Abstract: A filter for a respiratory circuit has a housing with an inlet port and an outlet port for connection to respective breathing tubes. A gases space lies between the inlet and outlet ports and gases pass across the gases space from the inlet port to the outlet port in use. A filter media spans the gases space, dividing the gases space into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. Gases passing from the inlet port to the outlet port pass through the filter media. A surrounding outer wall surrounds the housing apart from the inlet port and outlet port and is spaced from the wall of the housing. One or more air pockets are created between the outer wall and the housing. The air pockets insulate the housing from ambient conditions.

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 center 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 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 washing appliance having a thermally actuated diverter valve to allow for the diversion of water through the water holding receptacle of the washing appliance, where control means controls the turning on and off of an inlet valve and energizing of the thermally actuated diverter valve. A method of controlling a thermally activated valve in the cycle of the washing appliance is also disclosed. This method provides for the operation of a thermally actuated diverter valve during a recirculation wash phase in a washing appliance. The present invention allows for the thermally actuated diverter valve's “on time” life to be conserved, particularly in situations where the flow of water into the appliance is low, for example when the appliance is used in areas where water pressure is low, or when valves or pipes are blocked or obscured.

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 washing appliance such as a dishwasher where a top-loading wash chamber is slidable out of cabinet for loading and unloading has a cabinet-mounted chamber lid which is power driven down onto the open top of the wash chamber during the washing cycle. Linear actuators or motors mounted in opposite sides of the appliance cabinet are coupled to opposite sides of the lid to pull the lid down when the chamber has been slid back into the cabinet. In a preferred embodiment rotating dc motors are used to rotate a threaded nut which in turn produces linear motion in a threaded shaft engaged within the nut and connected to the lid.

Abstract: A breathing tube for humidified gases ventilation system has an internal conduit and a surrounding conduit within which the internal conduit is disposed. A connector at one end of the internal conduit and the surrounding conduit has an inhalation gases port for connection to an inhalation gases supply port of a ventilator. A gases flow path leads from the inhalation gases port to the space between the internal conduit and the surrounding conduit. A spirally wound heater wire may be disposed between the internal conduit and the surrounding conduit with turns of the spirally wound wire passing around the internal conduit.

Abstract: A connector is formed to connect with the outlet of a humidification chamber. A calibrated tube extends through the connector to be retained in use in at least a substantially vertical direction. A bias flow outlet also extends through the connector. In use the connector of the measuring device is fitted to the outer port of a humidification water chamber with the calibrated tube extending into the reservoir of water within the chamber. With an air supply to the chamber activated the subsequent water level in the tube indicates the operating pressure of the blower under a flow condition simulating losses through leakage in the breathing circuit and at the patient connection.

Abstract: A laundry machine has a wash enclosure to which a supply of water is admitted through a hot water valve and a cold water valve. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of the combined water flow from the hot and cold valves or the temperature of the water collected in the water enclosure. The hot and cold water valves are preferably controlled in accordance with a programme executed on a microprocessor. In a wash operation the controller opens the hot water valve and monitors the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor. The controller only opens the cold valve once the sensed temperature has reached or exceeded a threshold temperature. The effect of the cold water contained in the hot water pipes of a household water supply on wash temperature or wash volume is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enclosed humidified environment for an infant positioned on the mattress of an infant warmer open care bed. It includes an “A” frame structure which supports a flexible and transparent cover similar to a tent, which may be folded substantially flat when not in use or prior to use. The tent is designed to be compatible with an infra-red radiant heater, such as might be used in a infant warmer open care bed to heat the infant. The tent includes provisions for inflow of humidified gases and accessibility to the infant by health care workers. In addition, the present invention may be provided as a disposable item thereby reducing the possibility of transferring medical problems between infants.

Abstract: A tranverse flux motor having multiple stator phase windings which are electronically commutated to produce a rotating flux to drive a permanent magnet rotor located externally of the stator. The stator is formed by two complementary facing pieces each carrying half the stator poles, the latter preferably being of claw pole configuration. The stator windings are sandwiched between the stator pieces and wound about cores which magnetically couple the stator pieces. Preferably the number of motor phases (P) is selected from the series 2, 3, . . . , N, the number of windings per phase (W) is selected from the series 1, 2, . . . , M, the number of poles per winding (PW) is selected from the series 2, 4, . . . , L, and the number of stator poles (SP) is equal to the product P*WP*PW and the number of rotor poles is SP±W.

Abstract: A method of operating a horizontal axis laundry machine through a drum opening operation is provided. The laundry machine includes a cabinet and a drum mounted in the cabinet. The drum has a drum skin including a cover section and a remainder. An edge of the cover section is connected to an edge of the remainder by an interengaging latch member. The method includes the steps of rotating the drum until the drum skin is in a first set position relative to the cabinet, engaging the cover section to retain the position thereof relative to the cabinet while engaged, sliding the latch member to release the cover section edge from the remaining drum section edge, rotating the drum to a second set position with the cover section engaged to leave an opening into the drum, and allowing opening of the cabinet to provide access to the opening.

Abstract: A balancing system for a laundry appliance is disclosed, which is particularly suited to horizontal axis washing machines. The system includes force and acceleration transducers at each end of the drum, to detect the imbalance. Several algorithms are disclosed, which calculate the correction required to correct for the imbalance. The correction is implemented using a set of balancing chambers, at each end of the drum. The advantages include the traditional mechanical suspension to be dispensed with, and that the system is capable of adapting to different types of floors.

Abstract: A transformerless non-switched mode power supply for use with whiteware appliances having a water heating element. A high power voltage dropping resistor is used in series with a rectifier and a switching device phase controls the mains half waves to produce a variable voltage direct current supply for an appliance motor. The voltage dropping resistor is formed by the water heater element and the DC supply voltage is controlled by the appliance controller to vary the motor torque as required.

Abstract: A cabinet for a refrigerator is formed from a twin sheet thermoformed panel (1) divided into a plurality of wall sections, (8, 9, 10) by seams (6) where the twin sheets (2, 3) contact. The panel is folded to form the rear (10) and two side walls (8, 9) of a refrigerator cabinet, and top end cap and a base plinth are fitted to retain the walls in position. Refrigeration system components are carried on the base plinth. The walls (8, 9) and back (10) are secured by having their upper and lower edges (25, 30) fitted within peripheral channels (28, 29) on the top end cap (20) and the base plinth (21). Additionally they may be further secured by fusing contacting portions (65, 76) of the inner sheet of the panel in the region adjacent folded seams (6). The panel is preferably filled with rigid insulating foam while still supported on the thermoforming mold.

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 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 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 program for a dual wash chamber dishwasher is also disclosed which minimizes total water consumption by transferring water from one chamber to the other.