Abstract: Hydraulic unit for a carbonation apparatus (2) having a carbonator (3) and a pump (10). The hydraulic unit (1) has a body made of polymeric material (20) defining a plurality of ducts (21-26), which comprise a duct (21) to convey water to the carbonator (3), a duct (22) to add a gas to the carbonator (3), and at least one duct to draw water (24, 25, 26) from the carbonator (3). The body made of polymeric material (20) can also define a fluidic connection interface (30), configured for mounting the body made of polymeric material (20) at at least one upper end (3 a) of the carbonator (3). The body made of polymeric material body (20) can also define at least one inlet (23IN) and at least one outlet (26OUT) configured for connection to an outlet (11b) and an inlet (11a), respectively, of the pump (10) of the carbonation device (2).

Abstract: A microfluidic device for concentrating particles contained in a fluid sample comprises a substrate (11) having a surface where at least one microfluidic arrangement (M) is defined, which comprises: —a loading chamber (14), for loading the fluid sample into the at least one microfluidic arrangement (M); —a plurality of microchannels (13), which have respective inlet ends connected to the loading chamber (14); and —a covering element (12), which is substantially impermeable to the fluid sample and extends at least partially over the plurality of microchannels (13).

Abstract: A valve (1) for controlling a flow of a fluid comprises: —a valve body having at least one first body part (2) made of a moulded plastic material; —a chamber for passage of the fluid (6), defined within the first body part (2) and comprising at least one fluid inlet (6a) and at least one fluid outlet (6b); —a valve seat (7) defined within the chamber for passage (6) of the fluid; —means for shutting off the fluid (8-9), which can be displaced relative to the valve seat (7) in order to control flow of the fluid; and —a compensation element prearranged for compensating a possible increase in volume and/or pressure of the fluid. The compensation element comprises a compensation body (26) made of an elastically deformable and/or compressible material, the moulded plastic material of the first body part (2) being stiffer than the elastically deformable and/or compressible material.

Abstract: A semifinished product of an electric heater device (1) has a structure that extends in a length direction (L) and that comprises: —two connection bodies (2), which substantially extend alongside one another or parallel to one another in the length direction (L) and are at least in part flexible or deformable in the length direction (L); and —a plurality of heating bodies (3), each heating body (3) including a material having a PTC effect. The heating bodies (3) are set at a distance from one another in the length direction (L) and generally extend in a direction transverse to the length direction (L). The material having a PTC effect is a polymer-based material that is in electrical contact with the at least two connection bodies (2). Each of the at least two connection bodies (2) comprises electrical- and mechanical-connection parts (2a), which have a mesh structure that is at least partially embedded or englobed in the polymer-based material.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for concentrating particles contained in a fluid sample (FS) comprises a substrate (11) configured for being set in rotation about a centre of rotation (5a), the substrate (11) having a surface (11b) defined in which is at least one microfluidic arrangement (12) that extends substantially according to a plane identified by the substrate (11).

Abstract: A hydraulic control device for liquid-conducting household appliances or systems comprises:—a hydraulic unit (11), having a hydraulic body (15) defining a duct (30) for the liquid, the duct (30) having an inlet (18i) and an outlet (31), the duct (30) being at least partially defined with an electrically insulating material, —an electrical valve arrangement (EV, SH) on the hydraulic body (15), which is electrically switchable between a closing position and an opening position, to prevent or enable, respectively, passage of the liquid between the inlet (180 and the outlet (31) of the duct (30), —a flow sensor on the hydraulic body (15).

Abstract: A level sensor comprises an electrical-connection structure and a level-detection structure. The level-detection structure comprises a plurality of elongated electrodes, which include at least three measuring electrodes. The elongated electrodes extend at least partially in side-by-sidey positions in a length direction of the level-detection structure and each have a proximal end and a distal end relative to the electrical-connection structure. The level-detection structure is divided, in the length direction, into a succession of detection sections, each of which includes two effective portions of two respective measuring electrodes, the two effective portions extending to a prevalent extent substantially parallel and equidistant, at a first predetermined distance from each other, in the length direction.

Abstract: A bearing detection device comprises a housing body, to be fixed to a stationary ring of a bearing, and a detection arrangement on the housing body, comprising a piezoelectric transducer. The detection arrangement also comprises: a floating body, mounted on the housing body and suitable for mechanically transmitting vibrations of the bearing, and a sensor unit, which is mounted in a stationary position on the housing body and has a detection surface configured for receiving thereon a corresponding surface of the floating body. The piezoelectric transducer defines at least part of the detection surface and is configured for generating an electrical potential difference that is substantially proportional to the magnitude of a stress exerted by the floating body on the piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: An electrical heater device comprises an heating element, which includes two electrodes and a heating body made of a polymer-based material having a PTC effect, in contact with the electrodes. Each electrode comprises a meshed structure, which extends in a length direction and in a width direction, and is embedded at least partially in the heating body. Each electrode further comprises an electrical-distribution element which is fixed to the meshed structure and includes a distribution portion that extends in the length direction, or in the width direction, or in both the length and width directions of the meshed structure.

Abstract: An optical sensor device (1) for a fluid substance (LS) comprises a device body (2) having a detection portion (14), associated to which is a sensitive optical part that comprises at least one of an emitter (20) and a receiver (21) of an optical radiation (Re, Rr). The detection portion (14) is made of a material transparent to the optical radiation (Re, Rr) and has an inner surface (23a, 23b) and an outer surface (15), the outer surface (15) being designed to be in contact with the fluid substance (LS) and the inner surface (23a, 23b) being designed to be isolated from the fluid substance. The at least one of the emitter (20) and the receiver (21) of the sensitive optical part is optically coupled to the inner surface (23a, 23b) of the detection portion (14), in such a way that the optical radiation (Re, Rr) is at least in part propagated through the detection portion (14), in particular with an angle and/or an intensity that is variable as a function of a characteristic of the fluid substance.

Abstract: A capacitive level sensor comprises a control circuit, a supporting structure and a detection structure on the supporting structure. The detection structure comprises a plurality of electrodes, each including a connection part and a plurality of detection parts which extend in a transverse direction relative to a length direction of the sensor, the detection parts of a first electrode being interdigitated with respect to the detection parts of a second electrode. The detection structure includes a plurality of detection sections, which extend in succession in the length direction and include an upper section and one or more underlying lower sections. Each detection section includes respective first and second electrodes, which are electrically insulated from one another and with respect to the first and second electrodes of the other detection sections.

Abstract: A safety device against leaks of liquid for a liquid-conducting household appliance comprises a valve arrangement that can be electrically switched between a closing position and an opening position, to prevent or enable, respectively, a flow of liquid from a liquid-supply source to the household appliance. The device further comprises:—a first pipe (13) impermeable to liquid, for the flow of liquid,—at least one hydraulic unit (12), having a duct for the liquid (30),—a flow sensor in the at least one hydraulic unit (12). The first pipe (13) is connected in fluid communication with the duct (30) and extends longitudinally at least in part within a second pipe (14) that is impermeable to liquid, in such a way that defined between at least part of the first pipe (13) and of the second pipe (14) is a gap (G) having a proximal end and a distal end. The at least one hydraulic unit (12) has a respective hydraulic body (16) that defines the duct (30).

Abstract: A sensorized supporting device for bearings (1) comprises: • a bearing housing (2), configured for being secured to a mounting structure and defining at least one seat (2c) for a bearing (3); and • a sensorized supporting base (4), having a supporting body (4?) prearranged for being at least partially positioned between the mounting structure (S) and the bearing housing (2). The supporting body (4?) has a detection surface (4c) which extends in a longitudinal direction (L) and a transverse direction (W) and is configured for resting, directly or via interposition of at least one further element, on a corresponding surface of one of the bearing housing (2) and the mounting structure, the supporting base (4) being provided with a mechanical-stress sensor.

Abstract: A device (20) for creating cell-exclusion zones comprises a baseplate (21) having a first major face from which a plurality of exclusion reliefs (22) project, each exclusion relief (22) having at least one distal end (23) configured for contact with a bottom (11b) of a respective well (11) of a multi-well cell-culture plate (10). The baseplate (21) and the plurality of exclusion reliefs (22) are defined at least in part by an elastic or flexible material in such a way that at least the baseplate (21) is elastically deformable at least during removal thereof from a multi-well cell-culture plate (10), the elastic or flexible material preferably being an elastomer.

Abstract: A detection device for a liquid-conducting appliance includes a hydraulic body (2) defining a duct (3) for a flow of a liquid, and a flow sensor on the hydraulic body (2), which includes an electromagnetic arrangement and a detection arrangement. The detection arrangement includes two electrode units (20) for detecting a potential difference induced by the flow of the liquid through an electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic arrangement. The hydraulic body (2) has two through openings on two opposite sides (3a, 3b) of the duct (3), inserted in each of which is a corresponding electrode unit (20), in such a way that the electrode units (20) are opposed to one another and in contact with the liquid. The device (1) includes sealing elements at each through opening, for preventing leakage of the liquid from the duct (3).

Abstract: A washing-agent dispenser designed for being mounted at a through opening (A) of a tub wall (5) of a dishwasher comprises:—a dispenser body (11), having a rear part (11?) and a front part (11?); —a perimetral gasket (30) mounted in a corresponding seat (S) of the dispenser body (11) and prearranged for exerting a sealing action with respect to a mounting side (5a) of the tub wall (5); —a frame (40) having a substantially annular shape, defining a central passage (B) through which the rear part (11?) of the dispenser body (11) is insertable.

Abstract: A hydraulic control device for liquid-conducting appliances and systems is designed for connection between a source of liquid and an appliance or system using the liquid. The hydraulic control device (1) comprises: —a device body (2?, 3?) having a duct for the liquid (30a, 30b) that extends between an inlet connector (2a) and an outlet connector (3 a); —a flow meter (40, 50) associated to the device body (2\ 3?); and—a valve arrangement (31, 33-37) associated to the device body (2?, 3?), including a valve member (31), which is displaceable between an opening position and a closing position of the duct for the liquid (30a, 30b), and a control mechanism (33-37) for controlling the valve member (31). The control mechanism (33-37) is switchable on the basis of a detection made by the flow meter (40, 50) in order to displace the valve member (31) from the opening position to the closing position of the duct for the liquid (30a, 30b).

Abstract: An electrical heating device comprises: a first electrode layer (13), made of electrically conductive material; a second electrode layer (14), made of electrically conductive material; and a heating layer, made of a material having a PTC effect, wherein the first electrode layer (13) and the second electrode layer (14) face one another, with at least one part of the heating layer that is set between the first electrode layer (13) and the second electrode layer (14), in contact with them.

Abstract: A washing-agent dispenser for machines for washing, in particular dishwashers, comprises: a dispenser body (11) with at least one receptacle FIG. 14 (12, 12a) for containing a washing agent; at least one hatch (20) having a hatch body (21) mounted in a guided way relative to the dispenser body (11) for being slidable between a position of closing and a position of opening of the at least one receptacle (12, 12a), the hatch body (21) having two longitudinal sides (21b, 21c) generally parallel to one another and with respect to a direction of displacement of the hatch body (21) between the position of opening and the position of closing; and a guide arrangement (25-27, 30a-30b, 31a-31b) between the dispenser body (11) and the hatch body (21), for guiding displacement of the hatch body (21) between the position of opening and the position of closing.

Abstract: A dishwasher washing agent dispenser includes (a) a dispenser body, configured to be set partially into an opening of an inner side of a dishwasher door and the dispenser body has a receptacle for containing a washing agent, (b) a dispenser door mounted in a guided way with respect to the dispenser body, for being slidable between positions of closing and opening of the receptacle, the open position allowing dispensing of the washing agent from the receptacle, (c) guides between the dispenser body and the dispenser door, for guiding displacement of the dispenser door between the positions of closing and opening in such a way that, when the dispenser door is open, a portion of the dispenser door projects from the dispenser body, in a substantially cantilever fashion, and (d) a supporting element extending in length downwards from the dispenser door and configured to counter bending of the portion of the dispenser door that projects from the dispenser body when the dispenser door is in the open position.