Abstract: An automotive adaptive cruise control system for a host motor vehicle configured to operate in at least two different operating modes comprising a first operating mode, in which a current speed of the host vehicle is controlled to maintain a cruise speed, and a second operating mode, in which the current speed of the host vehicle is controlled to maintain a cruise distance to a leading vehicle, wherein the system is configured to: detect approaching to a traffic light and determine a light signal emitted thereby, signal to the driver the presence of the detected traffic light and the determined light signal, if the traffic light emits a red or amber light signal, estimating a driver reaction time, determining a higher threshold distance and a lower threshold distance from the traffic light, and warning the driver of the host vehicle of the need to slow it down if, after the driver reaction time has elapsed: i) the host motor vehicle has not decreased its speed by more than a calibratable threshold, ii) the

Abstract: An automotive adaptive cruise control system for a host motor vehicle configured to operate in at least two different operating modes comprising a first operating mode, in which a current speed of the host vehicle is controlled to maintain a cruise speed, and a second operating mode, in which the current speed of the host vehicle is controlled to maintain a cruise distance to a leading vehicle, wherein the system is configured to: detect approaching to a traffic light and determine a light signal emitted thereby, signal to the driver the presence of the detected traffic light and the determined light signal, if the traffic light emits a red or amber light signal, estimating a driver reaction time, determining a higher threshold distance and a lower threshold distance from the traffic light, and warning the driver of the host vehicle of the need to slow it down if, after the driver reaction time has elapsed: i) the host motor vehicle has not decreased its speed by more than a calibratable threshold, ii) the

Abstract: An automotive adaptive cruise control system for a host motor vehicle configured to operate in at least two different operating modes comprising at least a first operating mode in which a current speed of the host motor vehicle is controlled to maintain a cruise speed, and a second operating mode, in which the current speed of the host motor vehicle is controlled to maintain a cruise distance from a leading motor vehicle. In the second operating mode, the automotive adaptive cruise control system is further configured to estimate the travel trajectory of the motor vehicle relative to that of a leading motor vehicle, and when the leading motor vehicle is estimated to be departing from the travel trajectory of the host motor vehicle, to adjust one or more of the control parameters on based of which the automotive adaptive cruise control system operates in the second operating mode.

Abstract: A method controls a valve-control system for variable-lift actuation of the valves of an internal-combustion engine, in which the valve-control system includes, for each cylinder of the engine, a solenoid valve for controlling the flow of a hydraulic fluid in the system, and designed manner for determining a real temperature value of the hydraulic fluid. The method includes determining a deviation of performance of the solenoid valves due to a degradation of the characteristics of the hydraulic fluid with respect to nominal values thereof, and substituting for the real temperature value an equivalent temperature value consisting of a temperature value at which the hydraulic fluid having nominal characteristics would produce performance of the solenoid valves corresponding to the performance resulting from the deviation so that each solenoid valve is governed as a function of the equivalent temperature value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a valve-control system for variable-lift actuation of the valves of an internal-combustion engine, wherein the valve-control system comprises, for each cylinder of the engine, a solenoid valve for controlling the flow of a hydraulic fluid in the system, and means configured for determining a real temperature value of said hydraulic fluid. The method includes: determining a deviation of performance of the solenoid valves due to a degradation of the characteristics of said hydraulic fluid with respect to nominal values thereof; and substituting for said real temperature value an equivalent temperature value consisting of a temperature value at which the hydraulic fluid having nominal characteristics would produce performance of the solenoid valves corresponding to the performance resulting from the aforesaid deviation so that each solenoid valve is governed as a function of said equivalent temperature value.

Abstract: The movable element of a solenoid valve is displaced by means of application to the solenoid of alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage, so as to give rise to an alternation of phases of charging and discharging of the solenoid (switching), corresponding to increases and decreases of current around a substantially constant current value. The alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage are controlled so that the phase at constant voltage is maintained for a pre-set time and the phase at zero voltage is terminated when the decreasing current reaches a pre-set value. Alternatively, it is possible to envisage that the phase at constant voltage will be terminated when the increasing current reaches a pre-set value and the phase at zero voltage is maintained for a pre-set time, or else again that both the phase at constant voltage and the phase at zero voltage will be terminated when the increasing current or decreasing current reaches a pre-set value.

Abstract: A solenoid valve, particularly of the type to be used for controlling a hydraulic system for variable actuation of the valves of an internal-combustion engine, has a valve element co-operating with a valve seat and a pusher element, separate from the valve element, which is pushed against the valve element by the movable core of the solenoid valve when the solenoid of the solenoid valve is energized in order to bring the valve element into contact with the valve seat. After de-energization of the solenoid, the time necessary for bringing back the pusher element into the resting condition in contact with the valve element is reduced thanks to the application of a braking current to the solenoid of the solenoid valve during the stage in which the movable core and the pusher element associated thereto displace in the direction opposite to the direction of the movement generated by the magnetic field of the solenoid, following upon de-energization of the solenoid valve.

Abstract: The movable element of a solenoid valve is displaced by means of application to the solenoid of alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage, so as to give rise to an alternation of phases of charging and discharging of the solenoid (switching), corresponding to increases and decreases of current around a substantially constant current value. The alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage are controlled so that the phase at constant voltage is maintained for a pre-set time and the phase at zero voltage is terminated when the decreasing current reaches a pre-set value. Alternatively, it is possible to envisage that the phase at constant voltage will be terminated when the increasing current reaches a pre-set value and the phase at zero voltage is maintained for a pre-set time, or else again that both the phase at constant voltage and the phase at zero voltage will be terminated when the increasing current or decreasing current reaches a pre-set value.

Abstract: A solenoid valve, particularly of the type to be used for controlling a hydraulic system for variable actuation of the valves of an internal-combustion engine, has a valve element co-operating with a valve seat and a pusher element, separate from the valve element, which is pushed against the valve element by the movable core of the solenoid valve when the solenoid of the solenoid valve is energized in order to bring the valve element into contact with the valve seat. After de-energization of the solenoid, the time necessary for bringing back the pusher element into the resting condition in contact with the valve element is reduced thanks to the application of a braking current to the solenoid of the solenoid valve during the stage in which the movable core and the pusher element associated thereto displace in the direction opposite to the direction of the movement generated by the magnetic field of the solenoid, following upon de-energization of the solenoid valve.