Abstract: A fuel spraybar assembly for spraying fuel within a gas turbine engine. The spraybar assembly includes radial and lateral members that distribute fuel within the flowpath. In one embodiment two lateral members are located at the radially inward end of a radial member and generally form a “T” shape. Circumferentially spaced adjacent spraybars subdivide the flowpath into a plurality of circumferential combustion zone segments. In one embodiment the junction of the radial and lateral members provides a flameholding feature that stabilizes the combustion flame. In another embodiment, fuel is introduced non-uniformly within the afterburner resulting in thermal vectoring of the engine thrust.

Abstract: An improved jet engine thrust reverser that includes a sensor to determined the rotational position of a motor. The system includes an actuator, a motor, motor position sensor, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit converts the rotational position of the motor to thrust reverser system using, for example, a summation algorithm and reset logic. The summation algorithm incrementally calculates absolute position of the thrust reverser from the sensed motor rotational position.

Abstract: A wave driven power generation system for conversion of energy of ocean waves into electric, hydraulic or pneumatic power using the wave motion and the natural buoyancy of a series of watertight pods driving pistons in hydraulic cylinders, producing pressures and flows suitable for production of electric, hydraulic or pneumatic power. The generation system is suspended in a submerged moored structure enabling maintenance of required elevation with respect to the water surface and alignment of the generation system with the wave fronts.

Abstract: A manually operated zero-load rapid lifting hydraulic jack has a lifting arm and a lever which are connected properly together by contacting one another. As a contact way of the jack lifting arm and the lever, a lifting arm is formed with an integral receiver portion, which could be in the form of a receiving hole, a receiving tube, a receiving block or any infinite variety of receiver configurations, there by, one end of the lever can be inserted into or locate over those receivers as described above. Thereby, in zero load, as the lever being pressed downwards and the lifting arm axle serving as a fulcrum to drive the lifting arm to move upwards rapidly to a position of contacting with a lift point.

Abstract: A differential pressure between a delivery pressure of a fixed displacement hydraulic pump 2 and a maximum load pressure among a plurality of actuators 3a to 3c is maintained at a target differential pressure by an unloading valve 5. A setting pressure of the unloading valve 5 is changed depending on an engine revolution speed by introducing a differential pressure &Dgr;Pp across a throttle 50, which is disposed in a delivery line of a fixed pump 30, to a pressure bearing sector 5d of the unloading valve. With such an arrangement, in a hydraulic drive system including an LS system, it is possible to ensure fine operability based on setting of the engine revolution speed, to perform flow rate control at a good response, and to realize superior operability.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a plurality of sub-modules disposed in adjacent array and adapted to translate reciprocally parallel to a common axis. A plurality of shape memory alloy wires extend generally linearly and parallel to the axis, and are each connected from one end of a sub-module to the opposed end of an adjacent sub-module. The SMA wires are connected in a circuit for ohmic heating that contracts the SMA wires between the sub-modules. The sub-modules are linked by the SMA wires in a serial mechanical connection that combines the constriction stroke displacement of the SMA wires in additive fashion to achieve a long output stroke. Moreover, the sub-modules are assembled in a small volume, resulting in an actuator of minimal size and maximum stroke displacement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic pressure booster cylinder. In a low pressure stroke, in a state wherein a slide piston is positioned close to a third piston, as compressed air is supplied into a second pneumatic chamber, a second piston is moved toward a bore, and thereby the third piston and the slide piston are integrally moved to allow a piston rod to extend out of a cylinder case. In a high pressure stroke, when movement of the second piston is blocked by a load, the slide piston is moved toward a check valve and pushes the check valve in one direction, compressed air flows into a first pneumatic chamber and air existing in the second pneumatic chamber is discharged to the outside, and, by movement of a first piston, a trunk piston portion is moved toward the third piston through the bore while maintaining airtightness.

Abstract: In a method and a device for operating an electrical supercharger, the electrical supercharger is actuated for cooling and/or diagnostic purposes in the non-combustion operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A pilot nozzle of a gas turbine combustor comprises a first structure, provided near a main nozzle of a combustor that injects fuel oil, having a flow channel for a fuel gas and an outlet for the fuel gas. The first structure diffusion-injecting the fuel gas obliquely forward through the outlet to maintain a flame and to aid ignition of the fuel oil injected from the main nozzle. There is further provided a second structure which circulates in whirls a combustion gas generated due to the combustion of the fuel gas.

Abstract: A gas turbine installation which includes a compressor which compresses supplied air and discharges the same, a combustor which combusts the compressed air obtained from the compressor and fuel and produces combustion gas, a turbine which is driven by combustion gas provided from the combustor, a regenerative heat exchanger which heats all or a part of the compressed air being supplied from the compressor to the combustor by making use of the heat of the exhaust gas exhausted from the turbine and a plurality of water spraying devices which are provided at positions from an intake air chamber of the compressor to the outlet of low temperature side gas flow passage in the regenerative heat exchanger and is characterized in that the regenerative heat exchanger is constituted by connecting in series a plurality of heat exchangers having different heat transfer surface configurations.

Abstract: In a method for igniting a thermal turbomachine, the turbomachine containing a combustion chamber (30), an ignition device (10), a fuel supply (60) and an air supply (70), and the ignition device (10) consisting of an ignition space (50) and of an ignitor (51) arranged in the ignition space (50), the fuel supply (60) and the air supply (70) discharging into the ignition space (50), and the ignition space (50) being connected to the combustion chamber (30) via a flame tube (40), prior to the ignition of the combustion chamber (30), an overall fuel/air mixture ratio &PHgr;overall=1/&lgr;overall greater than 1, with &lgr;overall being the overall air ratio, is set in the flame tube (40) of the ignition device (10).

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes a first board having a first electrode, a second board having a second electrode opposing the first electrode, and a plurality of thermoelectric chips made of thermoelectric material, each outer surface of the thermoelectric chips being plated with an Ni system plating layer.

Abstract: A Stirling refrigerator, which prevents oil rising, makes oil seal bellows have long-life, and includes a housing, cylinder, piston, piston rod and an oil seal bellows. The oil seal bellows seals a space between the housing and the cylinder, wherein a tip end of the oil seal bellows is sealed and fixed on the piston or on the piston rod inside the cylinder, and a base end of the oil seal bellows is installed on the housing. The oil seal bellows reciprocates with a stroke, wherein the tip end of the oil seal bellows is compressed to a compression side from a position of free length then returns to the position of free length.

Abstract: In a periodically operating refrigeration machine which includes a thermal performance amplifier based on the known pulse tube process, the thermal performance amplifier includes a compression arrangement with a first heat exchanger for transferring heat to the environment a regenerator, a second heat exchanger supplying heat to the performance amplifier, a pulse tube, and a third heat exchanger for removing heat which is disposed adjacent a pulse tube cooler. The pulse tube cooler also includes a regenerator, a heat exchanger and a pulse tube, another heat exchanger and an expander all sized for an optimal operation.

Abstract: A cryogenic temperature control apparatus comprises a storage tank housing a quantity of cryogenic fluid, a housing defining a conditioned space, and a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the conditioned space. A first flow path fluidly connects the storage tank and the heat exchanger. A first valve is positioned along the first flow path to selectively fluidly seal the first flow path between the storage tank and the heat exchanger. A second flow path fluidly connects the storage tank and the heat exchanger. A second valve is positioned along the second flow path to selectively fluidly seal the second flow path between the storage tank and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A conduit for transporting non-volatile liquids is provided in which the conduit's internal surfaces have a surface energy lower than that of the nonvolatile liquid.

Abstract: A process for estimating the capacity and the coefficient of performance by taking common measurements and using compressor manufacturer's performance data is presented. A process for determining a capacity index and an efficiency index for a vapor compression cycle relative to desired operating conditions.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator comprises an ultraviolet discharging lamp, for irradiating ultraviolet rays to an air duct inside the refrigerator, and irradiating a visible light to a cold storage compartment of the refrigerator; a light catalyst filter, installed in the air duct and activated by the ultraviolet rays; a fan for forming an air curtain when a door of the cold storage compartment of the refrigerator is opened; and a controlling device for lighting the ultraviolet discharging lamp when the door of the cold storage compartment of the refrigerator is opened. In addition, the refrigerator can further comprise an operating device for setting or disabling an antimicrobial mode of the refrigerator; and a controlling device for lighting the ultraviolet discharging lamp for a preset interval, and turning off the ultraviolet discharging lamp when a door of the refrigerator is opened, when the antimicrobial mode is disabled.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a low-cost in-car sensor equipped with an aspirator fan motor, which is capable of detecting temperature and humidity. A thermistor for detecting temperature and a humidity sensor are arranged at desired positions on a mounting board, and the temperature and humidity of air drawn from an air inlet port and exhausted from an air outlet port are detected. At the same time, the use of electronic circuit components forming a voltage regulator circuit and a filter circuit for coping with electromagnet interference which have been employed in a brushless motor drive circuit for the aspirator fan motor is shared by the humidity sensor. This makes it possible to reduce the number of electronic circuit components necessary for the humidity sensor, and provide a low-cost in-car sensor equipped with an aspirator fan motor, enabling construction of a more inexpensive automotive air conditioner.

Abstract: A method of temperature control in a cryogenic system, wherein the system includes a cryogenic tank. The method comprises providing a motor speed sensor which determines a motor speed, providing a pressure sensor which determines a cryogenic pressure, providing a temperature sensor in the conditioned space which measures a temperature within the conditioned space, providing a deprived integral region, and generating an overriding control signal at the proportional-integral-derivative controller when the temperature and the pressure are beyond a temperature set point and a pressure set point.

Abstract: A combination refrigerant expansion valve adapted for operation by a thermally responsive element, and a solenoid actuated, preferably pilot operated inlet shutoff valve. The solenoid has a resilient elastomeric stop-ring for cushioning deceleration and limiting travel of the armature to prevent closing of the working air gap between the armature and a pole piece. The armature also has a cross port therethrough to alleviate flow-induced pressure decrease on the distal end of the armature from causing the armature to stick in the actuated position when the coil is de-energized.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a displacement control valve that performs transition between operating capacities in a reduced time period.

Abstract: A piston type variable displacement fluid machine includes a drive shaft and a cylinder bore. A piston reciprocates along a line of movement in the cylinder bore in accordance with the rotation of the drive shaft. The stroke of the piston is varied between the maximum stroke and the minimum stroke, which is greater than zero. The displacement of the fluid machine is changed in accordance with the stroke of the piston. A ring groove is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the piston. A piston ring is fitted in the ring groove and moves with respect to the piston in the line of movement of the piston. An allowable movement amount of the piston ring with respect to the piston is greater than or equal to the minimum stroke of the piston.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and methods for maintaining a controlled environment having at least one storage compartment which includes at least one portal and additional includes at least one individualized freezer drawer having a sealing means, each storage compartment is maintained at a constant temperature, at least one individualized freezer drawer is accessed the constant temperature in the remaining area within each storage compartment is not altered; and at least one floating temperature room which includes a plurality of portals, each floating temperature room is adjacent and accessible to each storage compartment by at least one portal; and at least one working room which includes a plurality of portals, each working room is adjacent and accessible to each floating temperature room by at least one portal, the temperature in each working room is maintained higher temperature than the temperature in each floating temperature room; and at least one anteroom, wherein each anteroom includes at least two

Abstract: A heat and electric power supply system which comprises a regenerative gas turbine and an adsorption refrigerator recovering exhaust heat of exhaust gas from the gas turbine is provided with an inlet air cooling equipment including a spray device for spraying cold water form the adsorption refrigerator into an air-intake port of the regenerative gas turbine and a humidifier effecting humidification by hot water injection from the refirigerator into a compressor delivery port of the regenerative gas turbine. The cooling by cold water and humidification by hot water injection are effected according to operational conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for energy effective regulation of temperature and ventilation of one or more ventilation units of buildings, where one or more heat-pumps are used to exchange thermal energy between outdoor air and an indoor heat carrying fluid medium and where the heating and/or cooling of each ventilation units are achieved by distributing the indoor heat carrying fluid medium in each ventilation units, in such a manner that the natural short term variations in outdoor temperature due to passages of weather systems and the day/night variations is utilized to give the one or more heat-pumps optimized conditions such that they are only turned on for extracting outdoor heat which is delivered to the indoor heat carrying and distributing fluid medium at the relative warm periods in the case of warming the buildings, or only in the relative cold periods for cooling the heat carrying and distributing fluid medium for removal of indoor heat in the case of cooling the buildings, and

Abstract: An all-electric transport refrigeration system receives its compressor drive motor power and all other electrical power from at least one on-board fuel cell. The fuel cell is able to power all of the refrigeration system electrical components. In one example a single fuel cell is used. Another example includes multiple fuel cells.

Abstract: In an air conditioner for an automobile, restriction on arrangement of electric apparatus is removed, small-sized and light-weighted formation is achieved by promoting cooling capacity of the electric apparatus by a cooling fluid by an inexpensive constitution and firm defrosting is enabled by closing an air flow path of an exterior heat exchanger. For that purpose, there are provided a refrigeration cycle having an electrically driven compressor and an exterior heat exchanger and a radiator used in an electric automobile having a driving motor for driving the automobile and a motor driving power source for driving the driving motor and connected to cool a heat generating electric apparatus such as the driving motor or the motor driving power source via the cooling fluid, the radiator is arranged in the air flow path of exterior fan and an opening and closing apparatus for opening and closing the air flow path of the exterior heat exchanger is provided.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle is disclosed. The air conditioning system includes a casing, an evaporator, a heater core at a rear side of the evaporator, and a mixing area for mixing a first air bypassing the heater core with a second air flowing through the heater core. The system further includes a partition plate for guiding the second air to the mixing area after the second air flows through the heater core, a foot passage, a defrosting passage, a vent outlet, and a defrosting outlet. The system still further includes a temperature controlling damper for controlling rates of the first air and the second air after the first and second airs flows through the evaporator so as to attain a predetermined final temperature of the air which is discharged into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The system further includes a vent damper, a foot damper and a defrosting damper.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a computer's microprocessor includes a thermal housing having a receiving aperture in alignment with the microprocessor. A thermal head is inserted into and guided by the receiving aperture such that a cooled surface of the thermal head will begin thermal contact with the microprocessor. The thermal head defines a flow channel for passage of a refrigerant fluid so as to cause cooling at the cooled surface. A clamping arrangement is attached to the mounting structure to maintain the thermal head in operative position. The apparatus further includes a refrigeration system in fluid communication with the flow channel of the thermal head to supply refrigerant fluid thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the temperature of an integrated circuit device includes a refrigerant system having a coolant loop containing refrigerant, an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. The condenser has a variable speed fan controlled to maintain the temperature of the refrigerant at a predetermined value. In a refrigeration system used to cool an integrated circuit device, a method for controlling refrigerant pressure by comparing the refrigerant temperature at a predetermined location to a predetermined value and varying the cooling applied to the condenser.

Abstract: An ice and water dispenser for refrigerator doors is provided that includes an ice dispensing actuator pad that causes dispenser to deliver ice when activated. The dispenser also includes a water dispensing lever that causes the dispenser to deliver water when pushed. The ice and water dispenser includes a control panel that allows the user to control the dispensing operation, such as whether to dispense crushed or cube ice. Because of the arrangement of the ice and water dispensing actuators, the user can insert a glass into the dispensing cavity and dispense both ice and water simultaneously. Further, because of the arrangement of the ice and water dispensing actuators, the user can fill oversize cups, water bottles, or pitchers without having to awkwardly reach around the cup to manually activate the water dispensing lever or push the ice dispensing actuator.

Abstract: An air cycle cooling system for cooling a first heat load and a second heat load, the system including a compressor to pressurise air in the system, and an expansion apparatus for allowing the compressed air to expand and cool for use in cooling the first and second heat loads, and wherein at least a proportion of the air utilised for cooling the first heat load is recycled to the compressor and at least a proportion of the air utilised for cooling the second heat load is utilised as a coolant in a primary heat exchanger to cool the air from the first heat load prior to the air from the first heat load being expanded in the expansion apparatus.

Abstract: A electro-desorption compression system according to the present invention comprises an enclosure which includes first and second spaced-apart electrical conductors, a sorbent which is positioned in the enclosure between the first and second conductors, a sorbate which is capable of combining with the sorbent in an adsorption reaction to form a sorbate/sorbent compound, a power supply which is connected to the first and second conductors and which generates an electrical current that is conducted through the sorbate/sorbent compound to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in a desorption reaction, a controller which selectively activates the power supply to initiate and terminate each desorption reaction, and a transducer which is connected to the controller and which generates a signal indicative of the end of each desorption reaction.

Abstract: The present invention increases the efficiency of a refrigerant system by the addition of a special device that provides a constant amount of steam-generated refrigerant pressure in the condenser and is installed as a bypass to the refrigerant feed device.

Abstract: Method and process plant for liquefaction of gas, particularly natural gas with multicomponent refrigerant, suited for small and medium sized scale, where the plant solely is based on conventional two-flow plate heat exchangers and conventional oil lubricated compressors. By the arrangement of the heat exchangers and the compressors according to the invention it is avoided that oil from the compressors, that to some extend will follow the flow of refrigerant, may reach the coldest parts of the plant. Any freezing of oil and plugging of conduit etc. is thus avoided.

Abstract: Nitrogen is rejected from a feed gas stream comprising methane and nitrogen so as to form a methane product. The feed gas stream is cooled in a main heat exchanger and rectified in a double rectification column comprising a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column and a condenser-reboiler placing the higher and lower pressure rectification columns in heat exchange relationship with each other. At least part of the feed gas stream is expanded through a valve into the higher pressure rectification column and the feed gas stream is partially liquefied upstream of the double rectification column. Over a period of time, the mole fraction of nitrogen in the feed gas stream may increase. The operating pressure of the lower pressure rectification column is periodically increased in response to increases in the mole fraction of nitrogen. A back pressure valve may be periodically adjusted to effect the increase in pressure.

Abstract: The invention is a device applicable to the positioning of a loose object on a carrier such as a device mounted on a necklace with a pendant to keep the pendant in a stationary position on the necklace. The device comprises at least one coil forming an opening and a locating section. The necklace is contained in the opening of the coil with the locating section serving to retain the pendant in position on the necklace. Optional end configurations serve to reduce risk of necklace entanglement as well as increase friction between the device and the necklace.

Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure to mark groove traces of laser-induced grooves of glass components by optical visualization.

Abstract: A semi-convective forced air system for heating glass sheets during a heating cycle comprises a heating chamber having a length and a width, at least one heating element located within the heating chamber, a conveyor having a length and a width, the conveyor extending lengthwise through the heating chamber, a compressed air source, a plurality of air manifolds positioned within the heating chamber and in fluid connection with the compressed air source, each of the air manifolds having a length, and each of the air manifolds being oriented parallel to the length of the conveyor, and a plurality of nozzles mounted on each air manifold and in fluid connection with the air manifold for mixing together and directing toward the conveyor a combination of compressed air and over air to convectively heat a sheet of glass on the conveyor, the plurality of nozzles on each air manifold being spaced along the length of the air manifold.

Abstract: Natural or synthetic silica is deposited on a preform set into rotation in front of a plasma torch which moves back and forth substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the preform, a first feed duct feeds the plasma with grains of natural or synthetic silica while a second feed duct feeds the plasma with a fluorine or chlorine compound, preferably a fluorine compound, mixed with a carrier gas. Any sodium or lithium contained in the grains of natural or synthetic silica react with the fluorine or chlorine of the fluorine or chlorine compound, thereby making it possible to improve the optical quality of fibers drawn from a preform built up with natural or synthetic silica, and to do so at reduced cost.

Abstract: In a known procedure for manufacture of a quartz glass body, a glass starting material and fuel gas are fed to a rotationally symmetrical deposition burner (1) having several annular gap nozzles (7-9) and being formed by coaxial arrangement of a number of quartz glass tubes (2-5), such glass starting material in a burner flame forming SiO2 particles which, under back and forth motion of the deposition burner (1) along the longitudinal axis of a rotating mandrel (12), are deposited on such rotating mandrel under formation of an essentially cylindrical porous blank. To enable replacement of such deposition burner without major efforts in terms of work and costs, the procedure of the inventioin proposes to use a deposition burner (1) the annular gap nozzles (7- 9) of which have gap widths with a maximum dimensional deviation of 0.

Abstract: A plating method for knitting a tubular fabric by using a four-bed type flat knitting machine comprising a first lower needle bed and a second lower needle bed which are arranged in pair in front and back and a first upper needle bed and a second upper needle bed which are arranged over the respective lower needle beds, wherein a first knitting fabric including a rib knitting knitted with needles on the first lower needle bed and the second upper needle bed and a second knitting fabric including a rib knitting knitted with needles on the first upper needle bed and the second lower needle bed are joined together at each widthwise side end thereof, so as to be knitted into a tubular form and the knitting fabrics are each knitted to have a plated structure by using a front yarn and a back yarn, and wherein a yarn feeder for the front yarn is displaced in each knitting in such a manner that when the first knitting fabric is knitted, the front yarn can be made closer to the second upper needle bed than the back ya

Abstract: A knitwear (1) is knitted from its bottom hem to its shoulder, during which a flechage knitting that a body (2) is knitted so as to be forked into a right side and a left side of a neckline (10) and also the stitches around the neckline are sequentially removed from the knitting to be put into inoperative states is repeated a predetermined number of times, so as to form the neckline (10). Then, the knitting that stitches of the neckline (10) at right and left sides thereof including its oblique portions and its flat portions adjacent to the oblique portions are moved toward a center of the neckline, so that empty needles are provided in the oblique portions and also double stitches are formed in the flat portions.

Abstract: Portions of front sleeves 4a, 14a extending from underarms to tops of sleeve caps are joined to first portions of the front body 2a extending partway of their lengths extending from the underarms to the shoulders along armholes 22; wherein tops of the sleeve caps of the front sleeves 4a, 14a and a part of tops of the sleeve caps of the back sleeves 4b, 14b on the side continuous to the tops of the sleeve caps of the front sleeves 4a, 14a are joined to part of the front body extending from the first portions to the shoulders, and widening stitches are formed around the neckline 10a at the part of the front body extending therefrom to the shoulders; portions of the back sleeves 4b, 14b extending from the underarms to the tops of the sleeve caps are joined to portions of the back body extending from the underarms to the shoulders along armholes 22; and wherein extended portions 9b, 19b are formed in the remaining portions of the tops of the sleeve caps of the back sleeves 4b, 14b and are knitted to be continuous

Abstract: A compound needle (1) is provided with a slider (8) having two slider springs (11, 12), whose ends constitute an open funnel pointing toward the hook (3). The ends, or legs (21, 22), constituting the funnel, are flattened. Therefore, starting at a starting point, the thickness of the material is reduced in the tapered area (29) toward the ends of the slider springs (11, 12). By means of this a correct functioning of the compound needle is also provided if the slider (8) is not completely centered. Moreover, it is possible to improve the easy movement of the slider (8) in the slider slit in that the funnel, formed by the legs (21, 22), can be embodied to be narrower at a constant width, than without the taper of the slider springs (11, 12).

Abstract: There is provided lower torso garments that have an integral panty or brief, circularly knit garment blanks for such lower torso garments, and methods of producing lower torso garments that have an integral panty or brief from circularly knit garment blanks. Lower torso garments according to the present invention have an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer has an integral panty. The garment is formed from a blank that is circularly knitted with a welt band seamlessly joined to a first fabric segment forming the outer layer and a second fabric segment forming the inner layer with the integral panty.

Abstract: The invention relates to tubular knitwear items (1) suitably shaped or modeled without the usual cutting/sewing operations, characterized by dimensionally little or non elastic fabric zones, said zones being structurally and functionally connected as a textile frame for anatomic support and control. According to the jacquard design and to the work cycle of the textile machine, the invention enables the production of differentiated-growth fabric in specific areas or zones by means of the programmed exclusion of stitches or knitted courses and the simultaneous production of exceeding stitches or three-dimensional inner frills (Bi), structurally having lower elasticity, thus also obtaining a programmed deformation of the knitted tube.

Abstract: A device detects properties of a textile in appliances for treating textiles is provided. The device is fitted into the appliance. Examples of appliances with which the device can be used include washing machines, laundry dryers, spin dryers, machines for dry cleaning, and machines for dying textiles. The device includes sending element and a receiving element respectively for sending and receiving electromagnetic radiation. The receiving element is connected to an evaluation circuit. The evaluation circuit evaluates the radiation reflected and/or transmitted by the textile to render properties and composition of the textile and filling level of the appliance.

Abstract: A commercial laundry machine having a loading hopper effective for substantially reducing loading time. The hopper has a relatively large effective passage area for communication with a front opening rotary drum of the laundry machine, and a splash door is pivotally mounted adjacent a front face of the machine housing for movement between a lowered closed position and an upwardly extending open position which neither reduces the effective passage of the hopper chute nor impedes the passage of launderable items directed through the chute. The laundry machine further includes an improved toggle actuated locking and sealing device for securing the hopper in sealed relation with the machine housing, and trunnion mounted hydraulic cylinders which are effective for more reliably and effectively pivoting the hopper unit through an arc greater than 90 degrees to its removed position.