Abstract: The invention describes a method for adjusting the pressure in a pumping system (10) of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The pumping system (10) comprises one or more pumps, wherein each pump is provided with a respective driving motor, and at least one programmable electronic control unit (12). The method comprises the steps of adjusting or mapping the programmable electronic control unit (12) of the pumping system (10), carried out by setting a set of predefined operating parameters of each pump in the programmable electronic control unit (12) of the pumping system (10), and of controlling the operation of the pumping system (10), wherein such control is an open-loop control and wherein the control action is independent from the values of the output parameters of the pumping system (10).

Abstract: A valve for dosing and mixing two fluids includes two respective inlet ducts, a double chamber for controlling the flows, at least one actuator configured to regulate the flow rates of the two fluids to be mixed, an electronic control unit and a Brix degrees optical sensor, arranged on the mixing duct of the mixture of the two fluids and operatively connected to the electronic control unit. The optical sensor is configured to send a measurement and control signal to the electronic control unit to drive the actuator so as to proportionally control the flow rates of the two fluids and, therefore, regulate the mixing ratio of the two fluids.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus for heating and frothing milk comprises a device for generating steam for heating the milk, a first high temperature hydraulic circuit, a refrigerating group for maintaining the conservation temperature of the milk, and a second low temperature hydraulic circuit. The refrigerating group includes a milk container and pump for drawing milk therefrom. A first total separation valve separates the second hydraulic circuit from the first hydraulic circuit, a second total separation valve modulates the quantity of air drawn by the pump, a third total separation valve separates both the first hydraulic circuit and the second hydraulic circuit from a milk dispensing circuit, a steam injection device mixes the steam with the frothed milk, and a fourth total separation valve modulates the quantity of steam outlet from the steam generating device. Each total separation valve is provided with an actuator element manufactured with a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring the properties of a liquid that exploit the power modulation a laser light beam undergoes due to the retro-reflection of the laser light beam itself towards the laser cavity from which the laser is generated when this laser light is directed towards a transparent conduit through which the liquid for which the properties are to be measured flows. According to the invention this power modulation is detected by at least one photodiode arranged downstream of the transparent conduit.

Abstract: A pump (10) comprising a casing (12) that encloses a pumping group (14). On the casing (12) at least one inlet conduit (F) and at least one outlet conduit are obtained. The pumping group (14) comprises a pair of mutually coupled gears defining a pump chamber. A first support shaft (16) is operatively connected to an actuator assembly (18) so that the first gear can operate as a driving gear to set the second gear in rotation. The pump (10) comprises at least one element (20) for compensating the increase in volume of the fluid (F) and/or the increase in the pressures inside such a pump (10). The element (20) for compensating the pressure/volume is at least partially manufactured from a shape memory metal alloy having superelastic properties.

Abstract: The invention describes a total isolation diverter valve comprising a valve body whereon a main inlet conduit for inletting a fluid, a first outlet conduit for outletting the fluid and at least one second outlet conduit for outletting the fluid are obtained. The first outlet conduit for outletting the fluid is provided with a first fluid adhesion inner surface and the second fluid outlet conduit is provided with a second fluid adhesion inner surface. Between the main fluid inlet conduit and the two fluid outlet conduits a connection channel is interposed. On the connection channel at least one device for perturbing at least one of the first fluid adhesion inner surface and the second fluid adhesion inner surface is provided. The perturbation device is configured so as to cause a deviation of the fluid flow from the first fluid outlet conduit to the second fluid outlet conduit or vice-versa by exploiting a physical effect called Coand{hacek over (a)} effect.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for adjusting the pressure in a pumping system (10) of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The pumping system (10) comprises one or more pumps, wherein each pump is provided with a respective driving motor, and at least one programmable electronic control unit (12). The method comprises the steps of adjusting or mapping the programmable electronic control unit (12) of the pumping system (10), carried out by setting a set of predefined operating parameters of each pump in the programmable electronic control unit (12) of the pumping system (10), and of controlling the operation of the pumping system (10), wherein such control is an open-loop control and wherein the control action is independent from the values of the output parameters of the pumping system (10).

Abstract: A valve for dosing and mixing two fluids includes two respective inlet ducts, a double chamber for controlling the flows, at least one actuator configured to regulate the flow rates of the two fluids to be mixed, an electronic control unit and a Brix degrees optical sensor, arranged on the mixing duct of the mixture of the two fluids and operatively connected to the electronic control unit. The optical sensor is configured to send a measurement and control signal to the electronic control unit to drive the actuator so as to proportionally control the flow rates of the two fluids and, therefore, regulate the mixing ratio of the two fluids.

Abstract: The present invention describes a two-stage valve comprising a first stage constituted by a main valve body provided with at least one fluid inlet duct and with at least one fluid outlet duct, between which is interposed at least one shutter element configured to put selectively in fluid communication such ducts. The valve comprises a second stage constituted by a pilot valve body provided with at least one fluid inlet duct and with at least one fluid outlet duct, between which is interposed at least one shutter element configured to put selectively in communication such ducts. The opening of the shutter element of the pilot valve generates a fluid flow passing through the fluid inlet duct of the pilot valve and the fluid outlet duct of the pilot valve, the pressure of such a fluid flow generating the opening of the shutter element of the main valve.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus for heating and frothing milk comprises a device for generating steam for heating the milk, a first high temperature hydraulic circuit, a refrigerating group for maintaining the conservation temperature of the milk, and a second low temperature hydraulic circuit. The refrigerating group includes a milk container and pump for drawing milk therefrom. A first total separation valve separates the second hydraulic circuit from the first hydraulic circuit, a second total separation valve modulates the quantity of air drawn by the pump, a third total separation valve separates both the first hydraulic circuit and the second hydraulic circuit from a milk dispensing circuit, a steam injection device mixes the steam with the frothed milk, and a fourth total separation valve modulates the quantity of steam outlet from the steam generating device. Each total separation valve is provided with an actuator element manufactured with a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A container assembly (10) for a pump is described, provided with at least one pumping group (12, 14, 16, 18) and with at least one system (20) for transmitting power to such pumping group (12, 14, 16, 18). The container assembly (10) comprises at least one elastic element (26) sealingly housed inside such container assembly (10) at a predefined internal wall (28) thereof. Inside the elastic element (26), at least one cavity (32) is obtained which defines a corresponding air chamber configured for damping the variations of volume and the expansion of the fluid contained inside the pump following a possible change of state of the fluid itself when subjected to temperatures lower than its freezing point.

Abstract: The invention describes a total isolation diverter valve comprising a valve body whereon a main inlet conduit for inletting a fluid, a first outlet conduit for outletting the fluid and at least one second outlet conduit for outletting the fluid are obtained. The first outlet conduit for outletting the fluid is provided with a first fluid adhesion inner surface and the second fluid outlet conduit is provided with a second fluid adhesion inner surface. Between the main fluid inlet conduit and the two fluid outlet conduits a connection channel is interposed. On the connection channel at least one device for perturbing at least one of the first fluid adhesion inner surface and the second fluid adhesion inner surface is provided. The perturbation device is configured so as to cause a deviation of the fluid flow from the first fluid outlet conduit to the second fluid outlet conduit or vice-versa by exploiting a physical effect called Coand{hacek over (a)} effect.

Abstract: The present document describes a pump (10) comprising a casing (12) that encloses a pumping group (14). On the casing (12) at least one inlet conduit for inletting a fluid (F) and at least one outlet conduit for outletting the fluid (F) are obtained. The pumping group (14) comprises a pair of mutually coupled gears, each mounted on a respective support shaft. The relative movement of a first gear with respect to the second gear defines a pumping chamber having variable volume inside the pumping group (14), so as to suck the fluid (F) from the suction conduit to expel it through the delivery conduit. A first support shaft (16) is operatively connected to an actuator assembly (18) so that the first gear can operate as a driving gear to set the second gear in rotation. The pump (10) comprises at least one element (20) for compensating the increase in volume of the fluid (F) and/or the increase in the pressures inside such a pump (10).

Abstract: A proportional valve for a fluid-treatment machine has a main body provided with a first connection element and with a second connection element to the hydraulic circuit of the machine. Inside of the main body there are at least one inlet duct and at least one outlet duct. Inside of the main body, in an inner chamber obtained between the inlet duct and the outlet duct, there is an actuation piston capable of selectively putting in communication the inlet duct with the outlet duct. The actuation piston is operatively connected to an actuation mechanism that comprises one elastic actuation member made of a shape-memory alloy and an electric current generating device, operatively connected to the elastic actuation member in order to modify the value of the elastic force applied on the actuation piston through a temperature variation caused by the passage of electric current inside the elastic actuation member.