic field sensor arranged near the conduit to generate a signal each time the magnet of the impeller, passes thereby. The number of signals generated by the sensor in a period of time is representative of the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: A control system includes a motor, first and second movable members, which can be rotated by the motor and which are adapted to interact with a first and a second controlled apparatus, respectively, and a transmission mechanism configured for controlling the movable members. The motor is bidirectional and is configured for selectively rotating, through the transmission mechanism, the first and second movable members, respectively, when the motor turns in a first direction and a second direction of rotation, respectively, opposite to each other. The transmission mechanism includes a first and a second unidirectional clutch selectively cooperating with the motor.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine having an outer casing, a washing tub, a rotatable drum, a detergent dispenser, a fresh-water supply circuit, an internal water softening device filled with a water softening agent capable of reducing the hardness degree of the fresh water directed towards the detergent dispenser or the washing tub, a regeneration-agent reservoir located/recessed inside the outer casing and structured for being manually fillable with consumable salt or other regeneration agent, a first water-supply line for channeling fresh water into said regeneration-agent reservoir so as to form brine, a brine reservoir fluidically connected to said regeneration-agent reservoir for receiving and accumulating the brine arriving from said regeneration-agent reservoir, and a detector assembly for detecting when the salinity degree of the brine stored into brine reservoir exceeds a predetermined minimum salinity value.

Abstract: An assembly includes a transducer and anti-flood device. The transducer receives, as an input, a pressure signal taken by a liquid held in a main container and includes a circuit, for providing, as an output, an electric control signal having a variable parameter representing the pressure signal. The anti-flood device includes a receptacle, a float and a sensor. The receptacle is arranged to receive and hold a part of liquid coming from the secondary container. The float is movably mounted in the receptacle and moves up to a height representing the level reached by the part of liquid. The sensor is configured to detect the height reached by the float and to transmit an electric level-indicating signal representing the height to the circuit. The circuit is designed to apply, to the variable parameter, a correction that is determined as a function of the level-indicating signal according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A washing machine which detects vibrations of the washing tub or chamber. The machine (M) includes a support structure (S), inside which there is suspended a washing chamber or tub (T) wherein there is rotatably mounted a basket (B) for clothes and the like, and a pressure transducing device (1), which includes a support casing (2, 3) connected to the washing chamber or tub (T), and connected to a pipe or hose (P) which extends inside this chamber or tub (T), and with which there are associated an electronic circuit (17) predisposed for processing signals generated by the transducer (1) to provide an indication of the level of the washing bath (WB) in the chamber or tub (T). An electronic accelerometer (30) secured to the support casing (2, 3) of the pressure transducing device (1) and associated with said electronic circuit means (17), generates electrical signals indicative of the amplitude of the vibrations of the washing chamber or tub (T).

Abstract: The device (1) comprises: a casing (2-4) in which there is clamped a diaphragm (5) which, together with a portion of the casing (2-4), defines at least one chamber (6, 7) having a variable volume; a winding (14); an interaction member (13), adapted to magnetically interact with the winding (14) as a consequence of a displacement of the diaphragm (5), in such a way that the inductance of the winding (14) varies as a function of the relative position of the interaction member (13) with respect to the winding (14), and a processing unit (17) coupled to the winding (14), in order to supply electric signals having a parameter which is variable as a function of the inductance of the winding (14) and thus as a function of the relative position of the interaction member (13).

Abstract: A control system includes a motor, first and second movable members, which can be rotated by the motor and which are adapted to interact with a first and a second controlled apparatus, respectively, and a transmission mechanism configured for controlling the movable members. The motor is bidirectional and is configured for selectively rotating, through the transmission mechanism, the first and second movable members, respectively, when the motor turns in a first direction and a second direction of rotation, respectively, opposite to each other. The transmission mechanism includes a first and a second unidirectional clutch selectively cooperating with the motor.

Abstract: The device (1) comprises: a casing (2-4) in which there is clamped a diaphragm (5) which, together with a portion of the casing (2-4), defines at least one chamber (6, 7) having a variable volume; a winding (14); an interaction member (13), adapted to magnetically interact with the winding (14) as a consequence of a displacement of the diaphragm (5), in such a way that the inductance of the winding (14) varies as a function of the relative position of the interaction member (13) with respect to the winding (14), and a processing unit (17) coupled to the winding (14), in order to supply electric signals having a parameter which is variable as a function of the inductance of the winding (14) and thus as a function of the relative position of the interaction member (13).

Abstract: The machine (M) comprises a support structure (S), inside which there is suspended a washing chamber or tub (T) wherein there is rotatably mounted a basket (B) for clothes and the like, and a pressure transducing device (1), which includes a support casing (2, 3) connected to the washing chamber or tub (T), and connected to a pipe or hose (P) which extends inside this chamber or tub (T), and with which there are associated electronic circuit means (17) predisposed for processing signals generated by the transducer (1) to provide an indication of the level of the washing bath (WB) in the chamber or tub (T). The machine (M) comprises further an electronic accelerometer (30) solid with the support casing (2, 3) of the pressure transducing device (1) and associated with said electronic circuit means (17), for generating electrical signals indicative of the amplitude of the vibrations of the washing chamber or tub (T).

Abstract: A device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid in a conduit, including a bladed impeller mounted in the conduit so as to be driven in rotation by the flow of the fluid, and to which at least one magnet is fixed, and at least one magnetic field sensor arranged in a fixed position near the conduit and capable of causing the generation of a signal (pulse) each time the magnet of the impeller, passes thereby. The arrangement is such that the number of signals (pulses) generated by the sensor in a period of time is representative, according to a predetermined relationship, of the flow rate of the fluid in the associated conduit.

Abstract: The solenoid valve assembly (1) comprises first and second shut-off solenoid valves (2; 3) for controlling the supply of hot water and cold water, and which have a body (2a; 3a) with an inlet duct (2b; 3b) and at least one outlet port (2d; 3d, 3e), and with at least one control winding (2f; 3f, 3g) that extends from the body (2a; 3a) orthogonally to the respective inlet duct (2b; 3b) and is provided with electrical connection terminals (2h; 3h, 3i) which are parallel with one another. These solenoid valves (2, 3) are arranged with their respective bodies (2a; 3a) interconnected in a side-by-side arrangement, with the inlet ducts (2b; 3b) parallel with one another and with their respective windings (2f; 3f, 3g) also parallel with one another. The assembly (1) further comprises a connecting structure (12) with an electrically insulating plate-like body (13) carrying a plurality of electrical conductors (14) coupled to an electrical connector portion (15) integrally formed with the connecting structure (12).

Abstract: The dispensing device includes a support body adapted to be mounted on the side of that door of the machine which is facing the washing chamber, in a position such that in the operation this body is periodically flushed, at least in part, by a flow of washing liquid emitted by at least one spraying rotor. In the support body there is incorporated an electrically conducting member whose electric capacitance with respect to earth is variable by the effect of the flow of washing liquid which periodically impinges onto the body; a detection and processing device being connected to the conducting member and being predisposed for detecting the variations of the electric capacitance of said conducting member with respect to earth and for correlating in a predetermined manner said variations with the operation of the spraying rotor.

Abstract: The washing machine comprises a support structure in which is suspended a washing chamber in which a laundry drum is mounted to be rotatable, and in which a detector is provided, capable of providing electrical signals indicating the level of the washing liquid in the chamber. The detector comprises an inductive transducer including a coil and an associated core, the relative position of which is variable according to the level of the washing liquid such that the inductance of the coil varies accordingly. The inductive transducer is coupled to the laundry drum in such a way that the inductance of the coil is variable also according to the weight of the load contained in the drum.

Abstract: The transducer (1) comprises: a rigid casing (2–4) in which a membrane (5) is clamped which, together with a portion of the casing (2–4), defines at least one chamber (6, 7) of variable volume; at least one winding (14); an interaction element (13), able to interact magnetically with the winding (14) under the effect of a displacement of the membrane (5), in such a way that the inductance of the winding (14) is variable in dependence on the relative position of the interaction element with respect to the winding (14), and circuit devices (17) connected to the winding (14) and operable to supply electrical signals of which one parameter, frequency for example, is variable in dependence on the inductance of the winding (14); the said circuit devices (17) including a memory (22) operable to store data representative of corrective values which, when applied in operation to the effective instantaneous values of the said parameter, make it possible to obtain correct values of the parameter corresponding to a predet

Abstract: The washing machine comprises a support structure in which is suspended a washing chamber in which a laundry drum is mounted to be rotatable, and in which a detector is provided, capable of providing electrical signals indicating the level of the washing liquid in the chamber. The detector comprises an inductive transducer including a coil and an associated core, the relative position of which is variable according to the level of the washing liquid such that the inductance of the coil varies accordingly. The inductive transducer is coupled to the laundry drum in such a way that the inductance of the coil is variable also according to the weight of the load contained in the drum.

Abstract: The transducer (1) comprises: a rigid casing (2-4) in which a membrane (5) is clamped which, together with a portion of the casing (2-4), defines at least one chamber (6, 7) of variable volume; at least one winding (14); an interaction element (13), able to interact magnetically with the winding (14) under the effect of a displacement of the membrane (5), in such a way that the inductance of the winding (14) is variable in dependence on the relative position of the interaction element with respect to the winding (14), and circuit devices (17) connected to the winding (14) and operable to supply electrical signals of which one parameter, frequency for example, is variable in dependence on the inductance of the winding (14); the said circuit devices (17) including a memory (22) operable to store data representative of corrective values which, when applied in operation to the effective instantaneous values of the said parameter, make it possible to obtain correct values of the parameter corresponding to a predet