Abstract:
The movable element of a solenoid valve is displaced by means of application to the solenoid of alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage, so as to give rise to an alternation of phases of charging and discharging of the solenoid (switching), corresponding to increases and decreases of current around a substantially constant current value. The alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage are controlled so that the phase at constant voltage is maintained for a pre-set time and the phase at zero voltage is terminated when the decreasing current reaches a pre-set value. Alternatively, it is possible to envisage that the phase at constant voltage will be terminated when the increasing current reaches a pre-set value and the phase at zero voltage is maintained for a pre-set time, or else again that both the phase at constant voltage and the phase at zero voltage will be terminated when the increasing current or decreasing current reaches a pre-set value. In any case, the duration of each cycle of charging and discharging of the solenoid is constantly monitored. It is thus possible to identify the instant at which the movable element of the solenoid valve reaches its end-of-travel position as the instant that separates two successive cycles of charging and discharging of the solenoid having durations that differ from one another by a value higher than a pre-set threshold value.
Abstract:
The gearbox comprises an engagement sleeve movable between a neutral position and one engagement position for engagement of one given gear, and a shift fork operatively connected to the engagement sleeve for controlling the movement thereof between the neutral position and the engagement position. The shift fork is slidably mounted on a stationary support rod, which is provided with a pair of bushes defining a first axial abutment surface for stopping the movement of the shift fork in the direction from the neutral position to the engagement position and a second axial abutment surface for stopping the movement of the shift fork in the direction from the engagement position to the neutral position. The neutral position of the shift fork is axially spaced from the second axial abutment surface.
Abstract:
Internal combustion engine with variable actuation of the valves providing electronic control means which, when the engine is subject to an operating variation request from a first operating condition to a second operating condition, are adapted to select a cylinder to which to assign said second operating condition based on a determined programming delay only as a function of the engine speed.
Abstract:
A vehicle navigation system is described, comprising an onboard navigation unit installed on board a vehicle that can be used by a user to set target destinations and an operations centre communicating with the onboard navigation unit. The onboard navigation unit is configured to transmit a target destination and a static road route to the operations centre. The operations centre is configured to calculate a dynamic road route based on the target destination, the static road route and information regarding the traffic conditions and road conditions of said road network and/or the static road route. In addition, the operations centre compares the calculated dynamic road route with the static road route and transmits information associated with a road route that is selected on the basis of the comparison to the onboard navigation unit.
Abstract:
The metering servo valve comprises a valve body, an open/close element, and an electromagnet, and is housed in a shell of the injector. The electromagnet actuates a mobile armature for a travel defined by an arrest element, carried by the electromagnet, which is housed in a casing, fixed in the shell by means of a threaded ring nut. Said ring nut is screwed with a pre-set tightening torque on a thread of the shell. The casing has a resting surface designed to engage a shoulder of the shell. The surface is carried by an area of the casing designed to undergo deformation as a function of the tightening torque of the ring nut so as to enable fine adjustment of the travel of the armature.
Abstract:
A robotized gear change for motor vehicles, and in particular motor vehicles for disabled persons, configured for implementing a plurality of operating modes that can be selected by the driver via a manually operable hand or foot selection device, in which first operating modes associated with the automatic gear-change mode can be selected when the vehicle is stationary and a brake pedal is depressed, and in second operating modes corresponding to the level of performance of the engine, and hence the vehicle, can be selected by the driver when the vehicle is moving.
Abstract:
A solenoid valve, particularly of the type to be used for controlling a hydraulic system for variable actuation of the valves of an internal-combustion engine, has a valve element co-operating with a valve seat and a pusher element, separate from the valve element, which is pushed against the valve element by the movable core of the solenoid valve when the solenoid of the solenoid valve is energized in order to bring the valve element into contact with the valve seat. After de-energization of the solenoid, the time necessary for bringing back the pusher element into the resting condition in contact with the valve element is reduced thanks to the application of a braking current to the solenoid of the solenoid valve during the stage in which the movable core and the pusher element associated thereto displace in the direction opposite to the direction of the movement generated by the magnetic field of the solenoid, following upon de-energization of the solenoid valve.
Abstract:
A sealing ring is set between the engine block of an internal-combustion engine and a cylinder head fixed to the engine block, within a seat set concentrically around a cylinder of the engine. The sealing ring has a composite structure, with an external hollow annular body made of superelastic material, and an internal hollow annular body including a shape-memory alloy.
Abstract:
A module for projecting a light beam comprises a light source and a substantially flat support surface on which the source is arranged in a manner such as to emit light from only one side of the surface, and a reflector for reflecting the light emitted by the source. The reflector comprises a curved reflecting surface which extends on one side of the support surface, has a concavity facing towards the support surface, and can reflect the light coming from the source in a principal direction substantially parallel to the support surface of the source. An optical device for a module according to the invention and a vehicle front light assembly comprising a plurality of modules according to the invention form further subjects of the invention.
Abstract:
A suspension system for motor vehicles comprises adjustable hydraulic shock-absorbers of the type provided with a proportional solenoid valve for adjustment of the degree of damping. An axial passage is made through the stem of each hydraulic actuator for enabling the supply of fluid under pressure from an external hydraulic circuit to the shock-absorber or the discharge of fluid from the shock-absorber to the external hydraulic circuit in such a way that the shock-absorber functions also as actuator designed to exert a continuous active control of the movements of rolling and pitching of the motor vehicle.