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).
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Publication number: 20210348666Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto, Augusti Sin Xicola, Fabrizio Merlo, Paolo Galimberti
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Patent number: 11107298Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: ITT Italia S.R.L.Inventors: Stefano Serra, Mattia Solari, Laura Meduri, Paolo Truccone
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Patent number: 11047440Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: ITT Italia S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova
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Patent number: 11035425Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: ITT Italia S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano Serra, Paolo Truccone, Umberto Vignolo, Ali Asghar Enkeshafi, Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl, Paw Vestergard Mortensen, Agustin Sin Xicola
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Patent number: 10955017Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: ITT ITALIA S.R.L.Inventors: Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto, Augusti Sin Xicola, Fabrizio Merlo, Paolo Galimberti
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Publication number: 20210071728Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Stefano Serra, Umberto Vignolo, Marco Terranova
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Patent number: 10677304Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: ITT Italia S.r.l.Inventors: Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova, Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto
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Publication number: 20200124124Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Marco Terranova, Mattia Solari, Luca Martinotto
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Patent number: 10495168Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: ITT ITALIA S.R.L.Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Marco Terranova, Mattia Solari, Luca Martinotto
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Publication number: 20190351889Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Stefano Serra, Umberto Vignolo, Marco Terranova, Paolo Truccone
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Publication number: 20190338818Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova
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Patent number: 10408292Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: ITT Italia S.r.l.Inventors: Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova, Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto
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Publication number: 20190249736Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova, Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto
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Publication number: 20190241166Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto, Daniele Donzelli, Marco Terranova
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Patent number: 10295006Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: ITT Italia S.r.l.Inventors: Stefano Serra, Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova
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Publication number: 20190078630Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Stefano Serra, Paolo Truccone, Umberto Vignolo, Ali Asghar Enkeshafi, Lasse Aistrup Rosendahl, Paw Vestergard Mortensen, Agusti Sin
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Patent number: 10227064Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 2, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: ITT ITALIA S.R.L.Inventors: Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto, Daniele Donzelli, Marco Terranova
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Patent number: 10208822Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: ITT ITALIA S.R.L.Inventors: Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova, Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto
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Publication number: 20190005743Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Stefano Serra, Mattia Solari, Laura Meduri, Paolo Truccone
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Publication number: 20190003541Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Daniele Donzelli, Mattia Solari, Marco Terranova, Stefano Serra, Luca Martinotto