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 magnetotrictive peristaltic pump transfers a fluid from a supply chamber o a receiving chamber. The pump has a housing and a core section mounted within the housing. The core section is fabricated from a magnetostrictive material such as Terfenol-D, which can be made to expand directionally in the presence of a magnetic field. There is a fluid tight seal between the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the core section. Wrapped around the outer surface of the housing are a plurality of electrical coils. The positive terminal and the negative terminal of each coil are connected to a signal generator which generates direct current electrical signals to sequentially energize each coil. Energizing any one of the coils creates a magnetic field in the general area of the coil. In the presence of this magnetic field, the core section expands longitudinally resulting in lateral/radial shrinkage of the core section which creates a cavity in the general area of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A driver circuit having logic circuitry which controls the coil and assoced contacts of a four pole double throw relay. The four pole double throw relay is toggled such that a large latching current flows through a first of a pair of solenoid coils of the magnetic-latching solenoid, while a relatively small current flows in the second solenoid coil of the magnetic latching solenoid in an opposite direction. Toggling the relay's coil causes the latching current to now flow through the second solenoid coil of the valve, while the relatively small current flows in the first solenoid coil of the magnetic latching solenoid again in the opposite direction.