Abstract: A method for detecting a characteristic of a textile or metal thread fed to an operating machine, by the generation of a light signal impacting the thread to create a shadow on an optical sensor device connected to means for monitoring a characteristic of the thread on the basis of an electrical signal emitted by such sensor device as a function of the shadow generated on said sensor device by the thread itself, the characteristic being a physical characteristic of the thread such as its diameter or a characteristic of the feed of the thread when in movement, such as its speed. The signal may be detected in analog mode or a digital mode, the signal detected in the digital mode providing real time calibration of the signal detected in analog mode to generate an electrical signal used by the monitoring means to monitor the characteristics of the thread.

Abstract: 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, where this power modulation is detected by at least one photodiode arranged downstream of the transparent conduit.

Abstract: A blood filtering device includes a filter having two compartments, at least one allows the passage of blood, being separated by a membrane allow passage of a filtered fraction from the first to the second compartment. The filtering device includes an outlet conduit to collect the filtered fraction leaving the filter. The filtered fraction flows along the outlet conduit along a flow direction. A first sensor includes at least one semiconductor laser source with a laser cavity adapted to generate a laser light beam striking the outlet conduit along an irradiation direction incident to the flow direction; and at least one front and one lateral photodiode, at least in correspondence of the semiconductor laser source, the outlet conduit is transparent to the laser light beam. The filtering device processes said the two electrical signals to generate a signal indicative of the quantity of suspended particles moving along the outlet conduit.

Abstract: An active protection system and method in a portable cutting tool with movable cutting members includes at least: a cutting member stop; a controller/processor triggering the stop upon the detection of a danger condition; a proximal electrode electrically coupled with a tool handle and a distal electrode electrically coupled with the cutting member, to make up an armature of a capacitor, the processing unit feeding an electric output signal into one of the electrodes and detecting an electric input signal on the other electrode. The electric output signal includes different frequencies. A detection unit detecting a complex impedance of the electric input signal at the different frequencies. The processing unit determines a danger condition and causes triggering of the stop based on a value of the magnitude of the complex impedance electric signal and on a phase difference of the impedance electric signal at the different frequencies.

Abstract: A method for detecting a characteristic of a textile or metal thread fed to an operating machine, by the generation of a light signal impacting the thread to create a shadow on an optical sensor device connected to means for monitoring a characteristic of the thread on the basis of an electrical signal emitted by such sensor device as a function of the shadow generated on said sensor device by the thread itself, the characteristic being a physical characteristic of the thread such as its diameter or a characteristic of the feed of the thread when in movement, such as its speed. The signal may be detected in analog mode or a digital mode, the signal detected in the digital mode providing real time calibration of the signal detected in analog mode to generate an electrical signal used by the monitoring means to monitor the characteristics of the thread.

Abstract: The meter (1) according to the invention, for measuring the level of a liquid, comprises electrical circuits in turn comprising a logic unit (3), a sensitive body (5, 5?, 5?, 5III, 5IV) and a signal generator (9). The sensitive body (5, 5?, 5?, 5III, 5IV) comprises a power and/or transmission line (7) which in turn comprises at least two probing conductors (7a, 7b) to be dipped in the liquid for which it is wished to measure the level. The signal generator (9) supplies the power and/or transmission line (7) with a probing signal. The logic unit (3) A) determines the phase shift that such a signal undergoes between at least two predetermined measurement points (PS, PA, PB) of the one or more electrical circuits of the meter (1); B) based on said phase shift determines the level of the predetermined liquid in which the sensitive body (5, 5?, 5?, 5III, 5IV) is at least dipped.

Abstract: A carbonation device for beverages includes a carbonation tank to receive a beverage to be carbonated and carbon dioxide so as to generate a carbonated beverage, carbonated with the carbon dioxide, and a dispensing device in fluid communication with the carbonation tank to dispense, through a duct, the carbonated beverage to a container for carbonated beverages, the carbonated beverage flowing along the duct in a flow direction. The carbonation device further includes a carbonation sensor associated with the duct and having a radiation source to generate a radiation which strikes the duct along an irradiation direction incident to the flow direction. The carbonation sensor also includes a first photodiode placed on the irradiation direction from a side opposite to the radiation source with respect to the duct, or as an alternative, a second photodiode placed along a diffusion direction substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction.

Abstract: A device for producing foam, particularly of a liquid such as milk, coffee, or the like, includes a liquid source, a source of air or another gas, a mixing device in fluid communication with the liquid source and air source adapted to mix the liquid coming from the liquid source with the air coming from the air source to generate a foam of the liquid. The device further includes a duct in fluid communication with the mixing device downstream of the mixing device, with the foam flowing along the duct in a flow direction. The device includes a foam sensor associated with the duct and having a radiation source adapted to generate a radiation which strikes the duct along an irradiation direction incident to the flow direction. The foam sensor further: includes a first photodiode placed on the irradiation direction or a second photodiode placed along a diffusion direction.

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 safety system in a portable tool (1) includes a pair of electrodes connected to a measurement and assessment unit, the measurement and assessment unit being an integrated circuit touch sensor device provided with a ground connector and with a sense electrode, wherein the ground connector is configured as internal floating ground connected to one electrode, the measurement and assessment unit configured for acquiring a reference capacity value measured between the two electrodes varies by a preset difference threshold with respect to the reference value, the safety signal being sent to a tool deactivation actuator.

Abstract: A method for measuring the mean velocity (VH) of an extracorporeal blood fluid or infusion fluid, by means of retroinjection interferometry, comprises the step of emitting a first laser light beam (41), from the laser cavity (40) of a semiconductor laser source (60), reflection of a second laser beam (45) by the fluid (50) and consequent generation of interference with the first laser beam (41) inside the laser cavity (40), detection of the interference signal by a monitoring photodiode (46), and processing, by means of an electronic processing and control circuit (100), of the interference signal detected. The invention also comprises an apparatus (62) for implementing the method described and an extracorporeal circuit (58) comprising said apparatus. The invention also comprises a method for replacing a laser source in said apparatus.

Abstract: A device for protection from accidents comprises a protective support (2) to be interposed between an operator and a tool (3) to be used by said operator; the protection device further comprises cutoff/switching off means adapted to be active on the tool (3) at a minimum distance between the protective support (2) and the tool (3).

Abstract: A device for protection from accidents comprises a protective support (2) to be interposed between an operator and a tool (3) to be used by said operator; the protection device further comprises cutoff/switching off means adapted to be active on the tool (3) at a minimum distance between the protective support (2) and the tool (3).