Abstract: Described herein is a valve for fluids, liquids or dusts, which can be used to particular advantage for controlling openings for passage of cooling air in refrigerating apparatuses or the like. The valve comprises a diaphragm open/close element having a central part and a peripheral edge connected, respectively, to a central support and to a peripheral support. Said supports are axially displaceable with respect to one another between a first relative end position and a second relative end position corresponding, respectively, to the open condition and to the closed condition of the valve, or vice versa. The relative displacement in an axial direction of said first and second supports is controlled by shape-memory means, including at least one shape-memory wire, which extends at least in part along the periphery of the diaphragm and is activated by electrical supply means.

Abstract: A motor vehicle air conditioning system including a Coanda effect air distributor device and mixing means which allow to vary the temperature of the air available to the different outlet conduits of the distributor device for the same setting of the means for regulating the temperature of the system. In this way, for a same setting of the temperature regulating means, the air conveyed to the outlets situated at the base of the windshield is at a higher temperature than the air conveyed to the other outlets and in particular to those adjacent to the floor of the motor vehicle passenger compartment. Preferably, a third, still lower temperature level is available to the outlets situated in the front part of the dashboard of the motor vehicle in the direction of the motor vehicle occupants.

Abstract: A lock device which includes a bolt actuated by a flexible shape memory element. The memory element can assume an extended or a shortened configuration as a result of heating. A constraining element which includes two points between which an intermediate portion of the shape memory extends is also provided. At least of the two points belongs to a moveable transmission element which moves when the shape memory element extends. As a result, a controlled element is moved from between an operating position and a non-operating position.

Abstract: An outer-rearview-mirror unit for a motor vehicle comprises an electrical switching device with a number of positions, which controls electrical supply of a plurality of shape-memory wires that control oscillation of the reflecting plate of the mirror. The electrical switching device has a single control lever with a number of positions projecting from a support, which, in the mounted condition of the mirror, is in a position coinciding with that of the base of the mirror, on the inside of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An electrical energy generator device comprising an array of micro-fans each associated to a respective dynamo-electric generator by means of a respective connecting shaft, further comprises, for at least some of the micro-fans (3), a lug element (6) associated to the respective connecting shaft (4) which mechanically co-operates at each revolution with a piezoelectric element (7), for the production of additional electrical energy. In addition or instead of the aforesaid arrangement, it is possible to provide plates (10) made of piezoelectric material which vibrate in the flow of air that invests them, thereby producing electrical energy.

Abstract: A suspension system for the cab of a lorry comprises a rotational damper preferably of a magneto-rheological type.

Abstract: An air-distribution system for the dashboard of a motor vehicle comprises a plurality of auxiliary ducts that branch off in parallel from a manifold. Associated to each auxiliary duct is an additional and independent unit for regulating the flow rate and/or the temperature of the air flow that traverses the respective auxiliary duct. Each auxiliary duct branches off into a number of terminal ducts and is provided with means for the distribution of the air to the terminal ducts, which are preferably of the type comprising means of deviation of the air by the Coanda effect.

Abstract: A valve for gases, liquids or powdery material, comprises a diaphragm shutter element having a central part and a peripheral edge connected, respectively, to a central support and to a peripheral support. Said supports can be displaced axially with respect to one another between a first relative end position and a second relative end position corresponding, respectively, to the open condition and to the closed condition of the valve, or vice versa. The relative displacement in the axial direction of said first and second supports is controlled by shape-memory means, preferably formed by a first shape-memory wire and a second shape-memory wire set on the two opposite faces of the diaphragm shutter element.

Abstract: Described herein is a valve for fluids, liquids or dusts, which can be used to particular advantage for controlling openings for passage of cooling air in refrigerating apparatuses or the like. The valve comprises a diaphragm open/close element having a central part and a peripheral edge connected, respectively, to a central support and to a peripheral support. Said supports are axially displaceable with respect to one another between a first relative end position and a second relative end position corresponding, respectively, to the open condition and to the closed condition of the valve, or vice versa. The relative displacement in an axial direction of said first and second supports is controlled by shape-memory means, including at least one shape-memory wire, which extends at least in part along the periphery of the diaphragm and is activated by electrical supply means.

Abstract: A device for controlling the-flow of a fluid in one or more conduits in an electrical appliance, particularly in a dishwasher machine, comprises at least a control member, movable between two or more positions, and shape memory actuator means of control member.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a plurality of shape-memory actuators, for instance installed on board a motor vehicle, control the electric supply current of each shape-memory elements as a function of one or more parameters referring to environmental conditions, such as environment temperature and temperature of memory-shape actuator, of available supply voltage for motor vehicle battery, of previous actuations, or of previous activation requests of shape-memory actuators.

Abstract: A door for a motor vehicle of the type without frame for the side window is provided with a device for controlling a slight movement of the window from and into its completely raised position upon opening and closing of the door. Said device comprises shape-memory actuating means.

Abstract: An outer-rearview-mirror unit for a motor vehicle comprises an electrical switching device with a number of positions, which controls electrical supply of a plurality of shape-memory wires that control oscillation of the reflecting plate of the mirror. The electrical switching device has a single control lever with a number of positions projecting from a support, which, in the mounted condition of the mirror, is in a position coinciding with that of the base of the mirror, on the inside of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A suspension system for the cab of a lorry comprises a rotational damper preferably of a magneto-rheological type.

Abstract: A discrete step rotary actuator (1) comprises a stator (2), a rotor (3) and at least an actuating element (10) made with a shape memory active material, the actuating element (10) having a first portion (11) anchored to said stator and a second portion with a terminal element (12). The rotor has a sequence of seatings (14) arranged as a circumference, into which the terminal element (12) can engage in a sequential way. Elastic means (13) placed between the actuating element (10) and the stator (2) induce the shift of the terminal element (12) between two consecutive seatings (14), during the passage of the active material from its shortened to its extended configuration. The passage of the active material from the extended configuration to its shortened configuration imparts the rotor (3) a rotation couple with respect to the stator (2).

Abstract: A stop device with a shape memory actuator includes two stop elements sliding within a fixed support structure and usually hold in their mutual distant position by cam means pushed through spring means. A shape memory actuator is started through an electric current passage for causing the displacement of the cam means in a position wherein they permit the backward movement of the two stop elements towards a mutual close position.

Abstract: A shape-memory actuator device comprises means for interrupting electrical supply to a shape-memory element when the axial load applied to said element exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A system for distributing air in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, e.g. of a motor vehicle, comprises at least one outlet for the outflow of air in the passenger compartment which can be activated placing a hand at a short distance therefrom without touching it.

Abstract: A valve for gases, liquids or powdery material, comprises a diaphragm shutter element having a central part and a peripheral edge connected, respectively, to a central support and to a peripheral support. Said supports can be displaced axially with respect to one another between a first relative end position and a second relative end position corresponding, respectively, to the open condition and to the closed condition of the valve, or vice versa. The relative displacement in the axial direction of said first and second supports is controlled by shape-memory means, preferably formed by a first shape-memory wire and a second shape-memory wire set on the two opposite faces of the diaphragm shutter element.

Abstract: An actuator including a shape-memory flexible cable with a flexible sheath can be used, by controlling it both electrically and mechanically using the sheath as element for applying a mechanical tensile force. The shape-memory flexible cable is provided with a coating made of synthetic or elastomer material moulded thereon and adherent thereto, which favors rapid return of the shape-memory cable into its resting configuration after its activation both on account of its elastic return and owing to the fact that it favors cooling of the cable. Preferably, the coating is obtained by means of a process of co-extrusion with the shape-memory cable.