Abstract: A heater (22) for heating a substantially transparent or translucent cover of a reaction vessel. The heater has a board (80) having a front face, an opposing back face, and an aperture (1062) through which an excitation beam can pass into a reaction vessel via a cover of the reaction vessel, and/or through which reaction light can pass from the reaction vessel via the cover. A thermally conductive, heat-spreading layer (86) radiates heat towards the cover, the heat-spreading layer being arranged on the front face of the board that is arranged to face the cover. At least one heating element outputs heat to the heat-spreading layer (86), the heating element being arranged on the back face of the board that is arranged to face away from the cover. The heat-spreading layer (86) is in thermal communication with the heating element by at least one heating via 82 through the board.

Abstract: A heater (22) for heating a substantially transparent or translucent cover of a reaction vessel. The heater has a board (80) having a front face, an opposing back face, and an aperture (1062) through which an excitation beam can pass into a reaction vessel via a cover of the reaction vessel, and/or through which reaction light can pass from the reaction vessel via the cover. A thermally conductive, heat-spreading layer (86) radiates heat towards the cover, the heat-spreading layer being arranged on the front face of the board that is arranged to face the cover. At least one heating element outputs heat to the heat-spreading layer (86), the heating element being arranged on the back face of the board that is arranged to face away from the cover. The heat-spreading layer (86) is in thermal communication with the heating element by at least one heating via 82 through the board.

Abstract: An apparatus for realizing an active noise cancellation control law transfer function between a sensing microphone and a speaker. The apparatus includes a multiplicity of filters. Each filter is operable over a different frequency range. At least one filter has an adjustable parameter whereby the filter can be adjusted such that the filters cumulatively realize a required control law transfer function. The adjustable parameter may in one embodiment be the amplitude. In other embodiments, it may be other parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for realizing an active noise cancellation control law transfer function between a sensing microphone and a speaker. The apparatus includes a multiplicity of filters. Each filter is operable over a different frequency range. At least one filter has an adjustable parameter whereby the filter can be adjusted such that the filters cumulatively realize a required control law transfer function. The adjustable parameter may in one embodiment be the amplitude. In other embodiments, it may be other parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for realizing an active noise cancellation control law transfer function between a sensing microphone and a speaker. The apparatus includes a multiplicity of filters. Each filter is operable over a different frequency range. At least one filter has an adjustable parameter whereby the filter can be adjusted such that the filters cumulatively realize a required control law transfer function. The adjustable parameter may in one embodiment be the amplitude. In other embodiments, it may be other parameters.

Abstract: An active noise reduction system for use with an ear piece uses an ultrasonic signal to determine the acoustic coupling between a speaker and a sensor microphone of the noise reduction system. The determination of the acoustic coupling may be used to adjust the game of the system to provide a closed loop game which optimises performance of the system.

Abstract: A noise cancellation system includes a headphone having a sound transducer and a headphone speaker. Noise cancellation circuitry is provided remote from the headphone and supplies the headphone speaker and is supplied from the sound transducer. A filter normalizes the output from the sound transducer of the headphone to the noise cancellation circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus assists a user to move a door between closed and open states. The apparatus includes a permanent magnet provided on the door. An electromagnet is located on the door frame adjacent thereto when the door is closed and is energizable to provide a magnetic field which reinforces the permanent magnetic field or to provide a magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field. A detector detects the state of the door and an interface detects the presence of a user. A controller receives input from the detector and the interface and energizes the electromagnet to provide a reinforcing magnetic field if a user is attempting to open the door and provides an opposing magnetic field to the permanent magnetic field if the door is closed and the user is attempting to open the door.

Abstract: A status indicator (4) for a transparent ceramic glass cook top is disclosed which is able to display a range of colors. Typically such indications are used with red or smoked glass cooktops and are limited to red. The present invention is positioned directly underneath the transparent glass (22) which has an opaque layer (23) on the underside and wherein a portion (24) of the opaque layer has been removed thereby allowing the light source (2) to be visible directly above said cook top. The indicator may be used for a range of functions, including indicating the element is on and also that the heating region is too hot to be safely touched.

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 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.