Circuitry and techniques to measure, at the battery's terminals, characteristic(s) of the charging signal applied to the battery/cell during the recharging operation and, in response to feedback data which indicates the charging signal is out-of-specification, control or instruct the charging circuitry to adjust characteristic(s) of the recharging signal (e.g., the amplitude of the voltage of and/or current applied to or removed from the battery during the charging operation). For example, a rechargeable battery pack comprising a battery, and controllable switch(es), a current meter and voltmeter, all of which are fixed to the battery. Control circuitry generates control signal(s) to adjust a current and/or voltage of the charging signal using the feedback data from the current meter and/or voltmeter, respectively.

A method for operating a driverless, mobile assembly and/or material transport unit as a driverless transport system (DTS) with fixed assembly and/or warehousing stations. In this method, a system control device is used for the entire assembly process. The driverless, mobile assembly and/or material transport units comprises a travel device for the traveling movement of the unit, a drive device for the travel device, an energy storage device for providing the energy for the drive device and a control device for controlling the traveling movement in coordination with the system control device.

A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated by extracting thermal energy from a gas to condense the gas into a liquid and transferring the thermal energy to the electrically polarizable material. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material in thermal communication with a heat source, wherein the heat source is a condenser. An apparatus is also described which comprises a chamber, one or more conduits inside the chamber for conveying a cooling fluid and an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes on an outer surface of the conduit. A gas introduced into the chamber condenses on the conduits and thermal energy is thereby transferred from the gas to the electrically polarizable material.

According to an embodiment, a method of operating a wind turbine comprising a DC-to-AC voltage converter is provided, the wind turbine being connectable to a grid via the DC-to-AC voltage converter, the method comprising: determining a line voltage of a power line connecting the DC-to-AC voltage converter to the grid; if the determined line voltage exceeds a predefined voltage threshold value, injecting reactive current into the power line, wherein the amount of reactive current injected is chosen such that an output voltage of the DC-to-AC voltage converter is kept within a predetermined voltage range.

A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated using thermal energy obtained from: a combustion reaction; solar energy; a nuclear reaction; ocean water; geothermal energy; or thermal energy recovered from an industrial process. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material. The heat source used to heat the material can be: a combustion apparatus; a solar thermal collector; or a component of a furnace exhaust device. Alternatively, the heat exchanger can be a device for extracting thermal energy from the earth, the sun, ocean water, an industrial process, a combustion reaction or a nuclear reaction. A vehicle is also described which comprises an apparatus for converting heat to electrical energy connected to an electric motor.

A method of operating a converter of a wind turbine for providing electric energy to a utility grid includes determining a grid voltage. If the grid voltage is between a nominal voltage and a first voltage threshold, i.e. higher than the nominal voltage, a normal procedure for lowering the grid voltage is performed. If the grid voltage is above the first voltage threshold, another procedure for keeping the wind turbine connected is performed, wherein the other procedure is different from the normal procedure. Further a corresponding arrangement is described.

An AC current generator for generating an CA current and method therefor and includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes an outer shell of non-magnetic material enclosing an evacuated chamber and having a distribution of a plurality of ferromagnets attached thereto. The rotor includes an inner core of non-magnetic material located at a stability location within said evacuated chamber and having a distribution of a plurality of diamagnets attached thereto. In addition, the AC current generator includes at least one magnetic flux detection unit located within at least one magnetic field generated by at least one group of ferromagnets of the plurality of ferromagnets. Displacing the rotor from the stability location towards the at least one group of ferromagnets generates a change in magnetic flux in the magnetic field thereby generating an AC current in the at least one magnetic flux detection unit.

A method is employed for operating a wind turbine. Electrical energy is produced by means of a generator and is fed into an electrical power network. The electrical energy is fed to the secondary side of a transformer at a low voltage and is output on the primary side of the transformer at a higher voltage. The potential on the primary side of the transformer is undefined. In the method, a measured value of the voltage between the primary side of the transformer and the earth potential is first recorded. The measured value is compared with a predefined limit value. The electrical energy produced by the generator is changed if the measured value exceeds the limit value. A wind turbine is designed to carry out the method. Faults in the medium voltage network can be reacted to without an additional star point on the primary side of the transformer being required.

An aerial cable car system including transportation operating equipment for passenger and/or freight transport, wherein electrical consumers are connected for operation thereof to a rechargeable electrical energy store of a transportation operating equipment by a respective power circuit. The transportation operating equipment includes an operating control device connected to measuring devices for dynamically capturing measurement values based on available quantity of energy in the energy store. The operating control device includes a storage module having at least one stored measurement control value and an associated control parameter. The operating control device includes a filter module comparing a captured measurement value to the at least one stored measurement control value and reading out corresponding stored control parameter, based on which power circuits can be selectively coupled or decoupled to the energy store by the operating control device. Electrical consumers in transportation operating equipment can be fed without interruption by the energy store, even during travel.

An arrangement for operating a rail vehicle includes a DC voltage intermediate circuit which is connected to an energy supply network, at least one traction inverter which is connected at its DC voltage side to the DC voltage intermediate circuit and at its AC voltage side which is connected one or more traction motors of the rail vehicle. An auxiliary system inverter is connected at its DC voltage side to the DC voltage intermediate circuit and is connected at its AC voltage side to a primary side of an auxiliary system transformer. Auxiliary systems are connected to a secondary side of the auxiliary system transformer via an auxiliary line. Electrical energy generated by an electrical energy supply unit is transferred via the auxiliary line, the auxiliary system transformer and the auxiliary system inverter into the DC voltage intermediate circuit for operation of the at least one traction motor.

A system for transferring energy to a vehicle, in particular a track bound vehicle, such as a light rail vehicle, wherein the system includes an electric conductor arrangement adapted to produce an electromagnetic field which can be received by the vehicle thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle the system further includes electric and/or electronic devices which are adapted to operate the electric conductor arrangement. The devices produce heat while operating the conductor arrangement and—therefore—are to be cooled. A cooling arrangement of the system includes a structure having a cavity in which at least one of the devices to be cooled is located. The structure includes a cover limiting the cavity at the top, wherein the device(s) to be cooled is/are located at a distance to the cover. The structure is integrated in the ground at the path of travel of the vehicle in such a manner that the cover forms a part of the surface of the ground.

An apparatus for generating electric pulses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a generator or oscillator for charging a storage capacitor and a control circuit for controlling the discharge of the capacitor through an output or discharge circuit which includes a controllable switch device and two output terminals or electrodes. In an embodiment, the output circuit also includes a high voltage output pulse transformer.Whenever a load resistance exists or occurs between the two output electrodes, a particular detector current will flow through the load resistance and through a specific detector or load sensing circuit in the apparatus. This detector current indicating that an external load resistance is present, will automatically start the charging generator which then will operate to charge and recharge the storage capacitor as long as the detector current exists, i.e. as long as the external load is present.

A board comprised of a wood structure having a first surface, a second surface, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and opposing ends. Sound attenuating elements embedded within the wood structure and stiffening elements positioned within the wood structure to coincide with the location of floor joist to which the board will be secured. The boards further forming a ceiling/floor structure by laying a single set of the boards adjacent to each other and securing them to the floor joists.

Disclosed is a low-temperature heat-generating solid wood laminate floor, which comprises: an exterior finished layer, an upper base material layer, a heat-generating layer, and a lower base material layer, which are stacked in sequence and hot-pressed. The upper base material layer, heat-generating layer and lower base material layer comprise 9 layers in total after hot-pressing, the heat-generating layer being positioned at the 5th to the 7th layer, the upper base material layer being above the heat-generating layer, the lower base material layer being below the heat-generating layer, the upper base material layer consisting of 3 to 5 layers, the lower base material layer consisting of 4 to 6 layers, and the exterior finished layer being provided on the upper base material layer by hot-pressing.

A device for at least one self-heated and dense ceramic tube for gas separation. The device includes at least one dense ceramic tube in an environment accessible to a mixture of gases, the at least one tube acting as a diffusion membrane for separating at least one gas from the mixture of gases. Two electrical contacts are provided which allow connecting a power supply to the ceramic tube and driving an electric current through the ceramic tube. The contacts can be in the farm of short coils wrapped around the ceramic tube at difference places. When a voltage is applied to the contacts, an electrical current flows from one contact to the other through the ceramic tube. The current in the ceramic tube heats the tube. Thus, the tubes heat themselves. The hot tube allows separating a gas from the mixture of gases. The driving force for the diffusion is achieved by a pressure difference generated by pumping at the side of the separated gas and pressing at the side of the mixture of gases.

Image sensors and methods of operating the same. An image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a photo sensor, the voltage-current characteristics of which vary according to energy of incident light, and that generates a sense current determined by the energy of the incident light; a reset unit that is activated to generate a reference current, according to a reset signal for resetting at least one of the plurality of pixels; and a conversion unit that converts the sense current and the reference current into a sense voltage and a reference voltage, respectively.

A gasifier comprises an internal chamber, a slag collection region, a slag passageway, a slag breaker, and an actuator. The internal chamber comprises a main combustion region that is configured and adapted to gasify fuel. The slag collection region is located beneath the main combustion region. The slag passageway operatively connects the main combustion region to the slag collection region. The slag breaker comprises a face that is movable relative to the internal chamber. The face is configured and adapted to move within the slag passageway in a manner such that the face contacts and mechanically breaks solidified slag into chunks of solidified slag that then fall into the slag collection region. The actuator is connected to the slag breaker and is configured and adapted to move the face of the slag breaker.

Disclosed are molecular and polymeric compounds having desirable properties as semiconducting materials. Such compounds can exhibit desirable electronic properties and possess processing advantages including solution-processability and/or good stability.

In an embodiment, a method of generating a pulse-width modulated signal from an input signal includes calculating a finite number of basis functions of a first pulse-width modulated signal based on the input signal, and forming an electronic output based on the calculated finite number of basis functions.

A PWM circuit that can have two refresh rates, including: a first PWM signal generator and a second PWM signal generator; wherein the first PWM signal generator and the second PWM signal generator respectively control refresh rates in two dimensions of an output data generated from a target apparatus. A PWM signal generation method that can have two refresh rates, including: generating a first PWM signal; generating a second PWM signal; and controlling refresh rates in different dimensions of an output data generated from a target apparatus respectively by using the first PWM signal and the second PWM signal.

Provided is a method of generating a driving signal for driving a dual mode supply modulator for a power amplifier. The method includes obtaining an envelope of a complex baseband signal to be transmitted, comparing the envelope of the complex signal with a preset threshold value, when a current envelope of the complex signal is the preset threshold value or greater or when there is a result having the preset threshold value or greater in previous N comparisons, outputting a digital board output signal configured with a first logic level through a digital-to-analog converter; and when the current envelope of the complex signal is smaller than the preset threshold value and when there is no result having the preset threshold value or greater in the previous N comparisons, outputting a digital board output signal configured with a second logic level through the digital-to-analog converter.

In an embodiment, a method of producing a multi-level RF signal includes producing plurality of pulse-width modulated signals based on an input signal. The method further includes driving a corresponding plurality of parallel amplifiers with the plurality of pulse-width modulated signals by setting a parallel amplifier to have a first output impedance when a corresponding pulse-width modulated signal is in an active state and setting the parallel amplifier to have a second output impedance when the corresponding pulse-width is in an inactive state. The method also includes phase shifting the outputs of the plurality of parallel amplifiers, wherein phase shifting transforms the second output impedance into a third impedance that is higher than the second output impedance, and combining the phase shifted outputs.

A PWM signal generating circuit, printer, and PWM signal generating method are described. The PWM signal generating circuit includes: a single counter configured to count values expressed in N bits; and at least one arithmetic device configured to generate a PWM signal, each of the at least one arithmetic device including a pulse width data storage unit for storing N-bit pulse width data representing a pulse width of the PWM signal to be generated, and an adder for calculating a carry value from a most significant bit obtained when adding the count value and the pulse width data. A signal having a level corresponding to the carry value is output at every change in the count value so that the PWM signal having the pulse width of the pulse width data is generated.

A catheter assembly including an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end has at least one drainage opening. A hydrophilic coating is provided on at least a portion of the elongate end of the catheter. A fluid containing member is provided and is either arranged on the elongate member or within a separate area of the container. The fluid containing member contains sufficient hydrating fluid to hydrate the coating of the catheter. A container contains the elongate member and the fluid containing member and incorporates at least one foil layer to prevent evaporation of the hydrating fluid. A method of using the catheter includes inserting a catheter into a user's body and draining fluid from the user's body.

A book having a page construction for improved page manipulation. The book includes a plurality of pages bound together at an edge margin, wherein each page includes a bound edge and a plurality of free edges. At least one of the free edges of at least one of the pages includes an edge relief. The pages may comprise cardboard or other stiff material having a thickness. The free edges include opposed top and bottom edges and a side edge. The edge relief may extend along the entire side edge or only a portion thereof. The edge relief may be in the form of, for example, a chamfer, a bevel, a radius, a notch, a step, or the like.

A damping tool holder, such as a boring head, a chuck, or a milling cutting arbor, integrates a damping device (2), in the form of an elongated body. The damping device (2) is housed in a mounting body (3), connected by one end to the tool-holder body (1) and having at its other end an end fitting (4) for mounting a tool, whereby the mounting body (3) is equipped with at least one lubricant feed pipe (32), emptying at its front end into the end fitting (4) for mounting a tool and connected at its other end to a circular groove (102) for distributing lubricant that is provided on the front surface of the tool holder (1).

A cutting tool includes a chuck, a compressible conical collet and a lock nut for locking the collet. The cutting tool lock nut has a nut portion with a threaded portion for threading with the chuck, and a locking portion with a collet-locking surface formed with angled coolant grooves thereon. The collet-locking surface presses on the collet head, thereby compressing it to grip a tool shank in a collet bore thereof. As the locking portion presses only against a peripheral surface of the collet head, the lock nut is suitable for locking collets with different bore diameters. When the chuck is provided with a coolant fluid, the coolant fluid flows through the chuck and through the collet towards the locking portion, passing through the coolant notches between the locking portion and the collet head, and sprayed towards a location along the tool shank.

The present invention relates to an implement, in particular an excavator or machine for material handling, with an element movable via at least one working drive, wherein at least one energy recovery cylinder is provided for energy recovery from the movement of the movable element, which includes a chamber filled with gas, wherein the actuation of the implement is effected in dependence on the directly or indirectly determined temperature of the gas in the chamber filled with gas.

A brake actuating unit for actuating a motor vehicle braking system of the “brake-by-wire” type having a brake booster. In order to provide a brake actuating unit for actuating a motor vehicle braking system of the “brake-by-wire” type, which on the one hand fulfills the statutory requirements care and which on the other hand is inexpensive to produce, it is proposed according to aspects of the invention, that the brake booster be provided as a travel-controlled brake booster, so that when not in the “brake-by-wire” operating mode the brake pedal is decoupled from feedback forces of the brake actuating unit, and the return force is simulated by the pedal travel simulator even when not in the “brake-by-wire” operating mode.

An improved electrode operating mechanism for control of the discharge of carbon arc lamps for light fastness testing devices. Vertically spaced upper and lower electrode holders have a plurality of electrodes opposed to each other. Two vertical supports extend between upper and lower bases, the vertical supports each having a pair of spaced parallel guide rails extending therealong, each holder having laterally projecting arm members extending from the opposite ends thereof and between the rails. A cylindrical slide member is mounted on the end of each arm member and is slidably engaged in linear sliding contact with the surface of the parallel rails on the sides thereof away from the holders. First wires are attached to the cylindrical slide members on the lower electrode holders and extend upwardly through the upper base through axial bores in the upper cylindrical slide member, and two second wires attached to the upper holders extend upwardly through the upper base. The first wires are wound in one direction around two pulleys on a horizontal shaft on the upper base and the second wires are wound in the opposite direction around other pulleys on the shaft. When the shaft is rotated in one direction the electrodes are moved toward each other and when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction the electrodes are moved away from each other.

A sleigh for travel over a snow covered surface adapted to be disassembled or knocked down into a storage or transport position, from an operating position, is shown. Runners of the sleigh are pivotally connected to a floorboard along side edges thereof. The runners are locked into an operating position and may be unlocked to fold against a bottom surface of the floorboard in a stored position. An upper body including a seat is formed of multiple planar pieces which are dependently interlocked with each other for assembly and later disassembly. Means are provided for interlocking the runners to a hitching assembly to which a horse is conventionally harnessed.

A linear actuator for a variable-geometry member of a turbocharger includes a piston/rod assembly that can axially translate and also pivot to a limited extent. A permanent magnet is mounted in a fixed position within the actuator. A non-magnetized flux carrier is mounted in the piston/rod assembly, and its movement alters the magnetic field of the magnet. A Halls effects sensor detects the magnetic field and the signals produced by the sensor are used for determining axial position of the piston/rod assembly.

The moving body separating device includes a separating device main body, which separates an upstream-side moving body disposed on a base plate to be movable in a straight-line direction and a downstream-side moving body connected to the upstream-side moving body on the base plate at a prescribed separating point when moving to a downstream side. The separating device main body includes a rotary body for pushing out the downstream-side moving body towards the downstream side through a rotary action, a supporting shaft held by the upstream-side moving body for supporting the rotary body to be freely rotatable, and an original-position returning spring held by the supporting shaft for returning the rotary body to an original position. A protrusion member which applies a rotary pressure force to the rotary body is fixed at a prescribed separating point on the base plate by corresponding to one end part of the rotary body.

A method of separating a mined material that comprises assessing the grade of successive segments of the mined material, and separating each segment on the basis of grade into a category that is at or above a grade threshold or a category that is below the grade threshold. An apparatus is also disclosed.

An apparatus and method is provided for organic material reduction and preparation for subsequent recycling or disposal in a self-contained system which is safe for equipment operators, and highly cost and floor-space efficient. The apparatus includes a preferably-shaped hopper for receiving organic materials to the reduced, preferably a floating auger, a solids pump and a macerator. The system preferably generates a processed organic material discharge with a particle size on the order of ⅛″ without concern as to the liquid content of the incoming organic material. The apparatus may be operated by a method which is completely automated following operator initiation, including automatically attempting self-clearing actions in the event of detecting clogs or jams in the processing components.

Different components of natural oils are separated by forming solid complexes of components of the natural oil with a solvent, and then separating the solid complexes from the remaining liquids. The natural oil is cooled in the presence of a solvent, and at least one component of the oil forms the solid complex with the solvent. This solid complex is separated from the remaining liquid portion of the oil solution, which also contains the solvent. Additional options concentration steps can further concentrate the components left in the liquid phase.

A switched mode power supply provides a reduction of switching losses and increased efficiency. The switched mode power supply includes a first switch coupled to an input terminal configured to receive an input voltage, a second switch, an inductor and an output capacitor. The first switch and the second switch are coupled together at a node, the inductor is coupled between the node and an output terminal, and the output capacitor is coupled to the output terminal. The switched mode power supply further includes a transformer coupled between a control input of the first switch and the node and a pulse generator connected to a control input of the second switch. Further, the transformer includes at most two windings, in particular a primary winding and a secondary winding which are not directly connected to each other.

A kit for decorating a toothbrush includes the toothbrush having a base portion, and at least one decorative band sized to fit around the outer perimeter of the base portion of the toothbrush. A second embodiment of the kit includes the toothbrush, a writing instrument and an area designated on the base portion for marking with the writing instrument. A third embodiment of the kit includes the toothbrush, a writing instrument, an area designated on the base portion for marking with the writing implement and at least one decorative band sized to fit around the outer perimeter of the base portion of the toothbrush. Any of the kits may include at least one sticker sized to fit on the base portion of the toothbrush. Any of the kits may also include a panel including one or more stickers and/or one or more decorative bands.

A valve operating device includes a mounting for attachment to a vehicle and an elongate arm, the free end of which is only moveable across the underlying ground. The joints of the arm pivot around vertical axes and the arm is locked into a desired orientation by a brake at each joint. A valve turning machine is at the free end of the arm. The brakes are engaged and released by a control on the valve turning machine.

The invention relates to a method for the operation of a plaiting machine (1) that comprises a ring (2) carrying fiber spools (3) for plaiting layers (16, 22) of fibers (3) about a mandrel (13, 17) carried by a carrier (12) capable of movement along the axis (AX) of the ring (2), wherein after plaiting the fibers (3) are cut in order to withdraw the mandrel (13, 17), and that comprises: a hub (5, 6; 18) carried by the carrier (12) and secured to the mandrel (13; 17) while being mounted upstream therefrom; an operation for tightening the fibers (3) around the hub (5, 6; IS) with a link (11, 14) surrounding said fibers (3) after the mandrel (13, 17) has passed through the ring (2); and in which the fibers (3) are cut between the mandrel (13, 17) and the hub (5, 6; 18) before withdrawing the mandrel (13, 17).

A method for operating a railway section that includes section elements, which are each actuated by a processor that is reliable in terms of signaling and cyclically carries out a test routine. A railway section is configured for carrying out the method. In order to save energy and cost, the processor is operated selectively in active mode or sleep mode. From the sleep mode the processor is switched to the active mode for the duration of the test routine by way of a timer logic element that is reliable in terms of signaling.

A vibrating machine for producing a molded body by compacting a granular raw mixture includes an oscillatable vibrating table configured to receive a molding box. A clamping device is produced by at least two clamping closures, each including: a pivot bracket having a lower end being pivotally mounted on the vibrating table and an upper end including a cranking which is directed outward; a double-acting hydraulic pivot cylinder pivotally mounted on the vibrating table; a two-armed rocker arm pivotally connected to the pivot bracket and including an inner part that cooperates with the molding box and an outer part that cooperates with the hydraulic pivot cylinder; and a compression spring disposed between the cranking and the outer part of the rocker arm such that the rocker arm releases from a position closing the respective clamping closure upon a pressure in the hydraulic pivot cylinder being relieved.

A production machine (12) is proposed, in particular a machine tool or the like, having a machine housing (13) for at least partially enclosing the production machine (12) and having an operating state warning light device (1) for the optical display of at least one operating state of the production machine (12), in particular of multiple different operating states, wherein at least one warning light element (1) is provided, which is implemented as a light-emitting diode (1) and has a warning light surface, wherein the warning light element (1) is arranged on a carrier layer, wherein the warning light element (1) has at least one luminescent layer, which emits a warning light and is arranged between a first and a second electrode, in particular a cathode and an anode, wherein better perceptibility is achieved than in the prior art. This is achieved according to the invention in that the machine housing (13) at least comprises the warning light element (1), and in that the electrode surfaces of the electrodes substantially correspond to the warning light surface of the warning light element (1), and in that at least one of the electrodes is light-transmitting and/or transparent.

A radial shaft seal for separating two media includes two radial shaft sealing rings each including an axial surface and a sealing lip. The sealing rings are disposed with the axial surfaces facing one another and the sealing lips axially opposed to one another with a space between the sealing lips including a vent. At least one of the sealing rings includes clamping cams configured to grip an inner rim of the other sealing ring so as to join the sealing rings in a form-locking, rear-engaging position relative to each other.

A hybrid silencer in a fuel cell system includes an expansion chamber connected to a predetermined apparatus of the fuel cell system, where the expansion chamber reduces acoustic noise of a fluid discharged from the predetermined apparatus, a water-absorber disposed inside the expansion chamber, where the water-absorber absorbs a liquid component of a fluid which flows into the expansion chamber; and a perforated silencer which discharges the fluid from which the liquid component is removed by the water-absorber while reducing acoustic noise of the fluid discharged therefrom.

An apparatus for milking an animal and provides a milking parlor includes first and second robotic manipulation devices and a plurality of milking stalls provided on a platform moveable relative to the robotic manipulation devices. The robotic manipulation devices are positioned so that each of the robotic manipulation devices is able to simultaneously service two neighboring milking stalls on the platform.

A device for separating clean litter from soiled litter comprising a receptacle with one inlet and two discharge outlets. Soiled animal litter enters the receptacle through the inlet and clean litter is separated out from the soiled litter. When the container is tilted in a first direction, feces exit the container through the first outlet and clean litter is retained in the receptacle. When the container is tilted in a second direction, clean litter exits the container through the second outlet and clean litter is retained in the receptacle.

An expandable and collapsible enclosure is provided for a garment refreshing appliance. The appliance has at least either a top or a bottom rigid housing structure. The enclosure comprises a wall structure extending substantially an entire height of the enclosure. The wall structure is made of a flexible material. An opening is provided in the wall structure through which garments can be introduced into or removed from the enclosure. A zipper is attached at the opening to selectively open and close the opening. A snap attachment mechanism is located at either or both of the top and a bottom of the wall structure for securing the wall structure to the top and/or bottom rigid housing structures.

The invention relates to a method of positioning service equipment of a coal-charging larry cart at charging ports of a coke oven, wherein a rail-guided larry cart is moved on the roof of a coke oven and is positioned at locations known by a machine control system and corresponding to charging ports in the oven roof in order to charge the oven chambers, and wherein then at least one piece of service equipment of the coal-charging larry cart is guided to the charging ports by horizontal biaxial positioning movements. According to the invention, an optical measurement method is used after each positioning of the larry cart to detect the coordinates of at least one marking that is applied to the oven roof and that has a fixed relationship with the center axis of a charging port within a measurement field that is predefined by the measurement method and to compare them with reference values that are stored in the machine control system for the marking. The deviations between the measured coordinates and the coordinates stored in the machine control system are determined for both axial directions. Differential values are then taken into account as correction values during the positioning movement of the piece of service equipment. The subject matter of the invention is furthermore formed by an apparatus for carrying out the described method.

A gaseous-fluid environmental sensor having a gaseous-fluid flow system that defines a flow path coupling an intake port to an exhaust port. The gaseous-fluid flow system includes a blower and a flow sensor. The blower includes a motor and the flow sensor is for sensing a flow parameter. The gaseous-fluid environmental sensor further includes a controller electrically coupled to the flow sensor and the motor. The controller is configured to drive the motor with a first commutation sequence and to drive the motor with a second commutation sequence different than the first commutation sequence. The controller is further configured to select the first commutation sequence and the second commutation sequence based on the sensed flow parameter. Also discloses is a method for controlling the gaseous-fluid environmental sensor.