Abstract: A washing machine appliance including a ventilation structure. A vent line is at a wash tub. A vent filter is provided to the vent line that allows air to flow from the wash tub, and through the vent line, the vent filter redirecting cleaning fluids impinging on the vent filter back toward the wash tub. The vent filter may include a plurality of louvers. The louvers may be located adjacent to one another so as to form a plurality of openings for the flow of air from the wash tub.

Abstract: Washing machine appliance ventilation systems and methods include rotating a wash basket of the washing machine appliance for an ON period, whereby a flow of ambient air is drawn through an aperture in the washing machine appliance from an ambient environment into the wash basket. The systems and methods also include comparing a humidity within the washing machine appliance to a reference humidity value. When a difference between the humidity within the washing machine appliance and the reference humidity value is greater than a threshold, the step of rotating the wash basket for the ON period is repeated. When the difference between the humidity within the washing machine appliance and the reference humidity value is less than or equal to the threshold, the ventilation cycle or method is terminated.

Abstract: An electrical heating cable with a first power supply conductor, a second power supply conductor, and a third power supply conductor. Each of the first, second and third power supply conductors extend along a length of the cable. The electrical heating cable also includes an electrically conductive heating element body, wherein the first, second and third power supply conductors are electrically coupled to each other via the electrically conductive heating element body. The second power supply conductor is provided with a layer of electrically insulating material which covers only a part of a surface of the second power supply conductor. The layer is provided between the surface of the second power supply conductor and the electrically conductive heating element body.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a tub, a wash basket, a ventilation line, and an antimicrobial body. The cabinet may include a front panel defining an opening. The tub may be positioned within the cabinet. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The wash basket may define a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing. The ventilation line may be in fluid communication with the tub. The ventilation line may define an air path from a ventilation inlet within the cabinet. The air path may extend to a ventilation outlet in fluid communication with an ambient environment outside of the cabinet. The antimicrobial body may be positioned along the ventilation line.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub defining a wash chamber and a door assembly for providing selective access to the wash chamber. The door assembly includes an inner door panel defining an inner aperture, an outer door panel defining an outer aperture, and a duct extending therebetween to permit a flow of air into the wash chamber to lower the humidity and reduce the likelihood of mold, mildew, and/or foul odors within the washing machine appliance.

Abstract: A door gasket for a washing machine appliance includes a front ring engaging a front panel of the cabinet and extending around an opening defined by the front panel. A web extends from the front ring toward the wash tub and includes a flexing region (e.g., an S-fold) at least partially defining a trough. A back ring engages the wash tub and defines a plurality of venting apertures that provide fluid communication between the trough and the wash tub.

Abstract: An electrical heating cable with a first power supply conductor, a second power supply conductor, and a third power supply conductor. Each of the first, second and third power supply conductors extend along a length of the cable. The electrical heating cable also includes an electrically conductive heating element body, wherein the first, second and third power supply conductors are electrically coupled to each other via the electrically conductive heating element body. The second power supply conductor is provided with a layer of electrically insulating material which covers only a part of a surface of the second power supply conductor. The layer is provided between the surface of the second power supply conductor and the electrically conductive heating element body.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a tub, a wash basket, a ventilation line, and an antimicrobial body. The cabinet may include a front panel defining an opening. The tub may be positioned within the cabinet. The wash basket may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The wash basket may define a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing. The ventilation line may be in fluid communication with the tub. The ventilation line may define an air path from a ventilation inlet within the cabinet. The air path may extend to a ventilation outlet in fluid communication with an ambient environment outside of the cabinet. The antimicrobial body may be positioned along the ventilation line.

Abstract: A user interface includes a curved outer surface, a generally flat printed circuit board defining a base plane, and a capacitive touch sensor connected to the generally flat printed circuit board and offset from the base plane. The capacitive touch sensor is substantially aligned with the curved outer surface. The user interface may be provided on an appliance.

Abstract: A door gasket for a washing machine appliance includes a front ring engaging a front panel of the cabinet and extending around an opening defined by the front panel. A web extends from the front ring toward the wash tub and includes a flexing region (e.g., an S-fold) at least partially defining a trough. A back ring engages the wash tub and defines a plurality of venting apertures that provide fluid communication between the trough and the wash tub.

Abstract: A tub assembly for a washing machine appliance includes a tub and a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub. The tub defines a central axis extending along an axial direction, a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis, and a circumferential direction extending around the central axis. The tub comprises a first material. The wash basket defines a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing. A reinforcement band encircles the tub generally along the circumferential direction. The reinforcement band comprises a second material having a greater strength than the first material of the tub.

Abstract: A user interface includes a curved outer surface, a generally flat printed circuit board defining a base plane, and a capacitive touch sensor connected to the generally flat printed circuit board and offset from the base plane. The capacitive touch sensor is substantially aligned with the curved outer surface. The user interface may be provided on an appliance.

Abstract: A tub assembly for a washing machine appliance includes a tub and a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub. The tub defines a central axis extending along an axial direction, a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis, and a circumferential direction extending around the central axis. The tub comprises a first material. The wash basket defines a wash chamber for receiving articles for washing. A reinforcement band encircles the tub generally along the circumferential direction. The reinforcement band comprises a second material having a greater strength than the first material of the tub.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-regulating electrical heating cable comprising: a first power supply conductor extending along the length of the cable; a second power supply conductor extending along the length of the cable; a third power supply conductor extending along the length of the cable; the first and second power supply conductors being in electrical connection with each other via a first electrically conductive heating element body having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, and the second and third power supply conductors being in electrical connection with each other via a second electrically conductive heating element body having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, and wherein, in use, the first, second and third power supply conductors are not physically connected to one another.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a self-regulating electrical heating cable comprising: a first power supply conductor extending along the length of the cable; a second power supply conductor extending along the length of the cable; a third power supply conductor extending along the length of the cable; the first and second power supply conductors being in electrical connection with each other via a first electrically conductive heating element body having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, and the second and third power supply conductors being in electrical connection with each other via a second electrically conductive heating element body having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, and wherein, in use, the first, second and third power supply conductors are not physically connected to one another.

Abstract: A conduit comprising a pipe, an electrical heater extending along the length of the pipe, and a thermally insulating jacket extending around the pipe and heater. The pipe comprises a plastic inner tube. The plastic inner tube is received within a deformable metal tube such that the plastics inner tube and deformable metal tube form a composite double-walled structure.

Abstract: A conduit comprising a pipe, an electrical heater extending along the length of the pipe, and a thermally insulating jacket extending around the pipe and heater. The pipe comprises a plastic inner tube. The plastic inner tube is received within a deformable metal tube such that the plastics inner tube and deformable metal tube form a composite double-walled structure.

Abstract: Rigid wound or reelable pipe (1) for transporting hydrocarbons having a single-walled or double-walled envelope comprising two coaxial pipes, internal (2) and external (3), respectively, separated by an annular space, comprising at least one electrical heating cable (10) capable of being subjected to an elongation of 0.5% without sustaining damage and produced, for example, in the form of a central conducting braided cable surrounded by an electrically insulating sheath. The materials comprising the cable are subjected to elastically deformation by remaining below 15% of their elastic limit and preferably below 5%.