Abstract: A switching device for low or medium voltage electric power distribution networks, the switching device including one or more electric poles and, for each electric pole: an insulating housing defining an internal volume of said electric pole; a first pole terminal and a second pole terminal electrically connectable with a corresponding electric phase conductor of an electric source and with a corresponding electric phase conductor of an electric load, respectively; a movable contact and a fixed contact, which are coupleable/decoupleable one to another, the fixed contact being electric connected with the first pole terminal, the movable contact being electrically connected with the second pole terminal; a stack of semiconductor devices adapted to switch in conduction state or in an interdiction state depending on the voltage provided thereto.

Abstract: A computer-implemented image processing method, system, and computer program product for representation of static objects in a digital target image including a plurality of target pixels. The method includes at least receiving a plurality of digital source images of the static objects, computing diffuse components for target pixels of surface elements by computing for each target pixel of the surface elements a set of diffuse reflection coefficients from a best-fit function when fitted into reflected light intensity values of corresponding source pixels of the source images under different illumination angles, generating normal vectors for the target pixels by using the computed diffuse reflection coefficients, and determining glossy coefficients for the target pixels of the one or more surface elements as the distances between the corresponding best-fit function values and the reflected light intensity values of the corresponding source pixels for the different illumination angles.

Abstract: A switching device for low or medium voltage electric power distribution networks, the switching device comprising: at least an electric pole comprising a movable contact and a fixed contact, which are coupleable/decoupleable one to another; a circuit assembly, which comprises a chain of semiconductor devices adapted to switch in an ON state or in an OFF state depending on the voltage applied thereto, the semiconductor devices being electrically connected in series one to another in such a way that a current can flow according to a predefined conduction direction (CD) when the semiconductor devices are in an ON state. The circuit assembly comprises an input terminal, an output terminal and at least an intermediate terminal electrically connected with at least an intermediate electric node positioned between two subsequent semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A switching device for low or medium voltage electric power distribution network, the switching device including one or more electric poles, each electric pole including: an insulating housing extending along a longitudinal axis and fixed to a main support structure of the switching device; a first pole terminal and a second pole terminal electrically connectable with a corresponding phase conductor of an electric power source and with a corresponding load conductor of an electric load, respectively; a movable contact and a fixed contact, which are electrically coupleable or decoupleable one with or from another upon a movement of the movable contact towards or away from the fixed contact, the fixed contact being electrically connected with the first pole terminal, the movable contact being electrically connectable with the second pole terminal; a movable circuit assembly including a plurality of semiconductor devices adapted to switch in a conduction state or in an interdiction state depending on the voltage

Abstract: A switching device for low or medium voltage electric power distribution networks, the switching device including one or more electric poles and, for each electric pole: an insulating housing defining an internal volume of said electric pole; a first pole terminal and a second pole terminal electrically connectable with a corresponding electric phase conductor of an electric source and with a corresponding electric phase conductor of an electric load, respectively; a movable contact and a fixed contact, which are coupleable/decoupleable one to another, the fixed contact being electric connected with the first pole terminal, the movable contact being electrically connected with the second pole terminal; a stack of semiconductor devices adapted to switch in conduction state or in an interdiction state depending on the voltage provided thereto.

Abstract: An electronic charger for electric power distribution installations is provided. The electronic charger includes a DC/DC converter of the SEPIC type including an input stage, an output stage and a coupling capacitor. The input stage is electrically connected with input terminals and includes an input inductor and a switching device. The output stage is electrically connected with output terminals and includes an output inductor, an output capacitor and a blocking device. The coupling capacitor is configured to electrically couple the input stage and the output stage with a capacitive coupling. A first sensor provides a first sensing signal indicative of a charging current. A first controller receives the first sensing signal and a reference signal and provides a driving signal to control the switching device.

Abstract: A method for determining the operating status of a MV switching device is provided. The method includes providing a test signal to said test coil for an observation period of time. Measuring data is obtained which is indicative of the voltage at the terminals of the test coil and of the current circulating along the test coil during the observation period of time. Observation data is calculated which is indicative of the electric behavior of the test coil at the end of said observation period of time. A transformation function is selected which is indicative of the electromagnetic behavior of the electromagnetic actuator. First estimation data is calculated which is indicative of the operating status of the electromagnetic actuator.

Abstract: A switching device for an electric circuit, the switching device comprising: at least one phase having a movable contact which can be coupled to/separated from a corresponding fixed contact; a kinematic chain operatively associated to the movable contact; driving means adapted to move the kinematic chain between a first position and a second position for actuating the movable contact; and control means adapted to control the driving means.

Abstract: A medium voltage circuit switch or breaker includes: at least one movable contact; a fixed contact; and a mechanical or magnetical drive system, which moves the at least one movable contact to a closed or opened position by a movement of a rod and/or a lever. The mechanical or magnetical drive system is linked to a switching generating signal. The mechanical or magnetical drive system includes at least one pyrotechnical actuator or gas generator. The pyrotechnical actuator or the gas generator is linkable to the switching generating signal of the mechanical or magnetical drive system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented image processing method, system, and computer program product for representation of static objects in a digital target image including a plurality of target pixels. The method includes at least receiving a plurality of digital source images of the static objects, computing diffuse components for target pixels of surface elements by computing for each target pixel of the surface elements a set of diffuse reflection coefficients from a best-fit function when fitted into reflected light intensity values of corresponding source pixels of the source images under different illumination angles, generating normal vectors for the target pixels by using the computed diffuse reflection coefficients, and determining glossy coefficients for the target pixels of the one or more surface elements as the distances between the corresponding best-fit function values and the reflected light intensity values of the corresponding source pixels for the different illumination angles.

Abstract: A method for determining the operating status a MV switching apparatus, which comprises: one or more electric poles, each comprising a movable contact and a fixed contact adapted to be coupled or uncoupled during the switching operations of the switching apparatus; an electromagnetic actuator for actuating one or more movable contacts of the electric poles, the electromagnetic actuator having at least a test winding wound around a magnetic element; a capacitor bank for providing electric power to the electromagnetic actuator.

Abstract: A switching device for low or medium voltage electric power distribution networks, the switching device comprising: at least an electric pole comprising a movable contact and a fixed contact, which are coupleable/decoupleable one to another; a circuit assembly, which comprises a chain of semiconductor devices adapted to switch in an ON state or in an OFF state depending on the voltage applied thereto, the semiconductor devices being electrically connected in series one to another in such a way that a current can flow according to a predefined conduction direction (CD) when the semiconductor devices are in an ON state. The circuit assembly comprises an input terminal, an output terminal and at least an intermediate terminal electrically connected with at least an intermediate electric node positioned between two subsequent semiconductor devices.

Abstract: An electronic charger for electric power distribution installations is provided. The electronic charger includes a DC/DC converter of the SEPIC type including an input stage, an output stage and a coupling capacitor. The input stage is electrically connected with input terminals and includes an input inductor and a switching device. The output stage is electrically connected with output terminals and includes an output inductor, an output capacitor and a blocking device. The coupling capacitor is configured to electrically couple the input stage and the output stage with a capacitive coupling. A first sensor provides a first sensing signal indicative of a charging current. A first controller receives the first sensing signal and a reference signal and provides a driving signal to control the switching device.

Abstract: A method controls a switching device having at least one phase comprising at least one couple of contacts which can be actuated for switching between a closed condition and an open condition. The method provides control means for controlling the actuation of the at least one couple of contacts, such control means being adapted to operate using time cycles; set the time cycles with a predetermined time duration; detects a difference of a value of a parameter associated to the phase with respect a preset value.

Abstract: An exemplary mechanically operated switching device includes at least one movable contact and an operating mechanism for coupling/separating the movable contact to/from a corresponding fixed contact. The operating mechanism includes first elastic mechanism for, upon release, providing the energy to separate the movable and fixed contacts. At least one shunt release having: a member movable between first and second stable positions, wherein movement from the first stable position to the second stable position releases the first elastic mechanism; at least a permanent magnet generating a force for holding the movable member in the first stable position, wherein the movable member held in the first stable position compresses a second elastic mechanism; and at least one electrical winding associated with the movable member and the electronic mechanism, which is configured to electrically drive the winding to generate a magnetic force that releases of the compressed second elastic mechanism.

Abstract: A switching device for an electric circuit, the switching device comprising: at least one phase having a movable contact which can be coupled to/separated from a corresponding fixed contact; a kinematic chain operatively associated to the movable contact; driving means adapted to move the kinematic chain between a first position and a second position for actuating the movable contact; and control means adapted to control the driving means.

Abstract: An electronic system is disclosed for an associated electrical apparatus, the system having at least a binary input adapted to receive one or more candidate signals; at least an electronic active load having one or more electronic active devices and operatively connected to the binary input; and a controller operatively associated to the binary input and to the active load. The controller can detect application of a candidate signal to the binary input and electrically drive the active load upon such detection; and after absorption of a predetermined amount of energy, validate the candidate signal if its residual content of energy exceeds a predetermined threshold.