Tank
A tank, receptacle, bowl, or chamber is a reservoir. They may be used to store liquid or solid ingredients or may serve as a waste container. In restaurant equipment, examples of reservoirs may be seen in ice machines, beverage equipment, coffee machines, condiment dispensers, dish washing equipment, waste handling equipment, and many more.
Temperature Gauge
A temperature gauge is a device used to indicate the temperature of the item or space being monitored. The display can be an analog dial, an analog range or a digital readout. Common methods of measuring temperature include bimetallic strip (the bending of which increases with temperature) and the thermocouple which produces an electronic voltage that depends on the temperature.
Temperature Control
Temperature control is a process in which the change of temperature of a space (and objects collectively there within), or of a substance, is measured or otherwise detected, and the passage of heat energy into or out of the space or substance is adjusted to achieve a desired temperature.
Tee
A tee, the most common pipe fitting, is used to combine or divide fluid flow. It is available with female thread sockets, solvent-weld sockets or opposed solvent-weld sockets and a female-threaded side outlet. Tees can connect pipes of different diameters or change the direction of a pipe run, or both. Available in a variety of materials, sizes and finishes, they may also be used to transport two-fluid mixtures. Tees may be equal or unequal in size of their three connections, with equal tees the most common.
Tensioner
A tensioner is a device that applies a force to create or maintain tension. The force may be generated by a fixed displacement or by stretching or compressing a spring; by changing the volume of a gas; by hydraulic pressure; or by gravity acting on a suspended mass.
Tempered Glass
Tempered or toughened glass is used for its safety and strength in a variety of foodservice equipment and beverage service applications. It is a type of safety glass produced by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. In addition, tempered glass breaks differently from standard glass. Where normal glass would break into big uneven and sharp pieces, tempered glass shatters into small safer pieces.
Takeup
A take-up or "takeup" is a device which gathers or recoils and tightens, as in a cord, wire, or cable into a collection area or onto a spool. Takeups are spring loaded or motor powered.
Therm
A therm is a unit of heat. Gas and electric cooking equipment may be rated in therms as to energy efficiency. In other foodservice equipment the abbreviation "therm" may be used interchangeably for "thermostat", "thermocouple", "thermopile", and "thermistor" when describing certain temperature measurement and control components despite the fact that these components may have different operating principles.
Terminal
A terminal is an electrical connector acting as the reusable interface to a conductor and creating a point where external circuits can be connected. A terminal may simply be the end of a wire or it may be fitted with a connector or fastener. Most electrical connectors have a plug that connects to a socket. The connection may be removable, require a tool for assembly and removal, or serve as a permanent electrical joint between two points. An terminal adapter can be used to join dissimilar connectors.
Thermocouple
A thermocouple is a transducer consisting of two different metals welded together at each end; a voltage is produced that is proportional to the difference in temperature between the two junctions (one of which is normally held at a known temperature). Commercial thermocouples are inexpensive, interchangeable, are supplied with standard connectors, and can measure a wide range of temperatures. In contrast to most other methods of temperature measurement, thermocouples are self powered and require no external form of excitation.
Terminal Block
A screw terminal is a type of electrical connector where a wire is held by the tightening of a screw. The wire may be wrapped directly under the head of a screw, may be held by a metal plate forced against the wire by a screw, or may be held by what is, in effect, a set screw in the side of a metal tube. The wire may be directly stripped of insulation and inserted under the head of a screw or into the terminal. Otherwise, it may be either inserted first into a ferrule, which is then inserted into the terminal, or else attached to a connecting lug. which is then fixed under the screw head. The terminals easily can be re-used in the field, allowing for the replacement of wires or equipment, generally with standard hand tools. Screw terminals usually avoid the requirement for a specialized mating connector to be applied to the ends of wires.
Thermostat
A thermostat is a component which senses the temperature of a physical system and performs actions so that the system's temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint by controlling the supply of gas or electricity to the heating or cooling system. Thermostats are used in any device or system that heats or cools to a setpoint temperature. A thermostat operates as a "closed loop" control device, as it seeks to reduce the error between the desired and measured temperatures. Sometimes a thermostat combines both the sensing and control action elements of a controlled system.
A thermostat exerts control by switching heating or cooling devices on or off, or by regulating the flow of a heat transfer fluid as needed to maintain the correct temperature. A thermostat can often be the main control unit for a heating or cooling system including central heating, air conditioners, as well as kitchen equipment including ovens and refrigerators.
Thermistor
A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance is dependent on temperature, more so than in standard resistors. The word is a combination of thermal and resistor. Thermistors are widely used as inrush current limiters, temperature sensors (negative temperature coefficient or NTC type typically), self-resetting overcurrent protectors, and self-regulating heating elements (positive temperature coefficient or PTC type typically).
Timer
A timer is a specialized type of clock used for measuring specific time intervals. Timers can be categorized into two main types. A timer which counts upwards from zero for measuring elapsed time is often called a stopwatch, while a device which counts down from a specified time interval is more usually called a timer. It is a control device that outputs a signal at a preset time after an input signal is received and then triggers another device or action.
Thermometer
A thermometer is an instrument that measures temperature. It can measure the temperature of a solid such as food, a liquid such as water, or a gas such as air. Thermometers are primarily either electrical or mechanical, having a measuring or sensing component and a means of display or output. Thermometers of different types are used throughout the foodservice industry for the measurement and regulation of temperature in equipment used for refrigeration, cooking, frying, holding and merchandising, beverage service, and more.
Thermopile
A thermopile is an electronic device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy. It is composed of several thermocouples connected usually in series or, less commonly, in parallel. Such a device works on the principle of the thermoelectric effect, i.e., generating a voltage when its dissimilar metals (thermocouples) are exposed to a temperature difference.
Torsion
Torsion generally refers to the angular displacement (amount of twisting) a shaft, rod, or bar experiences as one end is forced, and the other end resists turning. For example, a motor turning an an axle that powers something else (a fan, pump, or beater).
Torsion springs are helical springs that exert a torque or rotary force. The ends of a torsion spring are attached to other components, and when those components rotate around the center of the spring, the spring tries to push them back to their original position.
Touchscreen
A "touch screen" provides a graphical user interface (a display device) which allows the user to interact with a computer or control by touching areas on the screen. A user can give input or control the information processing system through simple or multi-touch gestures by touching the screen with a special stylus or one or more fingers.
Touch Pad
A touchpad is a device featuring a tactile sensor, a specialized surface that can translate the location of a user's fingers to a relative position.
Transformer
A transformer is a passive electrical device that transfers electrical energy from one electrical circuit to one or more circuits. A varying current in any one coil of the transformer produces a varying magnetic flux, which, in turn, induces a varying electromotive force across any other coils wound around the same core. Electrical energy can be transferred between the (possibly many) coils, without a metallic connection between the two circuits. Faraday's law of induction discovered in 1831 described the induced voltage effect in any coil due to changing magnetic flux encircled by the coil.
Transducer
A transducer is a device that converts energy from one form to another. Usually a transducer converts a signal in one form of energy to a signal in another.
Trough
A trough is a conduit, drain, or channel for the collecting or directing of water and other liquids, ice, grease, or ingredients in food service equipment.
A bread trough, dough trough or kneading trough, sometimes referred to as artesa, is a rectangular receptacle with a shallow basin, and a traditional kneading tool used for the making of dough.
Truing
Truing is the process of positioning an object in its optimal balance and operating position or changing the shape of the object to return it to balance after it becomes worn.
Trunnion
A trunnion is a cylindrical protrusion used as a mounting or pivoting point.
Trycock
A trycock is a spout for withdrawing a small quantity of liquid (as for testing). On boiling systems, this valve is designed to be used as an indication of water level, either to check the water gauge indication or as a method of checking water level when the water gauge is inoperative.
Tubing
A tube (tubular section, tubing, or hollow cylinder) usually but not necessarily of circular cross-section, used mainly to convey substances which can flow liquids and gases (fluids), slurries, powders and masses of small solids. Plastic tubing is widely used for its light weight, chemical resistant, non-corrosive properties, and ease of making connections. A tube may also reference a florescent light bulb or a housing of lamps or LEDs.
Tumbler
The pin tumbler lock is a lock mechanism that uses pins of varying lengths to prevent the lock from opening without the correct key. Pin tumblers are most commonly employed in cylinder locks, but may also be found in tubular pin tumbler locks (also known as radial locks or ace locks).