Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an electro-hydraulic system for variable actuation of intake valves where each cylinder has two intake valves, associated with two intake conduits. A first conduit is generates within the cylinder a tumble motion of airflow introduced therein, when the intake valve associated thereto is at least partially opened. The second intake conduit generates within the cylinder a swirl motion of airflow introduced therein when the second intake valve is at least partially opened. A controller of controls one or more control valves to open only one of the intake valves of each cylinder in a condition of reduced engine operation, below a predetermined load and/or a predetermined speed of the engine, and to always open both intake valves in the remaining conditions of engine operation. The first intake valve is the only valve to be opened in the reduced engine operation condition.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an electro-hydraulic system for variable actuation of intake valves where each cylinder has two intake valves, associated with two intake conduits. A first conduit is generates within the cylinder a tumble motion of airflow introduced therein, when the intake valve associated thereto is at least partially opened. The second intake conduit generates within the cylinder a swirl motion of airflow introduced therein when the second intake valve is at least partially opened. A controller of controls one or more control valves to open only one of the intake valves of each cylinder in a condition of reduced engine operation, below a predetermined load and/or a predetermined speed of the engine, and to always open both intake valves in the remaining conditions of engine operation. The first intake valve is the only valve to be opened in the reduced engine operation condition.

Abstract: An atomizer of a fuel electro-injector is equipped with a nozzle and a valve needle having a head, which is coupled to a sealing seat of the nozzle, and stem, which engages an inner seat of the nozzle; the stem and the nozzle define an annular passageway with a chamber that axially terminates at the sealing seat; the stem has an intermediate portion coupled in an axially sliding manner in the inner seat and defining a plurality of channels, the outlets of which are arranged on the annular chamber; the sealing seat and the head of the valve needle define a discharge section, which is annular and has a width that increases as the opening stroke of the valve needle proceeds; the ratio between the depth and the outer chord of the minimum cross-section of the channels is greater than or equal to two.

Abstract: A system for variable actuation of an engine valve of an internal-combustion engine includes a master piston and a slave piston, driven by the master piston. A control valve controls a communication of a volume of a pressurized fluid with a lower pressure environment, which is connected to a fluid accumulator, and an electronic control unit controls the electrically operated control valve. A device for dampening pressure oscillations is connected to the volume of pressurized fluid and includes an additional volume adapted for receiving fluid from the volume of pressurized fluid only when, following upon oscillations of the pressure in the volume of pressurized fluid, the pressure exceeds a maximum threshold value, which is higher than a mean pressure value that is set up in the volume of pressurized fluid when the master piston drives the slave piston in normal operating conditions.

Abstract: A fuel electro-injector for a fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, having an atomizer equipped with a nozzle and a valve needle defining a discharge section that is annular and has a width that continuously increases as the opening stroke of the valve needle proceeds. The opening stroke is directed outwards and is caused, in a proportional manner, by the operation of an electric actuator. The electro-injector has a high-pressure environment with an annular passageway around the lateral outer surface of the valve needle to supply fuel to the discharge section, and a low-pressure environment, which communicates with a fuel outlet and is separated from the high-pressure environment by a dynamic seal between the valve needle and the nozzle.

Abstract: An atomizer of a fuel electro-injector is equipped with a nozzle and a valve needle having a head, which is coupled to a sealing seat of the nozzle, and stem, which engages an inner seat of the nozzle; the stem and the nozzle define an annular passageway with a chamber that axially terminates at the sealing seat; the stem has an intermediate portion coupled in an axially sliding manner in the inner seat and defining a plurality of channels, the outlets of which are arranged on the annular chamber; the sealing seat and the head of the valve needle define a discharge section, which is annular and has a width that increases as the opening stroke of the valve needle proceeds; the ratio between the depth and the outer chord of the minimum cross-section of the channels is greater than or equal to two.

Abstract: A system for variable actuation of an engine valve of an internal-combustion engine includes a master piston and a slave piston, driven by the master piston. A control valve controls a communication of a volume of a pressurized fluid with a lower pressure environment, which is connected to a fluid accumulator, and an electronic control unit controls the electrically operated control valve. A device for dampening pressure oscillations is connected to the volume of pressurized fluid and includes an additional volume adapted for receiving fluid from the volume of pressurized fluid only when, following upon oscillations of the pressure in the volume of pressurized fluid, the pressure exceeds a maximum threshold value, which is higher than a mean pressure value that is set up in the volume of pressurized fluid when the master piston drives the slave piston in normal operating conditions.

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a three-way, three-position solenoid valve, having an inlet communicating with a pressurized-fluid chamber and with a hydraulic actuator of an intake valve, and two outlets communicating with an actuator of another intake valve of a cylinder and the exhaust channel. The solenoid valve has a first position, in which the inlet communicates with both outlets, a second position, in which the inlet communicates only with the outlet connected to the actuator of the intake valve and a third position, in which the inlet does not communicate with any of the two outlets. During at least part of an active stroke of a tappet, the solenoid valve is kept in the third position to render the first intake valve active. During the active stroke of the tappet, the solenoid valve is never brought into the second position so that the second intake valve always remains closed.

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a system for variable actuation of intake valves, including a control valve for each cylinder, which controls communication of a pressurized-fluid chamber with a discharge channel. The control valve has at least three different positions, namely, a first completely open position, a second partially open position, and a third completely closed position. Electronic control means are programmed for keeping the control valve in its closed position in operating stages in which the intake valve must remain coupled to the respective cam and for bringing the control valve from its completely closed position to its partially open position or to its completely open position in operating stages in which the intake valve must be uncoupled from the respective cam, selection between the first position and said second position of the control valve being made as a function of one or more operating parameters of the engine.

Abstract: A fuel electro-injector for a fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, having an atomizer equipped with a nozzle and a valve needle defining a discharge section that is annular and has a width that continuously increases as the opening stroke of the valve needle proceeds. The opening stroke is directed outwards and is caused, in a proportional manner, by the operation of an electric actuator. The electro-injector has a high-pressure environment with an annular passageway around the lateral outer surface of the valve needle to supply fuel to the discharge section, and a low-pressure environment, which communicates with a fuel outlet and is separated from the high-pressure environment by a dynamic seal between the valve needle and the nozzle.

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a system for variable actuation of intake valves, including a control valve for each cylinder, which controls communication of a pressurized-fluid chamber with a discharge channel. The control valve has at least three different positions, namely, a first completely open position, a second partially open position, and a third completely closed position. Electronic control means are programmed for keeping the control valve in its closed position in operating stages in which the intake valve must remain coupled to the respective cam and for bringing the control valve from its completely closed position to its partially open position or to its completely open position in operating stages in which the intake valve must be uncoupled from the respective cam, selection between the first position and said second position of the control valve being made as a function of one or more operating parameters of the engine.

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a three-way, three-position solenoid valve, having an inlet communicating with a pressurized-fluid chamber and with a hydraulic actuator of an intake valve, and two outlets communicating with an actuator of another intake valve of a cylinder and the exhaust channel. The solenoid valve has a first position, in which the inlet communicates with both outlets, a second position, in which the inlet communicates only with the outlet connected to the actuator of the intake valve and a third position, in which the inlet does not communicate with any of the two outlets. During at least part of an active stroke of a tappet, the solenoid valve is kept in the third position to render the first intake valve active. During the active stroke of the tappet, the solenoid valve is never brought into the second position so that the second intake valve always remains closed.

Abstract: A solenoid valve comprises a first mouth for an inlet of a working fluid and a second mouth and a third mouth for an outlet of the working fluid. The valve has a first operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second mouth and the third mouth is enabled, a second operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to only one of the second and third mouths is enabled, and a third operating position in which the passage of fluid from the first to the second mouth and the third mouth is disabled.

Abstract: A solenoid valve comprises a first mouth for an inlet of a working fluid and a second mouth and a third mouth for an outlet of the working fluid. The valve has a first operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second mouth and the third mouth is enabled, a second operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to only one of the second and third mouths is enabled, and a third operating position in which the passage of fluid from the first to the second mouth and the third mouth is disabled.

Abstract: The injector comprises a balanced metering servovalve for controlling a rod for opening/closing a nebulizer. The servovalve has a valve body having a control chamber provided with an outlet passage that is opened/closed by an axially mobile open/close element. The open/close element is made of a single piece with a bushing separate from an armature plate of an electromagnet. The bushing is coupled to a stem in an axially slidable way for closing an exhaust duct in communication with the outlet passage The open/close element is kept in a closed position by a spring that acts upon the bushing through an intermediate body connected thereto. The armature plate can be displaced with respect to the bushing between a flange of the intermediate body and a shoulder of the bushing, for eliminating the rebounds of the open/close element upon closing of the servovalve.

Abstract: A fuel injector and servovalve for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The injector comprises a balanced metering servovalve for controlling a rod for opening/closing a nebulizer. The servovalve has a valve body having a control chamber provided with an outlet passage that is opened/closed by an axially mobile open/close element. The open/close element is made of a single piece with a bushing separate from an armature plate of an electromagnet. The bushing is coupled to a stem in an axially slidable way for closing an exhaust duct in communication with the outlet passage The open/close element is kept in a closed position by a spring that acts upon the bushing through an intermediate body connected thereto. The armature plate can be displaced with respect to the bushing between a flange of the intermediate body and a shoulder of the bushing, for eliminating the rebounds of the open/close element upon closing of the servovalve.

Abstract: The metering servo valve comprises a valve body, an open/close element, and an electromagnet, and is housed in a shell of the injector. The electromagnet actuates a mobile armature for a travel defined by an arrest element, carried by the electromagnet, which is housed in a casing, fixed in the shell by means of a threaded ring nut. Said ring nut is screwed with a pre-set tightening torque on a thread of the shell. The casing has a resting surface designed to engage a shoulder of the shell. The surface is carried by an area of the casing designed to undergo deformation as a function of the tightening torque of the ring nut so as to enable fine adjustment of the travel of the armature.

Abstract: A fuel injector and servovalve for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The metering servo valve comprises a valve body, an open/close element, and an electromagnet, and is housed in a shell of the injector. The electromagnet actuates a mobile armature for a travel defined by an arrest element, carried by the electromagnet, which is housed in a casing, fixed in the shell by means of a threaded ring nut. Said ring nut is screwed with a pre-set tightening torque on a thread of the shell. The casing has a resting surface designed to engage a shoulder of the shell. The surface is carried by an area of the casing designed to undergo deformation as a function of the tightening torque of the ring nut so as to enable fine adjustment of the travel of the armature.