Abstract:
A spark-ignition supercharged internal-combustion gasoline engine is equipped with a system for variable actuation of the intake valves including a pressurized fluid chamber set between intake valve and a respective control cam, and an electrically actuated valve, the opening of which vents the pressure chamber so as to cause rapid closing of the valve, as a result of the respective elastic return means, even when the respective cam would tend to keep the valve open. The variable-valve-actuation system is used in combination with control cams of the intake valves shaped in such a way as to generate an intake valve lift profile including a boot portion with substantially constant lift. The boot portion is provided in the final part of the opening cycle of the intake valve, after bottom dead center.
Abstract:
Described herein is a gearbox for a motor vehicle including a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio, the gearbox including an electro-hydraulic actuation unit configured for selection and engagement of the gear ratios.The gearbox comprises a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump, wherein:the first hydraulic pump is driven in rotation by an electric motor and is configured for supplying hydraulic fluid taken in from a first intake environment to said electro-hydraulic actuation unit; andthe second hydraulic pump is driven in rotation by an engine of said motor vehicle and is configured for supplying hydraulic fluid taken in from a second intake environment to said gearbox, for lubrication thereof, and to said first intake environment.
Abstract:
A motor vehicle cup holder with a support made of a rigid material and having a receptacle, which extends along a vertical axis and is radially delimited by a side surface, having at least one retaining seat. The cup holder has a lining device, separate from the support and having a liner, which lines at least part of the side surface and defines a seat for housing a container. The lining device has an elastically deformable inner protuberance to grip the container and an outer protuberance to engage the retaining seat of the support and is elastically deformable to enable disengagement of this outer protuberance.
Abstract:
A method controls a valve-control system for variable-lift actuation of the valves of an internal-combustion engine, in which the valve-control system includes, for each cylinder of the engine, a solenoid valve for controlling the flow of a hydraulic fluid in the system, and designed manner for determining a real temperature value of the hydraulic fluid. The method includes determining a deviation of performance of the solenoid valves due to a degradation of the characteristics of the hydraulic fluid with respect to nominal values thereof, and substituting for the real temperature value an equivalent temperature value consisting of a temperature value at which the hydraulic fluid having nominal characteristics would produce performance of the solenoid valves corresponding to the performance resulting from the deviation so that each solenoid valve is governed as a function of the equivalent temperature value.
Abstract:
A device for selection and engagement of the gears of a gearbox for motor vehicles has a control shaft mounted rotatable and axially movable with respect to the casing. Mounted on the shaft is a hub having an engagement finger for controlling gear engagement devices, which is configured to oscillate in the space between two fingers of a selection mask, which is mounted on the shaft axially movable therewith and is guided with respect to the casing so as not to follow rotation of the shaft and the hub when a gear is engaged. During displacement of the engagement finger towards an extreme position preliminary to the engagement of the reverse gear, the selection mask is forced to move temporarily into a rotated position, wherein it actuates one or more of the selector devices of the forward gears to enable silent engagement of the reverse gear.
Abstract:
A method for controlling a valve-control system for variable-lift actuation of the valves of an internal-combustion engine, wherein the valve-control system comprises, for each cylinder of the engine, a solenoid valve for controlling the flow of a hydraulic fluid in the system, and means configured for determining a real temperature value of said hydraulic fluid.The method includes: determining a deviation of performance of the solenoid valves due to a degradation of the characteristics of said hydraulic fluid with respect to nominal values thereof; and substituting for said real temperature value an equivalent temperature value consisting of a temperature value at which the hydraulic fluid having nominal characteristics would produce performance of the solenoid valves corresponding to the performance resulting from the aforesaid deviation so that each solenoid valve is governed as a function of said equivalent temperature value.
Abstract:
Automotive electrical system comprising an electronically-controllable alternator, a solar panel, and an electronic control unit configured to control electrical power generation in the automotive electrical system by determining whether to individually or jointly exploit electrical power supplied by the solar panel and the alternator; if it is determined to exploit electrical power supplied by the solar panel only, controlling the alternator to cause it to bring the automotive electrical system to operate in an operating point where the solar panel supplies the maximum deliverable electrical power; and if it is determined to exploit electrical power jointly supplied by the solar panel and the alternator, controlling the alternator to cause it to bring the automotive electrical system to operate in an operating point where the solar panel and the alternator jointly supply an overall electrical power that depends on fuel consumption.
Abstract:
There is described a control method for controlling the fuel injection pressure of a common rail injection system of an internal combustion engine, the injection system having a high-pressure pump for supplying high-pressure fuel to the common rail, and for performing, at each engine cycle, a first and at least a second fuel delivery synchronously with respective fuel injections to the engine; a regulating device for regulating the fuel pressure in the common rail; and an electronic control unit supplying the regulating device with a control signal to regulate the fuel pressure in the common rail. The control method provides for determining a first value of the duty cycle of the control signal as a function of a required pressure value in the common rail, in turn a function of the power required of the engine, and as a function of an actual pressure value in the common rail; determining a second value of the duty cycle of the control signal as a function of the first value of the duty cycle, and as a function of a total correction coefficient; causing the duty cycle of the control signal to assume the first value during the first fuel delivery; and causing the duty cycle of the control signal to assume the second value during the second fuel delivery.
Abstract:
A method is described for producing a light source comprising a matrix of micro-filaments able to emit light by incandescence when powered by an electrical current. According to the invention, on the matrix electrical and/or mechanical connections are obtained by means of an agglomeration of carbon nanotubes at least partially ordered with respect to each other. The matrix can be formed extending a single uninterrupted wire, some segments whereof mutually cross.
Abstract:
Described herein is an internal-combustion engine provided with an electro-hydraulic device of an improved type for controlling variable actuation of the valves of the engine.