Patents by Inventor Stefano Serra

Stefano Serra has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20210348666
    Abstract: Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto, Augusti Sin Xicola, Fabrizio Merlo, Paolo Galimberti
  • Patent number: 11107298
    Abstract: Various machines, systems, and methods for generating calibration data for a sensorized brake pad are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a fixture, a brake pad retainer, a pressure plate, an actuator and a controller. The actuator applies a pressure to the sensorized brake pad and signals from the pressure sensors are received. Calibration data is generated based on the signals received from the pressures sensors when the pressure is applied to the sensorized brake pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: ITT Italia S.R.L.
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Mattia Solari, Laura Meduri, Paolo Truccone
  • Patent number: 11047440
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods for detecting and/or responding to the temperature of brakes are disclosed. Certain embodiments relate to inhibiting or preventing the overheating of the brakes of such vehicles, such as could occur when a hot runner condition is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: ITT Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova
  • Patent number: 11035425
    Abstract: Various brake pads with thermoelectric energy harvesters are disclosed. In some embodiments, the brake pad comprising a backplate, a pad of friction material, and a TEG module. The backplate can comprise a through-hole in which elements of the TEG module are positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: ITT Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Paolo Truccone, Umberto Vignolo, Ali Asghar Enkeshafi, Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl, Paw Vestergard Mortensen, Agustin Sin Xicola
  • Patent number: 10955017
    Abstract: Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: ITT ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto, Augusti Sin Xicola, Fabrizio Merlo, Paolo Galimberti
  • Publication number: 20210071728
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods for a vehicle smart brake pad comprising a sensor such as a force sensing device, and a production process thereof. For example, a production process of a vehicle brake pad can include the following steps in time sequence: applying an electrical circuit a support plate; screen printing on the electrical circuit of at least a first electrode; screen printing on the at least first electrode of a sheet of piezoelectric material; screen printing on the sheet of at least a second electrode; applying a friction pad on the support plate; and bulk polarizing the sheet of piezoelectric material by a supply of power to the at least first and second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Umberto Vignolo, Marco Terranova
  • Patent number: 10677304
    Abstract: Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ITT Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova, Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto
  • Publication number: 20200124124
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems, for analyzing and managing data generated by a sensor-equipped braking system for vehicles, comprising a support element a block of friction material, at least one sensor interposed between the block of friction material and the support element, comprising at least one central control unit capable of receiving in real time from the sensor means at least the basic data related to one or more of the pressure of the activated braking system, the temperature of the activated braking system, the braking torque, the residual braking torque when the braking system is deactivated, and the wear on the braking system during and after activation thereof. The system can also include one or more auxiliary sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Marco Terranova, Mattia Solari, Luca Martinotto
  • Patent number: 10495168
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems, for analyzing and managing data generated by a sensor-equipped braking system for vehicles, comprising a support element a block of friction material, at least one sensor interposed between the block of friction material and the support element, comprising at least one central control unit capable of receiving in real time from the sensor means at least the basic data related to one or more of the pressure of the activated braking system, the temperature of the activated braking system, the braking torque, the residual braking torque when the braking system is deactivated, and the wear on the braking system during and after activation thereof. The system can also include one or more auxiliary sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ITT ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Marco Terranova, Mattia Solari, Luca Martinotto
  • Publication number: 20190351889
    Abstract: The braking device comprises a braking pad in turn comprising a support plate, a friction pad, an electrical circuit equipped with sensors for real-time detection of signals relating to temperatures and/or to normal forces and/or to shear forces and having electrical terminals arranged in a zone for collecting the signals from the braking pad, at least an electronic module having active components which require energy in order to function, and a thermal decoupling element physically connecting the electronic module to the braking pad and electrically connecting the electronic module to said electrical terminals, the electronic module comprising an analog conditioning unit for conditioning the signals, an analog/digital conversion unit for converting the signals, a data processing unit for processing data from the digital signals, and a transmission unit for transmitting the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Umberto Vignolo, Marco Terranova, Paolo Truccone
  • Publication number: 20190338818
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods for detecting and/or responding to the temperature of brakes are disclosed. Certain embodiments relate to inhibiting or preventing the overheating of the brakes of such vehicles, such as could occur when a hot runner condition is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova
  • Patent number: 10408292
    Abstract: Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ITT Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova, Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto
  • Publication number: 20190249736
    Abstract: Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova, Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto
  • Publication number: 20190241166
    Abstract: Various antilock braking systems, devices, and methods using sensorized brake pads are disclosed. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for improving the performance of an antilock braking (ABS) and anti-slip regulation (ASR) system of a vehicle. The method can include detecting the actual value of the coefficient of friction (e.g., between a tire and the ground), updating the coefficient of friction during braking using the braking torque data derived from at least one braking pad of each wheel, and adjusting brake force. For example, the brake force can be adjusted as a function of and/or to be approximately equal to the value of the actual tire-road friction during braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto, Daniele Donzelli, Marco Terranova
  • Patent number: 10295006
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods for detecting and/or responding to the temperature of brakes are disclosed. Certain embodiments relate to inhibiting or preventing the overheating of the brakes of such vehicles, such as could occur when a hot runner condition is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: ITT Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova
  • Publication number: 20190078630
    Abstract: Various brake pads with thermoelectric energy harvesters are disclosed. In some embodiments, the brake pad comprising a backplate, a pad of friction material, and a TEG module. The backplate can comprise a through-hole in which elements of the TEG module are positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Paolo Truccone, Umberto Vignolo, Ali Asghar Enkeshafi, Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl, Paw Vestergard Mortensen, Agusti Sin
  • Patent number: 10227064
    Abstract: Various antilock braking systems, devices, and methods using sensorized brake pads are disclosed. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for improving the performance of an antilock braking (ABS) and anti-slip regulation (ASR) system of a vehicle. The method can include detecting the actual value of the coefficient of friction (e.g., between a tire and the ground), updating the coefficient of friction during braking using the braking torque data derived from at least one braking pad of each wheel, and adjusting brake force. For example, the brake force can be adjusted as a function of and/or to be approximately equal to the value of the actual tire-road friction during braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: ITT ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto, Daniele Donzelli, Marco Terranova
  • Patent number: 10208822
    Abstract: Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ITT ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova, Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto
  • Publication number: 20190005743
    Abstract: Various machines, systems, and methods for generating calibration data for a sensorized brake pad are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a fixture, a brake pad retainer, a pressure plate, an actuator and a controller. The actuator applies a pressure to the sensorized brake pad and signals from the pressure sensors are received. Calibration data is generated based on the signals received from the pressures sensors when the pressure is applied to the sensorized brake pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Stefano Serra, Mattia Solari, Laura Meduri, Paolo Truccone
  • Publication number: 20190003541
    Abstract: Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova, Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto