Abstract: A signal acquiring method is provided using a plurality of fasteners with sensing elements configured to generate electrical signals as a function of the operating conditions of a plurality of readers, and an acquiring system. The method involves generating one or more electrical signals by means of the sensing elements, mechanically connecting the readers to the fasteners, and transferring the signals to the acquiring system by means of the readers.

Abstract: A fixing element, a use of a sensitive element to detect a flow of heat on the inside of mechanical organs; wherein the fixing element, in particular a screw or a stud, has a body and a sensitive element, which is designed to detect a difference of temperature between a first and a second area of the body of the fixing element, so as to determine, as a function of said difference of temperature, a flow of heat that flows through the fixing element and the mechanical organ where it is installed.

Abstract: A fixing element, a use of a sensitive element to detect a flow of heat on the inside of mechanical organs; wherein the fixing element, in particular a screw or a stud, has a body and a sensitive element, which is designed to detect a difference of temperature between a first and a second area of the body of the fixing element, so as to determine, as a function of said difference of temperature, a flow of heat that flows through the fixing element and the mechanical organ where it is installed.

Abstract: A sensor device and a related method for measuring the flow of a fluid and/or for detecting the presence of a substance have such respective structural and functional features as to allow reliable measurements at very reduced costs. The sensor device includes at least a temperature difference sensor based on the Seebeck thermoelectric effect and integrated in a sensor device support, together with a heating element also integrated in this support. A method for measuring the flow of a fluid and/or the presence or the level of a substance uses the sensor device.

Abstract: A process for the production of extruded sheets of expanded polystyrene, which only uses expanding agents with low environmental impact, comprising the steps of: a) heating polystyrene or a mixture composed of polystyrene and at least one component selected from the group consisting flame retardants, coloring agents, plasticizers, heat stabilizers and lubricants at a temperature in the range of 180-2500 C thus obtaining a polymer melt, which is subjected to homogenization; b) adding to the polymer melt a mixture of expanding agents comprising carbon dioxide and water; c) homogenizing the polymer melt including said expanding agents; d) homogeneously cooling the polymer melt to a temperature lower than or equal to 1400 C; e) extruding the cooled polymer melt through a die to obtain an expanded polystyrene sheet.

Abstract: A pressure transducer with a capillary tube filled with a fluid for high pressure measurements. The pressure transducer has a sensitive element formed with a bore defining a cylindrical sensitive chamber, and respective capillary tubes attached to either ends of the sensitive element in fluid communication with the sensitive chamber. Advantageously, each capillary tube has a respective end outside threaded to engage in a mating thread-way provided in the sensitive element; moreover, a perimeter weld is provided for safety around each capillary tube near the connection to the sensitive element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure transducer with a capillary tube filled with a fluid for high pressure measurements. This pressure transducer comprises a sensitive element formed with a bore defining a cylindrical sensitive chamber, and respective capillary tubes attached to either ends of the sensitive element in fluid communication with the sensitive chamber. Advantageously, each capillary tube has a respective end outside threaded to engage in a mating thread-way provided in the sensitive element; moreover, a perimeter weld is provided for safety around each capillary tube near the connection to the sensitive element.

Abstract: A tray for packaging food products which may release smelly volatile substances produced from a sheet of substantially open-cell expanded thermoplastic material containing a finely divided solid material provided with adsorbing properties towards said substances, such as for example aluminium oxide, bentonite, kaolin, activated charcoal, zeolites, synthetic polymers with a high melting point such as polyphenyloxide and polyimides, graphite, mica, diatomaceous earth, pumice and clay; the inner surface of said tray is preferably provided with apertures.

Abstract: A method of producing a substantially open-cell, expanded polystyrene sheet, comprising the steps of: forming a mixture comprising from 30 to 95% of polystyrene incorporating an aliphatic hydrocarbon with 4-6 carbon atoms, from 0 to 65% of polystyrene, and from 0.2 to 10% of a nucleating agent, mixing the mixture obtained and melting it by heating inside an extruder, bringing the mixture to a temperature of 130-150° C. in the final portion of the extruder, extruding the mixture in a lower-pressure atmosphere to produce an expanded sheet, which has a low density and a high capacity to absorb aqueous liquids, particularly if a surfactant is added to the starting mixture, and which, when coupled with two films of plastics material gives rise to a laminate suitable for the production, by thermoforming, of trays for foods which may release aqueous liquids.

Abstract: A sheet of expanded plastics material with absorbent properties towards aqueous liquids has a structure with intercommunicating cells and comprises at least one surfactant and at least one lubricating agent. The invention also relates to a tray (1) of plastics material for foods which may release liquids, comprising a base (2) and side walls (3), wherein the base (2) has holes (4) of 0.1-1.5 mm diameter in the surface (4) which is intended to contact the food, and is produced from a sheet as described above. Methods of producing the sheet and the tray are also described.

Abstract: A tray of plastics material for foodstuffs which may release liquids including a base and side walls constituted by an upper layer and a lower layer, the layers forming the side walls being joined together while those forming the base are spaced apart to define an interspace, in which the upper layer is pierced by holes having a diameter of 0.2-1.5 mm and is of foamed plastics material including a surfactant and the surface of the upper layer facing the interspace is rough.

Abstract: A method of producing a substantially open-cell, expanded polystyrene sheet, comprising the steps of: forming a mixture comprising from 30 to 95% of polystyrene incorporating an aliphatic hydrocarbon with 4-6 carbon atoms, from 0 to 65% of polystyrene, and from 0.2 to 10% of a nucleating agent, mixing the mixture obtained and melting it by heating inside an extruder, bringing the mixture to a temperature of 130-150° C. in the final portion of the extruder, extruding the mixture in a lower-pressure atmosphere to produce an expanded sheet, which has a low density and a high capacity to absorb aqueous liquids, particularly if a surfactant is added to the starting mixture, and which, when coupled with two films of plastics material gives rise to a laminate suitable for the production, by thermoforming, of trays of foods which may release aqueous liquids.