Abstract:
A rotary combustor, and electricity generator including a stationary structure and at least one tubular annular rotor able to rotate about a shaft by means of contactless suspension devices, and in which is defined an annular combustion chamber having a directed lateral efflux opening for the ejection of gases produced in the combustion. The rotor has a narrow circular slit through which there extend, at predetermined angular intervals, into the combustion chamber, stationary injectors of fuel and oxidizer, and associated igniters, also stationary. A control unit controls the injectors and the associated igniters in a sequential cyclical manner, with predetermined time lags, in such a way as to generate and then sustain a detonation wave which propagates essentially continuously through the chamber, and bring about a rotation at controlled velocity of the rotor due to the action of the gases emitted through the lateral effusion opening.
Abstract:
The electricity generator comprises a microcombustor provided with a fuel injector and acting to produce at an exhaust outlet a flow of exhaust gas in plasma state comprising positive ions and electrons separated from one another, and a conversion device coupled to the outlet of the microcombustor. The conversion device comprises an electrically insulating duct coupled to the said outlet of the microcombustor and provided in its initial portion with separation and capture electrodes for capturing the negative charges (electrons) of the plasma in such a way that downstream the plasma comprises only positive ions. After the initial portion the duct has an intermediate portion provided with an outer cladding of conductive material insulated from the plasma, the ends of which are connectable to a load. In operation the flow of positive ions in the intermediate portion of the duct electrostatically induces in the conductive cladding a negative charge which propagates in the cladding along the direction of flow of the plasma in the intermediate portion of the duct thereby generating a flow of electric current in the load.
Abstract:
The invention describes a system with a multifunctional integrated visual sensor using a CMOS or CCD technology matrix having a sensitive area divided into sub-areas dedicated to a series of specific functions.
Abstract:
An illumination arrangement for a vehicle headlight is formed of a plurality of contiguous elementary cells, each including a light source, defined by an emission surface having a horizontal dimension and a vertical dimension and capable of emitting a luminous flux, and an optical system capable of conveying the luminous flux at a predetermined solid angle about a predetermined direction. The elementary cells are disposed so as to generate overall a predetermined distribution of light emission. The horizontal dimension and the vertical dimension of the emission surface of the light sources are different. The vertical dimension is less than 1 mm and the ratio between the horizontal dimension and the vertical dimension is greater than 2.
Abstract:
A light guide for display devices of the head-mounted or head-up type comprises: a body of the light guide (22) at least in part transparent to visible light; a coupling device (24) associated to the body of the light guide (22) and designed to couple the body (22) to an optical system (18) designed to generate an image, the coupling device (24) being obtained in such a way that the light beams coming from the optical system (18) enter the body of the light guide (22) and propagate within the body (22) by total internal reflection; and an image-extraction grating, designed to extract the light beam that propagate in the body of the light guide (22) so as to enable an observer to visualize the extracted image against a background visible in transparency through the body of the light guide (22), wherein the extraction grating (32) is set in the proximity of one of the outer surfaces of the guide and has a saw-tooth profile, and wherein the extraction grating (32) is coated with a partially reflecting coating deposited prevalently on the surfaces of the teeth that are least inclined with respect to the surfaces of the guide.
Abstract:
A lighting device, comprising a luminous source consisting of a LED (5) that is placed between the flanges (2,3) of a primary reflector (1), which is essentially V-shaped. A secondary reflector (7), composed of an elongated element with steps (8), runs along the extension of one of the flanges (3) of the primary reflector (1), while an elongated transparent diffuser (9) runs along the extension of the other flange (2).
Abstract:
A controlled-luminance lighting device comprising a fluorescent light source of a linear type (5), which extends longitudinally between a reflector (1) that is formed by an elongated body having a curved surface, and a set of transverse fins (3), which are set at a distance apart from one another and which define a grill for directional control of the light emitted by the light source (5). The reflector (1) defines, together with the transverse fins (3), a plurality of elements (2) set alongside one another of a generally parabolic shape.
Abstract:
A system for the production of electrical energy, comprising: a combustion chamber (14) made of material that is able to withstand high temperatures, an injection device (16) connected to said combustion chamber (14) by means of an injection conduit (15), means (17) for supplying combustion support substance into the combustion chamber (14) and means (18) for the removal of gaseous combustion products, means (26) for the selective emission of radiation onto the outer surface of the combustion chamber (14). The combustion chamber (14) is enclosed in a conversion chamber (20) within which are maintained sub-atmospheric pressure conditions, so that a substantial part of the heat developed by the combustion reaction is converted into electromagnetic radiation.
Abstract:
A luminous display for automotive satellite navigation systems includes a panel equipped with light sources, for example made up of LEDs, arranged in a pre-ordered configuration of discrete segments, which can be combined with one another according to paths corresponding to the representation of a plurality of encoded generally arrow-shaped pictograms, each of which indicates a respective direction to follow indicated by the navigation system. The path to follow is highlighted with respect to possible alternative paths represented by the pictograms.
Abstract:
An optical element and module for the projection of a light beam, and motor vehicle lamp including a plurality of such modules An optical element for the projection of a light beam comprises a solid body (1) of transparent material in which is formed a cavity (13) able to receive a light source (10), the cavity (13) extending along the principal axis (z) of the transparent body (1) and being delimited by a radially inner surface (3) and a terminal surface (2) of the transparent body (1). The surfaces (2, 3) are able to receive separate respective portions (I, II) of the light flux generated by the source (10). The transparent body (1) further has a radially outer surface (4) which surrounds the radially inner surface (3). The radially outer surface (4) reflects the portion of the light flux (I) coming from the radially inner surface (3) along a direction substantially parallel to the principal axis (z). The transparent body (1) has, on the opposite side, a central surface (6) and an annular surface (5) surrounding the central surface (6), able to receive that portion (II) of the light flux and the reflected portion of the light flux (I) respectively and to transmit these light flux portions (I, II) in directions having predetermined orientations with respect to the principal axis (z). At least one of the surfaces (2, 3, 5, 6) is rotationally asymmetric with respect to the principal axis (z) of the transparent body (1). The surfaces (2, 3, 5, 6) cooperate in such a way as to shape the overall light flux (I, II) emitted by the central and annular surfaces (6, 5) into a light intensity distribution having different divergences in two 25 directions perpendicular to one another and to the principal axis (z).