Abstract: A combined actuator provided with: a mobile element; a driver for displacing the mobile element; and a rheological control brake, which is mechanically coupled to the mobile element to adjust the displacement of the mobile element; the rheological control brake has: two contiguous adjustment chambers; a rheological fluid contained in the two adjustment chambers; a sliding piston, which tightly separates the two adjustment chambers and is mechanically connected to the mobile element; at least one external connection pipe, which reciprocally connects the two adjustment chambers; and a driving device which is coupled to the external connection pipe so as to apply a variable electromagnetic field to the rheological fluid contained in the external connection pipe for varying the viscosity of the rheological fluid between a minimum value and a maximum value.

Abstract: A lock coupling between two mechanical components and presenting: at least one pair of coupling elements, each of which presents an “L”-shape and protrudes from a first mechanical component; and at least one pair of tracks, each of which is made through a second mechanical component, presents the shape of an arc of circumference, ends with a flared inlet opening, and is engaged in use by a coupling element; each track presents a dimension so as to prevent the axial removal of the coupling element along its entire length except for an inlet opening at which the coupling element can be axially removed.

Abstract: A tumble system for the intake manifold of an internal-combustion engine is provided with a number of cylinders. The tumble system is provided with at least one throttle valve for varying the section of passage of air through an intake pipe, which connects a cylinder with the intake manifold. The throttle valve has a throttle butterfly mounted so as to rotate under the thrust of an actuator device equipped with at least one actuator element, which is made of a shape-memory material that generates a torque by modifying its own geometry following upon application of an external stress of a physical nature.

Abstract: A variable geometry intake manifold for an internal combustion engine; the intake manifold presents: at least one intake pipe which connects the intake manifold to at least one cylinder of the internal combustion engine; and a choking system to vary the geometry of the intake manifold and comprising at least one choke valve provided with a choke body, which is arranged within the intake pipe and is turnably mounted about an axis of rotation; the choke valve integrates therein a pair of mechanical stoppers, which respectively determine the location of an active position and of a home position of the choke body.

Abstract: A combined actuator provided with: a mobile element; a driver for displacing the mobile element; and a rheological control brake, which is mechanically coupled to the mobile element to adjust the displacement of the mobile element; the rheological control brake has: two contiguous adjustment chambers; a rheological fluid contained in the two adjustment chambers; a sliding piston, which tightly separates the two adjustment chambers and is mechanically connected to the mobile element; at least one external connection pipe, which reciprocally connects the two adjustment chambers; and a driving device which is coupled to the external connection pipe so as to apply a variable electromagnetic field to the rheological fluid contained in the external connection pipe for varying the viscosity of the rheological fluid between a minimum value and a maximum value.

Abstract: Described herein is a variable-geometry intake manifold for an internal-combustion engine; the intake manifold is provided with: at least one intake pipe, which connects the intake manifold to at least one cylinder of the internal-combustion engine; a partialization device for varying the geometry of the intake manifold that has at least one partialization body, which is set inside the intake pipe and is provided with a shaft mounted so that it can rotate about an axis of rotation; and at least one angular-position sensor, which is designed to determine the angular position of the shaft about the axis of rotation and has a permanent magnet fixed on the shaft, and a reader, which is designed to read the orientation of the permanent magnet and is set on the outside of the intake pipe in the proximity of a wall of the intake pipe itself and in the proximity of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A lock coupling between two mechanical components and presenting: at least one pair of coupling elements, each of which presents an “L”-shape and protrudes from a first mechanical component; and at least one pair of tracks, each of which is made through a second mechanical component, presents the shape of an arc of circumference, ends with a flared inlet opening, and is engaged in use by a coupling element; each track presents a dimension so as to prevent the axial removal of the coupling element along its entire length except for an inlet opening at which the coupling element can be axially removed.

Abstract: A variable geometry intake manifold for an internal combustion engine; the intake manifold presents: at least one intake pipe which connects the intake manifold to at least one cylinder of the internal combustion engine; and a choking system to vary the geometry of the intake manifold and comprising at least one choke valve provided with a choke body, which is arranged within the intake pipe and is turnably mounted about an axis of rotation; the choke valve integrates therein a pair of mechanical stoppers, which respectively determine the location of an active position and of a home position of the choke body.

Abstract: A tumble system for the intake manifold of an internal-combustion engine is provided with a number of cylinders. The tumble system is provided with at least one throttle valve for varying the section of passage of air through an intake pipe, which connects a cylinder with the intake manifold. The throttle valve has a throttle butterfly mounted so as to rotate under the thrust of an actuator device equipped with at least one actuator element, which is made of a shape-memory material that generates a torque by modifying its own geometry following upon application of an external stress of a physical nature.

Abstract: A choke valve for an intake manifold with a retracting tumble system for an engine provided with a number of cylinders, the choke valve being adapted to vary the passage section of the air through an intake duct which connects each cylinder with the intake manifold and is regulated by at least one intake valve; the choke valve comprises a butterfly mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation disposed transversely and externally with respect to the corresponding intake duct under the thrust of a corresponding rotary electric motor which comprises a stator and a rotor housed directly in the butterfly.

Abstract: A choke valve for an intake manifold with a retracting tumble system for an engine provided with a number of cylinders, the choke valve being adapted to vary the passage section of the air through an intake duct which connects each cylinder with the intake manifold and is regulated by at least one intake valve; the choke valve comprises a butterfly mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation disposed transversely and externally with respect to the corresponding intake duct under the thrust of a corresponding rotary electric motor which comprises a stator and a rotor housed directly in the butterfly.