Abstract: A fluid dynamic diverter valve is provided which has a valve body with a fluid inlet zone communicating with a fluid diversion zone, which in turn communicates with a fluid outlet zone. In the fluid inlet zone there is at least one inlet for a fluid, at least one air inlet and a venturi passage for guiding the fluid as a jet. In a passage downstream of the venturi passage the air inlet communicates with the fluid jet exiting the venturi passage and the jet enters the diversion zone. Depending on whether the air inlet is blocked or not, the fluid jet either continues straight through the diversion zone to a first outlet from the valve body or, if the air stream is blocked, the jet is diverted to impinge upon a wall in the diversion chamber, the wall being arranged to be directed toward a different one of the outlet openings in the fluid outlet zone.

Abstract: A method for achieving load balance in washing machines provided with a rotary drum driven by an electric motor under the control of control means, and in which a circuit is provided for measuring a physical quantity associated with information relative to the state (balanced or unbalanced) of the load in the drum, the method comprising, after the wash stage, a stage in which the drum speed is gradually increased during which the physical quantity is continuously monitored to ascertain the state of load distribution within the drum, and a stage of rapid rotational speed increase at the moment in which a state of balanced load distribution within the drum is detected.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine comprising a device for determining the weight of a clothes load placed in the washing machine drum, a microprocessor circuit control and memory for controlling the operation of the motor for the washing machine such as to cause the drum to spin; for measuring the quantity of water remaining in the clothes load after spinning; for determining the type of constituent fabric of the clothes load, based on the quantity of water remaining in the clothes; and for operating the washing machine in accordance with the determined fabric type.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the weight of foods contained in a microwave oven and for controlling their treatment in accordance with that weight. The apparatus determines the weight by measuring the heating of a body of microwave-sensitive material disposed in the chamber during a stage of operation of the magnetron at a predetermined power for a predetermined time, wherein the heating of the body disposed on a wall of the cooking chamber which is not screened by the foods is measured by comparing the variation in the electrical characteristics of components disposed external to the chamber. The electrical components are disposed in a position corresponding with the body and in a position corresponding with a part of the wall which is not associated with the body, such that ambient temperature variations in the body are compensated for by corresponding temperature variations in the wall not associated with the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the weight of foods contained in a microwave oven and for controlling their treatment in accordance with that weight. The apparatus determines the weight by measuring the heating of a body of microwave-sensitive material disposed in the chamber and not shielded by the food during a stage of operation of the magnetron at a predetermined power for a predetermined time, wherein the heating of the body disposed in the cooking chamber is measured. Thereafter, cold is administered to the body so as to return its temperature to a constant value and maintain it thereat until another weight determination is to be made. The method is implemented by an apparatus including a body constructed of microwave-sensitive material positioned on a wall of the cooking chamber, a temperature sensor for sensing the rise in temperature of the material when exposed to microwave energy, and a cold generator for returning the temperature of the material to a constant temperature.

Abstract: A method for controlling the length of a cycle for drying clothes contained in the drum of a clothes dryer machine, comprising measuring the quantity of water released by the clothes within a predetermined time during their drying, a signal being provided for stopping the machine if the measurement obtained is less than a predetermined value. The method includes measuring the quantity of water released from the clothes during their drying and employs apparatus to generate signals based on this measurement, the signals being fed to a control unit which controls air circulation through the drum and heating of the circulated air, the control unit monitoring the measured water released quantity, and acting to terminate the drying cycle when the variation has a negative gradient and when the signals correspond to a measured water quantity which is constant with time.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting the presence of a food cooking container (9) placed on a cooking hob (1), in particular of glass ceramic, provided with at least one heater element such as an electrical resistance element (2, 40, 41, 42), a gas burner (30), a halogen lamp or the like includes at least two plates (11, 12) of electrically conducting material associated with the hob (1) and connected to an electrical circuit (13), and being of opposite polarities, said plates acting as plates of a capacitor, i.e. forming a capacitive sensor the capacitance of which changes when the food container is placed on the hob (1) in a position corresponding with said plates (11, 12), the change in capacity of said capacitor being sensed by the electrical circuit (13), which therefore detects the presence of said container (9), to generate a control signal as a result of such detection. This signal is fed to indicator means (20) to indicate which heater element has to be operated to heat the container.