Abstract: Washing machine appliances and damper assemblies are provided. A damper assembly includes a cylinder defining a central longitudinal axis, the cylinder including a sidewall that defines an interior, the sidewall defining a central bore and a pocket concentrically surrounding the central bore, the sidewall including an upper shoulder and a lower shoulder that each connect the pocket and the central bore. The damper assembly further includes a piston partially disposed in the central bore and movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the cylinder. The damper assembly further includes a tube assembly concentrically surrounding the piston and at least partially disposed in the pocket, the tube assembly having a length that is less than a length of the pocket. The piston is further movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the tube assembly.

Abstract: Washing machine appliances and suspension assemblies for suspending tubs in washing machine appliances are provided. A suspension assembly includes a frame, a mount seated on the frame, and a rod coupled to the mount. The rod is rotatable about a pivot point. The suspension assembly further includes a sensor assembly operable to monitor rotation of the rod. The sensor assembly includes a sensor and a reference surface. One of the sensor or the reference surface is coupled to the rod and rotatable with the rod relative to the other of the sensor or the reference surface. The sensor is operable to measure reference distances from the reference surface.

Abstract: Washing machine appliances and suspension assemblies for suspending tubs in washing machine appliances are provided. A suspension assembly includes a first pliable mount and a second pliable mount, the first pliable mount and second pliable mount spaced apart from each other along a lateral direction. The first and second pliable mounts each include a hollow body and a head, the head integral with the hollow body. The suspension assembly further includes a rocker arm engaging the head of the first pliable mount and the second pliable mount. The rocker arm extends between the first pliable mount and the second pliable mount along the lateral direction. The suspension assembly further includes a rod connected to the rocker arm and disposed between the first pliable mount and the second pliable mount along the lateral direction.

Abstract: Washing machine appliances and damper assemblies are provided. A damper assembly includes a cylinder defining a central longitudinal axis, the cylinder including a sidewall that defines an interior, the sidewall defining a central bore and a pocket concentrically surrounding the central bore, the sidewall including an upper shoulder and a lower shoulder that each connect the pocket and the central bore. The damper assembly further includes a piston partially disposed in the central bore and movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the cylinder. The damper assembly further includes a tube assembly concentrically surrounding the piston and at least partially disposed in the pocket, the tube assembly having a length that is less than a length of the pocket. The piston is further movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the tube assembly.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a cabinet and a tub disposed within the cabinet. The washing machine appliance also includes features for variably damping motion of the tub relative to the cabinet, such as a damper with a first, rigid piston and a second, compliant piston slidably received within a cylinder of the damper.

Abstract: Washing machine appliances and associated methods for detecting periodic speed variation caused by an imbalanced load are provided. One example method for determining whether a load of a washing machine is imbalanced includes obtaining, by the washing machine, a sensor output signal describing a speed of a motor of the washing machine. The method includes determining, by the washing machine, a plurality of edge intervals. Each edge interval describes an interval of time between edges exhibited by the sensor output signal. The method includes determining, by the washing machine, a plurality of impulse values based on the plurality of edge intervals. The method includes determining, by the washing machine, whether the load of the washing machine is imbalanced based on the plurality of impulse values. One example washing machine includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for detecting periodic speed variation caused by an imbalanced load.

Abstract: A balance ring for an appliance is provided that has features to control fluid distribution particularly during certain critical speeds where large oscillatory motion created by an out of balance condition might otherwise cause the balance ring fluid to redistribute improperly. The balance ring can include an inner chamber that is in fluid communication with an outer chamber. The inner chamber can include baffles that impede the movement of fluid along the circumferential direction when e.g., the balance ring experiences large oscillatory motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering additive into a clothes basket and cleaning remaining additive from an additive container are provided. The apparatus includes a clothes basket rotatable about an axis, a motor coupled to the clothes basket, a Venturi component, an additive container connected to a vacuum area of the Venturi component through a U-tube, a water inlet connected to the Venturi component through an inlet hose, an outlet hose connecting the Venturi component to the clothes basket, a valve controlling flow of water into the inlet hose, a valve controlling flow of water into the additive container, and a processor coupled to the motor and the valves, the processor being operative to manipulate the valve controlling flow of water into the inlet hose and the valve controlling flow of water into the additive container to deliver additive into the clothes basket and to clean remaining additive from the additive container.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an out of balance condition for a washing machine are disclosed. The wash basket of the washing machine is rotated at a constant predetermined rotational speed. If the washing machine has an unbalanced load, the wash tub will strike the cabinet as the basket rotates in the wash tub. The tub strikes cause the wash basket to lose momentum. The inverter drive control system causes the inverter to provide more current through the motor phases to the motor to maintain constant speed. From the value of the current, the severity of the tub strikes during a test period can be determined. An out of balance condition can be detected and measured based at least in part on the severity of the tub strikes.

Abstract: A balance ring for an appliance is provided that has features to control fluid distribution particularly during certain critical speeds where large oscillatory motion created by an out of balance condition might otherwise cause the balance ring fluid to redistribute improperly. The balance ring can include an inner chamber that is in fluid communication with an outer chamber. The inner chamber can include baffles that impede the movement of fluid along the circumferential direction when e.g., the balance ring experiences large oscillatory motion.

Abstract: A bulk fluid dispensing system that can detect when priming has occurred is provided. The system can prime itself so as to remove e.g., air gaps that might affect the metering of a proper amount of a fluid such as laundry detergent or fabric softener into a wash chamber or wash bin of the appliance. A pressure sensor can be used to determine when such priming has occurred. Other features can be provided as well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an out of balance condition for a washing machine are disclosed. The wash basket of the washing machine is rotated at a constant predetermined rotational speed. If the washing machine has an unbalanced load, the wash tub will strike the cabinet as the basket rotates in the wash tub. The tub strikes cause the wash basket to lose momentum. The inverter drive control system causes the inverter to provide more current through the motor phases to the motor to maintain constant speed. From the value of the current, the severity of the tub strikes during a test period can be determined. An out of balance condition can be detected and measured based at least in part on the severity of the tub strikes.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering additive into a clothes basket and cleaning remaining additive from an additive container are provided. The apparatus includes a clothes basket rotatable about an axis, a motor coupled to the clothes basket, a Venturi component, an additive container connected to a vacuum area of the Venturi component through a U-tube, a water inlet connected to the Venturi component through an inlet hose, an outlet hose connecting the Venturi component to the clothes basket, a valve controlling flow of water into the inlet hose, a valve controlling flow of water into the additive container, and a processor coupled to the motor and the valves, the processor being operative to manipulate the valve controlling flow of water into the inlet hose and the valve controlling flow of water into the additive container to deliver additive into the clothes basket and to clean remaining additive from the additive container.

Abstract: A human powered transmission for self propelled vehicles having oscillating power input levers displacing a pivoted power input member. The power input member pivotally journaled to a power output lever, the power output lever bearing on a fulcrum roller. The fulcrum rollers having a mechanism for adjusting the fulcrum roller along a predetermined length of the power output lever. Power output lever having a power output pivot, the power output pivot is connected to a flexible member for transferring tensile force to a unidirectional torque converter.

Abstract: A human powered transmission for self propelled vehicles having oscillating power input levers displacing a pivoted power input member. The power input member pivotally journaled to a power output lever, the power output lever bearing on a fulcrum roller. The fulcrum rollers having a mechanism for adjusting the fulcrum roller along a predetermined length of the power output lever. Power output lever having a power output pivot, the power output pivot is connected to a flexible member for transferring tensile force to a unidirectional torque converter.

Abstract: Described are devices and systems for monitoring a content of perspiration. The device comprises a memory storing an index of values corresponding to amounts of a content in perspiration, a detection arrangement detecting the content in the perspiration, a processing unit determining an amount of the content in the perspiration, and a feedback arrangement providing feedback data indicative of a value corresponding to the determined amount.

Abstract: A method for monitoring client interaction with a resource downloaded from a server in a computer network includes the steps of using a client to specify an address of a resource located on a first server, downloading a file corresponding to the resource from the first server in response to specification of the address, using the client to specify an address of a first executable program located on a second server, the address of the first executable program being embedded in the file downloaded from the first server, the first executable program including a software timer for monitoring the amount of time the client spends interacting with and displaying the file downloaded from the first server, downloading the first executable program from the second server to run on the client so as to determine the amount of time the client interacts with the file downloaded from the first server, using a server to acquire client identifying indicia from the client, and uploading the amount of time determined by the firs

Abstract: A method for monitoring client interaction with a resource downloaded from a server in a computer network includes the steps of using a client to specify an address of a resource located on a first server, downloading a file corresponding to the resource from the first server in response to specification of the address, using the client to specify an address of a first executable program located on a second server, the address of the first executable program being embedded in the file downloaded from the first server, the first executable program including a software timer for monitoring the amount of time the client spends interacting with and displaying the file downloaded from the first server, downloading the first executable program from the second server to run on the client so as to determine the amount of time the client interacts with the file downloaded from the first server, using a server to acquire client identifying indicia from the client, and uploading the amount of time determined by the firs

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining real time emotional response data over a communications system is disclosed. A stimulus is presented to at least one participant using the communications system. Emotional response data for each participant is recorded while the stimulus is being displayed. The stimulus can be a visual and/or audio presentation such as an advertisement with static or moving images, marketing information, brochures, sales information, live or recorded speeches, debates, television programs, movies, videos, music, computer graphics, computer games or any other media which can be projected audioly and/or visually over a communications network. The recorded emotional response data is analyzed to determine at least one critical emotion range in the stimulus.

Abstract: A game combines two forms of communication, which, in preferred embodiments, are acting and drawing. In those embodiments, certain players try to act ideas presented on cards to drawers, who use dry-erase boards to draw, for different ends based on the specific embodiment.