Abstract: A device for driving ultrasound piezoelectric actuators, on the basis of a DC voltage. The device includes an impedance matching branch mounted in parallel with the actuators and including a capacitor in series with a selection switch, which is closed and opened, at the same time as the selection switch of the actuator to be excited, so that the voltage across the terminals of the matching capacitor and the voltage across the terminals of the selected actuator are almost zero before the start and after the end of the injection. A method of controlling the matching switch makes it possible to benefit from the capacitive charge during the pulse train causing the injection, while circumventing abrupt discharges at the start of the train. Such a device and method may find application to the engines of motor vehicles, as one example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle air-conditioning system (10) capable of operating with n predetermined automatic regulation modes, the system comprising a calculator (1) capable of determining, as a function of a selected automatic mode (MODS), a blown-air temperature value (QAS), a ventilation flow rate value (DEB) and a distribution control value (REP) in order to control a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) unit (2) capable of regulating the temperature (QHAB) inside a passenger compartment (3) towards a setpoint temperature (?c), characterized in that the blown-air temperature value (QAS) for the selected automatic mode (MODS) that is applied to the HVAC (2) is determined as a function of the ventilation flow rate value of the selected mode (DEBMODS), of a thermal power value for the selected automatic mode (PMODS), and of a heat exchange coefficient value (CECH).

Abstract: An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, that includes a module for controlling the air-conditioning group for adjusting the temperature inside the passenger compartment to a setpoint temperature, the control module being capable of correcting the temperature adjustment in the passenger compartment based on a received sunshine value in the passenger compartment. The system further includes a mechanism correcting the sunshine value to improve the correction of the temperature adjustment inside the passenger compartment particularly in cloudy conditions.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a control circuit of an actuating device with at least one actuator including an actuated part and an electric member controlling movement of the actuated part, the control circuit including a bridge, the controlling electric member being connected in the bridge. The method includes: powering the bridge, producing at least one measurement signal representing the position of the actuated part, and selectively interrupting conduction in at least one branch of the bridge in accordance with the measurement signal to maintain the measurement signal substantially in an operating zone defined between a low threshold and a high threshold during a phase activating the controlling electric member. Conduction is interrupted in at least one branch to place the controlling electrical member in short-circuit via two branches of the bridge when the measurement signal reaches at least one specific threshold above the low threshold.

Abstract: A device for driving ultrasound piezoelectric actuators, on the basis of a DC voltage. The device includes an impedance matching branch mounted in parallel with the actuators and including a capacitor in series with a selection switch, which is closed and opened, at the same time as the selection switch of the actuator to be excited, so that the voltage across the terminals of the matching capacitor and the voltage across the terminals of the selected actuator are almost zero before the start and after the end of the injection. A method of controlling the matching switch makes it possible to benefit from the capacitive charge during the pulse train causing the injection, while circumventing abrupt discharges at the start of the train. Such a device and method may find application to the engines of motor vehicles, as one example.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a control circuit of an actuating device with at least one actuator including an actuated part and an electric member controlling movement of the actuated part, the control circuit including a bridge, the controlling electric member being connected in the bridge. The method includes: powering the bridge, producing at least one measurement signal representing the position of the actuated part, and selectively interrupting conduction in at least one branch of the bridge in accordance with the measurement signal to maintain the measurement signal substantially in an operating zone defined between a low threshold and a high threshold during a phase activating the controlling electric member. Conduction is interrupted in at least one branch to place the controlling electrical member in short-circuit via two branches of the bridge when the measurement signal reaches at least one specific threshold above the low threshold.

Abstract: A method of preparing a chicory extract enriched with sesquiterpene lactones is provided. The method includes performing an initial extraction chicory in a polar solvent, such as methanol or ethanol, at ambient temperature to form an alcoholic extract. The alcoholic extract is subsequently defatted with a non-polar solvent, preferably hexane or n-heptane. A second extraction of the defatted alcoholic extract is performed with a solvent which is more polar than the solvent used in the defatting process and less polar than the solvent used in the initial extraction, for example, it can be chosen from the group consisting of ethyl acetate, n-butanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, and mixtures thereof; resulting in a sesquiterpene lactones enriched extract, preferably containing at least 60% sesquiterpene lactones.

Abstract: A method of preparing a chicory extract enriched with sesquiterpene lactones is provided. The method includes performing an initial extraction chicory in a polar solvent, such as methanol or ethanol, at ambient temperature to form an alcoholic extract. The alcoholic extract is subsequently defatted with a non-polar solvent, preferably hexane or n-heptane. A second extraction of the defatted alcoholic extract is performed with a solvent which is more polar than the solvent used in the defatting process and less polar than the solvent used in the initial extraction, for example, it can be chosen from the group consisting of ethyl acetate, n-butanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, and mixtures thereof; resulting in a sesquiterpene lactones enriched extract, preferably containing at least 60% sesquiterpene lactones.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operation of a control device for at least one ultrasound piezoelectric actuator, comprising an a.c. converter with an assembly having a transformer connected to a voltage source by means of at least one controlled switch and providing an alternating driving voltage for the actuator such that: the voltage (Vc) at the connections for the load comprising the transformer, a resonant inductance and the actuator, is a square wave with the fixed chopping frequency (fr), the current (Ic) flowing in the load is a periodic signal with resonant frequency (fo), such that the operational mode of the switches is of the type hypo-discontinuous, hyper-continuous or hypo-continuous. Said modes are obtained from the relationship of the transformation of the transformer and the inductance of the resonance determined as a function of the equivalent capacitance of the actuator. The above finds application to the injection of fuel in a thermal engine on a motor vehicle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for controlling an ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator, electronically monitored from a computer controlling a continuous current voltage source. The invention is characterized in that it comprises a DC to DC converter, powered by the voltage source, delivering at least in output a direct current voltage (Vs) between two end terminals (B1, B2) parallel to which is connected at least an arm, consisting of two alternately controllable series-connected bridge switches and whereof the midpoint is alternately connected to the two output terminals of the DC to DC converter by a load consisting of at least an actuator in series with a resonance inductor.